http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/
All the edtech listed below is web-based and free to access in the context of these design thinking modules.
https://ssubruewer.wixsite.com/tewlsinc
Bubbl.us: https://bubbl.us/
Canva: A tool for creating a variety of visuals (e.g., infographics, storyboards, brochures, posters, presentations, etc.) that uses a drop-and-drag functionality combined with the ability to upload images. When complete, users can download their visual or access a unique URL that can be used for sharing it. (Note, not all the content on Canva is free, and users need to be aware of any costs when adding pre-made content to their visual.)
Direct Poll: This tool allows users to create polls that contain one or more questions and share them via a link with other users. As users register their vote, this tool automatically updates the results in the real time, and it provides a direct link to those updated results.
EdPuzzle: A platform that allows instructors to “rip” an online video from another platform (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) or locate a video within the EdPuzzle collection. Next, instructors can trim the video as well as add questions, notes, and voiceovers to it. They can then assign the videos for students to watch by creating a class and making the video an assignment. As students complete the video assignment, EdPuzzle will gather analytics about their engagement.
FlipGrid: A video-based discussion forum, these modules used FlipGrid as a tool for schema activation. In each module’s opening, students are asked to share their understanding of the module’s topic. By sharing their understanding, it provides a foundation for adding and/or refining knowledge related to the topic.
Google Docs: A software program that allows users to create documents that are shareable and editable, depending on the settings option. This program lends itself to crowdsourcing and sharing information, such as annotated bibliographies and prototype testing procedures.
Google Slides: A presentation software program that is used for digital gallery walks, which requires instructors to create the instructions, template, and model for students. Instructors can also use the “speaker notes” section to provide feedback for students or have students provide feedback to each other.
Hypthes.is: A tool for annotating websites, users must first register with Hypothes.is. They can then copy a website’s URL and input into Hypothes.is. A new URL will be generated that has “https://via.hypothes.is/” before the original website’s URL. Users will then be able to annotate text on the newly generated URL by highlighting the text, choose annotate, and then adding their thoughts about the text! (Note, users must be registered with Hypothes.is to access this functionality.)
Note.ly: A digital cork board that allows users to add sticky notes and images to the board. Once registered and logged into their account, Note.ly will generate a unique link for sharing the board.
Padlet: A digital cork board that allows instructors to customize it as well as post directions to it before sharing it with students via a unique URL or over email. Students can click the “+” on the bottom, which allows them to post their entry. Padlet provides students with an easy-to-use tool for posting learning artifacts related to specific topics.
PersonaGenerator: A tool for creating profile of individuals that can be representative of specific populations. Instructors need to contextualize this tool, so it is used appropriately regarding its representation of different populations. For design thinking, this tool allows students to make “barebones” personas that can be downloaded or shared via a link.
Piktochart: A tool for creating infographics! Pre-made templates combined with the an easy-to-use interface for uploading images, customizing text, and organizing content, Piktochart is a flexible tool that can be used for creating a variety of visuals to document learning, and the visuals can be shared via a link.
PREZI: This online presentation tool is very engaging. Students can use Prezi to show their understanding of a topic. When students create their own presentations they can show their understanding of the content by incorporating text, images, audio, and video links. The different templates are non-linear and you can zoom out and see other information within the “slides”. This creates a nice flow between the different “slides”. Prezi connects students to the world outside the classroom through sharing features. Students can be very expressive and creative with the creation of their own Prezi. Moreover, Prezi allows for students to communicate and collaborate together when constructing new knowledge.
Powtoon- https://www.powtoon.com/
www.powtoon.com/
Quizziz - Quizizz is a free online tool students can use to access hundreds of quizzes. Students can create their own quizzes or even join a room their teacher is in. Each question they get right their score goes up. This is very similar to kahoot, but can be done at any point during the day.
Svoter: A digital tool designed for annotating images, users must upload an image into this website. Next, they will be able to annotate the image by adding content (e.g., text, shapes, symbols, etc.). When ready, users can download their annotated text or access it via a unique link.
Thinglink https://www.thinglink.com/
TUZZit: With the foundation of a collaborative whiteboard, this tool provides templates, called methodologies, that users can customize and share. To use TUZZit, users will first need to click the “Try Free Version” and then select their methodology. Next, they can add content. When ready, instructors need to click “Save” button, name the board, and share the URL to their students.
Wikibook- https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Main_Page
K-12 Blended Teaching https://edtechbooks.org/k12blended
YouTube: Owned by Google, YouTube is the internet’s largest collection of videos. Users can search for videos by topic, keyword, and more. Plus, using YouTube’s functionalities, users can comment on videos, up or down vote videos, save videos to channels, and upload their own videos/
SCREENCASTIFY: Our district provides students with Google Chromebooks. Screencastify is a Google Extension which is compatible with the chromebooks. This is a screen recording tool that allows teachers to create instructional videos, but this tool can also be used as an assessment tool. Students can record their understanding of the content. Students can use screencastify to narrate their presentations by screencasting.
KAHOOT: Is a fun way to assess students' learning. This is a game-based learning platform that provides multiple-choice quizzes on a variety of topics. Students compete against one another to get the most answers correct. This is a fun and engaging tool and also allows teachers to collect data for formative assessment. Teachers can easily see what questions students struggled with and then review those topics again.
-I use kahoot for review in my art classes and my students are always excited to play. This tool is very successful at engaging students and allowing them to see how much they need to study for an exam. Allows for healthy competition and a fun review.
GOOGLE SLIDES: Students can create a group presentation on google slides. This tool allows for easy collaboration on a project. Google Slides also has many more functions than its predecessor PowerPoint which allows me to deliver a more differentiated presentation. Students can collaborate to create multimedia slideshows that allow students to incorporate images and videos to enhance the course content. This tool is very effective for presentations because it is accessible at any time without a usb drive.
GOOGLE FORMS: Great tool for summative assessment for schools that use Google accounts. This tool is very versatile and teachers can create quizzes, exams, or surveys. This tool easily collects data and generates charts and graphs to analyze the data. This can easily help teachers acquire data on successes and issues of the exam.
SMORES: This tool can also be used as a presentation tool for students to showcase their learning. Smores is a platform to create digital newsletters, presentations, flyers. The tool is engaging and allows for expression of student creativity. Information can be presented in many different media including text, images, pictures, and videos. This interactive platform can make projects very creative and engaging while also reaching different learning styles. It is easy to use and helps keep information neat and organized.
-I have used smores when helping a teacher incorporate technology into her ELA lesson plan. Students used Smores to create a flyer discussing symbolism from the novel “The Bell Jar”. They were encouraged to present the information using different media on the flyer. Students were more motivated to do the assignment by using this tool.
STORYJUMPER: is a site that allows students to write and illustrate stories. The editor has many tools that let you upload images and edit them. Students could upload their own drawings for the story. You can also record your own voice reading the story. This tool would be great for creating books. Storyjumper is very engaging for different types of learners because students can be expressive using the different media options. Students can write, record, and draw what they learned. Students can share their books by publishing them online. Students would also be able to comment on their classmates' books. It also taps into the multiple intelligences through the use of different media. This tool can be used by all age levels but would be more appropriate for elementary grade levels.
PIXTON: This tool allows students to create a comic that showcases their learning on a particular topic. This active process increases motivation for learning. In addition, it empowers students to communicate by different mearns. Creating a comic is a fun way for students to practice writing and to reflect on what they learned on a particular topic and the process of digital storytelling requires students to use higher order thinking skills.
PINTEREST: Create their own boards of their artwork and keep an organized board for inspirations.
Padlet: I have used Padlet for brainstorm activities and class discussions.
5 Technology Tools/Instructional Strategies
Prodigy - Prodigy is a free-math based web, video game for ages k-8. It does not cost the you or the school district a cent and students will love it. The students take control of a character and must play through the story to save the world from an evil villain. To play through the story, students must answer math questions correctly. The teacher gets all of the results and data from students answering each of the different math topics. The teacher is incharge of what types of questions and the level of difficulty for each student. Prodigy also adapts to each child and their skill level too.
Flip grid - Flip grid is a great tool to connect with classmates, teachers, etc. Flip grid is a free video based platform where the teacher can enhance video discussions. Teachers create grids where questions can be posed and their students can post videos. I have actually sent one up for my students to talk to each other as well as ask me any questions on the topics they are working on. Once again it is free and very helpful for online communication and great to listen to student discussions.
Poll Everywhere - Poll Everywhere is an interactive website/app that allows many people to engage and deliver effective presentations. This tool allows audiences to respond to questions or come up with different topics to discuss. This is a great and easy way to promote innovative assessments into the classroom.
Animoto - Animoto is a free based video creating website/app students can use to create and share videos. Students can use a premade template or create their own videos from scratch. The videos may include musical slideshows, presentations and regular videos. The free version allows videos to about 30 seconds, but the paid version allows for more time in the videos.
A powerful assessment tool that allows teachers to create videos and have them pause along the way for students to answer comprehension questions about it. Teachers can either record their own videos or use videos on Youtube as the video for the activity and then record their own voice and questions to make it completely tailored to a teachers style. Analytics also helps teachers see statistics about their class and individual students such as last time they were working on the assignment, how long it took them, how many times they tried etc. A great way to keep students engaged while making sure they are comprehending the content.
A game based learning platform that has user generated multiple choice quizzes to assess student learning. The best way to test student comprehension while having fun! When done during class, a sort of scoreboard comes up on the screen and students get to track how quickly they are able to answer a question and sort of compete for the highest score. It works with any subject, in any language on any device! Students don’t even realize they are taking a quiz and don’t seem to feel the pressure associated with taking one. A great way to assess student learning in a fun environment.
An alternative to a traditional assessment, Smore makes it easy to design beautiful and effective online newsletters.Teachers can task students with creating a newsletter representing the topics at hand versus taking a typical quiz or test. Students are able to design the newsletter forms and can attach anything from text, to video, pictures and even create events. Teachers can use Smore as an innovative way to share information with students and parents alike.
Educators in more than 400K classrooms use Storybird to inspire young writers and readers. Students build literacy skills while creating beautiful books that they can share and save. Artwork is used to inspire students to improve their writing skills by giving them a starting point to hop right into the story. 3 different style writings can be done; Longform, picture book and a poem. Each format has their own upside but each builds on each other to enhance students reading and writing skills. This website is a great way to scaffold for students on different levels as well. Teachers can use Storybird as an assessment tool to see how their literacy skills are improving week to week. Students can share their work and interact with others on the website as well.
Tinkercad is a free, online 3D modeling program that runs in a web browser, known for its simplicity and ease of use.It has become a popular platform for creating models for 3D printing as well as an entry-level introduction to constructive solid geometry in schools. These types of software are typically expensive but Tinkercad offers a few ways to model prototypes for any type of project with capability to 3D print right from the program. A different way to assess students' understanding of a concept is for them to create an artifact that represents something from the content. New pieces are being added to the website where understanding coding and circuit building can also be achieved for free!
STEM
NASA Ed Resources and Videos
https://www.nasa.gov/stem-ed-resources/NASA_SCI_Files/
https://www.ted.com/talks/troy_d_cline_explore_create_share_your_moment_with_the_universe
http://www.steminnovationlab.org/
Space Math @ NASA https://spacemath.gsfc.nasa.gov/
WolframAlpha