One of the great things about working in District 75 in New York City is that we have regular bi-monthly meetings where the tech liaisons from our 60+ (and 100s of sites/buildings) schools get together to share and learn. We recently had the opportunity to talk about what tools are benefitting us most in the classroom. Here is a recap of that information.
Technology can become the “wings” that will allow the educational world to fly farther and faster than ever before—if we will allow it.
– Jenny Arledge
ACCESSIBILITY
- Makey Makey – You can create your own accessible controller utilizing along with Headmouse.
- Wireless Mouse – Allow students to take control with a simple cheap multi-button switch alternative.
COMMUNICATION
- Skype Business – Many schools don’t realize they automatically have a great tool for communicating across sites.
- Microsoft Teams – One of the latest MS tools has Skype, OneNote and sharing features built in for group communication.
- VSee – This is a telecommunication service that promises privacy and seems to work well even with bandwidth issues.
- Zoom – We use this for streaming events frequently.
GENERAL INSTRUCTION
- Education.com – A number of learning paths available especially for early childhood instruction
- Magisto – This is an online video editor you can use for digital storytelling.
- Read Write Think – They have a number of resources, but their timeline is one that is good.
- Rocketbook – A physical pen and paper digital tool.
VISUAL TOOLS
- BrainPOP Make-a-Movie – Students and teachers can create their own content with Moby. To save them you need to set up an educator account. Email for that info.
- Canva – This design platform provides a means for students to make their own logos.
- Cram.com – These are easy-to-use virtual flashcards.
- Flipgrid – I’ve sung the praises of this video creation site for a while since I find it to be one of the most useful tools for amplifying student voices.
- Nearpod – We’ve discussed it in-depth before, but Nearpod provides a variety of presentation, assessment, and connection options.
- PowerPoint – One school taught emotional skills using Disney’s Inside Out as inspiration. Students self-assessed their own emotional journey and finalized it with an emotion-driven Wordle.
- Quizlet – The top digital flashcard and visual quiz site.-
- Via Hypothesis – for accessing youtube videos
ARTS
- PicCollage – Create a photo book.
- Soundtrap – It functions like an online GarageBand that allows you to set up classes and video chat while you create.
STEM
- iMovie Trailers – Students use trailers to function as planning sheets.
- School Tech Team – Using a format similar to mouse.org, schools are creating student tech teams to address IT issues throughout the school.
- Toca Nature – These early childhood apps allow students to create their own natural world in a manner similar to a mini-Minecraft.
STEM (PBL)
- Sketch Up – Students design and build 3D creations.
- Tinkercad – This online 3D printing design app has been used for a variety of activities from designing personalized nameplates to 3D snowmen.
- Other Design Tools – The Creality CR10 is a cheaper model 3D printer that some schools are using with resources like Thingiverse for printable designs and Cura for prep.
STEM (ROBOTICS)
- Ozobots – These fun bots discussed before were used to review the life-cycle of a butterfly.
COMPUTER SCIENCE
- CS Fair – 256Q is holding their own CS fair on May 11th at their 43 site. Others are invited to attend.
- Digital Citizenship– By partnering with Common Sense, Nearpod has one of the most comprehensive digital citizenship lessons available.
- Code Combat – Learn to program a game by playing a game
- Google CS First – CS classes and clubs use the Scratch platform to complete various curriculums.
- Infinite Arcade – Another way to learn coding through play.
- SEP – CS4All’s Software Engineering Program utilizes a number of programs to teach Python, HTML, and JS coding including Gamestar Mechanic, robotics, Scratch, littleBits, and code.org.
- Other Resources – Kodable teaches beginning coders the language of coding while BrainPOP, Flocabulary, and Kahoot provide additional resources.
VIRTUAL REALITY
- Panorama – Create and view 360° photos for VR viewing
- Merge Goggles – Merge makes incredibly sturdy adjustable VR goggles for use with Google Expeditions or other VR software.
GENERAL TECH HELP
- Dropzone – This is an open-source app for drag and drop file management
- Jing – This is a screen recording app for those without Mac Quicktime or Windows 10 screen recording.to record
- Zagg – They make a number of solid cases with clip-on keyboards,
- Repurposed Carts – Turn an old laptop cart into a mobile school store or a Makerspace resource area.
OTHER
- Yearbooks – Pictavo is a web-based yearbook creation software that teachers find easy to use. It’s easy to create a student list, set up favorites, and choose from a variety of pre-selected themes. TreeRing is another resource also used by staff.
