Technology Tools
January 2015
INSTAGROK
instaGrok is an interactive search engine for learners. It displays the context of any topic as a dynamic, visual web of important concepts and relationships. Students navigate this web based on their particular interests and adjust difficulty level based on their knowledge level. They start with key facts, and then dive deeper into quality educational websites, videos, and images. Students can search with no account, but you can set up a classroom account for a 90 day free trial and gain access to auto-generated quizzes, built-in journals to develop research and synthesis skills, an assignment tool, and tools to track student progress.
Canva
Canva is a tool that makes design simple. It gives you the tools you need to turn ideas into stunning designs. Create designs for Web or print: blog graphics, presentations, Facebook covers, flyers, posters, invitations and more.
Waze
Waze is the world's largest community-based traffic and navigation app. You can join other drivers in your area who share real-time traffic and road info, saving everyone time and gas money on their daily commute.
Amount
Amount is an app for iOS devices that allows for converting units of measurement. Amount opens with a calculator window where users type in a number they want to convert. After clicking done, they choose one of several categories, including Area, Currency, Length, Speed and Temperature. The price is $0.99. ConvertPad is an Android app which offers similar features and functionality.
Padlet
Padlet is a free web-based application that allows people to express their thoughts on a common topic easily. It works like an online sheet of paper where educators can put content anywhere on the page, and they can make their wall posts interactive, by dragging and dropping different media and uploading files to them.