Tools for Students

Universal Learning Tools

Snap&Read is a universal learning tool for reading and study skills that is available to ALL WLCSD students. It reads both accessible and inaccessible text aloud, levels vocabulary, and translates. Additionally, this tool delivers usage data to teachers who then can more easily assess students’ reading needs individually. See more info about all of the features here (view online) or printable Quick Card. To use, log onto Chrome with WL Google account and install extension.
Co:Writer is a universal learning tool for writing that is available to ALL WLCSD students. Co:Writer uses grammar and vocabulary-smart word prediction, translation support, and speech recognition to help get student ideas out in their writing. Co:Writer helps give them the words and phrases they are intending as they type—even if their grammar and spelling are way off. Students just type a letter or two and Co:Writer “predicts” words and phrases in real time. See more info about all of the features here. To use, log onto Chrome with WL Google account and install extension.

Teachers: Access the educator portal to see student usage data and more.

Digital Storytelling Tools

Digital storytelling takes the art of oral storytelling to weave personal tales using images with an author's own story voice. Tools include:

Adobe Spark Video: Adobe Spark is a powerful and free tool that you can use to quickly and easily create professional-looking digital graphics, webpages and videos for the classroom and beyond. Easily create beautiful slideshows; presentations; ads; and stories using your own photos, videos, and music. This tool is web-based & also available as an iPad app. The educational version is now available to WL teachers and students. Userguide: Spark EDU guide. Log in at http://spark.adobe.com/edu, Click "Login" (upper right); Choose "Log in with Adobe ID."; Do not enter you WL Google account yet. Leave blank and click "sign in with an enterprise ID"; Now enter your WL Google account, no password is necessary; Choose the enterprise ID option. See intro video with demonstration of how to log on here.
Book Creator: a freemium online video creation tool. Combine text, images, audio and video to create stories, reports, comics, poetry books, and more. Web-based & available as android & iPad app.
Storybird: Discover an endless library of free books, picture books, & poetry or use simple tools to create books in minutes. Check out ideas from the Storybird blog.
Wixie: an online publishing and creativity platform that lets K-4 students share what they know through their writing, their voice, and their art. Contact your Media Specialist for student login info. Implementation Ideas

Royalty-Free Images

Students need to understand copyright laws and how to find royalty-free images that are OK to use in projects.

Presentation Tools

Students can demonstrate their knowledge using presentation tools such as

Google Slides: allows students to create and edit presentations
Clipchamp: use a webcam to record video (freemium)
Screencastify: Chrome extension to record video screencasts
Wixie: K-4 program for creating video with images & student narration. Student login info available from the school Media Specialist. Training Site
Google Spark for Education Video and Web Page: Create dynamic web pages and/or videos to present information. See information about logging on in the digital storytelling section above.

Interested in adding audio narration to a Slides presentation? Consider combining Slides and Screencastify. Learn how to do it.

Information Literacy

Michigan eLibrary: Help students target research with free access to high quality databases.
Use the Explore tool in Google Docs and Slides: Access the tool by clicking on the star icon in the lower right corner of the screen when a document is open. This tool provides information that can be accessed as they write.
Google Scholar: Search on a topic from sources such as academic journals, books, online repositories and more.

Mapping Tools

Explore the world, right from your browser, with these tools:

Google Maps: Google Maps are a fun and visual way to help students understand geography concepts, map reading, location, and distance measurement. Besides using Google Maps to teach the fundamentals of mapping, like latitude and longitude, you can inspire students to investigate the world and to think spatially.
Google Earth Voyager: Take guided tours around the world!
Google Street View: Discover geography by visiting them in 3D!
Google Tour Builder: Take a pre-created tour of the world or create your own!

Keyboarding Sites

Dance Mat Typing: a series of lessons showing children where to place their fingers on the keyboard, which fingers to use to type particular keys with onscreen cartoon hands. At the end of each stage, there is always a song to celebrate the kids’ accomplishments. Free.
Typing Club: lessons include instructional videos, educational games, practice of challenging, and commonly misspelled words and other interactive experiences. Free.
Typing.com: interactive lessons with a teacher portal for viewing student progress. Free.
Nitro Type: gain speed by competing in fast-paced lesson "races." Free.

Coding Tools

Computer programming (coding) helps nurture problem-solving skills, logic and creativity. By starting early, students will have a foundation for success in any career path.

Code.org (all ages): Comprehension curriculum with many options. There are three ways to participate: 1. Students can start working on tutorials right away, without the need to create an account; 2. Students can create their own account so that progress is saved over time; 3. Teachers can set up accounts for students and assign specific lessons. Free.
Tynker (ages 7 and up): a complete learning system that teaches kids to code. Kids begin experimenting with visual blocks, then progress to JavaScript and Python as they design games, build apps, and make projects.
Khan Academy (ages 8-16): multi-hour, self-paced courses in JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and SQL. There are one-hour introductions to each of those topics.
Scratch (ages 8-16): program interactive stories, games, and animations.
Google CS First (ages 9-14): CS First provides enrichment materials on coding basics. Facilitators use the video content to teach kids. Curriculum could be used in coding clubs.
Girls Who Code (girls ages 12+): program for girls to explore coding in a fun and friendly environment. Curriculum could be used in coding clubs.
Unplugged Activities/No devices needed (ages 4+): a collection of free learning activities that teach Computer Science through engaging games and puzzles that use materials such as cards, string and crayons.

Publishing and Blogging

Google Sites: Students can use a Google Site as a blog! This is an excellent way for students to showcase writing and see progress over time. Use sections to create “blog posts.”
Kidblog: a safe blogging platform for students. Teachers can monitor all activity before posts go "live." There is a yearly fee.

Annotation Tools

The Snap & Read chrome extension can collect and save highlighted text across multiple sites. PDF annotation is also available!
Google Docs commenting and highlighting features can be used to ask questions, clarify thinking, and collaborate with others.
The Kaizena Chrome extension allows you to provide verbal thoughts and feedback by inserting voice comments.
The Kami Chrome app can be used to view and annotate PDFs (for students over the age of 13)

Tools for Art Expression & Creativity

Unleash creativity using drawing, painting, and image editing sites such as:

Google Draw
ABCYa Color Draw & Paint (elementary)
Pixlr Editor (secondary)
Adobe Spark for Education: Graphics: Create graphics. See log on info in the Digital Storytelling section above.

Other Resources for Students & Teachers

21Things4Students is an online resource to help students improve their technology proficiency as they prepare for success in the real world. Teachers value 21Things4Students because it's experiential, relevant, applicable and adaptable. For Grades 6 and up

miTechKids has digital age teaching resources for grades K-5.

Google Applied Digital Skills site has project-based curriculum for middle school, high school, and adults

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