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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Google Indoor Map - Google
Grades
3 to 12
The Google Indoor Maps platform is a valuable resource for educators and students exploring spatial awareness, geography, and technology integration. It offers detailed indoor maps...more
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The Google Indoor Maps platform is a valuable resource for educators and students exploring spatial awareness, geography, and technology integration. It offers detailed indoor maps for airports, museums, shopping malls, and universities, providing floor plans and navigation tools. Teachers can use it to help students understand mapping technology, analyze layouts of complex buildings, or plan field trips. This tool also emphasizes the real-world applications of geography and technology, fostering digital literacy and practical problem-solving skills.
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (147), digital literacy (6), map skills (63), maps (220), problem solving (233), virtual field trips (129)
In the Classroom
Use this platform to plan field trips or as a tool in geography and technology lessons. Challenge students to plan routes through indoor maps of airports, malls, or stadiums. Analyze how indoor maps highlight accessible routes and features in public spaces. Discuss inclusivity in design and how technology can assist people with disabilities. Provide scenarios where students must solve problems using indoor maps (ex., locate emergency exits or the nearest restroom). Introduce the technology behind indoor mapping, such as GPS, Wi-Fi, and floor-plan digitization.Poe - Poe.com
Grades
K to 12Choosing the best AI chatbot can be daunting. Poe helps out by making chat and generating content accessible using various AI-powered tools. Use Poe to interact with popular chatbots...more
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Choosing the best AI chatbot can be daunting. Poe helps out by making chat and generating content accessible using various AI-powered tools. Use Poe to interact with popular chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude, and others in one location. In addition, you can easily interact with custom chatbots or create your custom chatbot with a simple prompt. Create your free account to begin, then use the settings to set a default bot. Free plans offer 3000 points daily, sufficient for participating in several conversations, creating images, and more.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (178), chat (41), DAT device agnostic tool (147)
In the Classroom
Using AI generators helps save time and increase productivity; Poe saves even more time by making it easy to compare output from several AI generators in one place. Use this resource to create quizzes, rubrics, lesson plans, and more. Many of the included resources offer the option to add files and increase productivity further by attaching a worksheet and asking it to modify the content to differentiate learning or to suggest ideas for presenting the content in a different format. Be sure to ask for information as precisely as possible by including grade-level information, the subject you teach, content standards and teaching objectives, and options for differentiating instruction. Math teachers can ask chatbots to explain the content differently or ask for ideas on applying math topics to everyday life. In social studies or science, ask to generate a vocabulary list or create a story based on your lessons incorporating essential vocabulary terms. ELA teachers might use these tools to get suggestions for interventions to support struggling readers or to find additional resources to support current lessons. Use the image generators to produce images for creative writing activities, to develop descriptive writing skills, or to include in multimedia presentations. Always verify any information provided by any AI tool before using it. These tools constantly evolve, and many features regularly change (or upgrade).MirrorTalk - Swivl
Grades
K to 12MirrorTalk uses AI as a partner to create and share meaningful opportunities for cognitive and emotional reflection in any classroom. It is also an assessment tool that can help develop...more
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MirrorTalk uses AI as a partner to create and share meaningful opportunities for cognitive and emotional reflection in any classroom. It is also an assessment tool that can help develop continuing learning growth. The AI features thoughtful questions that guide participants through a reflective process using personalized prompts. After creating an account, create a group by adding a group name and grade level, and define how students access the activity. Access options include student login, name only without email, or open access without a name; however, video is required. Additional options offer video or audio and presentation in English or Spanish. Set up reflections by adding your objective and the type of focus to use, such as depth of knowledge, problem-solving, and others. Share the prompts with students using the assignment link. As students respond, your dashboard on MirrorTalk updates with charts that provide feedback on student responses and suggestions for supporting each student in their learning process.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (178), assessment (147), DAT device agnostic tool (147), Formative Assessment (74), preK (270), social and emotional learning (103), Teacher Utilities (198), teaching strategies (50), thinking skills (17)
In the Classroom
MirrorTalk can be used in many ways to support student learning and reflection. Begin the school year with a prompt that encourages students to reflect on the previous school year and set goals for the new year. Create prompts as exit tickets for students to reflect on the day's lesson and as a formative assessment for you to modify upcoming lessons as needed. Use this tool as part of a retrieval practice strategy to encourage students to recall facts about new concepts learned in class. Learn more about retrieval practice by watching the archived OK2Ask: 3 Cool Tools for Retrieval Practice, reviewed here and by visiting this blog post, Using Retrieval Practice to Boost Student Learning, found here.Assemblr EDU - Assemblr
Grades
K to 12Assemblr EDU provides tools for educators and students to learn with interactive 3D/augmented reality models and lessons. Free plans include access to 400 3D objects and limited access...more
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Assemblr EDU provides tools for educators and students to learn with interactive 3D/augmented reality models and lessons. Free plans include access to 400 3D objects and limited access to topics and EDU Kits. EDU Kits include bundles and individual objects such as science models, inventions, and more. Choose the editor to create a model using images from the site's library or uploading an image from your device. Learn more about Assemblr EDU tools and abilities by watching tutorial videos found on their YouTube Channel, found here.
tag(s): augmented reality (9), DAT device agnostic tool (147)
In the Classroom
Share 3D models found on Assemblr EDU with students to visualize complex concepts like anatomy, physics, or geography. Share Assemblr EDU with tech-savvy students and ask them to use the editor to create 3D objects to share with the classroom or to create tutorials on how to use the editor to create models. Use Free Screen Recorder Online, reviewed here to record and share tutorials.Humy - Humy.ai
Grades
4 to 12Chat with over 1,000 historical figures, from Tutankhamun to Michael Jackson, with Humy's chatbots, or Humies. Create an account, then visit the Humies to search for specific characters...more
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Chat with over 1,000 historical figures, from Tutankhamun to Michael Jackson, with Humy's chatbots, or Humies. Create an account, then visit the Humies to search for specific characters or scroll through options that include diverse groups such as Greek Gods and Space Exploration. Select a character to begin your conversation and ask questions. Additional tools found on Humy include lesson planning and question generation tools. Visit the collections to find options to edit and share curated collections. The free subscription consists of 800 messages (renewed monthly, approximately 25-30 chat conversations) and access to over 40 history collections; however, activating a collection uses many more credits than individual chat conversations.
tag(s): american revolution (82), art history (102), artificial intelligence (178), authors (107), black history (133), chat (41), civil rights (209), civil war (139), DAT device agnostic tool (147), environment (252), great depression (30), greeks (46), presidents (135), religions (95), renaissance (38), space (223), Teacher Utilities (198), women (151), world war 1 (77), world war 2 (161)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free account provided by Humy to generate conversations on your interactive whiteboard with historical figures to introduce new lessons and units and engage students in upcoming activities. For example, before reading The Giver by Lois Lowry, select her name from the Humies to have a conversation to learn about her inspiration for writing the book and allow students to ask questions about her writing style and how she developed her storytelling skills. Use the chat conversations as a starting point for research projects on historical figures or periods. Ask students to share their projects by creating websites with Google Sites, reviewed here or by using Google My Maps, reviewed here to create an interactive story based on locations on the map.Scholastic Summer Reading Home Base - Scholastic
Grades
K to 8Summer Reading Home Base is a free digital game-based platform that provides a community for readers in grades preK through 8th grade from early May through early September. Sign up...more
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Summer Reading Home Base is a free digital game-based platform that provides a community for readers in grades preK through 8th grade from early May through early September. Sign up to read books and stories, attend author events, play games based on books, and much more. This program encourages students to track reading and maintain a "Reading Streak" to earn additional digital experiences. Visit the parents and educators page to learn more about the program and the safeguards to ensure a safe online experience.
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (147), independent reading (81), preK (270), spelling (97), summer (28), writing (324)
In the Classroom
Share Home Base with other suggestions to encourage student reading over the summer; find additional ideas for summer reading programs and options on TeachersFirst Special Topics Page: Summer Specials, reviewed here. Consider curating ideas for summer reading programs and activities by sharing a Wakelet, reviewed here collection with parents and guardians. Help parents understand the benefits of using a game-based platform to encourage reading over the summer by creating a short video using Free Screen Recorder Online, reviewed here to explain how to access this program and the different features provided.WordDB: The Word Database - The Word Database
Grades
K to 12WordDB is a comprehensive resource for working with words. It offers various tools, such as rhyming words, antonyms, synonyms, crossword answers, and much more. WordDB assists you with...more
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WordDB is a comprehensive resource for working with words. It offers various tools, such as rhyming words, antonyms, synonyms, crossword answers, and much more. WordDB assists you with clues when playing word games such as Scrabble, crosswords, and Wordle, reviewed here. Scroll through the home page to find many more tools for words, including finding words by length, trending words, and the latest clues from the New York Times Crossword Puzzle.
tag(s): crosswords (19), DAT device agnostic tool (147), dictionaries (48), rhymes (22), thesaurus (22), vocabulary (238), vocabulary development (93), word study (59)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and keep this site handy for many classroom uses. Include a link to WordDB on your class website and classroom computers for students to access at school and home. Encourage students to use the tools on WordDB to improve their writing projects by finding antonyms, synonyms, and words of different lengths to include. Share the daily popular words as vocabulary activities using the Frayer Model as a graphic organizer to provide and apply knowledge of the words. Use the Frayer Model template provided on Figjam, reviewed here to discuss vocabulary, then use Figjam's tools to write sentences and short stories together as a class using your new vocabulary words. Extend learning using AI tools such as Twee, reviewed here and MagicSchool, reviewed here and create stories, vocabulary activities, and assessments quickly using words studied on WordDB.Google Lens - Google
Grades
K to 12Have you ever seen a picture and wanted to know where it was taken or what the object was in the image? Google Lens does this and much more. Use ...more
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Have you ever seen a picture and wanted to know where it was taken or what the object was in the image? Google Lens does this and much more. Use Google Lens to identify objects, translate text, find information, and guide you toward action based on the image's content. Click the image icon (small square) in Google's search bar on your computer or app to drag an image, upload a file, or paste an image link to begin. Search the highlighted area on the image to find places, shop for items, extract text, or translate text. Scan a flyer and add a date to your calendar, find visually similar items, or scan a business card to automatically convert the image into a digital contact and add the information to your phone's address book.
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (147), images (263), multilingual (77)
In the Classroom
Include Google Lens in your teacher toolbox for many uses by you and your students. Use this tool to identify plants and leaves near your school during science lessons, quickly translate information for multilingual learners using images, or identify unknown places or items in pictures. Google Lens suggests similar images; use this information to expand and find pictures to include with student projects. Ask older students to search for news articles from different countries and then translate the information to compare with articles from their local news organizations. Use Lens for scavenger hunts or quizzes, where students must identify objects or translate text in real-time, promoting engagement and making learning more interactive. Add images for your scavenger hunts to Quizizz, reviewed here or create an interactive hunt with GooseChase Edu, reviewed here.Sizzle - Sizzle AI
Grades
7 to 12Sizzle is a resource that provides help for math and science using artificial intelligence (AI) features. Enter problems in several different ways to receive step-by-step help in solving...more
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Sizzle is a resource that provides help for math and science using artificial intelligence (AI) features. Enter problems in several different ways to receive step-by-step help in solving problems. Type the problem into the chat, upload a picture (word and number problems), or scan the problem with your phone. After defining the problem, Sizzle leads users through each step before sharing the next step to complete. Answer each step in the chat, ask to see choices, or reveal the next step. When viewing options for solving each step, Sizzle provides tips for correct solutions if the incorrect response is chosen. While registration is optional, creating an account allows users to access their history of solved problems. Sizzle is available online and as an app from Apple and Google Play.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (178), DAT device agnostic tool (147), equations (119), tutorials (52)
In the Classroom
Share Sizzle with students to use as a homework aid at home, or work on problems together by sharing Sizzle on your whiteboard. Ask students to take screenshots on their device or use Awesome ScreenShot, reviewed here to share problems that they don't understand or had difficulty completing to discuss during class. Register for an account and take advantage of the history feature to share problems completed during previous activities to use as a reference for solving problems that incorporate similar concepts. Provide students with this tool and additional homework resources, such as High School Maths Help YouTube Channel, reviewed here and The Video Math Tutor, reviewed here to use for completing homework while encouraging students to document difficulties to discuss in class. Use Padlet, reviewed here or Wakelet, reviewed here to easily curate and share resources with students.Book Creator Certified Author Course - Book Creator
Grades
K to 12Become 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 (147), digital storytelling (154), ebooks (43), literacy (121), preK (270), professional development (385), writing (324)
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.Storyvoice - Scholastic
Grades
K to 7Step 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 (107), book lists (167), DAT device agnostic tool (147), preK (270), stories and storytelling (58)
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 Maker, 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.Focusable for Education - Focusable
Grades
K to 12Focusable 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 (147), social and emotional learning (103), Teacher Utilities (198)
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.Castbox Creator Studio - Castbox
Grades
K to 12Castbox 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 (129), DAT device agnostic tool (147), digital storytelling (154), podcasts (110)
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
gotLearning - Mike Rutherford
Grades
6 to 12gotLearning 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 (93), DAT device agnostic tool (147), Formative Assessment (74), Teacher Utilities (198)
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.Spaces - Gil Silberstein
Grades
K to 12Spaces 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 (147), communication (129), DAT device agnostic tool (147), Formative Assessment (74), Learning Management Systems (20), portfolios (23), Teacher Utilities (198)
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.
Native Land Digital - Victor Temprano
Grades
6 to 12Native 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 (173), DAT device agnostic tool (147), maps (220), native americans (109), Teacher Utilities (198)
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.Microsoft Math Solver - Microsoft
Grades
5 to 12Microsoft 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 (36), DAT device agnostic tool (147)
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.Educandy - Educandy
Grades
K to 5Quickly 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 of your screen 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 (147), DAT device agnostic tool (147), game based learning (205), preK (270), quizzes (90), vocabulary (238)
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.Teachers' Guide to Cranky Uncle - John Cook
Grades
6 to 12How 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 (147), digital citizenship (85), evaluating sources (29), game based learning (205), internet safety (114), media literacy (109), social media (48)
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.Milanote - Milanote.com
Grades
K to 12Collect, 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.
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tag(s): collaboration (93), collages (17), creativity (86), curation (32), DAT device agnostic tool (147), graphic organizers (48), organizational skills (88)