DISCOVERING SOMETHING NEW
In looking at this topic, we were given the assignment to research items from free tech for teachers (http://freetech4teachers.com), Kathy Schrock's guide to online tools (http://www.schrockguide.net/online-tools.html) and a link from Dembo and Bellow's Untangling the Web.
To start off with, I visited Richard Byrne's Free Technology for Teachers website. Once in there, I went into the Practical Ed Technology tab, and I took a look first at the Free Tools for Creating Animated Videos. While there looked to be a good selection of information and opportunities, some of which I had heard about, some of which I did not know of, I opted to look around a little more as to what was being offered in this site. Going to page 2, I found a wonderful resource dealing with Hands-on STEM lessons. Neat, simple projects (middle school based) that brought everyday items into context with Science, Technology Engineering and Math. I actually bookmarked that link for future reference, and kept looking. 
I tapped into the link "6 Alternatives to Padlet", and since I have used Padlet before, took a closer look at this one. I found the Dotstorming (https://dotstorming.com) to be a neat alternative to Padlet. It allows the instructor to set up a discussion board, including a direct link / import option into Pinterest Boards,invite participants, add ideas, then vote on those ideas. The boards are called topics, and will allow both images and text to be entered. It will also accommodate online discussions based on the topic at hand, sorts and ranks the ideas and votes received, while keeping the voting private.
In exploring the Dotstorming site, and doing some external research, I found some neat and easy ways to utilize the application: in addition to voting, it can be used as a mini-quiz format through the use of pictures and not only voting, but responding with reasons regarding why a person voted. Another way to use this would be to introduce a broad topic, say styles of houses, then have students find pictures that represent a given style and have them post with a description. It can also be utilized to facilitate the choice of group project topics by having everyone submit a picture and idea, then the group votes on what the final project should be.
Instructors have control of the board, and can limit the number of votes, facilitator approval of all submitted cards and ideas, locking the board or disabling the voting or commenting. The site is definitely CIPA friendly, as you can only connect into a board through email or link invitation, and the board is controlled by the instructor itself.
When I first went into Kathy Schrock's website (Kathy Schrock's Guide to Everything: http://www.schrockguide.net/online-tools.html
I was looking for something that would help me create flowcharts. Not finding anything easily identifiable as a flowchart site, I looked at infographic and graphic creation tools, and decided to try the Piktochart ( https://piktochart.com ) site as a way to create simple, easy to follow informational graphics.
The site is easy to use,and comes with a multitude of templates for infographics, presentations and printable format graphics. There is both a free and a pro level, with the free being at least as easy to use as a standard Power Point software. It allows you to begin with a template or from a blank screen layout, and works with text boxes, basic shapes (if you count over 100 available shapes basic), colors and a multitude of royalty-free images and photos for almost any circumstance. It also allows for the easy uploading of saved pictures from your own system.
Like with many online systems, it allows you to preview your work before publishing, and also restricts your publications until you want to make them public. As a trial run (yes, I see myself and my class utilizing this site), I created a short six-slide presentation dealing with roofing materials. Noting complicated, with example pictures, the type of roofing and a brief statement about each type. While I did not save anything in the infographic or printable template areas, the flexibility and adaptability of this software is much better than that of Easel.ly. While I might recommend this site for more advanced students (say 6th grade and up) due to it's complex nature, it is a great site for developing more professional looking graphics than some of the other sites that are available for free. The site is definitely CIPA friendly, and can be viewed by the instructor without too much issue in order to maintain its positive usage.
You can take a look at my presentation at: http://1w.tf/roofing1
or just link into it using the QR link to the right... it worked fine on my Android phone, as well as through Firefox and Chrome.
Once again in looking at the options to explore with our third focus, I wanted something different. I have used Easel.ly and Padlet before, both in and out of the classroom. In terms of Easel.ly, I am too OCD to enjoy using this, as it has too many restrictions as to what can be created. When I used it in a previous class, I actually developed my design first using a graphics program (CorelDraw) that I use in the classroom, then imported it into the link. I would recommend Piktochart ( https://piktochart.com ) above this site if you absolutely have to do your design work online.
I have also used Garage Band, which is similar to uJam.
I opted for Class Dojo ( https://teach.classdojo.com ) as it deals more with what I need for in my classrooms: a way to easily and quickly document behavior and participation while walking around the room. The app is available for both apple and android (or windows), which is wonderful as we have just received instructor iPads and are expected to use them. It allows us to set up our classes, and with the touch of an icon, record behavior, class participation, teamwork and other positive (and negative) behaviors. You can also add comments relating to the students behavior as a way to remember exactly what was happening. The site also allows the uploading of pictures. This is a great way to visually document the work or actions of the student, both in positive and negative formats, for record keeping purposes.
The site even allows for easy communication with parents. It generates both a welcome letter to the individual student, as well as their parents, inviting them to link into the site and class. Once this invite has been accepted - simply make it a gradable assignment where both student and parent must connect - any comments made by the instructor regarding the student will automatically be forwarded to the parent, thus informing them of their behavior and participation. The instructor can also send home messages to both individual parents, as well as whole classrooms. Do you want to remind all of the parents and students of a test or open house all at one time? Type in a message and send! You (the instructor) can also limit what is sent to positive, negative or all comments, depending upon what you want sent automatically. You can also override that setting at any time and send notices out to parents. This is a great an easy way to maintain contact without a lot of extra hassle!
When I first went into Kathy Schrock's website (Kathy Schrock's Guide to Everything: http://www.schrockguide.net/online-tools.html
I was looking for something that would help me create flowcharts. Not finding anything easily identifiable as a flowchart site, I looked at infographic and graphic creation tools, and decided to try the Piktochart ( https://piktochart.com ) site as a way to create simple, easy to follow informational graphics.
The site is easy to use,and comes with a multitude of templates for infographics, presentations and printable format graphics. There is both a free and a pro level, with the free being at least as easy to use as a standard Power Point software. It allows you to begin with a template or from a blank screen layout, and works with text boxes, basic shapes (if you count over 100 available shapes basic), colors and a multitude of royalty-free images and photos for almost any circumstance. It also allows for the easy uploading of saved pictures from your own system.Like with many online systems, it allows you to preview your work before publishing, and also restricts your publications until you want to make them public. As a trial run (yes, I see myself and my class utilizing this site), I created a short six-slide presentation dealing with roofing materials. Noting complicated, with example pictures, the type of roofing and a brief statement about each type. While I did not save anything in the infographic or printable template areas, the flexibility and adaptability of this software is much better than that of Easel.ly. While I might recommend this site for more advanced students (say 6th grade and up) due to it's complex nature, it is a great site for developing more professional looking graphics than some of the other sites that are available for free. The site is definitely CIPA friendly, and can be viewed by the instructor without too much issue in order to maintain its positive usage.
You can take a look at my presentation at: http://1w.tf/roofing1
or just link into it using the QR link to the right... it worked fine on my Android phone, as well as through Firefox and Chrome.
Once again in looking at the options to explore with our third focus, I wanted something different. I have used Easel.ly and Padlet before, both in and out of the classroom. In terms of Easel.ly, I am too OCD to enjoy using this, as it has too many restrictions as to what can be created. When I used it in a previous class, I actually developed my design first using a graphics program (CorelDraw) that I use in the classroom, then imported it into the link. I would recommend Piktochart ( https://piktochart.com ) above this site if you absolutely have to do your design work online.
I have also used Garage Band, which is similar to uJam.
I opted for Class Dojo ( https://teach.classdojo.com ) as it deals more with what I need for in my classrooms: a way to easily and quickly document behavior and participation while walking around the room. The app is available for both apple and android (or windows), which is wonderful as we have just received instructor iPads and are expected to use them. It allows us to set up our classes, and with the touch of an icon, record behavior, class participation, teamwork and other positive (and negative) behaviors. You can also add comments relating to the students behavior as a way to remember exactly what was happening. The site also allows the uploading of pictures. This is a great way to visually document the work or actions of the student, both in positive and negative formats, for record keeping purposes. |
| ClassDojo Letter of Invite |
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| ClassDojo with picture replacing icon |
When I first looked into the site, I was disappointed in that I thought that it was geared primarily for elementary students. After all, what high school student wants to be depicted as a cartoon monster? With some exploration, however, I found that it is possible to create your own "monster" icons for the students, and that includes uploading student pictures into the site both for easier recognition and something that doesn't look so childish... It takes a little work, but what doesn't if it is worthwhile?
This is a great teacher's tool from what I can see, and one that with a little work can be utilized from K-12 and beyond. It is more of a communication tool than a presentation or publication tool, but if used correctly, it can make for a definite improvement in the classroom.
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