Technology

Kahoot

This is by far one of the best interactive, real-time quiz games I've used yet. It is extremely fun for everyone and really engages students at a high level. Best of all, it's another 100% free platform to use! 

Piktochart

Millennials are without a doubt strong visual learners. Surrounded by media and bombarded with statistics, students have adapted to learn from quick, aesthetically-pleasing facts that can truly help reinforce ideas and connect concepts through a new platform of presentation. Infographics made on Piktochart or other sites can help teachers create study guides, present facts with visual reinforcement, or allow students to engage their classmates as the teacher. 

Glogster

Glogster is an online platform that integrates technology right into the classroom by allowing students AND teachers to create interactive poster-boards to share information. Learning can become fun and personalized as this tool utilizes video, text, images, and audio to reach a variety of learning styles. 

Versal

Similar to Blendspace, Versal is a drag and drop lesson builder with free tools that allow teachers to create lessons and demonstrate work that can be viewed at home or independently in class. Upgrade for additional tools at a low cost. Be sure to try the whiteboard recorder!

Blendspace

Need to plan in a pinch? Want your students to create a lesson to teach to their classmates? Blendspace is my go to for creating a quick lesson that provides a simple option for collecting data. Best of all, it allows the creator to teach to students that learn differently. Different templates allow users to create interactive lessons and change them according to the needs and interests of students.

EduCanon

Put a spin on YouTube videos for your students. Check and assess learning with built in quiz functions at various points in the videos. It is also simple to embed a video lesson onto a webpage. The free account comes with plenty of options but a premium educators account opens up even more functions. This is definitely worth checking out if you use any videos in class.

Socrative

Socrative is a great way to bring technology into your classroom. Students can use smartphones, tablets, laptops, or desktops to participate in a variety of interactive learning tools created by teachers. While students are engaged in short answer questions, quick quizzes, exit tickets, multiple choice practice, or a "Space Race" review game, instructors are able to track real time progress. This is a must for collaborative, engaging, and fun learning for all levels. Download the app today from your iTunes or Google Play store for free!

Haiku Deck

Haiku Deck is a great platform for students or teachers to create graphically engaging presentations that promote the audience to focus on the speaker rather than the slides. If your students are successful in taking notes and learning content through auditory presentations rather than text, this is the way to go! It's simple and free!

Wordle

Wordle is an excellent tool for students who are struggling to learn vocabulary or for those who are interested in using an engaging platform to create vocabulary charts to enhance their learning. Teachers and students can simply collaborate to build aestetically pleasing "Wordles" by combining content based terms to build a strong vernacular. Best of all, it's free!

 

Remind

Formerly known as Remind 101, this tool is great for communicating with students and parents. It is a safe, one-way communication that allows instructors to send text messages from a personalized number (not yours!) to remind students and parents of any assignments. Safe. Simple. Free. The website has many walkthroughs but the learning curve is small. It's also great for coaches, club leaders, and any other groups that might need an occasional reminder! Use a computer or download an app to your smartphone or tablet today!

Padlet

Padlet is a powerful collaborative tool that links real time answers on interactive whiteboards and the screen students are accessing each other through. Padlet is a great "hook" and brainstorming tool. Padlet also allows students that are less vocal to share their input with classmates through a different means of communication. Best of all, Padlet is 100% free! Students can access a teacher created "board" through their smartphones, tablets, laptops, or in a school computer lab. 

Quizlet

This free application can be run off a tablet, smartphone, laptop, or desktop to engage students in "hooks" or in formal assessments. Teachers and students can create quizzes, flashcards, tests, and study games to build knowledge together. It's easy to sign up for using a Google account, a Facebook account, or a valid email. The best part is quizlet will track data for instructors to make lesson planning decisions on... and it's free!

QR Stuff

QR codes are a trending marketing tool used by major business. Let's bring them into education! Visit this website to create quick, free, and easy QR codes to post on homework, around your school, on stickers, or a multitude of items to tap into student curiosity. Link the codes to videos, websites, reminders, locations, or almost anything to engage students. I personally like to use QR codes to create "extra credit" assignments and mystery tasks that are fun for students.

SaveFrom.net

Worried technology might fail on your YouTube day? Fear no more! Use this simple online tool to save your favorite videos in mp4 format for viewing later, or storing on ipads or phones. It is excellent for flipped classrooms!

Prezi

Create powerful presentations that "move" along with the flow of the classroom to engage your students with video, audio, text, and images. Similar to PowerPoint, Prezi is a great way to build a framework for class content. It also doubles as a project tool for students to create presentations to re-teach in the classroom. It's easy to sign up for a free Prezi account and teachers receive a nice upgrade.

Inklewriter

Looking for a creative writing tool for your students? Try Inklewriter. This powerful web 2.0 tool enables students to showcase their content knowledge while expressing their creativity as they create interactive stories. Look for a sample project in the Underground Railroad section of the 7th grade curriculum

Plicker

Looking for a magical way to assess students? Plicker is your answer - and it's 100% free! Give students a Plicker card for the year and let your cell phone do the assessment in real time and take the data in for you! Invest 30 minutes to create your own Plicker card set and laminate them for durability.

New York State has recognized technology as a major component embedded in the NYS Standards. Review the standards involving technology below.

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) also recognizes technology as an essential part of education in preparing students for the 21st century.

Standard II – Knowledge of Content and Instructional Planning
Teachers know the content they are responsible for teaching, and plan
instruction that ensures growth and achievement for all students.
II.6: Teachers evaluate and utilize curricular materials and other appropriate
resources to promote student success in meeting learning goals.
Performance Indicators:
a. Teachers organize physical space to reflect an awareness of learner
needs and curricular goals.
b. Teachers incorporate a knowledge and understanding of technology in
their lessons to enhance student learning.
c. Teachers organize and effectively use time to achieve learning goals.
d. Teachers select and adapt curricular materials to align with state
standards and meet diverse learning needs.
e. Teachers access appropriate resources to meet specific learning
differences or needs.

Standard III: Instructional Practice
Teachers implement instruction that engages and challenges all students
to meet or exceed the learning standards.
III.5: Teachers engage students in the development of multidisciplinary skills, such as
communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and use of technology.
Performance Indicators:
a. Students synthesize and express ideas both in written and oral
formats.
b. Students work effectively with others, including those from diverse
groups and with opposing points of view.
c. Students make decisions, solve problems, and take actions as
appropriate.
d. Students solve problems and/or acquire new knowledge through
creative and innovative approaches to learning.
e. Students utilize technologies and resources to solve real world
problems.

Standard IV: Learning Environment
Teachers work with all students to create a dynamic learning environment
that supports achievement and growth.
Element IV.4:
Teachers organize and utilize available resources (e.g., physical space, time,
people, technology) to create a safe and productive learning environment.
Performance Indicators:
a. Teachers arrange and adapt the physical environment to
accommodate individual and group learning needs and to celebrate
student accomplishments.
b. Teachers ensure that all students have equitable access to available
resources and technologies.
c. Teachers effectively use the services and skills of available volunteers
and paraprofessionals.
d. Teachers know and implement policies and procedures to ensure
student safety.

Standard V: Assessment for Student Learning
Teachers use multiple measures to assess and document student growth,
evaluate instructional effectiveness, and modify instruction.
Element V.1:
Teachers design, select, and use a range of assessment tools and processes to
measure and document student learning and growth.
Performance Indicators:
a. Teachers use appropriate diagnostic and ongoing assessment to
establish learning goals and inform instruction.
b. Teachers use formative assessment to inform teaching and learning.
c. Teachers use summative assessment to measure and record student
achievement.
d. Teachers design assessments that are aligned with curricular and
instructional goals.
e. Teachers design and select assessments that accurately determine
mastery of student skills and knowledge.
f. Teachers use multiple measures and multiple formats, including
available technology, to assess and document student performance.
g. Teachers implement required testing accommodations.

Standard VI: Professional Responsibilities and Collaboration
Teachers demonstrate professional responsibility and engage relevant
stakeholders to maximize student growth, development, and learning.
Element VI.1:
Teachers uphold professional standards of practice and policy as related to
students’ rights and teachers’ responsibilities.
Performance Indicators:
a. Teachers demonstrate a high standard of honesty, integrity, ethical
conduct, and confidentiality when interacting with students, families,
colleagues, and the public.
b. Teachers are proactive and advocate to meet the needs of students.
c. Teachers use self-reflection and stakeholders’ feedback to inform and
adjust professional behavior.
d. Teachers advocate, model, and manage safe, legal, and ethical use of
information and technology, including respect for intellectual property
and the appropriate documentation of sources.