Friday, January 30, 2015

ExamTime

ExamTime is a site I covered a long time ago but thankfully reminded about from one of their emails.  This is an excellent learning tool for educators or students looking to create and share resources such as: flashcards, quizzes, mind maps, and more.  Also, a user can generate detailed reports to gauge their learning progress.  Finally, ExamTime is browser based making it ideal to use on any mobile device.

I highly recommend checking out ExamTime by clicking here!!!

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Storyboard That

Storyboard That is a fantastic Web 2.0 tool for digital storytelling w/ educational portal.  This portal allows for educators to create student accounts (even batch upload) and assign them to their class via a URL and unique code (i.e. ClassDojo).  Not only can and educator create, manage, adjust privacy settings, and more, they can create storyboard templates and assignments for their class.  Everything is COPPA compliant and very safe to use in an educational setting.

Storyboard That is a very easy tool to use w/ it's drag-n-drop interface and allows students to seamlessly create a storyboards by adding images, clip art, text, record narration, etc.  There is even a innovative slideshow button that turns storyboards into slideshows that easily allows for students or teachers to share their presentations up on a big screen.  A finished product can then be downloaded as a PDF, shared via a link, exported into a PPT, or embedded into a site/blog.

Best of all are the new "Teacher Guides" that are aligned to Common Core standards and contain plot diagrams, Q/A, character maps, and much much more.  Educators are using these for project based learning, digital storytelling, and in a number of different ways to assess student's learning on a project or story.

I highly recommend checking out Storyboard That by clicking here!!!


















For my Pinterest board on Digital Storytelling Click here.

*Storyboard That is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.





Prodigy

Prodigy is a fantastic free online Math game that is ideal for Game Based Learning.  This super fun highly engaging game designed for grades 1st-6th and is aligned to Common Core Standards.  Best of all is the teacher portal which allows for educators to assess students and get instant real-time reporting.  Prodigy, even has a unique learning engine which allows the game to differentiate instruction and help students w/ areas they are struggling in.  Teachers can modify the game to suit their needs and select which skills their students need to focus on too.  Also, Prodigy is browser based and works on any device (i.e iPad or Chromebook).

I highly recommend checking out Prodigy by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief demo...



For my Pinterest board on Game Based Learning click here.

Teach'n Go

Teach'n Go is a new site for managing online courses for educators.  This is a nice way to create a course, charge what they want, schedule, and communicate w/ parents and students in a safe collaborative environment.  Also, Teach'n Go is web based and works on any browser based device making it ideal for mobile learning.

Below is a brief demo video...



I highly recommend checking out Teach'n Go by clicking here!!!

*Teach'n Go is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Monday, January 26, 2015

Buncee for Education

Buncee for Education is the web portal for educators looking to use Buncee w/ their classroom.  Buncee is a wonderful learning tool that allows educators to "flip" a lesson, use for project based and blended learning, digital storytelling, and much much more.  This is a simple to use presentation/creation tool that students are using on the web or iOS mobile device to create stunning projects through a drag-n-drop interface.  Best of all, the educational portal allows educators to create and manage all student accounts, as well as to create/view assignments.  There is even an abundance of educational resources/lessons for educators to browse to help integrate Buncee into their classroom.

I highly recommend checking out Buncee for Education by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief demo...



*Buncee is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

My Weather Book

My Weather Book is a fun educational iOS app that kids can use for word/letter recognition by tracing words and coloring pictures.  This is done in a easy to use interface where parents can select which style (i.e. bold, dotted) of letters can be traced, while the child can select their pictures to be included in their coloring book.  After that by tapping on a picture in the coloring book a user can then access the coloring, brush, drawing/writing tools to interact w/ the picture.  Best of all there is a microphone button that will speak the highlighted word.  This helps w/ word recognition as well as build up a child's vocabulary around the weather.

I highly recommend checking out My Weather Book by clicking here!!!

For more info check out Edshelf.

*My Weather Book is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

AR Flashcards Shapes & Colors

AR Flashcards Shapes and Colors is the brand-new educational augmented reality iOS app from Mitchlehan Media (i.e AR Flashcards Space).  Like AR Space, all a child has to do is point the iOS device at the printed flashcard to display a 3D rendered animal holding up a shape.  A user can then take a snapshot or even hear the shape by pressing on the sound button.  This is a great way to introduce shapes & colors to toddlers and preschoolers as well as an innovative way to integrate technology & augmented reality into the classroom.


I highly recommend checking out AR Flashcards Shapes and Colors by clicking here.

To find AR Flashcards Shapes and Colors on Edshelf click here.
For my Pinterest board on Augmented Reality click here.

For more AR Flashcards apps click here.

*Mitchlehan Media is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Booktrack Classroom

Booktrack Classroom is a new site/app that is great for the Reading or Writing Classroom.  This is an interesting tool that allows students or teachers to add a soundtrack to their writing.

Here's a list of ways Booktrack Classroom is being used in education...

  • Narrative Writing – Students add music and audio to their original stories.
  • Informative and Explanatory Writing – Students compose essays and articles selecting suitable audio to accompany their text.
  • Literature Study – Students gain insight and increased understanding of the text by creating their own soundtracks for novels, stories, and plays they are reading in class.
  • Read-Alouds – Teacher and student led read-alouds are enhanced through the addition of sound and music to the chapter or act being presented.
Also, BC has a nice selection of free lesson plans to search through and is aligned to Common Core standards.

Below is a brief demo...


I highly recommend checking out Booktrack Classroom by clicking here!!!

*Booktrack Classroom is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Otus

"Otus is an easy-to-use, yet powerful classroom tool that brings the best iPad and Chromebook education features together into one secure environment, and uses a single Google login."  

I must say after reading this tag line I was quite intrigued to give Otus a look and it IS a complete mobile learning environment for schools.  Otus comes in two free iPad apps one for the teacher and one for the student.  Also, a user (teacher/student) will need a Google account to login.  There is also a web login that allows Otus to be used on any device here.

As w/ most Learning Management Systems (LMS) Otus allows educators to create classes, manage attendance/assignments/grades, poll students, blog, and more.  They can create digital bookshelves to host all kinds of digital media (i.e. books, videos, sites, etc) and assess students in real-time.  The split screen feature allows users to take notes using any feature of Otus as well as taking notes during browsing.

I highly recommend checking out Otus by clicking here!!!

Now for any browser based mobile device!!!!

*Otus is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Answerables

Answerables is a wonderful new innovative site/game that is perfect for Game Based Learning (or more accurate Game Based Learning meets Learning Management System).  It reminds me of Second Life but geared more toward kids w/ their fantasy/SciFi environment.  The game takes place in the 3D virtual world of Answerables on a planet called Proxima, where the native Ansibles (students) encounter an alien race.

What makes this so great for education that is the safe/COPPA compliant environment that Answerables provides.  This is an ideal place for students to collaborate w/ others and develop their social learning skills.  Answerables provides windows (i.e. Second Life) to view the web, go on quests, etc.  The student dashboard allows students to track their quests, notifications, events, PODS (Personal Online Development Spaces), and more.

Educators can create a lesson/POD (manage permissions), create webquests, internet scave
nger hunts, host live events, and best of all "Gamify" their lesson.  This is great for introducing a new concept, guided/differentiated instruction, and even "Flipping" a classroom.  Also, teachers (parents too) can track/monitor student progress, share and view resources by collaborating w/ other educators, and even setup tutoring courses where they set their own rate.

I highly recommend checking out Answerables by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief demo that has to be seen to be believed...



For my Pinterest board on Game Based Learning click here.

*Answerables is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

SpellingCity

SpellingCity is one of the most popular and my favorite site around for all things Vocabulary and Spelling.  This is an excellent place for educators to browse or create word lists and even incorporate them into educational games.  Also, there is a free mobile app (iOS/Android) that integrates w/ the site for practicing Spelling/Vocab.

I highly recommend checking out SpellingCity by clicking here!!!

NEW GAMES ADDED ALL THE TIME!!!

*SpellingCity is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

30hands Pro

30hands Pro is the new paid iOS app from 30hands Learning.  This is a great purchase as it unlocks all the features in the free 30hands app such as: importing video clips, Dropbox/Google Drive integration, and Hi-Res video exporting.

30hands is the amazingly simple to use app w/ drag-n-drop interface that allows users to sync up photos w/ audio recordings to create stunning presentations.  This can be used for digital storytelling, Blended Learning, Project Based Learning, or even to "Flip" a lesson.  Also, the exporting features allows the video to be saved to the mobile device's camera roll or uploaded to the free 30hand online educational community.

I highly recommend checking out 30hands Pro by clicking here!!!

For more info on 30hands Pro visit Edshelf.
For my Pinterest board on Digital Storytelling click here.

Below is a video of Flipping the Classroom w/ 30hands Pro...



*30hands Learning is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Quick Math Jr.

Quick Math Jr. is an excellent iOS app (free right now) for young learners ages 3-7 yrs old learning Math.  This app has 6 different educational games that helps kids learn different aspects of Math such as: counting, addition/subtraction, number placement, and more.  Also, Quick Math Jr. differentiates instruction and adjusts its level of difficulty depending on how well they're doing.

I highly recommend checking Quick Math Jr. by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Educational iOS Apps click here.

Chronicle

Chronicle is an unbelievable iPad app that educators are using for a wide variety of purposes to help w/ their best teaching strategies.  This is done by "chronicling" each student through Chronicle by a combination of audio/video notes, assessments, grade books, and much much more.  Also, Chronicle makes it easy to grade/assess students by color coded tracking, and innovative easy to use grade book, and provides a platform to effectively communicate w/ parents and other educators.

I highly recommend checking out Chronicle by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief demo video...



*Chronicle is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Friday, January 23, 2015

BoomWriter

BoomWriter is one of my favorite sites that I've posted about many times before for integrating technology into a classroom.  This innovative site is ideal for grades 3rd-8th for Reading  & Writing.  BoomWriter allows students through a collaborative process create a digital book/story chapter by chapter.

The way this works is a teacher creates a class/students (no student email is required) and then assigns them a story starter (or creates their own).  Each student then types the next chapter.  The students then vote on which chapter should be included in the book/story, and this process goes on and on until the book is completed.  Finally, once this is done their story can then be published and an actual copy of the book can be ordered.  Right now for every first time class they receive 1 free book (shipping included)!!

BoomWriter is ideal for Project Based Learning and excellent for education and abides by CIPA compliance making it a 100% safe in an enclosed environment.

For more information on BoomWriter click here.

I highly recommend checking out BoomWriter by clicking here!!!

Below is a fun video of what BoomWriter is all about...




Seesaw

I was lucky enough to try out a private version of Seesaw awhile back and am excited to say that now it is available for the public!!!  This is a fantastic free iOS app that students can use to create digital portfolios or journals.  These journals can contain anything from audio to video, photos, and even drawn upon.  Best of all, are the teacher tools that allows educators to create class lists and manage and track all students.  Finally, there are a ton of great resources for educators, such as lesson plans, printouts, QR codes for singing up (or class code), parent notifications, and more.

I highly recommend checking out Seesaw by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief demo...

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Modern Chalkboard

Modern Chalkboard is a wonderful new free site for finding SMART board resources.  This is a great place to find interactive lessons on a wide variety of subjects such as: Math, Grammar, Science, and Social Studies.  Also, this is a nice place to find other resources such as links and help files.

I highly recommend checking out Modern Chalkboard by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Educational Resources click here.

PDF to PowerPoint

PDF to PowerPoint is the free classroom productivity iOS app from Cometdocs.  This is a nice simple app to use to upload a PDF and turn it into a Powerpoint.  This is very handy for mobile learning and those teachers and students needing to convert their PDF's into presentations.  Here are some more features from their promotional email...

  1. The app can be used completely free.
  2. There is no other free PDF to PowerPoint iOS app on the market.
  3. Slides and text recognition is accurate and precise. The presentation will have the same layout as the original PDF, but will be completely editable in Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides.
  4. Scanned PDFs (for example ones created with a mobile scanner) are supported as well.
  5. Size doesn’t matter, large files are also supported.
  6. Conversion quality is the same for all types of user. Premium subscription is valid for a lifetime and influences only the speed of conversion delivery.

I highly recommend checking out PDF to PowerPoint by clicking here!!!

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

GoClass

GoClass the wonderful educational tool for mobile learning and flipping a classroom has just had a major redesign.  This new sleeker look makes it easy to conduct lessons via any device and track student progress.  These new icons and drop downs is very user friendly, as well as the ability to generate detailed reports to help differentiate instruction.

I highly recommend checking out GoClass by clicking here!!!

*GoClass is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

EDpuzzle

EDpuzzle the excellent and free learning tool for flipping a classroom and adding questions to a video has just released a new update.  This update has a new landing page making it easier for students/teachers to sign in, as well as a drag-n-drop interface to add questions to a video.  Also, EDpuzzle allows educators to track and monitor student assignments as well generate detailed reports.

I highly recommend checking out EDpuzzle by clicking here!!!

Below is a brief demo...



*EDpuzzle is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

For my Pinterest board on Flipping a Classroom click here.

Khan Academy V. 2.0

Khan Academy the popular site for learning anything through educational videos, has just released a big update to their free iOS app.  Version 2.0, now includes over 150,000 Math exercises that are aligned to Common Core Standards.  Also, there is a sketch pad that allows users to work out their problems and take notes.  Best of all, a the app syncs w/ the web version so a person can continue where they left off from any device.

I highly recommend checking out the Khan Academy app by clicking here!!!

For a more detailed review click here.

Monday, January 19, 2015

Kiko's Thinking Time

Kiko's Thinking Time is a fun free iOS app for kids 3-7 yrs old developing their cognitive skills.  This app focuses on lots of different areas such as: memory, spatial, reasoning, and more through educational activities.  Kids will have fun and learn as they unlock boards and rewards as they play through a wide variety of games.  Best of all, is the detailed reporting features that a parent/teacher can even have emailed to them, that breaks down a student's progress.

I highly recommend checking out Kiko's Thinking Time by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Educational iOS Apps click here.
For more infö check out Edshelf.

Friday, January 16, 2015

CodeCampKidz

CodeCampKidz is a wonderful new site for 5th-8th graders learning how to code.  This is a fun and simple to use site that uses a window by window display to show students how to code.  As students type in the code, correct parts will be highlighted, wrong coding will display what is wrong and how it needs to be fixed.  This is a fantastic site for anyone wanting to learn how to code in HTML5, Javascript, and more.

I highly recommend checking out CodeCampKidz by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on learning how to Program or Code click here.

ClassDojo Update

ClassDojo one of the most popular free Ed Tech tools has just released a major update that has now brought all of their features into one, simple app.  The app now lets teachers manage and record student behavior, as well as message other educators and parents all from the same app.  Also, this new redesign has a very nice and sleek look and focuses on what's important, relationship.

The ClassDojo app is all about fostering and building relationships that matter most...

  • Teachers w/ students
  • Teachers w/ parents
  • Parents w/ their children
Finally, the upgraded messaging feature makes it seamless to send a parent a photo of classwork, voice note, or even a sticker, to let them know how their child is doing.

I highly recommend checking out ClassDojo by clicking here!!!

*ClassDojo is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Osmo

I was lucky enough to receive a Osmo a few weeks ago for review purposes and am throughly impressed w/ what I've seen.  My children (9,7,5, and 3 yr old) are having a blast playing w/ all the different games/apps available for the Osmo.  The Osmo itself consists of a plastic reflector that snaps over the iPad camera and a base for holding the iPad in place vertically.  The camera then sees what is in front of the iPad by being reflected from the mirror and works rather seamlessly.  There are 3 apps available: Tangram, Newton, and Words.  All of them are highly educational and very easy to use.
  • Tangram - kids will arrange puzzle pieces that come w/ the Osmo to make shapes and learn about the different principals of the Tangram.
  • Newton - probably my favorite of the apps, and lets kids use their creativity to draw lines/shapes etc to guide bouncing balls into a target.
  • Words - a fun multiple player game that really helps students learn how to spell by placing the correct letter in front of the iPad
Below is a brief demo...



I highly recommend checking out the Osmo by clicking here!!!


myBlee Math

myBlee Math is an excellent free iOS app for kids ages 5-12 yrs old learning Math.  This app not only tracks student progress, but offers rewards and puzzles in a wide range of subjects such as: counting, geometry, fractions, decimals, and much much more.

Below is a brief demo video...



I highly recommend checking out myBlee Math by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Educational iOS Apps click here.

Friday, January 9, 2015

Yogome Heroes of Knowledge

Yogome well known for their educational games and characters/Yogotars, has just released their latest iOS app, Heroes of Knowledge.  This is a super fun app designed for kids 6-11 that has 100s of games in wide range of areas, such as: programming, Math, Science, and much much more.  Best of all, the app allows for educators/parents to monitor and track their student progress.

I highly recommend checking out Yogome Heroes of Knowledge by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Game Based Learning click here.

*Yogome is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Winter Heat Math Game Competition

Registration is now open for DimensionU's latest virtual competition.  This is a 5 week, multiplayer video game competition that uses DimentionU's innovative 3D games.  The competition starts Jan 12th, and consists of four weekly qualifying rounds, where the top 5 gamers from each week move on to the finals.  The registration fee is $9.95 and there are lots of prizes for weekly winners and four grand prize winners.

For more information on DimensionU's Winter Heat Competition click here!!!

*DimensionU is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.