Easy Technology Tools You Can Use All Year

Rachel Grover Librarian, Rocky Run MS

Fairfax County Public Schools

AGENDA

• Tech & Today’s Students• Why’s and Ways to Use Tech• Looking at Some Sites & a Bonus!• Independent Investigation/Planning• Sharing

Tech & Today’s Students

• Next Year’s 6th graders: Born in 2006/2007• 2006: “Year of the Social Network” – readwrite.com

• Kindergarteners in 2011• How do we use tech in education for meaning, and

not just for the sake of tech?

Why’s and Ways to Use Tech

• Need to use the medium they are most familiar with in order to:

• Collaborate with each other

• Provide feedback to you & their classmates

• Demonstrate mastery of concepts taught

PADLET.com (+app)

• Online version of sticky notes• Can upload videos,

documents, images, or just write text

• Student examples: Project• Good to use for

brainstorming, reflections, or exit tickets, too!

Demonstrate Mastery Collaborate with Others

Provide Feedback

• Compiles many kinds of media into one lesson

• Monitor student progress through class organization

• Students create a project• Catch up students on skills• Has a quiz module• Students can comment on your

presentations & their classmates• Searchable lesson library

Demonstrate Mastery Provide Feedback

blendspace.com

TAGXEDO.com & TAGUL.com• Word Cloud Creators• Alternate to Wordle• Choice of color & shape• Easy to save & share work• Tagxedo: No login• Tagul: Login• TT : Use to activate

knowledge, asking questions, review

• Only works on desktops and laptops

Demonstrate Mastery

SOCRATIVE.com (+app)• Interactive quizzing site• Teacher facilitated• Create quizzes in advance or

spontaneously• Multiple Choice, True/False,

Short Answer• Connect to standards & view

reports• Can use ALL devices!• TT : Use for brainstorming, exit

tickets, and quick checks of info you just taught

Demonstrate Mastery

BONUS: LESSONPATHS.com• Great for structuring online

learning & differentiation• Include videos, websites,

documents, and screencasts

• Search for other lesson paths that are relevant

• Not tested for student creators

http://bit.ly/1bshzfC

With the Remaining Time:• Investigate at least 3 of these sites• Create something that you could use with your

classes as a project example or at the beginning of the year.• Post at least 1 idea on our Padlet• Be prepared to share!