CoderZ

CoderZ using an innovative approach to teach STEM by programming/coding 3D virtual robots.  It does this via web browser making it easy to use on any devices and incorporates: coding, math, physics, and engineering.  Students will learn the basics of robotics and coding by completing missions in a "gamified" environment.  Finally, CoderZ is aligned to Common Core Standards and has lots of resources for teachers such as lesson plans and tutorials.

Below is a brief demo...



I highly recommend checking out CoderZ by clicking here!!!

For a more detailed review check out Class Tech Tips.

NameCoach

NameCoach is a wonderful web service that educators are using to learn student's names and pronounce them correctly.  This is especially useful w/ commencement/graduation ceremonies on the horizon.  The way this works is simple as a teacher creates a name/web page and then has the student's speak their names.  The audio gets embedded into a page and a user can access them all on one page at anytime.  Also, NameCoach makes it very easy to share recordings and keep track of student's name/email.  It's easy, accurate, and 100% safe for schools to use.

I highly recommend checking out NameCoach by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief demo...



*NameCoach is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.educational resources

DinoSearch

DinoSearch is a new safe search engine for kids.  It reminds me a lot of KidRex and is a great way to search for information and images in school.  Keep in mind even though there are three filters blocking inappropriate content for kid that some "bad" stuff still may come through.

I highly recommend checking out DinoSearch by clicking here!!!

For a more detailed review check out EdShelf by clicking here.

Otus

Otus is a all-in-one mobile learning solution for schools that combines the best features of a: learning management system, data management system, and more.  The sleek new design, allows for easier functionality, a brighter customizable color interface, and real-time analytics and third party integration (i.e. Khan Academy), and of course Otus Worksheets.

Here is a list of some of their features...

• Cleaner Interface: A polished, streamlined functionality lets users more easily navigate existing features including polling for instant feedback, a real-time assessment center, blogging capabilities and classroom organization tools.

• Real-Time Analytics: A comprehensive analytics dashboard integrates a wide range of performance indicators into one place, including content from select third-party apps like Khan Academy. Teachers can link data to Common Core State Standards or integrate their own custom standards to report on. Otus tracks a variety of data like attendance, participation, student blogs, assessments and grades. In addition, teachers can also create and track meaningful behaviors like grit, leadership and staying on task through Otus ‘Recognitions’. Because Otus logs all student activity in real-time, teachers can quickly gauge their impact on student growth and provide timely, constructive feedback.

• Toolbox:  Otus functions as an open, interoperable educational ecosystem allowing teachers to integrate and quickly access the third party apps and content that they use everyday in their classroom. Any Otus user can access free third-party apps or content. If third-party apps and content require a subscription, the subscriber must simply link their account to Otus and they will never have to sign-in to access it again.

• Colorful Work Environments: Now teachers and students can choose from a variety of theme and background color options to create a more personalized, vibrant work environment.

• New Lesson Builder - makes it easier then ever to create, share, and view learning activities

• Differentiate Instruction - now easier w/ more efficient tools 

• Side by Side - new view for for rubrics w/ documents, better organization, and synced calendars

• New Student Profile

• Browser Lockdown

Below is a brief demo...



I highly recommend checking out Otus by clicking here!!!
For more information check out Otus on Technology and Learning.

*Otus is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Answerables

Answerables the innovative educational tool that combines the best features of game based learning w/ a learning management system has just released their free iPad app.  Answerables is being used by educators in a variety of ways from collaborating w/ other classes, to browsing the web, all in a secure 3D virtual environment.

Answerables is used as a:

• Virtual classroom 
• Lesson planner
• Learning manager 
• Quest creator
• Resource manager 
• Web browser (managed)
• Social Network
• Student portfolio
• Presentation space

Features include:

• Multiplayer game environment
• Learning management system
• Quests and badges
• Assessment tools
• Analytics
• Resource/Content management system
• Web browser
• Secure audio/video streaming

I highly recommend checking out Answerables by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief demo...


For another detailed review check out Monica Burn's excellent blog by clicking here!!!

*Answerables is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

MathEdge

MathEdge is a excellent iOS app for young students working on their addition and subtraction skills.  This is done in a nice step-by-step process that shows students how to work the problem.  Also, it uses a familiar flash card system.

I highly recommend checking out MathEdge by clicking here!!!

Help Teaching

Help Teaching is an excellent site for educators, parents, and others looking for educational resources such as quiz/test creators, online assessments, or worksheets/printables.  These printables are for K-12 and cover a wide range of subjects.  Also, there is a test/virtual room where students can take online assessment and get results in real time.

I highly recommend checking out Help Teaching by clicking here!!!
For my Printerest Board on Educational Resources click here.

*Help Teaching is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

GoGo Brain

GoGo Brain is a new site/program set to launch Aug 1st.  This learning tool is designed for students grades Pre K-5th and helps develop their skills for school.  GoGo Brain focuses on the following areas: listening, following directions, self-control, focus and attention, working memory, and spatial awareness.  These skills fall into two categories Executive Functions and Cognitive Abilities.  It appears that GoGo Brain might use a combination of interactive games/lessons and animated videos to help strengthen these areas.

I highly recommend checking out GoGo Brain by clicking here!!!

Reading Racer

Reading Racer is a free new iOS app that I just had the pleasure of reviewing.  This is an excellent easy-to-use app that uses the mobile device's microphone to "listen" as a student speaks the words on the screen.  This is really innovative and separates Reading Racer from other educational apps on the market.

Reading Racer is designed for kids ages 5-8 and uses speech recognition as the user speaks the words/sentences as fast as they can.  The way this works is the student presses the microphone button and holds it down while speaking the word.  The words highlight as they are read and calculating how many in a row are read.  If a user takes their finger off the microphone the word is then read to help them along.  This continues as other characters race against them.  The better a student finishes the more points they get to help them unlock other racers and tracks.

This is a great educational app to use for Reading and Comprehension and to use Game Based Learning in the classroom.

I highly recommend checking out Reading Racer by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief demo...

Polyup

Polyup is a new free site that uses Game Based Learning to help students grades 3rd-12th learn Math.    These fun games teach a number of different Math topics such as: order of operations, logical thinking, calculus and more.  Best of all, Polyup is curated by grade level and works on any web browsing device (i.e. phone, tablet, etc.).

Below is brief demo...



I highly recommend checking out Polyup by clicking here!!!

Modern Chalkboard

Modern Chalkboard is a wonderful new free site for finding SMART board resources.  This is a great place to find interactive lessons on a wide variety of subjects such as: Math, Grammar, Science, Social Studies, and more Also, this is a nice place to find other resources such as links and help files.

I highly recommend checking out Modern Chalkboard by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Educational Resources click here.

*Modern Chalkboard is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

TypingClub

TypingClub is an excellent for keyboarding/typing that I just found out about from Richard Byrne's award winning blog.  This is a great all-in-one site for typing that includes many features such as: student tracking, detailed reports, badges, instructional videos, and more.  Also, there is an innovative "story mode" that lets students type the words of a story that slowly unveils as more and more words are typed.  Finally, there is a free iPad app that lets students login into their account and to continue
typing on-the-go.

I highly recommend checking out TypingClub by clicking here!!!

Cereals

Cereals is an interesting site for digital storytelling that I just found out about from Larry Ferlazzo's excellent blog.  Cereals takes a new approach to telling a story by stacking "cards" from left to right to tell a story.  These "cards" can contain any type of media (i.e. text, gifs, videos, etc.) and are easy to create.  Best of all, once a Cereal is created it can then be shared w/ others users or embedded into a site or blog.

Below is a brief demo...



I highly recommend checking out Cereals by clicking here!!

Owl Eyes

Owl Eyes is an innovative site that lets teachers create "classrooms" where their students can read and interact w/ texts.  Student's are able to select through a wide variety of literature and then annotate the text.  This is helpful as they can take notes and pickup right where they left off when reading.  Best of all, the teacher tools allows educators to create quizzes to assess how students are doing and they can even track/manage their student accounts.  Educators are using Owl Eyes in a number of different ways such as: differentiating instruction or flipping a classroom.

I highly recommend checking out Owl Eyes by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief demo...



*Owl Eyes is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Khan Academy Kids

Khan Academy Kids is a new free mobile (iOS/Google Play) app for finding educational resources for: Math, Reading, Writing, and more.  This is an ideal app for young students learning through activities, games, videos, etc. that are aligned to Common Core Standards.  Best of all is the parents section that allows them manage/track their kids as well as play cooperative games.

Below is a brief demo...



I highly recommend checking out Khan Academy Kids by clicking here!!!

Projector Screen Store

Projector Screen Store is a great site for educators or parents looking to find screens, projectors, cables, and more for home or their classroom.  Also, this is an ideal place to find good deals and other resources such as: how to build a home theater or how a green screen works.

I highly recommend checking out Projector Screen Store by clicking here!!!

For an interesting read on the evolution of the green screen click here.

*Projector Screen Store is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Geography Drive Arcade

Geography Drive Arcade is a fun iOS game for students wanting to learn about Geography.  This is done through 4 engaging mini-games such as: state shape challenge, capitals, flags, and more.  Also, GDA helps kids learn how to spell geographical location as well as find out historical facts.

I highly recommend checking out Geography Drive Arcade by clicking here!!!

SAM Labs Alpha Kit

SAM Labs Alpha kit is an educational kit designed for the classroom that teaches students how to code, ignite creativity, and much more.  This beautiful looking kit comes w/ blocks (i.e. light sensor,  dc motors, LEGO holders, etc.) that work wirelessly via bluetooth and interact seamlessly w/ their free app.

Once the SAM's Space app is downloaded and the blocks are synced up the app allows students to then start creating using a variety of functions/commands such as: create music, send out a tweet, build a car and have it move, etc etc.

Best of all SAM Labs is ideal for introduce STEAM or STEM into the classroom and the abundance of resources makes it easy for teachers to integrate into their teachings.  Educators are using SAM in a number of way from creating simple algorithms to very complex commands.

SAM Labs Alpha kit is really a great learning/teaching tool for educators and students alike and can be used for all grades and for any subject.  The sky is the limit w/ these innovative blocks and a must see for all those in education.

Below is a demo video...



I highly recommend checking out Sam Labs by clicking here!!!

For a list of lesson plans using Sam Labs click here.
For a list of projects using Sam Labs click here.

For iLearn Technology's excellent review click here.

Math Shooter ft. Professor Cat

Math Shooter ft. Professor Cat is a fun little iOS game for basic Math skills.  This educational game will remind players of Galaga and Space Invaders in it's play mechanics as students try to solve equations (i.e. addition, multiplication, order of operations) and protect Professor Cat.  Math Shooter has lots of replay value and is a great way to reinforce learning or introduce Game Based Learning into the classroom.

I highly recommend checking out Math Shooter ft. Professor Cat by clicking here!!!

EDpuzzle Update

EDpuzzle the world's leading tool for "flipping" a classroom or lesson has been hard at work w/ new features and updates to make it easier and even better for teacher to integrate in their classroom.

Main improvements:

• Main My Classes section:
• Cleaner and simpler design.
• Notifications which alerts teachers teachers to which assignments/videos requires a teachers attention.
• Specific assignment page:
• Easier to preview video for teachers to double-check videos.
• Possibility to quickly edit the title of the assignments
• Easy to update/change due date
• Grading an assignment:
• Teachers will now be able to see formulas and images when grading an assignment.
• Teachers will be able to see the feedback they left in every question for easier grading
• Option to quickly grade all answers as correct (TIME SAVER!)
• Inclusion of time spent. This means that the teacher will know exactly how much time the students spent watching the video. This is ideal for 1:1 conversations with students to push them to work harder on their assignment to get better results.
• Gradebook:
• All teachers will now get access to this feature for free. It's not premium anymore. This means teachers will now be able to see the progress of their students across multiple videos with just one click. 
• On top of that, teachers will be able to select the range of dates they want to have this information (weekly, monthly, quarterly, or picking the dates). 
• Export all the grades to a CSV file.
• To make grading easier, we have included a Total score and Total time spent across all the videos assigned to the student.
• Ideal for formative or summative assessment.
• Main improvements coming up the end of July:
• Enable teachers to assign to individual students. This is something that we have worked really hard to build. Teachers will be able to truly differentiate their instruction. Instead of assigning to a "class" in Edpuzzle, they will be able to assign to a few students.
• Enable to create subgroups.

I highly recommend checking out EDpuzzle by clicking here!!!

*EDpuzzle is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

iPracticeMath

iPracticeMath is a wonderful FREE (Common Core aligned) site for Math grades K-12.  I like to think of this as the "ultimate" Math resource, as students/educators can find whatever they are looking for, such as: worksheets/printables, interactive problems, detailed problem-walkthroughs, and more.

Also, iPracticeMath covers a wide variety of Math problems.  A user can find Math in all grades/subject areas, from basic Math topics such as addition/subtraction to fractions/decimals/algebra, etc etc.  In the "Math Practice" area students can practice their problems and use the built-in scratch pad as a "blank" sheet of paper (i.e. works on mobile devices too!!!).

iPracticeMath offers a wide variety of worksheets/printables that anybody can use.  It even lets users print out the answers or view them online.  Another nice printable is the quiz generator as well as the "Award" section that lets parents/teachers print out certificates.

Best of all, is the educational portal which allows educators/parents to manage/track student accounts, assign worksheets, activities, or quizzes, and generate reports.  These reports make it easy to assess students and find problem areas making it a vital resource for both school and in home instruction.

Where iPracticeMath really shines are the abundance of features for educators.  For example, an educator can create and customize their very own Math quiz w/ the easy to use wizard.  This lets teachers select quiz type, grade level, topic, number of questions and more.  Once a quiz is completed, iPracticeMath generates detailed reports in-real time that not only saves teachers time, but allows them to assess and differentiate instruction based on a student needs.  Also, reports can be done on worksheets, students, or even leaderboards.  There are even digital certificates that parents/educators can print out to help motivate and encourage students.

Finally, w/ Ten Marks shutting down and school out for Summer, parents can use this to stop summer learning loss or use for online learning and homeschooling.  The Sky is the limit in what iPracticeMath can do for parents, educators, and student's alike.

For another detailed review on iPracticeMath click here.

I highly recommend checking out iPracticeMath for all Math needs by clicking here!!!