Teaching and Learning Bulletin
Issue 11
As we approach the end of the academic year, this issue focuses on some fantastic websites and apps that can be used with students. These suggestions are based upon brilliant presentations from: Paul Hynes, aka @thebuffetking; Martin Burrett, aka @ICTmagic; and Mark Anderson, aka @ICTEvangelist. These suggested websites and apps are a great alternative to asking the students to apply their new learning by making a dull PowerPoint! Have a play around with them over the summer and set yourself a goal of using a few of them when we return in September.
How can the students share their presentations if they don't have PowerPoint at home?
Simple! Share them online using Slidepoint or Slideshare.
How about getting the students to make a Prezi instead? Students can work collaboratively on the same Prezi by copying the link into their browser.
How can I get some quick feedback about my students' progress during a lesson?
I'd really like my students to make a podcast - which websites or apps are easy for the students to use?
Alternatively, they could use the Spreaker app which is incredibly easy to use.
I'd like my students to make a video about what they've learnt - what should they use?
A fun video can be made with the Video Scribe app, which animates your images and text showing a hand drawing them!
Touchcast is an excellent app which allows students to make fantastic professional-looking videos. You can present to the camera and, in real time, drag and drop in images, news feeds and videos onto the screen. It also has a green screen option.
What are some fun ideas that I can bring into the classroom?
Zondle is a very easy website to use where students can make a little game to apply their new learning.
Animoto makes quick photo stories with your text, images and soundtrack. This is a good way of students recording their progress during a project.
What can I use to share key words in a visible way?
Wordle is a website that creates word clouds and Tagxedo is another website that makes specific-shaped word clouds. On the iPad, Word Foto is an interesting alternative wherw words can be layered over an image you have saved in your camera roll.
What can I use to share data in a visible way?
If you want to check that students have understood the importance of the data you've been discussing, why not get them to make an infographic?
For inspiration, ask students to go onto www.informationisbeautiful.net to see some incredible infographics!
What can students use as a platform for collaborating ideas on a shared document?
Try Popplet for collaborative mindmapping; alternatively, Bubbl.us is an easy-to-use mindmapping website.
Students can use Pinterest to pin important websites, images and videos onto their board to share with others.
Google Docs are still the simplest way to collaborate on a written text. It's similar to using Microsoft Office but anyone who has the link to the document can edit it in real time and not need to make another copy of the document.
Finally, www.realtimeboard.com is a collaborative whiteboard where multiple users can edit multimedia in real time.