JANEAL GROSINGER - EDTECH 541

Software Support Tools

For this assignment, we were asked to create a page that lists our favorite software support tools. All the tools listed below are ones that I would use for my second grade math class. The page is divided into five sections, planning & organizing tools, graphics tools, testing and grading tools, materials generators, and research and reference tools. Each tool is linked to their own website where you can review the resources in greater detail.

Planning and Organizing Tools

Help teachers and students conceptualize, organize, and communicate their ideas.

Google Classroom

Use in Elementary Math:

In Google Classroom, teachers can organize items similar to an LMS. Teachers and students can communicate with each other and assignments can be posted on it. For use in a second grade math classroom, teachers can ask questions of the students as a poll with answers displayed in real-time for formative assessment. Teachers can link students directly to another website to view a "how-to" video or to complete an online game or assessment.

Relative Advantage:

The relative advantage of using this program in my second grade math classroom is that teachers can track all students in one location and post assignments or tutorials. Students can easily organize their classwork because all classes can be posted on one site and students can turn-in their assignments on the same site. Grading can be done directly on the site and tracking missing assignments is also integrated. In addition, the program is easy to use and integrates with many other programs.

Seesaw

Use in Elementary Math:

In Seesaw, teachers can enable students comments, communicate with parents, and filter video to review the work of a certain student. For use in a second grade classroom, students can submit videos of themselves working through a math problem in real-time where they can show their work and explain their answers. In addition, students can work together in small groups for collaboration and offer real-time feedback on math answers and worksheets.

Relative Advantage:

The relative advantage of using this online program in my second grade math classroom is that it tracks assessments, portfolios, and classroom management. In addition it is a perfect tool for demonstrating student progress over time to allow for differentiation of each student's learning.

Graphics Tools

Allow manipulation of images to illustrate documents and Web pages.

Canva

Use in Elementary Math:

Canva is an online program where students can create a variety of items such as posters, brochures, exit tickets, social media logos, flashcards, and book covers. For use in the second grade math classroom, students can create flashcards with math problems. Students can select from the vast array of images or upload their own, including a self photo. Students can create flashcards with pictures of money or time on them. On one side of the card can be a picture of an analog clock and on the other side is the digital time.

Relative Advantage:

The relative advantage of using this program in my second grade math classroom is it engages collaboration by students using the flashcards together with peers or small group discussions. It definitely engages their creativity and enhances a students sense of spatial relations as they negotiate how to include all images and words without them overlapping.

Buncee

Use in Elementary Math:

Buncee is an online program where students can create individual slides on a shared board to make a collaborative presentation. For use in the second grade math classroom, students can add emojis to the slides to respond to an exit ticket and express how they understood the lesson. Students can also use the drawing feature to illustrate how to regroup with sets of ones and tens. Students can also used the animated characters to create word problems where a character in a real-life setting asks a math question. In this scenario, students can work with peers to have the other student answer the question after viewing the video.

Relative Advantage:

The relative advantage of using this program in my second grade math classroom is that it engages creativity and inspires collaboration between students. Students can each create a slide and then the teacher can display all the slides on one board. It is perfect for peer-to-peer reviews and providing feedback in small and large group settings.

Testing and Grading Tools

Help teachers collect and track assessment information to measure student progress.

I-Ready Math

How to Use this Tool:

I-Ready Math is an online program that uses interactive games and questioning to assess student learning. For use in a second grade math classroom, you can use the online program as an addition to your direct instruction. This is perfect for remote learning as students can work on the program from any device, in school or at home. Teachers can select certain programs for the student to work on that is in alignment with the current days lesson.

Relative Advantage:

The relative advantage of using this program in my second grade classroom is that it provides individualize instruction and assessment for students of all learning levels and allows students to progress quickly once the lesson is mastered. Data is forwarded directly to the teacher so she knows the areas that need more focus during instruction and the amount of time students spend working on the program.

Quizlet

How to Use this Tool:

Quizlet is an online program where adaptive learning technology helps students study effectively by offering more difficult questions as mastery increases. For use in the second grade math classroom, teachers can use pre-made quizzes or create their own. Math facts or math definitions can be written on one side of the card with the answer on the back. The flashcards are great because teachers can use Class Progress to inform their instruction by viewing class data that shows you which terms are missed most often.

Relative Advantage:

The relative advantage of using this program in my second grade classroom is that is engages critical thinking skills, enhances formative assessment, and offers a variety of supports for ELL students and differentiated learning. In addition to working well at the individual level, it is also a great option for collaboration between students to agree on the correct answers.

Materials Generators

Help teachers and students produce instructional materials on paper and online.

Education.com

Use in Elementary Math:

Education.com is an online website where teachers can create math worksheets, lesson plans, and assessments. For use in a second grade math classroom, teachers can search the website to find instructional material to use in their lessons. Examples include worksheets, puzzles, exit tickets, formative assessments, and number lines. For example, a teacher can create a number line that starts at any number she chooses and set the increment level. This would be very helpful for students learning to count money and how to skip count by 5s, 10s, and 25s.

Relative Advantage:

The relative advantage to using these materials in my second grade math classroom is I can create custom worksheets for the lesson I am teaching. The selection is very large so it is easy to find exactly what you need for each lesson. The advantage for the learners is to engage critical thinking skills, promote self-confidence and enhances problem-solving skills.

Storyboard That

Use in Elementary Math:

StoryboardThat is an online program where students and teachers can create custom worksheets for a variety of math problems. For use in a second grade math classroom, the teacher can create unique worksheets that would cover a variety information that students may be having difficulty with - a mix-and-match situation for each individual student. Items to include can be addition, subtraction, telling time, word problems, and even multiplication worksheets.

Relative Advantage:

The relative advantage of using this program in my second grade math classroom is differentiated instruction. Teachers can create custom worksheet for each learning level and adjust the difficulty by student need. Teachers can create a mix of addition and subtraction, a worksheet for telling time, or a worksheet for advanced learning. The font size can be adjusted for specific accommodations.

Research and Reference Tools

Let students look up information in electronic versions of encyclopedias, atlases, and dictionaries.

Splash Learn

Use in Elementary Math:

Splashlearn is an online program that is great for elementary students. In the Math vocabulary section of this program, students can look up math words. For use in a second grade math classroom, this program will allow the students to search alphabetically for the vocabulary word they need identified. The program gives colorful examples for most of the words and includes related or similar words on the same page. A fun way to learn math vocabulary.

Relative Advantage:

The relative advantage of using this online program in my second grade math classroom is instant feedback for students. The program has a comprehensive list of vocabulary words to search that aligns to the Common Core Standards. It works great for differentiated instructions as math vocabulary is divided up by grade level. For students that are working above or below grade level, they can simply search in their own category.

A Math Dictionary for Kids

Use in Elementary Math:

A Math Dictionary for Kids is an online program that is perfect for every classroom. It is an interactive program where you can click on a letter of the alphabet and choose from a selection of math terms. Once you click on the term, it will give you a definition and in several cases, it will display an interactive game for students to learn with. For use in a second grade math classroom, students can click on "s" to find skip counting. This will bring up a hundreds chart and help students learn to skip count by 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, and 10s.

Relative Advantage:

The relative advantage of using this program in my second grade math classroom is that it is adaptable for all learning levels. The program is user-friendly and students can open the program and find an answer to their questions or an explanation of a word, along with examples. It is also very useful for engaging student inquiry. Students can see a large selection of words to review and can click on any word, even if they are not using it in a lesson and engage their critical thinking skills to understand the meaning.

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