TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Oct 15, 2017

Here are this week's features. Clicking the tags in the description area of each listing will present a list of other resources with this topic. | Click here to return to the Featured Sites Archive

 

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deseat.me - Wille Dahlbo and Linus Unneback

Grades
K to 12
1 Favorites 0  Comments
Would you like to clean up your online presence? Perhaps you want to know what you signed up for in the past. deseat.me uses your Google email address to find ...more
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Would you like to clean up your online presence? Perhaps you want to know what you signed up for in the past. deseat.me uses your Google email address to find websites you have signed up for and then offers the option to delete or unsubscribe.

tag(s): internet safety (113)

In the Classroom

Include deseat.me with any lessons on cyber safety. Share how the site works on a projector or with an interactive whiteboard as part of your discussions about online safety. Be sure to think carefully about the account you use and preview before sharing with students. After considering the number of sites typical Internet users may have, ask students to research other ways to improve their online presence. At the end of your cyber safety unit have students make a multimedia presentation with online safety suggestions using Genial.ly, reviewed here.

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Bitmoji - Bitstrips Inc

Grades
K to 12
3 Favorites 0  Comments
 
Build an emoji with Bitmoji. Bitmoji is an Android and Apple app, also available as a Chrome extension. Use email to create an account then follow prompts to create an ...more
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Build an emoji with Bitmoji. Bitmoji is an Android and Apple app, also available as a Chrome extension. Use email to create an account then follow prompts to create an emoji with your likeness; save it as a PNG to your computer, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive. The fun starts after creating your emoji! Choose from countless options to share your Bitmoji in emails, messages, as an avatar (even inserting it into your favorite games), or anywhere you communicate online.

tag(s): creativity (92), DAT device agnostic tool (143), emotions (47), faces (5), images (269)

In the Classroom

Create a Bitmoji to use as your avatar on your class website or blog. Update your avatar to reflect current lessons, holidays, or events. Use emojis to appeal to students and draw their attention to important information. For example, choose the bitmoji with praying hands and "please" as a reminder to read all of the directions before beginning work. Choose a Bitmoji with an interesting background or phrase to use as a writing prompt. Insert a bitmoji into a Google form as feedback for student responses. Have older students (13+) take a picture of a portion of text and add a Bitmoji to share a connection or response to the text (also known as BookSnaps).

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Cult of Pedagogy Blog - Jennifer Gonzalez

Grades
K to 12
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The purpose of this blog and the accompanying podcast and videos is to support "a vibrant, encouraging, stimulating community of teachers, supporting each other toward excellence."...more
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The purpose of this blog and the accompanying podcast and videos is to support "a vibrant, encouraging, stimulating community of teachers, supporting each other toward excellence." General education, resource, and ESL/ELL teachers will find plenty of subjects of interest. Choose from broad topics including instruction, classroom management, or technology for ideas in honing your craft through topics of interest to any teacher. Dig deeper to find leadership ideas and hot topics. Check further down the page to browse and find information on specific subjects and grade levels.

tag(s): classroom management (128), learning styles (18), multilingual (65), parent conferences (24), parents (60), professional development (393)

In the Classroom

This site is a must-add to any professional development activities. Be sure to check back often for the latest posts or follow The Cult of Pedagogy's Twitter feed for all of the latest updates. The podcasts are extremely engaging, interesting and helpful to all classroom teachers. Listen in your car on your way to and from school, or listen with your peers during your lunch period.

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Microsoft Translator for Education - Microsoft

Grades
K to 12
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Microsoft Translator provides translation between languages in two ways. Use this tool to converse with single participants or groups via iOS or Android devices, or a computer. Begin...more
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Microsoft Translator provides translation between languages in two ways. Use this tool to converse with single participants or groups via iOS or Android devices, or a computer. Begin by choosing "start conversation" and enter your name and language choice. Microsoft Translator provides a code to share with participants to log into the conversation on their device using the Translator website or app. There are two options: click on the conversation option to start a conversation, and then speak or type your words - participants on the other end hear and view text in their desired language. Option 2 is to click on the text option to translate text. Copy and paste text or a webpage URL into the first box and choose "Translate." Translator converts the text into your choice from many different languages. At the time of this review Translator works in 10 languages and 100 people can participate in one conversation.

tag(s): chinese (44), DAT device agnostic tool (143), french (74), german (48), greek (33), hebrew (16), italian (28), japanese (47), Microsoft (84), russian (24), spanish (105)

In the Classroom

Use Translator to greet "other language" speaking students and make them feel welcome in your classroom; encourage conversations between them and your class. Take advantage of Translator to widen your classroom's global viewpoint by sharing conversations with others around the world. Use this site in world language classrooms to have students copy their text to convert into the language being studied (or the reverse). Enhance student learning by having students create presentations about other countries in the native language of the nation using a presentation tool like Canva, reviewed here. Modify your technology presentations to include multimedia. Use a tool such as Genially, reviewed here, to incorporate multimedia like maps, surveys, video, audio, and more.

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Microsoft Learn - Microsoft

Grades
K to 12
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The Microsoft Educator Community has transformed into Microsoft Learn with all new, in-demand educator training and professional development. Find Product guides for Teams for education,...more
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The Microsoft Educator Community has transformed into Microsoft Learn with all new, in-demand educator training and professional development. Find Product guides for Teams for education, Immersive Reader, Reading Progress, Flip, Minecraft: Education Edition, and more. Be sure to browse the Educator programs and access the Highlighted instructor materials. Of course, there is a blog, a help center, a training and events calendar, and just about anything else you may need. You can find all of this by scrolling down the page or using the dropdown menus at the top. Microsoft Learn also has Learn TV accessed from the top menu. Learn TV has a variety of shows, such as Mixed Reality Dev Days, where you can learn to create mixed reality and metaverse experiences; other titles include Hello World, Ask the Expert, Code Stories, The Internet of Things Show, and several others. Microsoft has partnered with Flip, reviewed here, to provide virtual field trips and live events, find them in the Discovery area of Flip. A list of additional training sessions and virtual events provided by Microsoft are located here. Follow directions to link your Educator Community account with the new Microsoft Learn program, so you don't lose your achievements and transcripts, or you can create a new account.

tag(s): collaboration (87), Microsoft (84), PLN (6), preK (254), professional development (393), social networking (68), STEM (262), virtual field trips (80)

In the Classroom

Take advantage of the many resources on the site for use in your classroom and share with peers. . Enroll in the self-paced courses and tutorials to learn how to use Microsoft tools such as OneNote, PowerPoint, Teams, and others. Enroll in the online courses for personal learning in many topics or share with others in your building and learn together. Earn certificates and become a Microsoft Innovative Educator. Include all courses as part of any professional development plan.
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The Guide to Pinterest for Educators - USC Rossier/Leah Anne Levy

Grades
K to 12
5 Favorites 0  Comments
The Guide to Pinterest for Educators is an excellent resource for teachers and administrators with tips and information for managing Pinterest as a powerful learning tool. Divided into...more
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The Guide to Pinterest for Educators is an excellent resource for teachers and administrators with tips and information for managing Pinterest as a powerful learning tool. Divided into eight sections this handbook discusses the basics of pinning, organization, collaboration, and more. Each section is short and simple to read, making this an outstanding guide for using Pinterest as part of your professional planning and teaching tools.

tag(s): bookmarks (47), professional development (393), social media (53)

In the Classroom

Use this resource to understand how to use Pinterest for your personal and professional use and also for student collaboration. Share ideas with other staff members to collaborate on shared interests. Discuss one section a month with your professional learning network (PLN) and reflect together how to make the most of Pinterest in your educational setting.

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TPS Teachers Network - Metropolitan State University of Denver

Grades
K to 12
1 Favorites 0  Comments
 
TPS Teachers Network is a social networking site for social studies and history teachers. The Library of Congress funded this as part of their Teaching With Primary Sources Program....more
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TPS Teachers Network is a social networking site for social studies and history teachers. The Library of Congress funded this as part of their Teaching With Primary Sources Program. Create an account to begin using features on the site (email and password required). Once enrolled, options include participating in a chat, adding friends, and searching using keywords. Use the search from the top right menu after logging in on the main page to find specific information topics such as primary source sets or political cartoons. Create albums on the site, including primary and secondary sources, and videos to easily share with students or fellow teachers. Be sure to check out the Help section by clicking the question mark at on the top menu bar when you first get started for Quick Tips to all sections of the site.

tag(s): bookmarks (47), primary sources (115), professional development (393), social networking (68), Teacher Utilities (146)

In the Classroom

Bookmark and save TPS Teachers Network as an excellent professional development and social networking site. Share with your colleagues to create your own professional learning network on the site. Create albums with primary sources for use throughout the year in one easy to find location.

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Learning Front - Learning Front

Grades
K to 12
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Learning Front is a free online community of tools for social, professional learning. Tools for professional development aim to improve teaching and learning in the 21st century online...more
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Learning Front is a free online community of tools for social, professional learning. Tools for professional development aim to improve teaching and learning in the 21st century online platform. Connect and collaborate with individuals or teams. Programs offers the AD682 Technology for Leaders of Learning with Webinars and Coaching Sessions on many professional development tasks for teachers, new or experienced, or pre-service teachers. Wiki Task features units, lessons, and data displays for professional learning. Find lessons to support your subject area. The Networking link allows you to find other colleagues in your area of expertise. They can join your efforts and work with you. Download many free resources.

tag(s): professional development (393), social networking (68)

In the Classroom

Joining Learning Front is a great way to build your professional learning network (PLN). Expand your expertise and knowledge in your field by discovering what others are doing. Gain knowledge and networking connections to help yourself and your school. Add this site to your professional development plan as a resource. Ask new contacts you discover on Learning Front whether they have a Twitter account or belong to any other networks they would recommend to you.
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X (formerly Twitter) for Teachers - TeachersFirst

Grades
K to 12
4 Favorites 0  Comments
 
Learn the basics about X (formerly Twitter), the popular microblogging tool, and how it can help you with personalized, immediate professional development and collaboration with other...more
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Learn the basics about X (formerly Twitter), the popular microblogging tool, and how it can help you with personalized, immediate professional development and collaboration with other teachers in other schools. Start the tutorial with Module 1 and learn what X (formerly Twitter) is and why you will want to use it professionally. Next, you'll be taken step-by-step through how to effectively use X (formerly Twitter): setting up an account, following other users, creating a username, picking an avatar, and writing a short bio blurb. Lastly, you will learn about X's (formerly Twitter) search feature. In Module 2, learn about X (formerly Twitter) terms and symbols. Module 3 focuses on students understanding of X (formerly Twitter) and their Digital Footprint or Tatoo; they will learn to use the handy acronym THINK and will discuss the difference between privacy and security. Teachers will get many ideas and information about using X (formerly Twitter) in the classroom. Module 4 has even more suggestions for using X (formerly Twitter) in the classroom with all age groups, X (formerly Twitter) Chats, and lots of resources to connect with on X (formerly Twitter). This tutorial will help you start using X (formerly Twitter)safely for your learning and possibly expand into using X (formerly Twitter) for class connections with other classrooms. You can also earn 1 unit for completing the modules for a professional learning certificate. Best of all - it's FREE!

tag(s): social networking (68), twitter (19)

In the Classroom

There is a wealth of information about X (formerly Twitter) on this site, so you will want to bookmark it in your favorites to return to often. Make this page a must-learn for teaching in the 21st century. Refer this tutorial to other teachers and administrators in your building. Once you finish with module 1 you will have a X (formerly Twitter) account of your own. Follow @teachersfirst, @OK2Ask, and our lead Thinking Teacher @morerukus2, and we will surely welcome you!

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