Today's educators are fortunate to have so many free tools available to them. I'm going to do a run down of some of the best new tools available that I think have great potential for the classroom. I chose all of these because of their ease of use.
In no particular order....
1. Kahoot. This is a game based software that allows teachers to create their own quizzes.
What I like about it: It's quick and easy. It's more engaging since I can add images and videos to my quizzes. It's not platform specific, so it can be used on mobile devices, tablets, and computers.
Classroom Applications: Quick formative assessment, exit tickets, check for prior understanding
Caution: If you want to have a project based classroom, using this as described above would be appropriate. Remember that the purpose of software like this is not so a teacher can get out of grading a stack of tests.
2. Kaizena. This is an add on for Google Docs that allows reviewers to add feedback with written or voice comments, or links to information.
What I like about it: This could be a game changer for students. They receive voice feedback from their teacher, which would provide for more authentic feedback and also eliminate the "red pen" fear that we all have. Additionally, it could speed up the writing process with both peer editing and teacher conferencing feedback. It extends the school day.
Classroom Applications: Students can share written documents or slides with other classmates or their teacher prior to presenting or turning the item in so their final draft is well critiqued.
3. Zaption. Take a video from many different sources (YouTube, Vimeo, PBS, TED, etc.) and create a "tour," which is a video (or compilation of short videos). Add interactive features to the videos, like an image or document with further information, and Q/A.
What I like about it: The biggest win for me was that the question and answer of making a tour was beyond multiple choice. Students can even draw responses. It is extremely user friendly and lends itself to questions beyond your basic facts and what might fall at the lower level of Bloom's.
Classroom Applications: If you're flipping your classroom, this is a great way to engage students. I can add students to my groups, and then check analytics to see how many of them watched it.
Caution: See #1. Challenge yourself to not asking any lower order questions when creating these. (It's not hard at all)
4. Thinglink. Upload an image to this site and add "things," which are small icons that link to text, websites, or videos.
What I like about it: It's easy to use and different. It is a good tool to practice the idea of "an image speaks 1,000 words."
Classroom Applications: When you apply Voice and Choice in your classroom, this is a new way for students to present information beyond the ever so popular PowerPoint.
Caution: I've made some things before that had too many links on them, and I've seen some that do not go beyond the Knowledge level of Bloom's. Like anything, try to apply critical thinking when using a tech tool.
5. Easel.ly. Create an Infographic with this site. You can choose from one of the templates they provide or start from scratch.
What I like about it: Infographics are popular right now, and additionally, everytime I've created one, I've done much more research than what I would have done if I were just making another presentation. They're visually appealing and are designed to not only provide data, but to make people think.
Classroom Applications: See #4. This can replace the same old presentation tools, especially in a math class.
6. Geddit. This is a class response system. Students join the class the teacher has set up, then check in to the system. Can be used for a quick check for understanding, to poll students, and for students to provide short answers.
What I like about it: It's very easy to use. Register for an account and setting up questions is intuitive. It's multi-platform, and provides opportunity for teachers to reflect on lessons.
Classroom Applications: See #1. Mostly used for quick formative assessments during a lesson.
7. Smore. This is a poster or flyer designing site. Students can create using premade templates and can be as creative as they'd like. They have options to use pre-designed backgrounds or upload their own.
What I like about it: It is soooo easy, and looks both creative and professional.
Classroom Applications: This is another "beyond PowerPoint" application. Students could present information using a smore. They could also design real world products for businesses. The bonus on this site is that students can share via social media, then identify their reach using statistics built into the site.
8. Vialogues. This site allows teachers to create private discussions around videos, like YouTube clips. Imagine - your class can have their own private discussion online without all of the public comments!
What I like about it: It is very easy and it's a great communication tool. Just pose a driving question, copy and paste in the YouTube url, and publish. Then provide the link to your class. Try it out here.
Classroom Applications: This would be great for flipped classrooms. Hold your class discussions privately, online, with no risk of students seeing inappropriate material or comments.
Caution: Check beforehand that this will be allowed on your school's network. It might be blocked. If it is, be sure to request that it's unblocked. It's a very safe way to use YouTube.
9. AudioBoo. This site records audio, and teacher usually use it so that students can record short readings.
What I like about it: This tool is versatile and user friendly. There's an app for it, and it can be used K-12 with no problems. Because the site automatically generates a QR code for the recording, there are lots of possibilities.
Classroom Applications: Depends on what you teach, but what if you were a music teacher that wanted students to record a performance? An elementary teacher that wanted students to practice fluency? A library media specialist that wanted students to provide a book review?
10. Today's Meet. This site is used to run a backchannel in classrooms, which means questions, thoughts, or ideas can be posted as students are learning material. First brought in as a way for quiet students to ask questions during lectures, many teachers have embraced it to use in additional ways.
What I like about it: I can use this tool without creating an account. If I do create an account, I can moderate content. Regardless, it's easy for teachers to create and students to respond. The backchannel will stay open as long as the teacher needs it to, up to a month with no account.
Classroom Applications: Beyond the lecture example, create a backchannel when students are researching in groups. This will provide one single place for students to take notes. Have a guest speaker? Students can write questions in the backchannel for the speaker to address.
+1 Student email. Sometimes the above sites may ask teachers or students to register with an email address. If students don't have an account generated by the school, do one of these options.
Mailinator: Create fake email accounts. Designed so you can still receive the verification email, but not the spam that comes along with the free account. Just think of any username and add @mailinator.com to the end. Do take the opportunity to teach students appropriate usernames if you do this. It's a good teachable moment.
Gmail +1 hack. No need to recreate the wheel here, so I've linked the directions given by the awesome Richard Byrne. Simply create a gmail account for your class (raderclass@gmail.com), and then add +1, +2, +3 to the end of the username. See Richard's directions for further instruction.
