Friday Focus
February 5, 2016
Digital Tools for Inclusivity
As we know, increasing student engagement, especially in literacy, is our primary goal for the year. We are measuring this through a variety of authentic tools, including instructional walks, student surveys and interim assessments. One way to increase engagement is through the integration of technology within instruction.
Tools for collaborative learning (to learn from and with each other):
Google Docs: Students work on the same document and comment on each other's work.
Padlet: Students add images, video, text, links, etc. simultaneously to this digital corkboard.
Voicethread: Create presentations with a team and add narration to the multimedia.
Coggle: Make mind maps online with the teacher and peers.
Glogster: Create digital posters that can include text, video, audio, photos, and video.
iMovie: This video-editing iPad app allows students to create movies or book trailers.
Storybird: A story-writing site that gives students access to professional illustrations.
Educreations: Students can draw and narrate on a topic of their choice. (image below)
Read&Write: Use this set of tools for speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and word prediction.
Newsela: A database of current news articles written at a range of reading levels.
Readability: This app removes the web ads and images for an easier reading experience.
Nearpod: A platform that allows teachers to input content for students to interact with.
- How can I naturalize the use of digital tools?
- Is this tool necessary and beneficial?
- How does this tool help to develop fluency and analytical skills?
- How does this tool position my students as producers of knowledge?
They also end their piece by noting that "apps cannot do all the work. Good teaching is always key." If you do try out one of these tools out or would like some support setting it up within your classroom instruction, let me know!
Copyright-Free Digital Images
Boys and Girls Club Mentor
PBIS Data Wall
4th & 5th Grade Student Leadership
1st Grade Student Writing
3rd Grade World Studies
#quotable
All Faculty Meeting
Friday, Feb 12, 2016, 08:00 AM
Howe Elementary School, 8th Street North, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, United States
Howe Elementary School
Email: matthew.renwick@wrps.net
Website: http://www.wrps.org/schools/howe/index.cfm
Location: 221 8th Street North, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, United States
Phone: 715-424-6772
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howeelementaryschool
Twitter: @HoweElementary