educator resources i love!
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Educator's toolbox
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educator organizations, publications & Blogs
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Websites for
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Websites & Resources for
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Websites for Student-Created Digital Web-based Products:
For classroom product differentiation... I let students pick from a menu of digital products. They show what they know in a variety of ways. This gives students flexibility in creativity & choice based on skill, talent and interest. Tutorials, guides and sample products are provided on this menu.
A-Z List of Digital Product Sites
- Animoto - Lets students create cloud-based videos. Animoto for Education
- Audioboo - Podcast/Audio/Music/Interviews. Using Audioboo in Your Classroom
- Easel.ly - Students can create digital posters Easel.ly for Educators
- Glogster - Multimedia Posters -- works best Not to print the posters but share link to online poster or use QR code to access. I used to love this... but warning: it can be glitchy. Students can sign up for free; educator accounts available but I don't recommend paying for an educator account. Just allow students to use the free version. Teaching with Glogster
- Google Maps Lit Trips Interactive Google Maps that mark the journeys of characters from famous literature on the surface of Google Earth. Along the journey, students can add images, audio, links, etc. Why You Should Use Google Lit Trips
- Haiku Deck (iPad only...Mac version should be out soon) Tips for using Haiku Deck in the classroom
- iMovie (Mac or iPad required)
- Kizoa - tool for creating photo and video slideshows and collages. The different image editors allow you to add filters and special effects to photos and videos. You also have the ability to add music to enhance the presentation.
- Pecha Kucha - 20 seconds x 20 slides. When you want short, concise presentations or you are short on time for presentations. Have students choose to present in Pecha Kucha format.
- PicCollage App - students can work on this on iPad or iPhones & post to Social Media or email the file.
- PiktoChart - Students can create infographics
- Pixorial
- Pixton - Comic/Graphic Novel/PresentationPixton lets you create Comic/Graphic Novel style presentations and stories.
- Photo Story - I used this for years with middle school students. They can download the software for free.
- PowToon - This is a favorite among my students! 11 Ways to Use Powtoons in Your Classroom
- SeeSaw - This tool lets you share learning with peers or parents. I use this weekly with my students for quick check-ins, homework and ways to communicate with parents. The ability to have parents see what their child posts, comment and 'like' it is my favorite part of this.
- Stop Motion Animation Video - not a website but simply instructions on how they can create these type of products. My students LOVE doing these types of videos!
- Thinglink- Interactive images and videos. Thinglink Tutorial for Teachers
- TwistedWave
- VoiceThread - I've liked using this for students recording reflections and adding to their student portfolios so as you look at photos or a blog post you can hear the student describe their work, their experience and their own learning.
- Voki Video - These are fun. But limited in how students can share their own learning. Good for formative work. Voki Classroom FAQs
- Web Poster Wizard - Webposter Wizard for the Social Studies Classroom
- Weebly Websites - Obviously I'm a fan of Weebly.com websites--- My own portfolio and classroom website has been built using Weebly. I've also had students use Weebly websites for student work and showcasing a project, their research, and making it easily available to a wider audience than the classroom. Students can register for free or have parents pay for an account. With my "Pro" Educator account, I also have the ability to allow students to create websites and can manage their sites, site permissions, etc. I've used Weebly for History Fair websites (this has been the official/approved website platform for National History Day competitions) and for student clubs. Weebly for Education - Educators can create up to 40 Free Student Websites
- WeVideo (Google Video Editor) - Requires Google Chrome application. I love the free built-in filters and templates. Very easy for students to create professional-looking videos in a short amount of time and unlike iMovie, since its web-based, it allows for online collaboration from anywhere in the world. WeVideo in the K-12 Classroom
Professional Development Opportunities
Here are some programs for possible professional development:
- Project Zero Online Courses - Harvard Graduate School of Education (teams of 3 or more teachers)
- Compass Education: Educator Training on Sustainability (look for upcoming workshops)