My Teacher Librarian Gave to Me...
15 Days of Awesome Library and Technology Tools
Why Use Kahoot?
On Kahoot teachers or students can create a quiz or survey that others respond to through any device that has a web browser, like our iPads. Your Kahoot questions can include pictures and videos.
Teachers can control the pace of the questions and decide if points will be awarded or not. Students do not need an account to start. They simply need to type in Kahoot.it and enter the PIN code and name. The site will then launch the quiz or survey.
Students can also sign-up to create quizzes for their peers to take!
Need help getting started? Let me know I would love to help you out!
Watch the video below to see how you can set up your own Kahoot!
Why Vocabulary.com might be worth a look?
Vocabulary.com might be a nice site for you to explore. The site works like a regular dictionary, but it also has a challenge section which customizes the users vocabulary lists based on the words you are getting correct or incorrect. The last thing you can do is search through the lists already created on the site or create a new list.
Vocabulary.com is a great site because:
- Easy-to-Read Definitions with a Little Bit of Attitude
- Over 100 Million Sentence Examples
- Keep Track of Your Favorite Words with Vocabulary Lists
- Share the Wealth, Share your Words
- It works on your iPad or the computer!
Why Use Flipsnack?
Create custom books for your students by combining PDF documents into one customized textbook. Once you have created the flipbook, you can embed it on a website, Moodle, blog or wiki for students to access from anywhere they have internet access.
Upload school handbooks, resources etc. to the classroom and school website for easy access by students and parents.
As the creator of a a flip book you can go online to see how many views you have had in the last day, month or since creation of the book.
I have used this same website Flipsnack to create banners too, so look below to see some of the other cool tools they offer users.
Why use Springpad?
It is a combination of Evernote and Pinterest. Springpad is like a bookmarking site, but it gets even better because it starts to learn your interests and then enhances the information you need and want.
Springpad enhances everything you save with helpful links and information.
Save a restaurant and get a map and reviews. Save a movie, and find out showtimes nearby. Save a recipe and a shopping list is provided. New and updated information appears each time you come back.
Uses in the classroom:
- Curate content (websites & videos) for students to access
- Curate information for your next unit with your grade-level content colleague or your PLC across town, or with your trail team.
- There is an app for that! Check out the app on iTunes here or the Android version here
Here is the sample one I created for 7th grade English teachers.
Why use OneTab?
How to install OneTab
Click here to find OneTab in the Chrome Web Store. Follow the steps to install it.
How to uninstall OneTab
Simply right click on the OneTab icon in Google Chrome, and click 'Remove from Chrome'.
Why use Symbaloo?
This Web 2.0 tool can be embedded into your website to help student easily navigate to the resources you have curated for them in your lesson. This can save class time because in one click students will be on the correct website!
You can make a variety of these webmixes for each of the different units you teach or you could differentiate in class by making different webmixes.
Students could also create their own Symbaloo accounts and create webmixes around topics that they are researching in class. Or as a trail you could help them navigate the web by creating webmixes for all the sites you need them to access for your trail.
Again if you would like help getting started with this Web 2.0 tool, please let me know. I would love to assist you!
Symbaloo is an App Too!
For your android device click here.
My Symbaloo Webmix
What is Layar?
It’s not a futuristic dream, it’s here now.
“Augmented reality is cutting edge technology that allows for a digitally enhanced view of the real world, connecting you with more meaningful content in your everyday life. With the camera and sensors in a smartphone or tablet, AR adds layers of digital information, videos, photos, sounds, directly on top of the items in the world around us.” (from the Layar.com website)
Layar would be a good website for you to explore if you have used QR codes in your classroom. This is just taking that concept one step further. I will be trying this next week during my book tasting activity with 7th graders.
Using Layar requires you to use the website to create the content and the Layar app to view what you have created.
Below you will find a video to help you learn how to create with Layar. Let me know if you would like any help trying this in your classroom.
Why Word Sense?
Enter your word in the search box and then the definition appears on the left side and the thesaurus appears in the middle and left side. Click on any of the related terms to view definitions or connections from the associated words. Use links to go directly to the definition of associated words.
Click here to learn how the site works.
This is a great site to get students thinking about using different words in their writing and speaking!
This website works on the iPad but the user won't see as much as if they are on a computer
Why Recite This?
As you start to type your text, it appears on the gallery templates below. Then you just swipe through the different posters at the bottom until you find the one you like and click create!
Classroom suggestions:
- Have students create a poster based on what a character might say.
- Use these poster creations on a Google Presentation to have students make a graphic to integrate into the project.
- It doesn't have to be a quote that you type on the website--it could be general directions for a project or assignment as well.
Works on the iPad too!
Recite Makes Awesome Masterpieces!
Thinglink - Make Your Image Interactive!
Thinglink allows the user to add content inside an image including video, audio, web links and more! Originally a web application, but in May Thinglink has developed an IOS app. You will find the app is already installed on your iPad. Either option is very easy to use in the classroom with students.
Students do need to create an account. I would recommend them setting up the account with their school email and password. Have students upload a photo related to your unit of study and link video, websites and google docs to make the image interactive. In as little as 5 minutes (if students complete the research ahead of time), students could have a finished Thinglink ready to share!
Thinglinks can be shared by links or embedded in websites for others to view!
How Could I Use Thinglink In My Class?
In Earth Science, students created Wanted Mineral Posters. Mrs. Miller then created a Thinglink for each hour and linked all the Wanted Posters on a Thinglink. Students then evaluated each other's projects. Click here to see this project.
Click here to see my Anne Frank Example that I used last year.
These are examples I searched for on the website (not sure about the quality, but it will give you ideas of how to use!
Excited to try Thinglink? I would love to help you integrate this into your classroom. I have great step-by-step tool directions to get you and your students started!
Bring the world into your classrooms through Google+ with Google Connected Classrooms and amazing virtual field trips.
Curriculum Connections to Explore
- Dots to Pixels an Art Lesson with Google Doodler Mike Dutton
- Cool Chemistry at NYSCI
Trips that have been archived to share with students:
- Stories in Art with the Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Learn about Living & Working in Space with two NASA Astronauts
- 4 War Memorials in 3 Countries in 3 Hours
Again I would love to help you integrate this idea in your classroom. Let me know!
Why Use Haiku Deck?
This is a great way to create presentations on your iPad and share them. Remember that you can only view Google Presentations on your iPad not create, so this is a great choice for creating simple, easy to use presentations!
A new feature that just came out in the last month is that Haiku Deck is on a web application as well. You can create your presentations online or on your iPad! Both formats look and work the same! This will be very easy for students to create awesome projects to share in your classroom!
As Haiku Deck's website says....
- Start with a few ideas
- Add amazing images
- Pick the perfect look
- Share your story in a variety of ways!
Click her to get started Haiku Deck
Please see me if you want to learn more or would like help using this in your classroom!
An Idea for Bellringer/Smart Start
Smore in the classroom
An account is required, but easy for students to set up one with their google accounts. You can embed your Smore in a website like I have done here or you can share the link with others. The only piece that Smore doesn't have is having students collaborate on the same document, but it is good to see what individuals can do too. Watch the video below to see just how easy it is to create a Smore!
Create different types of flyers
Add different types of media
Ideas in the classroom
Share information on the book they are reading
Journaling
Announce the next event you are hosting (sports, student council, speech)
Newsletter for parents
Best of all it works on the iPad no app needed!
Want to learn more? I would love to help you integrate this tool into a lesson!
Tellagami
How would I use this in my classroom?
Tellagami App
To find the app for Tellagami click here for iPhone/iPad
For your Android device click here
- You can embed your Gami on your website/moodle to give students more direction on how to understand an assignment.
- You Gami will only be 30 seconds in length, but it can give the personal touch to your assignment.
- Have students share what they know about a topic by creating their own Gami! It is so easy. I shared this with a couple of students and they thought it was very cool!