More Learning Tools

Padlet & Quizlet & EdPuzzle, Oh My!

While all of the virtual teaching resources may seem overwhelming, we all must remember that kids today are digital natives...and we are not.

Let's help them work through any of their trouble spots. Here is a list of the commonly-used programs.

Screencasting

Usually used to provide recorded lectures. No account needed.
  • ADVANTAGE: Kids can rewind & replay for greeater clarity
  • DISADVANTAGE: can be boring, hard to ask questions

Common Programs: Screencastify, SceenCast-O-Matic OBS

FlipGrid

A tool for student-generated short videos recorded with a click on phones or computers. Stusdents can watch and rate each others work. No account needed.
  • ADVANTAGE: Can be used by teacher to make sure student really understood a topic. Also adds variety
  • DISADVANTAGE: none!

Quizlet

The age of simple, recall-based multiple choice assessments draws to a close during Distance Learning (many kids give into temptations to share...) Quizlet, however can be a helpful review tool for kids.
  • ADVANTAGE: simple, easy and fun
  • DISADVANTAGE: account needed to create a quizlet, none needed to take one.

Padlet

This tool offers a beautiful template upon which students and teachers can post comments and engage in virtual debates. No account needed.
  • ADVANTAGE: simple, easy and fun. Comments can be moderated if needed
  • DISADVANTAGE: some students can "hog the mike"

TurnItIn

A website where students can upload work to be checked for plagiarism. Also has a feature to provide peer feedback. No account needed
  • ADVANTAGE: Checks against both sites and other student's essays
  • DISADVANTAGE: requires an extra step when virtually "turning in" an essay
Here is some info on what TurnItIn provides students and teachers

Adobe Spark

A program for students to create professional-quality online projects like videos & webpages.
  • ADVANTAGE: Very engaging, beautiful results!
  • DISADVANTAGE: Like any project, can be a challenge for a perfectionist!
Here are directions on how to "turn in" a completed video...in just a few clicks!

EdPuzzle

EDpuzzle allows teachers to take any video from YouTube, Khan Academy, Learn Zillion, etc and embed questions & discussion points into it. No account needed
  • ADVANTAGE: Prevents students from being passive audience members for videos. Hard to cheat since you can't skip ahead.
  • DISADVANTAGE: none!

Kahoot

The age of simple, recall-based multiple choice assessments draws to a close during Distance Learning (many kids give into temptations to share...) Like Quizlet, Kahoot however can be a helpful review tool for kids. No account needed.
  • ADVANTAGE: simple, easy and fun
  • DISADVANTAGE: none!

Hyperdocs

A HyperDoc is a digital document—such as a Google Doc—where all components of a learning cycle have been pulled together into one central hub.
  • ADVANTAGE: Can be created by students or teachers
  • DISADVANTAGE: students must resist the temptation to cut/paste from a source or forget the visual appeal of their product

Interactive whiteboards

Students each will get a digital whiteboard which is shared with their teacher. No account needed
  • ADVANTAGE: Teachers can provide real-time feedback
  • DISADVANTAGE: students cannot see their peers' whiteboards

Common Programs: Whiteboard.fi; Jamboard

Thinglink

A website that allows students and teachers to produce interactive multimedia presentations embedded in images and videos. Move your cursor over the dots to see some examples.
  • ADVANTAGE: a great way to "see" kids thinking and making connections
  • DISADVANTAGE: students must add a free Chrome Browser extension to use

Blogging

Students can create a blog from a character, historical figure, scientist, etc.
  • ADVANTAGE: a creative way to step into the shoes of another
  • DISADVANTAGE: none

Common Program: Blogger