Tools for Efficient Teaching
SSISD Secondary Education Technology Conference
What are we doing today?
This Smore will be available to you whenever you need it by visiting http://www.smore.com/smmw6 or http://bit.ly/colesmore.
If you ever need a refresher on how to use these resources or have other tech related questions, please feel free to email me at ecrutcher@ssisd.net.
What is it?
Most of its features are free. Some of the question formats (free response and feedback) are paid features.
Click on the title above to experience EduCanon as a student. After you finish the video, scroll down to find instructions on how to create your own.
Setting up EduCanon
Choose "I'm an Instructor!" and fill in the appropriate information.
YOU NOW HAVE AN EDUCANON ACCOUNT!
Instead of trying to edit the questions in the "bulb" provided, click on the teal dachshund in the top left corner of your screen and design a new bulb. Paste the URL of an online video. If you feel comfortable enough to do your own thing, go ahead! If you need more help, I'm here to help guide!
PollEverywhere
What is it?
You can customize question format, response layout, and how many times a student can submit a response. Kids like it because they get to use their phones. I like it because it's a super quick assessment and can be used on any type of device.
Setting up PollEverywhere
If you feel comfortable creating a poll without guidance, carry on my wayward son! If you'd like me to walk you through it, I'm here to help!
What is it?
Smore can also be used to compile multiple online resources for your students. You can choose to have students move at their own pace or follow you throughout the class period. The templates and color palettes are very appealing, and it's very user friendly. Click the title above to see a sample lesson from 8th grade science teacher, Lisa Anderson.
Setting up Smore
Click on "Design New Flyer" on the right and choose "Class." From there Smore guides you through the creation process. If you feel comfortable working on your own, GO FOR IT! If you need some guidance, I will be your sensei!
What else do I use on the regular?
TodaysMeet
Online forum and discussion. I use it as an exit ticket strategy most of the time, however I've seen it used during a lesson to guide discussion and check for student understanding. It's not as versatile as PollEverywhere since students need a device connected to the internet.
Dropbox
Dropbox is file storage similar to Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive, and your SSISD X drive. Initially you start with 2 GB storage, but you can pay or refer others for more space.
You can create shared folders between your colleagues, administrators, and students. It has cut down on paper usage since students can download and type on a word document and then email it to me to grade.
If you have oral testers, you can use Dropbox to read tests to your students. Save sound files in Dropbox and share the link with your student. I rarely make CDs for choir student rehearsal anymore.
MBCurl
MBCurl is My Big Campus' link shortener and can make your teaching life much easier.
Instead of relying on students' ability to correctly enter a 46 character URL like this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o10drRI3VQ0, trust that they can enter http://mbcurl.me/13059, which takes them to same YouTube video.
I prefer MBCurl over other shorteners like goo.gl and bit.ly because it's easier to use and the students have access to MBCurl on the school's network.
Prezi, Tackk, Canva
All are great tools for presentation.
Prezi is Powerpoint from the future. It can be more difficult to get a handle on, but once you figure out how to it works, it can be fun to use.
Tackk is a simple way to create a multimedia poster. You can link websites and embed videos. Design and templates are limited, but it's way more user friendly than Prezi.
Canva is the least versatile of the three, but it allows for users to be as creative as they want. I use it all the time to make posters and flyers. Basic shapes and pictures are free. More elaborate pictures are $1, but you can upload any image from the web/your computer into your design.