TeachersFirst's BYOD Dream Tools: Free Tools that Work on ANY device!
This collection of reviewed resources and tools from TeachersFirst includes web tools and apps that are available for FREE on iOS (iPad, iPhone), Android, and web devices. Come here to find tools that your students can use as they do instructional activities in your BYOD or 1-1 classroom. In this collection, you will find tools and resources that include calculators, quiz creators, game makers, curation tools, interactive lessons, Venn-diagram creators, literacy accessibility tools, online time trackers, meme creators, podcast makers, translator tools, task list creators, and many other free tools that will work on any device.
Even the best device-agnostic resources have slight differences in capabilities on different devices. Encourage your students to share what they discover about additional or missing features on each type of device. Your class will quickly appoint experts for each resource or tool. TeachersFirst encourages our members (membership is FREE) to add comments and ratings to help other teachers and students who are trying these tools. Free resources and tools change quickly, so we welcome your comments on any changes that may occur to these tools and their free status.
(image credit: Jeremy Keith)
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Book Creator Certified Author Course - Book Creator
Grades
K to 12
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Become a Book Creator, reviewed here, Certified Author or learn about this resource's different components by completing the course curriculum. This...more
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Become a Book Creator, reviewed here, Certified Author or learn about this resource's different components by completing the course curriculum. This course includes eighteen lessons that share features found on Book Creator, such as importing media, using the camera, and using templates. The final activity is a twenty-question quiz. Complete sixteen or more questions correctly to receive a digital badge and printable certificate of completion. The course takes approximately two hours to complete.
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (138), digital storytelling (138), ebooks (35), literacy (103), preK (247), professional development (365), writing (308)
In the Classroom
Completing the Book Creator Certified Author course is an excellent way to learn about the numerous features included in Book Creator, available when making engaging and interactive books to share with students or for students to use when creating books. Use the many available templates as a starting point to create books to enhance student learning and for students to share their learning. Find out more about how to use Book Creator by visiting the TeachersFirst review found here.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Storyvoice - Scholastic
Grades
K to 7
1 Favorites
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Step into the world of imagination with Storyvoice to participate in live storytelling sessions happening multiple times per week with children's authors. Join in the interactive experience...more
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Step into the world of imagination with Storyvoice to participate in live storytelling sessions happening multiple times per week with children's authors. Join in the interactive experience as the featured author engages with the audience, answers questions, and even asks some lucky audience members to read along with them! Select the Start Watching! link to join events and view the schedule of upcoming events, then choose to participate on the web app or download Storyvoice for viewing using the Apple or Google Play app. Upcoming events are listed with the author's name, suggested grade level, and the date and time of the event. Recordings are available the following school day and are available for 24 hours; for live shows on a Friday, recordings are posted the following Monday.
tag(s): authors (100), book lists (151), DAT device agnostic tool (138), preK (247), stories and storytelling (38)
In the Classroom
Be sure to check the schedule often for upcoming events and add them to your calendar to take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the Storyvoice activities. Also, remember that recordings are only available for 24 hours following the event, so including them on your classroom calendar is crucial. Prepare for upcoming events by sharing stories from the featured author as a read-aloud or in reading centers. Have students prepare questions to ask during Storyvoice activities, then have your class vote on which questions to have available to share with the author using a voting tool such as Poll Everywhere, reviewed here. Have students write a thank-you letter to the author as a final activity. Find templates for friendly letters and a letter generator tool at Read Write Think, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Focusable for Education - Focusable
Grades
K to 12
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Focusable provides tools that support an increased focus on activities and recharging activities that provide tools for dealing with stress. Registration isn't required; however, it...more
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Focusable provides tools that support an increased focus on activities and recharging activities that provide tools for dealing with stress. Registration isn't required; however, it allows members to create classroom groups that monitor students' focused learning time and support teaching methods on how to relax and focus. Recharge activities include eye relief, neck stretch, and box breathing techniques. Focus activities include using a timer as a focused reminder with check-in points to add a video and reflect upon progress in completing the task at hand.
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (138), social and emotional learning (72), Teacher Utilities (135)
In the Classroom
Include Focusable as one of your tools to assist students who have difficulty staying on task or with students who have anxiety as a teaching tool to learn meditative breathing and focusing techniques. Download the Research Guide for Education to understand the research behind Focusable and learn about ways to incorporate Focusable into classroom routines that develop healthy work habits and routines. Then, be sure to add a link to Focusable on your class website or newsletter for students and parents to access at home. To reinforce your focus routines in the classroom, ask a student or a group of students to share a weekly report on progress using Focusable. Students may include new breathing techniques learned, how routines are used at home, or how paying attention to focusing techniques improves class performance. Record and share short student video presentations using Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Castbox Creator Studio - Castbox
Grades
K to 12
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Castbox provides tools for creating and sharing podcasts. First, create a free account, then begin by entering the Creator Studio. Next, select the upload icon to drag and drop your...more
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Castbox provides tools for creating and sharing podcasts. First, create a free account, then begin by entering the Creator Studio. Next, select the upload icon to drag and drop your media file in a supported format of up to 400M. When the file begins uploading, complete the areas provided to include basic information for your files, such as a title, description, and publication date and time. Castbox also offers an option to upload an image for your cover design. When finished, select Publish to complete the creation of your podcast. Finally, click on your podcast to listen and share using the link or social media links provided.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): communication (134), DAT device agnostic tool (138), digital storytelling (138), podcasts (65)
In the Classroom
Castbox is an excellent podcast-sharing option for simple podcasts or when sharing audio recordings that have already been edited, for example, using editing tools on your computer. Create regular or special podcasts to share on your class web page or wiki. Are you looking for even more ideas? Record class assignments or directions. Record story time or a reading excerpt for younger ones to listen to at a computer center AND from home, adding a touch of blended learning to your classroom! Have readers (perhaps older buddies) enhance their learning and build fluency by recording selected passages for your non-readers. Launch a service project for your fifth or sixth graders to record stories for the kindergarten to use in their reading and listening center. Challenge students to create "you are there" recordings as "eyewitnesses" to historical or current events. Make a weekly class podcast, with students taking turns writing and sharing the "Class News," encourage and extend learning and have students create radio advertisements for concepts studied in class (Buy Dynamic DNA!). Invite students to write and record their own stories or poetry in dramatic readings. World language students or beginning readers could record their fluency by reading passages. Allow parents to hear their child's progress reading aloud, etc. Compare world language, speech articulation, or reading fluency at two points during the year. Challenge your Shakespeare students to record a soliloquy. Write and record a poem for Father's or Mother's Day (or other special events) and send the URL as a gift to that special person. If you have gifted students who lean toward the dramatic, this tool is simple enough for them to create dramatic mini-casts without needing any additional tools. Learn more about using podcasts in the classroom by watching this archive of the OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire: Podcasting in the Classroom available here.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
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gotLearning - Mike Rutherford
Grades
6 to 12
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gotLearning is a platform for students and teachers to discuss and share student learning and educational goals. Upload documents, add videos, or scan items to begin the collaborative...more
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gotLearning is a platform for students and teachers to discuss and share student learning and educational goals. Upload documents, add videos, or scan items to begin the collaborative process. Documents open up inside a learning conversation that offers several options for creating ongoing discussions and feedback between teachers and students. Students use the app to scan and upload work to the platform. Use the educator dashboard to share and monitor assignments and to differentiate work that fits the needs of students easily. The free option for the school year 2022-2023 includes adding up to eight classes and 150 students within an account and integrates easily with Google Classroom.
tag(s): collaboration (84), DAT device agnostic tool (138), Formative Assessment (66), Teacher Utilities (135)
In the Classroom
Use gotLearning to focus on student learning using formative feedback and collaboration based on students' work. One advantage of using this site is that it helps students to organize and share work through one tool instead of trying to manage it within notebooks or folders. Include other support staff, such as counselors, special education instructors, and ENL/ELL teachers, as part of your learning conversations to provide a holistic approach to student learning. Share student growth documented on gotLearning with parents during conferences to help support upcoming learning goals.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Spaces - Gil Silberstein
Grades
K to 12
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Spaces is a portfolio-creation tool that provides assessment opportunities and demonstrates student progress through three different types of Spaces. First, create a Class Space to...more
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Spaces is a portfolio-creation tool that provides assessment opportunities and demonstrates student progress through three different types of Spaces. First, create a Class Space to share files and media and promote discussion for the whole class. Second, Group Spaces offer the ability to connect with groups designed from within the Class Space. Finally, Individual Spaces allow individual students and families to engage in sharing learning products. Use the tools provided in Spaces to add tags to show progress or curate work products. Other options include the ability to assign activities on specific dates and to particular groups and individuals.
tag(s): assessment (142), communication (134), DAT device agnostic tool (138), Formative Assessment (66), Learning Management Systems (22), portfolios (22), Teacher Utilities (135)
In the Classroom
Access the included guides to learn about the features of Spaces and to import your class. After creating a class, invite students to join by sharing the class code or link. Access is available on all devices and through apps available on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Introduce students to Spaces by asking them to upload a short video or photo introducing themselves to the class. Create and share student portfolios that demonstrate growth in reading, math, science, music, art, or other subjects. Share student work during parent/teacher conferences to show and highlight student progress.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Native Land Digital - Victor Temprano
Grades
6 to 12
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Native Land Digital is an interactive map of indigenous territories around the world. Click an area on the map or type in an address to find relevant tribes from that ...more
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Native Land Digital is an interactive map of indigenous territories around the world. Click an area on the map or type in an address to find relevant tribes from that area. Each tribe name includes a link to a page that tells more about the tribe or treaties referenced. Use the dropdown boxes to search by specific tribes, treaties, or languages. Be sure to go to the Resources area of this site to find a comprehensive Teacher's Guide that includes complete instructions for using the site and several map-related lessons.
tag(s): cross cultural understanding (151), DAT device agnostic tool (138), maps (204), native americans (87), Teacher Utilities (135)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this site for many purposes for geography lessons and lessons about indigenous people worldwide. Engage students in learning by finding indigenous people who lived in or near your location and then exploring the provided links to learn more about their way of life. Instead of using paper and pencil for suggested journal activities, use Telegra.ph, reviewed here to create simple websites that include student writing and images. Extend learning by asking students to create podcasts using Buzzsprout, reviewed here. Share podcasts that feature information about different indigenous tribes or focus on one tribe through a series of podcasts that discuss the land they lived on, their lifestyle, and the history of the tribe.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Microsoft Math Solver - Microsoft
Grades
5 to 12
2 Favorites
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Microsoft Math Solver provides step-by-step directions for solving algebra, trigonometry, and calculus problems. The Math Solver also includes a graphing feature to visualize functions....more
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Microsoft Math Solver provides step-by-step directions for solving algebra, trigonometry, and calculus problems. The Math Solver also includes a graphing feature to visualize functions. Use this tool to find answers to specific problems, or use the practice link to find quizzes on different topics, including linear equations, inequalities, and more. If using the app, enter any problem manually or snap a picture of the problem using the device camera. Microsoft Math Solver supports many different languages, making it a valuable tool for use in all classrooms.
tag(s): calculators (38), DAT device agnostic tool (138)
In the Classroom
This site is perfect for use on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Use the practice problems to engage students when learning new math concepts. Create a link on classroom computers for students to use when checking work. Share a link on your class website for students to use at home. Have students provide their attempts at problem-solving. Have students share where they were stuck or having problems in finding a correct answer. How do you prevent this from becoming an instant homework "cheat?" Always start with actual word problems, not equations, so students must first generate their own equations. Require students to "show their work" on paper as they solve, including explaining each step. Even if they are copying from the website, they are still copying down the explanations. If they use their own words, that will show comprehension.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Educandy - Educandy
Grades
K to 5
3 Favorites
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Quickly create and share interactive learning games created from your vocabulary terms using Educandy. Activities include match-up games, memory matches, crossword puzzles, and more....more
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Quickly create and share interactive learning games created from your vocabulary terms using Educandy. Activities include match-up games, memory matches, crossword puzzles, and more. Go to the top right menu and click download the free app. After creating your account, follow the prompts to create a list of words, matching pairs, or quiz questions. When finished, edit or play the game using links found under your activities. Share using the link provided or copy the embed code to embed your game into a website.
tag(s): assessment (142), DAT device agnostic tool (138), game based learning (173), preK (247), quizzes (89), vocabulary (231)
In the Classroom
Use Educandy to create games and practice activities to reinforce vocabulary for any subject. Embed your activities into your website or learning platform for students to use at home. Turn the quiz creation around and ask students to create a list of vocabulary terms and definitions to use within the games. Introduce new vocabulary using Educandy to assess student knowledge at the start of any new unit. Extend student learning after vocabulary practice by having them create infographics, posters, social media posts, or guides with tools found at Canva Edu, reviewed here, using the new vocabulary and your topic of study.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Teachers' Guide to Cranky Uncle - John Cook
Grades
6 to 12
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How do you teach students to understand and build resilience against misinformation? Try using this game created by George Mason University scientist John Cook which uses cartoon personifications...more
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How do you teach students to understand and build resilience against misinformation? Try using this game created by George Mason University scientist John Cook which uses cartoon personifications of climate science denials. The game is available to play on any browser or download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play. By teaching how others use fake experts and cherry-picking information to spread disinformation, this game engages players as they employ critical thinking skills to build points and learn how to separate fact from myth. The Teacher's Guide features all you need to know to understand how to set up the game for your class, the basic premise and information found in the game, and classroom activities that accompany the game's features.
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (138), digital citizenship (80), evaluating sources (28), game based learning (173), internet safety (109), media literacy (98), social media (53)
In the Classroom
Add this game to your toolkit of lessons and activities when teaching Internet safety and media literacy skills. The Teachers' Guide already includes many ideas on integrating the game into classroom lessons and includes using technology to enhance and extend learning. Use these ideas as a starting point to build student engagement and help them understand the real-world applications for the information found in the game. For example, use the suggested Padlet, reviewed here, activity to compile quiz questions as suggested in Activity 5. After completing that activity, have students create their own videos, fake social media posts, or news articles that contain misinformation and create quiz questions for their peers to complete. Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, reviewed here, is an excellent tool for students to use when creating websites, flyers, and infographics. As a final project, and to extend learning, have students share what they learned with others by producing podcasts using Buzzsprout, reviewed here, or digital books for younger students using Book Creator, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Milanote - Milanote.com
Grades
K to 12
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Collect, organize, collaborate, and visualize with Milanote's visual boards. Milanote is a digital bulletin board that includes drag and drop features to add notes, images, files, text,...more
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Collect, organize, collaborate, and visualize with Milanote's visual boards. Milanote is a digital bulletin board that includes drag and drop features to add notes, images, files, text, almost anything! Share your boards with others to collaborate in real-time, when finished, share your boards using the link to view online or download as a high-quality PDF. Additional options include a web clipper app to add items directly from your browser, and the Milanote app allows you to save text, images, and links on your phone for use when working on the computer interface. Take advantage of the ready to use templates available to start your visual boards. Education examples include boards for research projects, brainstorming, class notes, and an academic project plan. Free accounts include adding up to 100 items, unlimited boards, and uploading up to 10 files.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): collaboration (84), collages (19), creativity (90), curation (35), DAT device agnostic tool (138), graphic organizers (49), organizational skills (89)
In the Classroom
Use Milanote to organize ideas and resources for upcoming lessons and units. Collaborate with peers using a visual board to organize and brainstorm ideas. Share with students to use when planning collaborative projects, to share resources, or to organize notes. Don't forget to look at all of the templates, not just those found under the education label. Use mood board templates for students to creatively share images and ideas to describe the mood or setting in a novel. Take advantage of the storyboard templates to help students organize an upcoming podcast or video presentation. Use the brainstorming templates as a visual mind map to map out features such as parts of a plant or insect body parts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Knowt - Knowt
Grades
5 to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Knowt creates quizzes from your documents and notes using artificial intelligence features. Import notes from your device or Google Drive to create a quiz. Knowt's editing features...more
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Knowt creates quizzes from your documents and notes using artificial intelligence features. Import notes from your device or Google Drive to create a quiz. Knowt's editing features allow you to highlight text, change font, add quotes, and more. When ready, select the quiz icon and Knowt creates a quiz based on information found in the document. Questions include multiple-choice, drag and drop, and fill in the blank options. Join the Beta program for teachers and create classes, add students, and share quizzes.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (64), assessment (142), DAT device agnostic tool (138), quizzes (89)
In the Classroom
Share Knowt with students as a resource for practicing for upcoming quizzes and tests. Consider this option as an alternative to flashcards or other review methods. As students become familiar with Knowt, use this tool as a starting point on lessons sharing how to find and understand important information within any piece of writing. Create a quiz together and share it on your interactive whiteboard. Ask students to analyze the questions that Knowt creates and discuss why they are included in the quiz. Once students understand how to create an effective quiz, ask them to create their own quizzes for personal study or to share with peers. Gimkit, reviewed here, offers a free quiz-creation tool for use in a variety of educational settings.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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MyNetDiary - MyNetDiary, Inc.
Grades
6 to 12
1 Favorites
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MyNetDiary will help you keep track of calories, exercise, AND also has a support community to give you help with meeting your goals. The community forum is monitored by a ...more
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MyNetDiary will help you keep track of calories, exercise, AND also has a support community to give you help with meeting your goals. The community forum is monitored by a registered dietitian for extra support. In addition to calorie counts, the program keeps track of 36 different nutrients (like sodium, saturated fats, calcium, and more). Per the MyNetDiary site, they have "over 800,000 professionally-entered and verified foods with accurate information on servings." There is a free tier of service, plus a premium membership. This review is for the free tier.
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (138), fitness (51), nutrition (134)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and share this site with your school's physical education teacher and coaches. Share a link on your class website as information for parents. Include a link to this site on your class website for parent viewing at home. Ask students to upload a photo they have taken when exercising and add an explanation about how this improves physical fitness using a tool such as Fotor, reviewed here. Have students create an online graph using DIY Chart Builder, reviewed here, to document calorie intake and physical activity over the course of a month. Share this site with older students as part of any health unit, and ask them to create a home health plan based on guidelines provided on the site Shape America, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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PBS Kids - PBS
Grades
K to 5
1 Favorites
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PBS Kids' focus is mainly educational activities and videos for kids in Preschool, Kindergarten, and Primary age students. For younger students, select games, videos, and activities...more
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PBS Kids' focus is mainly educational activities and videos for kids in Preschool, Kindergarten, and Primary age students. For younger students, select games, videos, and activities about well-known characters like Clifford the Big Red Dog, Arthur, Peg and Cat, Dr. Seuss, and more. Clicking All Games will give you 29 categories to choose from, for example, Team Work, Feelings, Engineering, Spelling, Reading, Healthy Habits, and many more. Click New Games to find topics such as Guess the Feeling, World Orchestra, and others to help familiarize youngsters with flight, trains, counting, and well, you name it, and PBS Kids probably has it!
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (138), game based learning (173), literacy (103), preK (247), video (252)
In the Classroom
Discover and share the many free resources available on PBS Kids. Show clips on your interactive whiteboard, or with your projector, then have students complete an accompanying activity. With younger students, use Flip, reviewed here, as a video response platform for students to share how they would use what they learned by watching the videos or using the interactives. Alternatively, you might try using Acast, reviewed here; Acast is an extremely easy to use tool for creating audio to share as podcasts. PBS Kids is perfect for sharing with parents. Include a link to activities on your class website along with suggestions on how to use activities at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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FluentKey - Fluentkey, LLC
Grades
K to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
FluentKey turns videos into interactive learning activities to teach world language learners (including American Sign Language). This site's videos engage learners through the addition...more
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FluentKey turns videos into interactive learning activities to teach world language learners (including American Sign Language). This site's videos engage learners through the addition of captions, quizzes, and games embedded into videos. Take advantage of the large library of videos found on the site, or upload your own videos from YouTube, Facebook, or your computer. After creating your account, add class information and student lists, then assign videos and add quizzes and other interactive content. Students access your assignment using the code created; as students complete each assignment, view responses and class averages to each question on your classroom dashboard. In addition to assigning content to individual students, FluentKey Live is an interactive game for classrooms. Share a video from the site on your interactive whiteboard and ask students to participate on their own devices.
tag(s): chinese (44), DAT device agnostic tool (138), french (72), german (48), multilingual (59), sign language (10), spanish (102), Teacher Utilities (135)
In the Classroom
Use FluentKey to easily differentiate world language lessons for students and allow them to progress at their own speed. Help ENL/ESL students master English using videos and quizzes based on their knowledge level. This is also an excellent tool to provide language learning experiences based on student interests. Even if the language isn't included with the videos on the site, find and upload videos for student use and add quizzes along with additional content. As students become proficient in a new language, encourage them to share their knowledge using a variety of multimedia tools. Annotate images using Google Drawings, reviewed here, create an audio recording of conversations, or use PhotoCollage, reviewed here, to create the collage. As students become more proficient in their new language, ask them to record short podcasts with a podcast creation tool like Podcast Generator, reviewed here, and share tips and advice with their fellow students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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4-Circle Venn Diagram Creator - Canva
Grades
K to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
Create your own 4-Circle Venn diagram with Canva's 5-step creator. After logging in to your free account, select a template from among several choices. Customize your design by adding...more
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Create your own 4-Circle Venn diagram with Canva's 5-step creator. After logging in to your free account, select a template from among several choices. Customize your design by adding text and images and personalizing additional elements, including colors. When finished, save your diagram and download to your computer or share using the many options provided, including publishing as a website.
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (138), graphic design (49), images (260), venn diagrams (15)
In the Classroom
Work together as a class to complete a 4-Circle Venn Diagram on your interactive whiteboard (or with a projector) to represent an overlap of topics in any subject. For example, use this tool to compare and contrast students' involvement in four different sports, compare events or settings in four novels, or characteristics of four groups of animals. Once students become comfortable with Venn Diagrams, ask them to include them in a longer presentation created using a tool like Wakelet, reviewed here. Use Wakelet to modify classroom technology by having students include their writing, images, diagrams, videos, and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Engaging Congress - Indiana University
Grades
5 to 12
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Engaging Congress is an interactive game that uses primary sources to help students evaluate information as they learn about the United States government. Download the app from Google...more
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Engaging Congress is an interactive game that uses primary sources to help students evaluate information as they learn about the United States government. Download the app from Google Play or the iTunes store, or select the webGL link to play on the web. Begin play by choosing a story, primary source, or pick a trivia challenge or practice. Use the Teacher Toolbox to find documents by era or topic, learning objectives matched to Common Core Standards, and compelling questions for use with each issue and story. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the home page to find the link to request classroom giveaways to encourage play!
tag(s): branches of government (62), congress (39), DAT device agnostic tool (138), evaluating sources (28), primary sources (106)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free games and materials on this site to use as a supplement to your current resources for teaching history and government. Instead of written notes, strengthen learning by having students use an online tool such as Holt Interactive Graphic Organizers, reviewed here, to create diagrams, mindmaps, and other visual graphic organizers. To compare and contrast information found in different primary sources, create a Venn Diagram. As students prepare to share their findings and summarize their learning, have them modify their learning by creating infographics using Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here, to visually represent facts and information. As a final assessment for your unit using these materials, ask students to form teams to debate different sides of the issues presented. Share their debates as a podcast using Spotify for Podcasters, reviewed here. Spotify for Podcasters is a simple to use podcasting tool offering several free options for creating, hosting, and sharing podcasts. As an alternative, ask other students redefine their learning and to create multimedia presentations using Sway, reviewed here to share text, videos, images, and more.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Aquation - Smithsonian Science Education Center
Grades
7 to 12
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Play this game to solve the world's water crisis through careful management of resources and responses to global events. Before playing, be sure to check out the tutorial to understand...more
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Play this game to solve the world's water crisis through careful management of resources and responses to global events. Before playing, be sure to check out the tutorial to understand the available options. Your mission is to make water available to all regions through a series of decisions based on cost and research. Be sure to check out the text alternative short story to the game sharing a tale of the importance of water within a small community.
tag(s): conservation (80), DAT device agnostic tool (138), game based learning (173), recycling (46), water (101), weather (160)
In the Classroom
Include this activity with any unit on the environment, water cycles, or weather. Extend this activity further to learn more about water conservation in your community. Ask students to take pictures around the school or at home showing the inefficient use of water. Use PhotoCollage, reviewed here, and have students create a collage of their images to use as a starting point for research. Ask students to enhance their learning and upload their collage to a blog and write analyzing and sharing ideas for water conversation based on their collage. Use a blog tool such as edublog, reviewed here. Use Symbaloo Learning Paths, reviewed here, to create a learning path for your students for your entire unit. Add videos, quizzes, embed this game and add all the information for students to follow. Symbaloo Learning Paths also includes options for differentiation for different interests or ability levels of your students. Ask older students to enhance their learning and create their own Learning Path to demonstrate and share learning throughout the unit.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Choice of Games - Choice of Games LLC
Grades
6 to 12
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Choice of Games includes tools for creating and playing text-based games (think of it as similar to a choose your own adventure story). Try making games by following the directions...more
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Choice of Games includes tools for creating and playing text-based games (think of it as similar to a choose your own adventure story). Try making games by following the directions to download the script source. Include simple commands using text options for players. This site includes tutorials to get started and add more complex commands. Explore the games archive to play games created by other users and to get inspiration for your creations. Note: you will need to download and install Node.js (free), then download and install the ChoiceScript source from GitHub (free).
tag(s): coding (85), creative writing (119), DAT device agnostic tool (138), gamification (74), interactive stories (19), STEM (245), writing (308)
In the Classroom
Introduce this site to your students on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector and explore one or two of the games together. Create a short story together to learn about how to use the different story-writing options. As students begin creating games using this site, consider having students create explainer videos to enhance their learning using Kizoa video maker, reviewed here, and to demonstrate tools that need a more detailed explanation than what is on the site. Have students create stories to show what they have learned about literature, geography, history, science concepts, and more. As a more "serious" approach, use Choice of Games to present opinion pieces where you take a position and allow readers to click on questions about it. They could also click on statements expressing opposing views so you can write counterarguments to their points. This idea could end up being a powerful way to present an argument and evidence as required by Common Core writing standards. Extend student learning by having them include their text-based game as part of a collaborative multi-media presentation created using Sway, reviewed here. In addition to their game, ask students to include their written documents, images, and video creations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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KidCitizen - Congress, Civic Participation, and Primary Sources Project
Grades
K to 5
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KidCitizen is a series of interactive episodes for students in grades K-5 using primary source documents to explore and learn about civic matters. Also, the KidCitizen Editor lets you...more
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KidCitizen is a series of interactive episodes for students in grades K-5 using primary source documents to explore and learn about civic matters. Also, the KidCitizen Editor lets you customize existing episodes or create game-based activities with primary sources you choose. The Getting Started Guide provides an excellent overview of the online tools and how to get started producing your episodes.
tag(s): american flag (7), communities (35), congress (39), DAT device agnostic tool (138), national parks (26), symbols (14)
In the Classroom
KidCitizen works across all devices, share a link to episodes on classroom computers for students to watch as a learning center activity. Flip your classroom and have students view at home before discussing concepts in class. As students interact with content in the episodes, take advantage of the many resources found at Classtools, reviewed here, to create concept maps, quizzes, and online games. If you teach younger students, create additional interactive games with your own content using Oodlu, reviewed here. Ask older students to create their own games using Oodlu. As a final project, have students create books using WriteReader, reviewed here. Write Reader is a very easy to use tool for even young students and includes features for sharing invented writing along with correct spelling. For older students, consider using Book Creator, reviewed here that features more robust digital storytelling tools.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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