TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of May 13, 2018

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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Economic Games - Nicolas Gruyer and Nicolas Toublanc

Grades
8 to 12
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Economic Games offers over 40 multiplayer games and 14 simulations to learn economic concepts. Game topics vary from impacts of patents on research and development to an introduction...more
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Economic Games offers over 40 multiplayer games and 14 simulations to learn economic concepts. Game topics vary from impacts of patents on research and development to an introduction to the stock market. All games include complete details and an introductory demo. To create multiplayer games the instructor selects the number of players and chooses the Get Logins link. Student logins and passwords display in a popup; players use this information to access and begin play. Be sure to view the How to Play link for full information on starting and sharing games. The site was created in France, so some of the pronunciations and spellings may differ from those in American English. Currency is in Euros, not dollars.

tag(s): business (47), financial literacy (92), game based learning (171), simulations (8), stock market (9)

In the Classroom

Include games from this site as part of economics and financial literacy lessons. This site is perfect for use with gifted students for independent study with peers. After completing games, ask students to use a digital storytelling tool like Book Creator, reviewed here, to explain complex financial concepts in an easy to understand manner.

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Gridlock Buster - Center for Transportation Studies University of Minnesota

Grades
4 to 12
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You control traffic and break up gridlock as part of Metro Traffic Control in this game designed to teach problem-solving and transportation design. Begin your task at a simple intersection...more
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You control traffic and break up gridlock as part of Metro Traffic Control in this game designed to teach problem-solving and transportation design. Begin your task at a simple intersection by changing traffic signals at the appropriate pace to keep scores down on the frustration meter. Work your way up through eight levels increasing in difficulty.

tag(s): problem solving (226), transportation (32)

In the Classroom

Share this game with students on classroom computers and challenge them to move up through the different levels. Challenge students to create their own traffic-based game using Scratch, reviewed here. Challenge older students to find a local intersection that needs adjustments and offer suggestions for improvement. Ask them to share their ideas using Sway, reviewed here. Encourage students to include video, photos, and graphs as part of their Sway presentation.

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KoiKiwi - Ecological Games For Smart Kids - KoiKiwi.com

Grades
K to 12
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This site from New Zealand provides many different games focused on the environment and ecology. Select from various titles such as Electric Vehicle Race and Catch the Rubbish. Each...more
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This site from New Zealand provides many different games focused on the environment and ecology. Select from various titles such as Electric Vehicle Race and Catch the Rubbish. Each activity includes a suggested age level and level of difficulty. Be sure to read the directions for how to play the games and earn points.

tag(s): earth day (60), ecology (100), forests (28), pollution (50), ponds (3), recycling (46)

In the Classroom

Select games from this site to include with Earth Day or environmental units. Include a link to games on classroom computers and your class website for students to access during learning centers or at home. Instead of using worksheets or short response quizzes, ask students to create an infographic sharing information learned during your science unit. Canva, reviewed here, offers easy to use templates for designing infographics. Collaborate with a classroom in a different state or country using Global Virtual Classroom, reviewed here, to compare and contrast environmental issues found in your different locations. Continue your collaboration using Flip, reviewed here, to create student video responses to essential questions raised during your ongoing discussions.

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QuoDeck - Ptotem Technologies

Grades
5 to 12
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Create interactive mobile game-based learning content with QuoDeck's tools. Create an account, then choose from tools to make flashcards, video and picture quizzes, multiple choice...more
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Create interactive mobile game-based learning content with QuoDeck's tools. Create an account, then choose from tools to make flashcards, video and picture quizzes, multiple choice quizzes, or teach a simple concept. Follow prompts to personalize content and change themes. When finished, share the content using provided links. Not sure that you can create your own? Use the search bar to find tools made by others to use as a starting point for your content.

tag(s): flash cards (43), game based learning (171), gamification (74), quiz (66), quizzes (89), test prep (66)

In the Classroom

Use QuoDeck to share content for flipped learning, or for a quick assessment during lessons. Share quizzes on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector at the end of a lesson. Allow students to create quizzes and flashcards to share with the class. Use video and picture quizzes as an introduction to new content to gather information on students' prior knowledge. Create your own micro-learning management system (micro-LMS) to deliver content through short, focused lessons. Be sure to download the micro-LMS whitepaper for a better understanding of how this works.

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Symbaloo - Learning Paths - Symbaloo

Grades
K to 12
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Symbaloo, reviewed here, has taken its popular bookmarking tool and enhanced features to provide a platform for creating virtual interactive lesson...more
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Symbaloo, reviewed here, has taken its popular bookmarking tool and enhanced features to provide a platform for creating virtual interactive lesson plans and learning paths. Log in to your Symbaloo account and browse the Marketplace for already created lessons, or begin creating your own. Add websites, PDFs, videos, and more onto tiles and create a game board and learning path. Follow prompts to add items to the lesson and publish when complete. Symbaloo Lesson Plans & Learning Paths also provides analytics after assigning lessons to view student progress and a calendar option to make lessons available during a chosen time frame.

tag(s): bookmarks (47), curation (35), DAT device agnostic tool (143), game based learning (171), gamification (74), multilingual (66), personalized learning (9), playlists (10), Teacher Utilities (146)

In the Classroom

You will want to use Symbaloo Learning Paths for many different types of classroom instruction! Create lesson plans to differentiate learning and assign based on student needs and interests. Embed a lesson on your class website for students to complete at home. Using this site allows you to create a clear and concise learning path for any lesson. Share it on an interactive whiteboard with students as you follow through any learning path. Be sure also to include a link to the lesson on your class website for students to use throughout the unit and as a review. Use Symbaloo Lesson Plans as enrichment for independent learning for advanced students, or for remediation with students needing additional help. This site is perfect for use with ENL/ESL students - include links and activities to resources in their native language or add tools for practicing English. There are too many uses for Symbaloo Lesson Plans to include here, be sure to take the time to learn how to create and use this wonderful tool with your students!

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GooseChase edu - Andrew Cross

Grades
3 to 12
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Organize and run a scavenger hunt with GooseChase! Sign up for an account to begin creating games. Add your own missions to games or use missions available on the site. ...more
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Organize and run a scavenger hunt with GooseChase! Sign up for an account to begin creating games. Add your own missions to games or use missions available on the site. Determine point values for completion and optional links or images to provide additional information. Choose to allow participants to submit validation of completion through photos or videos that you can see in real-time. Once your game is set up (using any computer or device with Internet access), invite participants to begin play through a mobile device. Download the free apps for any mobile device through the Google Play Store or iTunes. GooseChase now has free basic plans for teachers where you can have unlimited games (Experiences) and have 5 teams per Experience, however, it allows only team Experiences.

tag(s): creativity (91), DAT device agnostic tool (143), game based learning (171), gamification (74)

In the Classroom

Use GooseChase in your classroom as part of your project based learning activities. Assign a series of activities to groups for completion. Differentiate projects based on student interest and ability. Use one of the many educational games already in the library to see great examples of how to use GooseChase for any subject area. GooseChase would be an excellent addition to staff meetings. Have participants locate information on websites, textbooks, or throughout your school as part of professional development. Create a GooseChase for students as part of a nature walk outside of your school, ask younger students to find different geometric shapes, or have students draw pictures of main characters in books as part of a GooseChase mission.

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Plickers - Nolan Amy

Grades
1 to 12
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All-inclusive student response is what Plickers is all about. Students do not need to have Internet access. Responders use individualized QR Code cards (print a set FREE from Plickers),...more
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All-inclusive student response is what Plickers is all about. Students do not need to have Internet access. Responders use individualized QR Code cards (print a set FREE from Plickers), to answer questions. You use your mobile device to read the QR Code cards that students hold up. Create an account and get started immediately. No need to wait for an email response. There is a demo to use, or see the Support page on the bottom menu for detailed instructions for adding classes, students, questions (with or without images), and folders to organize your questions by unit, topic, lesson and more. You can save student responses to your online Plicker account.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): assessment (146), DAT device agnostic tool (143), game based learning (171), gamification (74), qr codes (17), questioning (32), quiz (66)

In the Classroom

Create greater student engagement and increased student interest in your classroom with Plickers. Students give their input anonymously. Print out Plickers' cards and hand out to students. Use an interactive whiteboard or projector to explain how the Plickers cards work. Create questions, with or without images, and add multiple choice answers. Project your questions and possible answers. Have students hold up their card in the position that reflects their answer. Use your mobile device and Plickers mobile app to scan the cards. You will see a bar graph with student responses on your mobile device. These can be saved to your Plickers account. Use Plickers to answer exit questions or to see what students remember from the previous day. Use for formative assessment to identify misconceptions that students may have at the start of a unit. There are cards with larger fonts for young students or the visually impaired. ENL/ESL teachers could use this for vocabulary or sentence structure practice. Unless your school or district has access to a matte-finish for laminating or matte-plastic pockets, you may want to collect the cards at the end of class.

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Bioman Biology - Brett Baughman

Grades
5 to 10
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Bioman Biology offers engaging interactives and virtual labs for learning biology content based on national standards. Find virtual labs and activities sorted by topics such as cells,...more
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Bioman Biology offers engaging interactives and virtual labs for learning biology content based on national standards. Find virtual labs and activities sorted by topics such as cells, body systems, and ecology. Use the search bar to look for specific content. In addition to the interactives and virtual labs, Bioman Biology offers online multiple choice quizzes over most topics. Optional teacher registration on the site provides the opportunity to assign quizzes and view student scores for games, quizzes, and virtual labs. Registration also has the advantage of students being able to directly submit their scores to you via email. Several activities are also available as downloads at iTunes. Bioman is available as an iOS app and on any device with a modern web browser and Internet access.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): body systems (40), cells (80), classification (22), dna (44), ecology (100), evolution (85), game based learning (171), genetics (76), human body (93), meiosis (7), photosynthesis (20), respiration (10), scientific method (47)

In the Classroom

Introduce this site to your class on an interactive whiteboard or projector to review and reinforce concepts. If you are lucky enough to have access to iPads for your students, you could have the activities downloaded as apps to use for stations or early finishers. Be sure to include this site on your class webpage for students to access both in and outside of class for further practice. Have students create animated movies online using Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here to demonstrate biology concepts. Use an online flashcard maker, like Flashcard Stash, reviewed here, to review concepts before quizzes and tests.

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