Educational Technology and Mobile Learning

What Is Classrooscreen and How to Use It with Students in Class?

2023-05-17T13:55:00.000-03:00

Classroomscreen is a platform that offers numerous tools to help you create optimal learning experiences for your students. The way it works is simple: You project the tool for the whole class to see and start using the embedded widgets.

There are widgets for monitoring students noise, timing activities, gathering students feedback, creating random groups, polling students, drawing, sharing multimedia resources, and many more.

Classroomscreen supports various languages and can be used with students from different grades. While you can use Classroomscreen without registration, having an account will enable you to unlock several features including the use of Group Maker tool.

How does Classroomscreen work?

The educational power of Classroomscreen lies in its widgets screen. These are tools which allow you to perform various tasks. Simply connect your Classroomscreen to a classroom projector and share screen with students.

Widgets screen enables you to visually display the instructions for your lesson. There are over 13 widgets you can use in your teaching including:

Timer: Use it to time your students activities.
Drawing tool: Use it to draw or record your notes. Choose the background of your choice (e.g., lined paper, graph paper, or image) and start drawing either in full screen or in a small window.
Traffic Light: Use it to help with your teaching. Associate the lights with specific instructions for students to carry out. Students can also use Traffic Lights to communicate their progress on a particular task, among others.
QR Generator: Use it to instantly generate QR codes that students can scan and read using their own devices.

Text box: Use it to write and share class instruction, notes, lesson objectives, etc.
Random Name: Lets you select random student names from lists you created. Use the settings of Random Name to activate the 'Remember chosen students' feature so that selected students will not be chosen again until all students have their turn.

Work Symbols: Use it 'to let students know under what conditions they can work on their task. Choose from: ‘work together', ‘ask neighbour’, ‘whisper' or ‘silence'.'
Sound Level: Use it with a microphone to measure the sound level in your classroom. When students are noisy, a bell will ring to request silence. You can easily set the Sensitivity and the Maximum noise allowed. You can also turn on and off the alarm bell and microphone.

Media: Use the media widget to upload images to your screen, embed YouTube videos, start the webcam of your computer (this is especially helpful in remote instruction allowing students to see you as you walk them through a lesson), and more.
Stopwatch: Use the stopwatch to time class activities. When you enlarge it you will be able to see the lap times in the widget.
Clock: Use the Clock to show time on your screen. You can choose a 12-hour clock or 24 hour clock.
Calendar: Use Calendar to show the date.

Classroomscreen Poll

Use Classroomscreen poll to collect students feedback. For instance, you can use it as a formative assessment tool to check on students understanding or you can poll students for their suggestions about a given project, etc. Only Classroomscreen Pro users have the option to use remote voting to let their students cast their votes.

In the free version, students are required 'to walk past the smart board and cast their vote'. Poll supports three question types: Smileys (indicate mood), multiple choice questions (lets you add custom questions), and true or false questions. You can use poll settings to edit questions the way you want. You can hide results. You can even create multiple poll screens to create quizzes and questionnaires.

Classroomscreen Group Maker

Group Maker lets you create groups for your class. The way it works is simple. First, type in a name list for your class or choose one from the saved lists. Free Classroomscreen users can save up to three name lists while Pro users can save up to thirty lists. Each list can contain up to 100 names.

Each time you edit a list, changes are automatically saved to the list. Give your list a name and if you want you can make it a Favourite list by clicking on the star button in the corner of the list. Favourite lists are automatically loaded when you open the Group Maker or the Random Name widget.

After selecting students names choose the number of groups you want to create and select group size then click on 'Create groups'. Click on the same button to reshuffle the groups. You can also drag a student name from one group and drop it in another group.

Use the pin button to pin students so that when you shuffle a group, pinned students remain in the same group. There is also the possibility to exclude combinations of students in order to avoid having specific students match with each other. (Check out this post for more group generator tools to use in your class).

How to use Classroomscreen in class?

Classroomscreen offers a wide variety of tools that can help you in your teaching and classroom management. Just make sure you have the necessary equipment to project and share the screen with the whole class.

Some of the ways you can use Classroomscreen with students include: Use the integrated polling service to collect students feedback and run quick formative assessments to check students understanding. Group Maker will help in classroom activities that require teamwork and collaboration. You can easily generate various groups and assign each group of students a particular task to work on.

Use the multiple screen feature to display each group on the screen and create a gamified learning experience for the whole class. There is also the possibility of using Classroomscreen as a digital whiteboard where students create and share their work.

In remote instruction settings, Classroomscreen can be an ideal solution. You can share your screen and record your cam while explaining lessons. You can also create polls and invite students to remotely cast their votes.

Students can use the drawing tool to illustrate their understanding of a given topic. They can also use media from the web including YouTube videos and images to enrich their contributions and inspire further discussions.

Timer, Traffic Light, and Sound Level can help in classroom management. You can monitor students noise, time students activities, and provide visually illustrated instructions to help optimize students learning.

How much does Classroomscreen cost?

Classroomscreen offers three plans: the Basic plan is free and offers the following features: 13 widgets screen, poll with local voting, group maker, save settings and preferences, and the ability to save three name lists.

The Pro plan costs $29.90 per year and offers extra features such as upload custom images, organize screens in collections, save up to 50 name lists, poll with remote voting, and more. The School Pro plan offers the ability to create a subscription with multiple licenses and offers various payment options.

What are some similar tools to Classroomscreen?

Some of the web tools that, I believe, are similar to Classroomscreen in terms of features and functionalities include: Wakelet, Padlet, and InsertLearning.

Here is How to Create A Classroom Blog Using Blogger

2023-05-17T04:52:00.000-03:00

In the digital world, blogging has emerged as a potent educational tool, combining creativity, interaction, and in-depth exploration of topics. By incorporating blogging into your pedagogical repertoire, you can not only elevate your teaching methods but also unlock an array of learning opportunities for your students.

Educational blogging offers a multitude of avenues to enrich your instructional techniques. You can use it as a platform to showcase students' accomplishments, share resources beyond the curriculum, establish a virtual hub for remote student interactions, and maintain a consistent line of communication with parents and the wider school community.

Moreover, it can serve as an extension of the classroom environment, a space where learning continues beyond the school day. It's also a convenient way to disseminate assignments, announcements, and important dates or events.

When integrating blogging into your pedagogical approach, it's crucial to ground this digital tool within a structured pedagogical framework, clearly outlining objectives and learning goals. Equipping yourself with tailor-made blogging rubrics can assist you in assessing students' learning and monitoring their overall academic journey.

There is a plethora of blogging platforms available to assist you in establishing your classroom blog. Among them, Google's Blogger stands out as one of the most user-friendly and efficient platforms.

In this post, I will provide a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to setting up your classroom blog using Blogger. This will serve as a roadmap for you to navigate this exciting digital terrain and bring your classroom into the modern age.

1- Blogger login

To start creating your blog in Blogger you need to first log in to Blogger. If you have a Google account then it is easy. Head over to www.blogger.com and log in. Once logged in, click on " New Blog ".

2. Add a Blog title

Provide a title for your blog and type in the address you want to use as URL. Try different iterations till you find the one that is available.

3- Choose a template

Blogger' s template gallery features tons of professionally designed templates that you can choose from. These templates are organized into different themes including: Travel (e.g, Flight template, Beach template, Studio template, and Road template), Dynamic views (includes Magazine template, Flipcard template, Classic template, Snapshot template, Mosaic template, etc), Simply (includes Simply Simple, Pale, Deep, Literate, Dark, etc), Picture Window (Shade, Open, Sceen, and more), Watermark (e.g., Navigator, Birds, Flower, etc), Notable (includes Light, Dracula, Coral, Antique, and Pink), Emporio (includes Porcelain, Toolbox, Apron, Flamingo, and Technica), and more.

When you find the template you want click on 'Apply'.

3- Blogger editor

Now that you have selected and applied a template to your classroom blog, your blog is now virtually existant, congrats!

From now on, Blogger editor is where you will be working to write content and customize the settings of your blog. Think of it as the backdoor to your blog.

To start writing posts, you can either write your post in Blogger editor which offers all the basic writing and editing tools you need or you can use a text editor of your choice (e.g. Word, Text Edit, Google Docs, Scrivener, etc) then copy and paste your post into your Blogger editor.

Here is what you can do in the editor :

A- Insert Image

To insert an image click on the image icon as shown in the screenshot below. You have four options to insert an image into your post including: Upload from computer, Photos, Blogger, and by URL.

B- Add a hyperlink

To hyperlink a word, that is, to add a URL address that people can visit when they lick on the word, simply highlight the word or phrase then click on "Link" in the authoring bar and paste your link. If you want the link to open in a new window make sure you check the box next to 'Open this link in a new window'

C- Insert Videos

There are two ways to insert videos into your blog post. You can add them from your computer or you can insert them from YouTube. Check out this guide to learn how the different ways to add videos to your blog posts.

D- Add a quote

To add quotes to your post, paste or type in your quote and click on the 'quote' icon as shown below.

E- Check spelling

Blogger has an integrated spell checker which works best when you click on the "ABC" icon as shown below. When you click on ABC, any misspelled word will be highlighted in yellow, simply click on the word to automatically correct it.

F- Choose Font type

To select the font of your text, click on the font icon and pick up the font you want. To select the font of your text, click on font icon and pick up the font you want.

G- Change font size

To change the font size of your text , click on the font size icon and choose the size you want.

H- Label your post

Labels help you organize your posts into different categories. For instance, if I write a tutorial I would label my post as : tutorial or guide...etc so that when I have several posts and want to look for a specific one I can easily find it based on the labels I used.

I- HTML

I am not sure if you would want to tweak the HTML of your post unless you have a basic knowledge of HTML coding, otherwise don't bother. HTML is useful when integrating code snippets into your posts (e.g., infographics, embed videos, slides, etc)

5- Share your Post

Once you are done with typing and editing, you can then click on " Publish" and your post will instantly go live.

Here is how to customize the settings of your Blog

1- Add co-authors

To add co-authors to your blog, click on Settings located on the left hand side. Scroll down to Permissions and click on 'Invite more authors'. Add their email addresses and click on Send.

2- Set Blog readers

You can either make your blog open to the public, private or accessible only by custom readers. To adjust the readership settings of your blog, Click on Settings, scroll down to Permissions and click on Reader access. Choose one of the three options: Public, Private to authors, Custom readers.

3- Adjust Comment features

By default your blog will display a comment box below your posts. But you have full moderation control. You can adjust who can write comments, whether to moderate comments before they are published, whether to enable a word verification captcha, and more.

To adjust comment features, open Settings, scroll down to Comments and adjust the features to your preference.

More sources:

How to create and edit pages in Blogger (video tutorial by Blogger team)

How to publish a blog post (video tutorial by Blogger team)

How to choose who can read and edit your blog (video tutorial by Blogger team)

How to purchase a custom domain on Blogger (video tutorial by Blogger team)

The Best 5 Android Apps for Kids in 2017

2023-05-17T04:47:00.000-03:00

In this digital age, technology has revolutionized the way children learn and interact with the world. Educational apps have emerged as powerful tools, turning screen time into an enriching learning experience. These apps make learning interactive, engaging, and fun, ensuring that children absorb knowledge more effectively.

Whether it's understanding the mysteries of the universe, learning shapes and colors, honing numerical skills, or even building a virtual town, there's an educational app for everything. As an educator with extensive experience in edtech research, I have seen the profound impact these tools can have on a child's learning journey.

In this post, I will explore five remarkable educational apps - Space for Kids 🚀 Astronomy Game by Star Walk 2, Sago Mini Town, Pinkfong Shapes and Colors, Miffy’s World, and 123 Numbers.

Each of these apps brings unique learning opportunities to the table, effectively combining education and entertainment. So, let's dive in and discover how these apps can enrich your child's learning experience and make education an exciting adventure!

1- Space for Kids by Star Walk 2

Embark on an extraordinary interstellar adventure with the Space for Kids Astronomy Game by Star Walk 2. This game transforms learning about the universe into a fun-filled experience, allowing children to delve into the fascinating world of astronomy.

They can explore planets within our solar system, distant stars, enigmatic constellations, and other intriguing celestial bodies. By immersing themselves in this virtual cosmic journey, kids can deepen their understanding of the universe's workings.

This interactive space exploration game enables the young astronomers to learn about space phenomena in a playful and engaging manner, thereby nurturing their curiosity and fostering a lifelong love for astronomy.

2- Sago Mini Town

Welcome to Sago Mini Town, a creative sandbox game that encourages children to build their unique virtual towns. This app provides an array of animated story tiles, including roads, houses, shops, and even adorable Sago Mini friends' visits. It's a game where children can swap, drop, place, and play to create an island town of their dreams.

Kids can explore unique landmarks like the volcano or the pizza shop, or even meet the town mayor! Sago Mini Town is more than just a game - it's a platform for children to let their imagination soar. By designing and managing their town, children develop spatial awareness, planning skills, and a basic understanding of community structures, enhancing their learning in an entertaining way.

3- Pinkfong Shapes and Colors

Pinkfong Shapes & Colors is a comprehensive learning app designed to familiarize children with shapes, colors, sizes, and patterns. Through 10 different activity steps, children can gradually progress from sorting simple objects to solving more complex problems.

The game's interactive design and playful presentation make learning about shapes and colors a delightful experience for kids. Whether it's identifying different shapes, distinguishing colors, or understanding sizes and patterns, Pinkfong Shapes & Colors turns these foundational concepts into a fun learning journey.

This app, therefore, serves as a valuable tool in developing children's cognitive skills, enhancing their visual perception, and boosting their problem-solving abilities.

4- Miffy’s World

Step into the enchanting world of Miffy's World, an interactive app inspired by the much-loved picture books created by artist Dick Bruna and the globally successful TV series. Miffy's World is a 3D interactive app that brings the charming character of Miffy and her world to life.

Children can engage with Miffy, explore her surroundings, and embark on delightful adventures. The game's gentle pace and beautiful design make it an ideal learning tool for children.

As they navigate Miffy's World, children enhance their understanding of the world around them, develop their motor skills, and learn valuable lessons about friendship and nature. The immersive, interactive experiences in Miffy's World stimulate creativity and imagination, making learning a joyful adventure for your little ones.

5- 123 Numbers

123 Numbers is a comprehensive educational app designed to make learning numbers an enjoyable and interactive experience for toddlers and preschool children. This easy-to-use app facilitates learning numbers, tracing, counting, and more, with bright, colorful games that effectively engage the young learners.

As children play these games, they can easily grasp basic number concepts and counting skills. Each game in the 123 Numbers app is designed to promote number recognition, hand-eye coordination, and motor skills. With this all-in-one app, parents can provide their children a supportive environment that fosters a love for numbers and lays a strong foundation for their mathematical journey.

The 10000 Hours Rule: Why Hard Work is Essential for Success

2023-05-17T04:38:00.001-03:00

Do you ever wonder why some people seem to be more successful than others? It could be because they understand the power of hard work and dedication. This concept is famously known as the 10000 Hour Rule, which states that it takes roughly 10,000 hours of practice for a person to become an expert in something.

To put this into perspective - if someone practices for 5 hours each day, it would take them around 2 years to reach mastery level. This rule has been proven time and again by highly successful individuals from all walks of life – showing that with enough effort, anyone can achieve success! In this article, I discuss what the 10000 hours rule is all about, its origin, tips for applying it in everyday life, and conclude with strategies to help you keep motivated while working hard.

1. The Origin of the 10000 Hour Rule

The “10000 Hour Rule” is a concept popularized by Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers. The rule states that it takes approximately 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert in any field. This idea has been around for decades and was first introduced by researcher K. Anders Ericsson in the early 1990s in a paper entitled The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance.

In essence, this rule suggests that if you put enough time and effort into something, you can achieve great success at it - regardless of natural talent or ability level. However, the success of this rule rests on 'deliberate practice', that is, the ability to maintain sustained focus on learning a specific skill. According to Ericsson and colleagues, deliberate practice is a “highly structured activity, the explicit goal of which is to improve performance."

2. The Importance of Hard Work in Achieving Success

The 10000 Hour Rule says that if you practice something for 10,000 hours, you can become a master of it. Hard work is very important because it helps you to get better and better at things. With enough hard work and dedication, anyone can become an expert in something they are passionate about.

Hard work also helps to build resilience and a strong sense of self-discipline. It teaches you that even when things are hard, you can still push through and accomplish your goals. This is the key to success – being able to stay motivated and determined to achieve what you set out to do.

Furthermore, hard work gives people the opportunity to develop skills that could be beneficial for their future career prospects. Through dedication and practice, someone can learn new skills which could give them an edge over other job applicants or open up different career paths they hadn't considered before.

3. Application of the 10000 Hour Rule in different areas of life

The 10000 Hour Rule can be applied to many areas of life, from work and business to leisure and hobbies. It's a great way to measure your progress as you develop your skills and become an expert in something.

For example, if you're working on becoming a better writer or artist, the 10000 Hour Rule can help you track your progress by setting goals for yourself and regularly evaluating your progress over time. With enough practice and dedication, you can eventually become an expert in that particular field.

On a more personal level, people can use the 10000 Hour Rule to achieve success in areas such as health, fitness, and self-development. For instance, someone who wants to get fit could set a goal of exercising for 10,000 hours over several years so that they reach their desired level of fitness. Similarly, if someone is striving for self-improvement or personal growth then they should use this rule as motivation to put in the hard work necessary for achieving their goals.

Overall, no matter what area of life you are focusing on - whether it’s career development or personal improvement - understanding and applying the 10000-Hour Rule will certainly help you reach success confidently!

4. Strategies for staying motivated when working hard toward a goal

Here are some practical strategies to help you make the best of your hard work:

1. Set realistic and achievable goals
2. Break down tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks
3. Celebrate small successes along the way
4. Take regular breaks to avoid burnout
5. Track your progress over time for a sense of accomplishment
6. Find an accountability partner or mentor to keep you motivated and on track
7. Reward yourself for reaching milestones in your journey toward success

How many days are 10000 hours?

10000 hours is roughly 416.67 days, depending on how many hours are logged each day. This means that if someone wants to reach the level of expertise outlined in the 10000 Hour Rule, they will need to dedicate an average of 8 hours a day for over 1 year and 4 months – or roughly 416.67 days – to reach their goal.

Conclusion

The 10,000 Hour Rule serves as an empowering reminder that success is not exclusive to a privileged few but is attainable by anyone who is willing to invest the necessary time and effort. As an educator and a researcher in edtech, I've seen firsthand how this rule can transform an enthusiastic novice into a competent expert.

This rule is not just about the number of hours invested but more importantly, about the quality of those hours. Deliberate, focused practice is at the heart of this principle. Remember, progress may be slow, and the journey may be challenging, but with consistency and determination, the mastery you seek is within your grasp.

So, whether you aspire to excel in your career, a hobby, or personal development, don't shy away from embracing the 10,000 Hour Rule. Set your sights on your goal, roll up your sleeves, and embark on the journey. Remember, every expert was once a beginner. As the adage goes, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." With the 10,000 Hour Rule, you now know that it also continues one hour at a time. So, keep going, and don't give up, because hard work always reaps rewards!

Google Bard vs ChatGPT: Teacher's Guide

2023-05-16T02:35:00.013-03:00

As an educator deeply passionate about the potent synergy of AI and teaching, I am always on the lookout for innovative technologies that could revolutionize our classrooms and learning environments.

Recently, Google launched its new AI language model, Bard. And let me tell you, it has quickly climbed to the top of my list of exciting AI developments. Ever since its launch, I've been experimenting with Bard, exploring its potential and the ways it could be leveraged in the realms of education and professional development. And the journey, so far, has been nothing short of impressive.

However, as I venture deeper into the AI world, I'm reminded of a critical tenet we must always bear in mind. While these sophisticated AI models, like Bard or ChatGPT, can generate rich and nuanced content, they are not infallible.

Particularly when it comes to factual content, statistics, and specialized knowledge areas, it is crucial that we fact-check the information. After all, the goal is to make AI a reliable ally in our pursuit of knowledge and professional growth, not a source of misinformation.

In this blog post, I'll be drawing a comparison between Google Bard and ChatGPT, two giants in the realm of AI language models. I'll be sharing my hands-on experiences, insights, and the key differences.

So, whether you're a fellow educator, a curious learner, or a tech enthusiast, I invite you to join me on this exciting exploration. Let's delve into the world where AI meets education.

Few things to know about Bard

Here are some important things to know about Bard which I pulled from its FAQ section:

What is Bard?

Bard is an advanced conversational AI developed by Google, based on the technology behind LaMDA (Language Model for Dialogue Applications). LaMDA is a Transformer-based model, a machine learning methodology pioneered by Google in 2017. It learns from "reading" trillions of words, picking up patterns that constitute human language and thereby becoming adept at predicting reasonable responses.

Bard interface

In fact, Bard is not just a language model; it's designed to act as a creative collaborator. It's purpose as stated by Google is to stimulate your imagination, enhance your productivity, and assist you in realizing your ideas.

Importantly, Bard is built on generative AI technology, meaning, it can produce unique outputs based on the input it receives. This makes Bard a potentially powerful tool for a variety of creative and practical uses.

However, as I stated earlier and as is the case with all AI technology, Bard's output should be examined critically, especially when used for information involving specific facts or statistics.

Please note that Bard is an experimental tool, and its launch is viewed as an opportunity for Google to learn, iterate, and improve the experience based on feedback from users, publishers, creators, and other stakeholders.

Does Bard cite sources and references in responses?

Most often it does. As you can see in the screenshot below, Bard included a reference to a Wikipedia entry when I asked it what qualitative research is. As Google stated, Bard's primary design is to generate original content rather than replicate existing content extensively.

It further added that it (Google) has implemented systems to limit the chances of Bard directly quoting at length from a webpage and that when it does, it cites the page.

Always according to Google, when the same information is found across multiple webpages, Bard attempts to cite a popular source. For code citations, Bard may also reference an applicable open source license.

Will Bard replace Google Search?

From a personal perspective, Bard isn't poised to replace Google Search, especially in the short term. When it comes to in-depth academic research or professional inquiries, I, like many of you, would lean towards Google Search over Bard.

The reason is straightforward: the value of meticulously combing through authoritative and trustworthy sources cannot be underestimated, and it often surpasses the convenience of a quickly generated text.

This becomes even more evident when we venture into specialized fields like medicine and law. Bard has been designed with certain restrictions, and it refrains from providing advice in these sensitive areas. I've personally tested this, asking Bard for medical and legal advice, and the AI consistently responded by declining to give such counsel.

So, while Bard is indeed a powerful tool for generating creative content and assisting with a variety of tasks, it complements rather than competes with Google Search. Each has its strengths and roles, and both can coexist to cater to the diverse information needs of users.

Nevertheless, Bard is fundamentally a tool for creative collaboration, working well in tasks like writing an email or brainstorming ideas. It's a complement to Google Search, with a "Google It" button added to facilitate the transition from Bard to exploring information on the wider web.

How many language Does Bard support?

Aso of right now, Bard is "available in US English, Japanese and Korean, and we are teaching Bard to speak as many languages as possible."

Bard Vs ChatGPT

The competition between AI language models has seen an exciting new entrant with the launch of Google's Bard. While OpenAI's ChatGPT, particularly its recent iterations like ChatGPT-4 or ChatGPT Plus, have made significant strides in performance and accuracy over their predecessor versions, Bard brings to the table a set of unique and powerful features that truly make it shine.

To better understand the two, let's delve into a comparison of Bard and ChatGPT. Here are some key differences between these two innovative AI models:

1. Real-Time Internet Access

Unlike ChatGPT, Bard utilizes real-time internet access to provide quick, accurate, and timely responses. It's a free service that rapidly gathers and synthesizes up-to-date information to answer your queries. It's like having an assistant that surfs the web for you, keeping you informed and updated.

2. Powerful Plugins

Bard allows you to supercharge your prompts with convenient plugins. This means you can accomplish more without leaving the interface. Whether you're ordering groceries through Instacart, making a reservation via OpenTable, planning a trip with Kayak, or other tasks, Bard's plugins streamline these processes.

3. Coding Assistance

Bard has the ability to assist with coding. It can write and interpret code in simple terms, making it a handy coding co-pilot. Whether you're an experienced programmer or a novice, Bard is designed to make coding more accessible and understandable.

4. Image Responses

A unique feature of Bard is its capability to produce image responses directly in prompt results. This feature offers a visual perspective that enhances understanding and engagement.

5. Image Search

In addition to text prompts, Bard can process image prompts. It analyses the input image and generates a contextually relevant response, opening up new possibilities for interaction.

6. Export and Collaboration Features

Bard outshines ChatGPT with its easy export features. You can conveniently export your work into Google Docs or Gmail or copy and paste it anywhere. Furthermore, Bard allows you to extend your prompts with a "Google it" search, fostering more extensive research and collaboration.

7. Website/Article Summary

Bard is also capable of providing concise summaries and answering questions about any website. It's a tool for speed reading, rapid learning, and simplifying complex topics. As a bonus, it can format the key points in a bulleted format upon request.

8. Multiple Drafts Selection

Bard offers the flexibility of generating multiple drafts, letting you pick your favorite or regenerate new ones until you're satisfied. It's like having multiple attempts at crafting the perfect response.

9. Voice Prompting

Bard features a unique voice prompting option, which is especially useful when you're on the move. Available on mobile, this feature minimizes effort and maximizes convenience, letting you interact with Bard effortlessly, wherever you are.

An Extensive Glossary of Math Terms for Students

2023-05-15T03:14:00.002-03:00

In today's world, mathematics plays a crucial role in various fields in our daily life. For students, having a solid foundation in mathematics is essential for their academic and professional success. However, mathematics can often seem intimidating due to the vast number of terms, concepts, and rules.

To help students build their mathematical knowledge and ease their learning process, I have prepared an extended glossary of math terms. This glossary serves as a comprehensive reference, covering fundamental concepts to more advanced topics in a concise and accessible manner.

The primary goal of this glossary is to provide students with a resource that they can consult whenever they encounter unfamiliar terms or concepts. By offering clear and straightforward definitions, students can quickly grasp the meaning and context of various mathematical ideas.

This glossary not only assists students in developing a strong mathematical vocabulary but also fosters a deeper understanding of the subject matter, enabling them to tackle problems with greater confidence and proficiency.

1. Absolute value: The distance a number is from zero on the number line. Denoted by |x|, where x is a real number.

2. Acute angle: An angle measuring less than 90 degrees.

3. Algebra: A branch of mathematics that uses symbols, letters, and numbers to represent and solve problems.

4. Algorithm: A step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or accomplishing a task.

5. Arithmetic: The branch of mathematics dealing with basic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

6. Associative property: The property that states that the way numbers are grouped does not change the result (a+(b+c)=(a+b)+c and a(bc)=ab(c)).

7. Asymptote: A line that a curve approaches as it heads towards infinity.

8. Axiom: A statement or proposition that is accepted as true without proof.

9. Base: The number that is raised to a power in an exponential expression.

10. Binomial: A polynomial with two terms.

11. Calculus: A branch of mathematics that studies change and motion, involving concepts such as limits, derivatives, and integrals.

12. Cartesian coordinates: A system for locating points in a plane by specifying their distances from a pair of perpendicular axes.

13. Coefficient: A numerical or constant factor that multiplies a variable in a term of an algebraic expression.

14. Combination: A selection of items from a larger set, where the order of the items does not matter.

15. Complex number: A number that can be expressed in the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is the imaginary unit (i² = -1).

16. Composite number: A number that has factors other than 1 and itself.

17. Congruent: Identical in form, size, and shape.

18. Constant: A value that does not change.

19. Coordinate plane: A plane with two perpendicular number lines, called axes, used to define the positions of points.

20. Cosine: A trigonometric function that relates the ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse in a right-angled triangle.

21. Degree: A unit of measurement for angles, where one degree is 1/360 of a full circle.

22. Derivative: A measure of how a function changes as its input changes, representing the slope of the tangent line to the graph of the function.

23. Determinant: A scalar value associated with a square matrix, used to solve linear equations and calculate matrix inverses.

24. Diagonal: A line segment that connects two non-adjacent vertices in a polygon or polyhedron.

25. Distributive property: The property that states that multiplying a sum by a number is the same as multiplying each term in the sum by the number and then adding the results (a(b+c)=ab+ac).

26. Domain: The set of all possible input values of a function.

27. Equation: A mathematical statement that asserts the equality of two expressions.

28. Exponent: The power to which a number is raised in an exponential expression.

29. Factorial: The product of all positive integers less than or equal to a given number, denoted by n!.

30. Fibonacci sequence: A sequence of numbers in which each number is the sum of the two preceding ones, starting from 0 and 1.

31. Fractal: A geometric shape that has a self-repeating pattern at different scales.

32. Fraction: A representation of a part of a whole, written as a ratio of two numbers (a/b).

33. Function: A mathematical relationship that assigns exactly one output value to each input value in a given domain.

35. Geometry: The branch of mathematics concerned with the properties, measurement, and relationships of points, lines, angles, surfaces, and solids.

36. Gradient: A measure of the steepness of a line, calculated as the ratio of the vertical change to the horizontal change.

37. Hyperbola: A curve formed by the intersection of a plane with both halves of a double cone, consisting of two distinct, mirror-image branches.

38. Hypotenuse: The longest side of a right-angled triangle, opposite the right angle.

39. Imaginary number: A number that can be written as a real number multiplied by the imaginary unit i, where i² = -1.

40. Induction: A method of mathematical proof that establishes the truth of an infinite sequence of statements by proving the base case and an inductive step.

41. Infinity: A concept that expresses the idea of a quantity that is larger than any finite number.

42. Integer: A whole number, including positive, negative, and zero values.

43. Integral: A fundamental concept in calculus that represents the area under a curve, or the accumulation of a quantity over an interval.

44. Intercept: The point where a curve or line intersects an axis on a coordinate plane.

45. Inverse function: A function that reverses the action of another function, so that applying the two functions in sequence leaves the input unchanged.

46. Irrational number: A number that cannot be expressed as a simple fraction, with non-repeating, non-terminating decimal representation.

47. Isosceles triangle: A triangle with two sides of equal length.

48. Limit: A fundamental concept in calculus that describes the behavior of a function as its input approaches a certain value or infinity.

49. Logarithm: The exponent to which a base must be raised to produce a given number, denoted by logb(x).

50. Matrix: A rectangular array of numbers, symbols, or expressions arranged in rows and columns, used in various mathematical operations.

51. Mean: The sum of a set of values divided by the number of values, also known as the average.

52. Median: The middle value in a set of data when the data is arranged in ascending or descending order.

53. Mode: The value that appears most frequently in a set of data.

54. Monomial: A polynomial with only one term.

55. Normal distribution: A continuous probability distribution characterized by a bell-shaped curve, also known as the Gaussian distribution.

56. Null set: A set with no elements, also called the empty set.

57. Obtuse angle: An angle measuring more than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees.

58. Odds: The ratio of the probability of an event occurring to the probability of it not occurring.

59. Parabola: A U-shaped curve defined by a quadratic function, representing the graph of a quadratic equation.

60. Parallel lines: Lines in the same plane that never intersect.

61. Permutation: An arrangement of items from a larger set, where the order of the items matters.

62. Pi (π): The ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, approximately equal to 3.14159.

63. Polynomial: An algebraic expression consisting of one or more terms with non-negative integer exponents.

64. Prime number: A number greater than 1 that has only two factors: 1 and itself.

65. Probability: A measure of the likelihood that an event will occur, expressed as a number between 0 and 1.

66. Pythagorean theorem: A fundamental theorem in geometry stating that the square of the length of the hypoten.

67. Pythagorean theorem: A fundamental theorem in geometry stating that the square of the length of the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides (a² + b² = c²).

68. Quadratic equation: A polynomial equation of degree 2, in the form ax² + bx + c = 0.

69. Quadrilateral: A polygon with four sides and four angles.

70. Quaternion: A number system that extends complex numbers with four components, often used in 3D rotations and transformations.

71. Radical: The symbol √ used to denote the square root or higher-order roots of a number.

72. Range: The difference between the highest and lowest values in a set of data, or the set of all possible output values of a function.

73. Rational number: A number that can be expressed as a fraction, where the numerator and denominator are integers and the denominator is not zero.

74. Real number: A number that can be represented on a number line, including rational and irrational numbers.

75. Reflection: A transformation that creates a mirror image of a geometric figure across a line or plane.

76. Regression: A statistical method for estimating the relationships between variables, often used to make predictions based on observed data.

77. Remainder: The amount left over when one number is divided by another.

78. Riemann sum: A method for approximating the definite integral of a function using the sum of the areas of rectangles.

79. Right angle: An angle measuring exactly 90 degrees.

80. Scalar: A quantity that has only magnitude, not direction, such as mass or temperature.

81. Secant: A line that intersects a curve at two or more points.

82. Sequence: An ordered list of numbers, often generated by a specific rule or formula.

83. Series: The sum of the terms in a sequence.

84. Set: A collection of distinct objects, considered as an object in its own right.

85. Similar: Having the same shape but not necessarily the same size.

86. Sine: A trigonometric function that relates the ratio of the opposite side to the hypotenuse in a right-angled triangle.

87. Slope: A measure of the steepness of a line, calculated as the ratio of the vertical change to the horizontal change.

88. Square root: A number that, when multiplied by itself, equals a given number.

89. Standard deviation: A measure of the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of values.

90. Subset: A set formed by taking some or all of the elements from a larger set.

91. Summation: The process of adding a sequence of numbers, typically denoted by the Greek letter sigma (Σ).

92. Tangent: A straight line that just touches a curve at a single point without crossing it.

93. Taylor series: An infinite series of terms that represents a function as the sum of its derivatives at a single point, multiplied by powers of the input variable.

94. Theorem: A statement that has been proven to be true using logical reasoning and previously established statements or axioms.

95. Transcendental number: A number that is not the root of any non-zero polynomial equation with integer coefficients, such as π and e.

96. Transformation: A change in the position, size, or orientation of a geometric figure.

97. Transpose: To interchange the rows and columns of a matrix.

98. Trigonometry: The branch of mathematics that deals with the relationships between the angles and sides of triangles, particularly right-angled triangles.

99. Union: The set containing all the elements of two or more given sets.

100. Vector: A quantity that has both magnitude and direction, typically represented by an arrow with a specific length and direction.

101. Vertex: The point where two or more edges meet in a geometric figure, or the highest or lowest point on a curve.

102. Vertical angles: A pair of non-adjacent angles formed by the intersection of two straight lines.

103. Volume: The amount of space occupied by a three-dimensional object, measured in cubic units.

104. Whole number: A non-negative integer, including zero.

105. X-axis: The horizontal axis in a coordinate plane.

106. Y-axis: The vertical axis in a coordinate plane.

107. Zero: The number that represents the absence of a quantity or a value.

108. Z-score: A measure of how many standard deviations a data point is from the mean of the data set, used in statistics to standardize and compare data.

109. Zone: A region or area in a geometric figure that is separated by specific boundaries or features.

110. Z-transform: A mathematical transform used in signal processing and control theory to convert a discrete-time signal into a complex frequency domain representation.

These terms cover a wide range of mathematical concepts and branches. To deepen your understanding, it's a good idea to study each term and concept in more detail and practice applying them in various mathematical problems.

References:
For more math glossary sources, check out these resources:

1. MathWorld - Wolfram Research:
MathWorld is a comprehensive and interactive mathematics encyclopedia that covers various math concepts and terms.

2. Math Glossary - RapidTables:
RapidTables provides a glossary of math symbols and terms, including definitions and examples.

3. Math Is Fun - Glossary:
Math Is Fun offers a glossary of math terms, concepts, and symbols, with simple explanations and examples.

4. Math Glossary, University of Chicago

5.Glossaries of Mathematics, Wikipedia

7. Math.com - Glossary:
Math.com offers a glossary of math terms and concepts, covering subjects from basic arithmetic to geometry and algebra.

8. Math Dictionary for Kids:
This math dictionary is designed specifically for kids, providing simple explanations and examples for various math terms.

Understanding the SAMR Model for Teachers

2023-05-14T05:44:00.001-03:00

With the increasing integration of technology in our classrooms, educators are faced with pedagogical concerns regarding its effectiveness in transforming education and creating optimal learning experiences.

Every educator leveraging technology in their instruction has likely pondered questions such as: Is technology always suitable for every instructional task? Does it enhance student learning? How do distracting features accompanying this technology impact learning?

The strengths and weaknesses of technology in education have been widely explored in numerous studies. Our approach to technology should celebrate its strengths and capitalize on the advantages it offers in education while diligently raising awareness of its drawbacks and minimizing their impact on learning.

One way to achieve this is by familiarizing educators with analytical frameworks that can guide them in assessing, selecting, and utilizing technology in their instruction. TPACK and the SAMR model are two popular frameworks in this context. While I have already discussed TPACK in a previous post, I will focus on the SAMR model today.

What is the SAMR Model?

Developed by Dr. Ruben Puentedura in 2006, SAMR (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition) is a four-level conceptual framework designed to help educators effectively use technology in their instruction.

SAMR offers a structure to support educators and instructional designers in creating optimal learning experiences with mobile devices in education (Rogers et al., 2014, p. 79).

The SAMR model also encourages teachers to progress from lower to higher levels of teaching with technology, which, according to Puentedura, leads to enhanced teaching and learning (Hamilton et al., 2016, p. 434). To better understand the SAMR concept, we have created an illustrative visual based on a variety of resources (see list at the bottom of this post).

The visual below is available for free download from this link (no commercial uses please).

SAMR Model Levels

1. Substitution Level

Using digital technology to replace analog technology without any functional change.
Examples:

Students use a word editor to compose a piece of writing.

Using digital flashcards instead of physical ones to study vocabulary or concepts.
Replacing a physical classroom calendar with a digital one to keep track of assignments and events.

2. Augmentation

Digital technology is employed functionally to augment the learning task.
Examples:

Students use Google Docs' features, such as search functionality, spell check, voice typing, and Explore, to write a paper.
Employing online quizzes that provide immediate feedback to students, helping them identify areas that need improvement.
Utilizing digital mind-mapping tools to help students brainstorm and organize ideas for a group project.

3. Modification

Digital technology is used to significantly redesign a learning task.

Examples

Students employ a digital portfolio tool to embed multimedia materials (e.g., text, images, videos, diagrams, charts) to showcase their learning.
Creating a class blog where students contribute posts, comment on each other's work, and collaborate on developing ideas.
Encouraging students to produce digital stories or podcasts to demonstrate their understanding of a topic, incorporating multimedia elements like images, audio, and video.

4. Redefinition

Technology is used in a transformative way to create new learning tasks that were previously impossible.

Example:

Students use Skype Classroom to connect with a class from another part of the world or to hold live discussions with an expert or language teacher.
Engaging students in a virtual reality (VR) simulation to explore historical sites or scientific phenomena, immersing them in the experience and deepening their understanding.
Facilitating a global collaborative project, where students from different countries work together to solve real-world problems, sharing perspectives and developing cross-cultural understanding.

What is the purpose of the SAMR model?

The SAMR model serves several purposes in education, which include:

1. Promoting technology integration

The SAMR model encourages educators to thoughtfully incorporate technology into their teaching practices, fostering a seamless blend of traditional and digital learning experiences.

2. Enhancing teaching and learning

By guiding teachers through different levels of technology integration, the SAMR model aims to enhance both teaching and learning. As educators progress from lower levels (Substitution and Augmentation) to higher levels (Modification and Redefinition), they can create more innovative and engaging learning experiences for their students.

3. Encouraging reflection

The SAMR model prompts educators to reflect on their current teaching practices and consider how technology can be used to improve student learning. This reflective process promotes ongoing growth and development, as teachers continuously refine their instruction to better meet the needs of their students.

4. Fostering collaboration

By providing a shared language and framework, the SAMR model facilitates collaboration among educators. Teachers can discuss their experiences and share best practices, leading to collective improvement in technology integration and enhanced learning experiences for students.

5. Supporting professional development

The SAMR model can serve as a foundation for professional development, helping educators identify areas where they can develop their technological skills and knowledge. Engaging with the model and sharing experiences with colleagues allows teachers to learn from each other and continuously improve their technology integration practices.

6. Differentiation and personalization

The SAMR model acknowledges that not all students learn in the same way. By incorporating various technological tools and strategies, teachers can provide a diverse range of learning experiences that cater to different learning styles and individual needs.

7. Measuring the impact of technology

The SAMR model enables educators to assess the effectiveness of technology integration in their instruction. By analyzing the impact of specific tools and strategies, teachers can make data-driven decisions and refine their practices to optimize student learning outcomes.

In essence, the purpose of the SAMR model is to guide educators in making purposeful choices about technology integration, ultimately leading to enhanced teaching and learning experiences. By providing a structured framework and promoting reflection, collaboration, and professional growth, the SAMR model empowers educators to transform the educational landscape through the thoughtful and effective use of technology.

How does the SAMR model benefit teachers?

The SAMR model benefits teachers in several ways:

1. Guided Decision-Making

The SAMR model offers a structured approach to selecting and implementing technology in the classroom. By examining each level of the model, teachers can better understand the potential impact of a particular technology on student learning and engagement. This helps teachers to make more informed decisions about which tools to use, and how to use them effectively.

2. Purposeful Integration

Rather than simply adopting technology for its novelty, the SAMR model encourages teachers to consider the specific learning objectives they wish to achieve with each tool. This purposeful integration ensures that technology is used as a means to enhance the learning experience, rather than as a distraction or an end in itself.

3. Progressive Improvement

As teachers become more familiar with the SAMR model, they can strive to move from lower levels of technology integration (Substitution and Augmentation) to higher levels (Modification and Redefinition). This progression helps to continuously improve teaching practices and create more innovative and engaging learning experiences.

4. Professional Development

The SAMR model can serve as a basis for professional development, helping teachers identify areas where they can further develop their technological skills and knowledge. By engaging with the model and sharing experiences with colleagues, teachers can learn from each other and collectively enhance their technology integration practices.

5. Reflective Teaching

The SAMR model encourages teachers to reflect on their current teaching practices and consider how technology can be used to improve student learning. This reflective process promotes ongoing growth and development, as teachers continuously refine their instruction to better meet the needs of their students.

6. Differentiation and Personalization

The SAMR model supports teachers in recognizing that not all students learn in the same way. By incorporating various technological tools and strategies, teachers can provide a more diverse range of learning experiences, catering to different learning styles and individual needs.

Is the SAMR model the only framework for technology integration in education?

No, there are other frameworks, such as TPACK (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge), which also offer guidance for educators on how to effectively integrate technology in their instruction.

Bottom line

the SAMR model provides a valuable framework for educators to thoughtfully integrate technology into their teaching practices. By understanding and applying the different levels of the model, teachers can enhance their instruction and create more engaging and effective learning experiences for their students.

As technology continues to evolve, it is crucial for educators to stay informed and adapt their methods accordingly, ensuring that technology is used purposefully to support and enrich student learning. By embracing the SAMR model, teachers can make informed decisions about technology integration and truly transform the educational landscape.

Sources:

Hamilton, R., Rosenberg, M. & Akcaoglu, M. (2016).The Substitution augmentation modification redefinition(SAMR) model: A critical review and suggestions for its Use. Tech Trends, 60:433-441, DOI 10.1007/s11528-016-0091-y

Puentedura, R. (2006). Transformation, technology, and education [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://hippasus.com/resources/tte/

Romrell, D., Kidder, L. C., & Wood, E. (2014). The SAMR Model as a Framework for Evaluating mLearning. Journal Of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 18(2), 79-93.

Davis, E. (2014). SAMR Made Easy with Google Apps. Google Apps Action. Retrieved from http://googleappsaction.com/?p=51

Andragogy: A Comprehensive Guide for Teachers and Educators

2023-05-13T03:33:00.010-03:00

Andrag is an important concept in the field of adult learning and education. It refers to the principles, methods, and strategies used to effectively teach adults. This post will provide a deeper dive into these principles, exploring how they can be applied in practice to create effective learning experiences for adult learners. We'll look at topics such as self-directed learning, problem-based instruction, experiential learning techniques and more.

I. Historical Background of Andragogy

A. Origins of the term andragogy

Andragogy, a term derived from the Greek words "andr," meaning man, and "agogus," meaning guide or leader, was first used in the early 19th century by German educator Alexander Kapp to describe the educational approach for adults. The concept gained momentum in the 20th century, as educators and researchers began to differentiate adult learning from traditional pedagogy, which primarily focuses on children's education.

B. Contributions of key theorists

Some of the main theorists who have contributed to the conceptualization of adult learning include the German philosopher Karl Groos and the American psychologist Malcolm Knowles. Groos believed that adults learn best when they are actively engaged in their own self-directed learning process, whereas Knowles argued for a learner-centered approach towards education, with emphasis on personal autonomy and self-actualization

1. Eduard Lindeman

Eduard Lindeman, an American educator and pioneer of adult education, is considered one of the earliest proponents of andragogy. In his seminal work, "The Meaning of Adult Education" (1926), Lindeman emphasized the importance of experience in adult learning and the need for a unique educational approach tailored to adult learners.

He argued that adult education should focus on real-life situations, rather than abstract academic content, and that educators should act as facilitators, rather than authorities, to encourage self-directed learning. He further highlighted the need for more flexible learning environments and better-structured curricula.

2. Malcolm Knowles
Malcolm Knowles, an influential figure in adult education, further developed the concept of andragogy in the 1960s and 1970s. He proposed a set of core principles that distinguish adult learning from traditional pedagogy, emphasizing the role of experience, self-direction, and relevance in adult learning processes.

His work, "The Modern Practice of Adult Education: From Pedagogy to Andragogy" (1980), consolidated the principles of andragogy and established it as a distinct field of study. Knowles' andragogical model is widely recognized and applied in various adult learning contexts, such as higher education, professional development, and community education.

II. Core Principles of Andragogy

Andragogy outlines a set of core principles that are essential to effective adult learning, including:

A. Self-directed learning

Self-directed learning is a cornerstone of andragogy, emphasizing the role of adult learners in taking responsibility for their learning experiences. Adults typically have a strong desire to be autonomous and independent in their learning pursuits.

They actively engage in setting their learning goals, selecting resources, and evaluating their progress. Instructors act as facilitators, providing guidance and support, while encouraging learners to take the initiative in their educational journey.

B. Experience as a learning resource

Andragogy recognizes that adult learners bring a wealth of experiences, both personal and professional, to the learning environment. These experiences serve as valuable resources for learning and can be used to enrich the educational process.

By relating new information to prior experiences, adult learners can better understand and internalize new concepts. Educators should encourage learners to share their experiences and facilitate discussions that draw on these valuable insights.

C. Readiness to learn

Adult learners are more likely to engage in learning activities when they perceive them as relevant and applicable to their lives. Readiness to learn, in the context of andragogy, refers to the alignment of learning objectives with learners' needs, interests, and goals. Educators should consider the diverse backgrounds and objectives of adult learners when designing curricula and be flexible in adapting their instructional strategies to meet these needs.

D. Problem-centered learning

Andragogy emphasizes a problem-centered approach to learning, as opposed to subject-centered learning, which is more common in traditional pedagogy. This approach involves presenting learners with real-world problems and encouraging them to apply their knowledge and skills to find solutions.

Problem-centered learning promotes critical thinking, collaboration, and practical application of knowledge, making it highly effective in preparing adult learners for the challenges they face in their personal and professional lives.

E. Motivation to learn

Motivation plays a crucial role in adult learning. Intrinsic motivation, driven by personal interests and a desire for self-improvement, is often stronger in adult learners than extrinsic motivation, which is driven by external factors such as grades or rewards.

Educators should strive to create learning environments that foster intrinsic motivation by aligning learning objectives with learners' goals and interests, providing opportunities for self-direction, and offering timely feedback and support.

IV. Practical Applications of Andragogy

Andragogy has a wide range of practical applications in adult learning contexts, including:

A. Higher education

In higher education settings, andragogy helps create a learner-centered environment that respects the autonomy, experience, and motivation of adult learners. This can be achieved by incorporating self-directed learning, collaborative projects, problem-based learning, and experiential learning in curricula.

Instructors can also use flexible teaching methods and assessment strategies that consider the diverse backgrounds and needs of students, promoting engagement and retention.

B. Corporate training and professional development

Andragogy is highly relevant in corporate training and professional development programs, as these contexts typically involve adult learners seeking to advance their skills and knowledge in their respective fields.

By adopting andragogical principles, trainers can design programs that focus on real-world problems and practical applications, encouraging participants to apply their learning in the workplace. Moreover, fostering self-directed learning can empower employees to take ownership of their professional growth and development.

C. Community education and lifelong learning

Community education programs and lifelong learning initiatives can benefit from the principles of andragogy by recognizing the diverse motivations, experiences, and goals of adult learners. These programs may include adult literacy, vocational training, and personal enrichment courses.

By tailoring the learning experience to the needs and interests of participants, educators can create an engaging and supportive environment that promotes continued learning and growth throughout adulthood.

D. Online learning and distance education

The rise of online learning and distance education has provided new opportunities for adult learners to access education and training at their convenience. Andragogical principles can be applied in these contexts by offering flexible, self-paced learning options, incorporating multimedia resources, and using collaborative tools that facilitate peer-to-peer interaction.

Additionally, online platforms can enable personalized learning paths, allowing learners to focus on areas of interest and need, while providing timely feedback and support from instructors.

IV. Challenges and Limitations of Andragogy

Despite its many benefits, andragogy is not without challenges and limitations. Here are some of them:

A. Criticisms of andragogy as a theory

While andragogy has been widely embraced as a valuable framework for adult education, it has also faced its share of criticisms. Some critics argue that andragogy's principles are not universally applicable, as adult learners exhibit diverse characteristics and learning preferences.

Others contend that andragogy may overemphasize the distinctions between adult and child learners, as both groups can benefit from similar educational approaches. Furthermore, some researchers argue that andragogy lacks a strong theoretical foundation, relying on assumptions that may not always hold true in practice.

B. Cultural and contextual factors

Andragogy's principles may not be universally applicable across different cultural and contextual settings. The concept of self-directed learning, for instance, may not align with the educational values and norms of some cultures, where deference to authority and teacher-centered learning are more common.

In these contexts, educators may need to adapt andragogical principles to better suit the cultural and social expectations of learners. Additionally, contextual factors such as access to resources, infrastructure, and educational opportunities can influence the effectiveness of andragogical approaches.

C. Inclusion and accessibility issues

Andragogy's emphasis on self-directed learning and learner autonomy may pose challenges for learners with disabilities, limited literacy, or other barriers to education. Instructors must be mindful of the diverse needs and abilities of adult learners and strive to create inclusive and accessible learning environments.

This may involve providing accommodations, such as assistive technology, alternative formats for learning materials, and additional support services. Furthermore, educators should adopt a flexible and responsive approach to teaching, adjusting their instructional strategies and methods to ensure all learners can fully participate and benefit from the learning experience.

References

1. Malcolm S. Knowles,From Pedagogy to Andragogy, retrieved from https://colllearning.info/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/The-Modern-Practice-of-Adult-Education.pdf

2. Marcee Boggs, Recommendations for Creating Inclusive Classroom Andragogy:

Perspectives of Graduate Students with Learning Disabilities (Doctoral dissertation), retrieved from (https://digitalcommons.tacoma.uw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1058&context=edd_capstones)

3.Waly Diouf,Adult learning in a non-western context: The influence of culture in a Senegalese farming village, Full text at: https://opencommons.uconn.edu/dissertations/AAI9906691/

4. Philip Darbyshire, In defence of pedagogy: A critique of the notion of andragogy,Nurse Education Today,access at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/026069179390072A

5. Taylor B. and Michael Kroth, Andragogy’s Transition Into The Future: Meta-Analysis of Andragogy and Its Search for a Measurable Instrument, Journal of Adult Education, retrieved from: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ891073.pdf

6. Barry Chametzky, Andragogy and Engagement in Online Learning: Tenets and Solutions, Creative Education, access at: https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=47003

7. European Education Area, Adult learning initiatives, access at: https://education.ec.europa.eu/education-levels/adult-learning/adult-learning-initiatives

8. Abeni El-Amin, FHSU Scholars Repository, Andragogy: A Theory in Practice in Higher Education, retrieved from: https://scholars.fhsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1011&context=management_facpubs#:~:text=Unlike%20pedagogy%2C%20andragogy's%20premise%20is,dynamic%20(Lawson%2C%202009).

9. Christine Edmunds, Kip Lowe, Morna Murray, and Anne Seymour, Ultimate Adult Learning (chapter 3), retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/ovc_archives/educator/files/chapter3.pdf

10. Popie M. Mohring, Andragogy and Pedagogy:A Comment on Their Erroneous Usage, Minnesota Univ, retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED305509.pdf

11. The Modern Practice of Adult Education: From Pedagogy to Andragogy Revised Edition, by Malcolm Shepherd Knowles

12. The Meaning of Adult Education Paperback, by Eduard Christian Lindeman (Author)

Some of The Best Free Digital Storytelling Tools for Teachers

2023-05-12T15:08:00.000-03:00

Digital storytelling can be an effective way to engage students in hands-on and creative learning experiences. We all love stories and stories have the potential to intrigue, immerse, and educate in various ways.

As teachers and educators, we need to draw on the expressive and communicative strength of digital storytelling to provide students with optimal learning experiences where they get to engage wholly in the learning process: mind, body, and spirit.

In today's post, I am sharing with you this collection featuring some of the best web tools you can use with students to create digital stories. The tools provide students with diverse media through which to design and share their stories: they can use videos, posters, presentations, and comics to compose and narrate their stories. In doing so, students will get to practice and develop key digital skills and social emotional learning competencies.

Importance of digital storytelling in teaching

Digital storytelling, the art of using digital media to convey a narrative, has gained significant importance in teaching and learning. By integrating multimedia elements like text, images, audio, and video, digital storytelling can create engaging and immersive experiences that enhance traditional teaching methods. Here are some reasons why digital storytelling is important in teaching:

1. Student engagement

Digital storytelling captures students' attention and encourages active participation, as it appeals to different learning styles and preferences. It can also trigger emotional connections, making the learning process more enjoyable and memorable.

2. Creativity and innovation

Digital storytelling allows students to express their creativity, develop their voice, and explore innovative ways to present information. This encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in the 21st century.

3. Collaboration and communication

Creating digital stories often involves teamwork, requiring students to collaborate, share ideas, and give feedback to their peers. This helps build communication, teamwork, and leadership skills that are vital in today's globalized society.

4. Digital literacy

Through digital storytelling, students become proficient in using various digital tools and software, gaining essential digital literacy skills. This equips them with the ability to navigate the digital landscape and adapt to the ever-evolving technological landscape.

5. Cultural and social awareness

Digital stories can serve as a platform for exploring different cultures, perspectives, and social issues. By engaging with diverse viewpoints, students develop empathy, cultural sensitivity, and global awareness.

6. Content retention

The process of creating a digital story requires students to understand, analyze, and synthesize information. This deepens their knowledge and helps in better retention of the subject matter.

7. Personalized learning

Digital storytelling allows for the creation of customized learning experiences, catering to the unique needs and interests of individual students. This can lead to increased motivation and a sense of ownership over the learning process.

8. Assessment and feedback

Digital stories can be used as a form of assessment, providing teachers with valuable insight into students' understanding and progress. This can also be an opportunity for students to self-reflect on their work and receive constructive feedback from their peers and educators.

Best digital storytelling tools for teachers

1- StoryboardThat

StoryboardThat is a powerful storytelling tool to use with student in and out of school. It allows teachers and students to create and tell their stories through storyboards. There are tons of storyboards to choose from or you can create your own from scratch. Its editor offers various characters, props, and editing tools to help you create your stories.

StoryboardThat can be used for a wide variety of educational purposes including: designing posters and illustrative visuals for your class, setting up assignments for your students with plot diagrams, graphic novels, character maps, timelines, and more.

2- Canva

This is my go to site for creating all kinds of expressive and educational visuals. It offers tons professionally designed templates for creating posters, infographics, comics, and many more. It also has a huge library of props some of which are free to use. Canva works right in your browser and you do not need to install any software.

You simply log in to your account, and browse through this free collection of storyboard templates to choose from.Click on the one you like and it will open in Canva editor where you can edit it the way you want. Alternatively, click on 'Create a blank Storyboard' to design your sory from scratch.

3- Adobe Spark

If you are a fan of Adobe products, Spark is definitely one of the best Adobe tools for teachers. You can use it to create a wide variety of graphics, collages, flyers, and animations. Use its library of templates to choose a template that suits your storytelling needs. The strength of Adobe Spark, compared with other tools in this list, is its design and editing features.

"Adobe Spark makes removing backgrounds, transforming text, and adding branding elements a breeze with intuitive tools that guide you through the process. Resize content for social media and add Photoshop-worthy effects, filters, and textures in a snap." To learn more about how to use Adobe Spark in digital storytelling projects with your students, check out this free online course from Adobe Education Exchange.

4- Animoto

Animoto is a powerful tool students can use in narrating stories through videos. Students can create engaging videos in 3 easy steps: first they choose a pre-designed storyboard template. Next, they drag and drop their multimedia materials including video clips, images, text, and many more.

Students can also search Animoto's library of Getty Images for stock photos and video clips to use in their digital stories. Once the video is created, it can then be easily shared with others in social medial, embedded in a website or included it in an email.

5- Make Belief Comix

Digital storytelling through comics? Make Belief Comix is definitely one of the best options out there. The site is simple and easy to use and provides all the materials students need to engage in meaningful story telling activities. You can start creating your comic from scratch: click to load a blank panel and add characters, prompts, objects, dialogue boxes, speech bubble, and many more.

Once you are done click to save your comic. Comic starters is a great feature in Make Beliefs Comix. It offers a wide variety of pre-made templates with story ideas and writing prompts that students can work on as they prepare their stories.

6- Pixton

This is a tool that lets users create stories out of cartoons and provided characters. It is so much fun and students will definitely love it. Pixton Comic Builder is an integrated feature which students can use to create various types of comics. Students can use Pixton library to get backgrounds, outfits, facial expressions, body poses, etc for their comics.

Best News Websites and Current Events Sources for Students

2023-05-12T15:02:00.000-03:00

News reading is an important literacy practice that helps students not only improve their reading and literacy skills but also develop global awareness and intercultural competencies preparing them to become responsible global citizens.

As I argued in Teaching with News, it is not only about reading news but more importantly how to read and interpret news. In other words, our students need to develop critical media literacy skills to be able to critically engage with news articles and understand global contexts.

Besides empowering our kids and students with the tools and know-how to critically evaluate news sources and determine their credibility, we, teachers and parents, can also provide them with reliable student-friendly news websites where they can access current news events and read news stories written in a language that is accessible to them.

The purpose of today's post is to share with you a collection of some of the best news websites and news sources for students. These are websites that cover current world events in a language that caters to students learning needs and skill levels.

Importance of teaching news for kids

As I argued in Teaching with News, teaching news to kids is an essential aspect of education, as it helps them develop a range of skills and understanding about the world they live in. Here are some reasons why teaching news is important for kids:

Awareness of current events

Exposing children to news helps them stay informed about local, national, and international events. This understanding contributes to their development as responsible and engaged citizens.

Critical thinking skills

Teaching news encourages children to think critically about the information they consume. They learn to analyze and evaluate news stories, discerning fact from opinion, recognizing biases, and questioning the credibility of sources.

Media literacy

In a world saturated with media, teaching kids about news helps them develop the skills to navigate and interpret various media formats, including print, online, and broadcast journalism.

Encouraging curiosity

By discussing news stories, children become more curious about the world around them. This curiosity can inspire them to ask questions, seek answers, and explore new ideas.

Developing empathy and understanding

Exposure to news stories from diverse perspectives helps children develop empathy for people from different backgrounds, cultures, and situations. This understanding promotes tolerance, respect, and compassion.

Building vocabulary and language skills

Reading and discussing news stories exposes children to new vocabulary and language structures, improving their reading comprehension, writing, and communication skills.

Connecting to the curriculum

News stories can be linked to various subjects in the curriculum, such as history, geography, science, and social studies. This connection helps children see the relevance of their studies and the real-world application of their knowledge.

Encouraging civic engagement

Teaching news empowers children to become active participants in their communities and societies. They learn about the importance of voting, engaging in community projects, and voicing their opinions on issues that matter to them.

Developing problem-solving skills

Discussing news stories encourages children to think about solutions to problems and consider the impact of different decisions. This helps them develop problem-solving and decision-making skills that are essential for success in various aspects of life.

Fostering a lifelong interest in learning

Teaching news at a young age can help foster a lifelong interest in learning, as children become more engaged with the world around them and develop a habit of staying informed.

Best news websites for students

1. TIME for Kids

Time for Kids offers news for kids of different age and grade level. Simply select the grade you are interested in to start browsing reading materials. You can choose among the following grades: K-1, grade 2, grades 3-4, and grades 5-6. Featured news in Time for Kids cover various categories including art, science, media literacy, and more.

You can also access news covering only the United States or go global and choose world news. Other features provided by Time for Kids include read aloud with the ability to adjust reading speed, the ability to print news articles, and many more.

2. National Geographic Kids

National Geographic Kids features a wide range of educational materials created specifically for students and young adventurers. These include news stories covering ocean, space, world cultures, history, science, and many more.

It also offers games (e.g., action, puzzle, funny fill-in), educational videos on animals and nature, and several other resources to help kids develop their global awareness and improve their literacy skills.

3. DoGOnews

DOGOnews is another good news website for students. It offers kids friendly news stories covering current events in the world. DOGOnews offers a unique feature that allows you to search for news articles by word count.

For instance, you can filter your search by articles that are written in up to 200 words, 200--400 words, 400-600 words, and so on. You can also search for news articles by category. Major categories included are Current Events, Science, Social Studies, Civic, World, Environment, Fun, Video, and Sports.

4. Newsela

Newsela is an educational platform that provides leveled cross-curricular reading materials for for k-12 students. Newsela' s informational content is standards aligned and is meant to optimize students learning and get them excited about reading.

Teachers can use it to enrich their lessons and create engaging learning experiences within and outside classroom.

Newsela provides tons of nonfiction texts (and some fiction) resourced from over 100 authority sources in the publishing realm namely: History, The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, PBS NewsHour, Scientific American, Smithsonian, World History Encyclopedia, among others.

5- News-O-Matic

News-O-Matic is a daily newspaper for kids. "It provides an exciting and engaging nonfiction experience for children, complete with valuable literacy tools for the classroom…Thanks to its unique combination of editorial and technology, News-O-Matic creates innovative solutions to help children become tomorrow’s responsible citizens. It gives young readers a window into the world — and a reason to love reading news".

6. The Learning Network

The Learning Network from the New York Times offers various resources to help you teach with news. These include contests, lesson plans, writing prompts, quizzes and vocabulary, teaching ideas, and many more.

7. Scholastic Kids Press

Scholastic Kids Press is a service from Scholastic where talented kid reporters share news stories covering various topics including politics, breaking news, sports, entertainment, the environment, and more. Students from all around the world aged 10-14 can apply to become Kid Reporters in Scholastic Kids Press.

8. Science News Explores

Founded in 2003, Science News Explores offers news stories and reading materials tailored specifically for younger audiences as well as parents and educators. Stories cover the latest research and current events across STEM fields.

"Each article is associated with free additional content that can aid in learning and boost impact in classrooms and on overall science literacy. Some of these learning-specific resources are available to all website readers; others are available for free with registration."

9. CNN 10

CNN10 is another reliable news website for students. It offers news programs for kids 6 years and up. Its popular show Today's News in 10 Minutes provides kids with a summarized version of current news that teachers can easily integrate in their classroom instruction.

Best News Websites for Kids (Teacher Approved)

2023-05-12T15:00:00.000-03:00

Looking for kid friendly news websites? The list below has you covered. In it I featured what I believe are some of the best news websites for kids and young learners. These are platforms that feature non-partisan and age appropriate news covering current events and research news. News stories and . Some of these websites also provide educational activities and resources such as interactive games, kids shows, podcasts, puzzles, word games, among others.

Importance of teaching news for kids

Awareness of current events

Exposing children to news helps them stay informed about local, national, and international events. This understanding contributes to their development as responsible and engaged citizens.

Critical thinking skills

Media literacy

In a world saturated with media, teaching kids about news helps them develop the skills to navigate and interpret various media formats, including print, online, and broadcast journalism.

Encouraging curiosity

By discussing news stories, children become more curious about the world around them. This curiosity can inspire them to ask questions, seek answers, and explore new ideas.

Developing empathy and understanding

Building vocabulary and language skills

Reading and discussing news stories exposes children to new vocabulary and language structures, improving their reading comprehension, writing, and communication skills.

Connecting to the curriculum

Encouraging civic engagement

Developing problem-solving skills

Fostering a lifelong interest in learning

Teaching news at a young age can help foster a lifelong interest in learning, as children become more engaged with the world around them and develop a habit of staying informed.

Best news websites for kids

1. TIME for Kids

2. Newsround

Newsround from the BBC offers daily news stories for kids covering topics such as climate and environment, science, space, entertainment, and mnay more. Newsround also offers news shows, quizzes, games, and puzzles making news reading fun and engaging.

3. Space Scoop

Space Scoop provides news related to space and the universe. "The articles cover all the most exciting cosmic events in a language that's easy to understand. With Space Scoop you can learn about the latest missions aboard the International Space Station, watch as new planets are born and travel with us to the early Universe."

4. DoGOnews

5. CNN 10

CNN10 is another reliable news website for students. It offers news programs for kids 6 years and up. Its popular show, Today's News in 10 Minutes, provides kids with a summarized version of current news that teachers can easily integrate in their classroom instruction.

6. Science Journal for Kids

Science Journal for Kids features a huge collection of scientific articles written for kids and teens covering topics in technology, social science, physics, chemistry, biology, and many more.

The journal also offers various educational resources for teachers including podcasts, translated articles, interviews with researchers, lesson ideas, tutorials, read along versions of articles, and more.

7- News-O-Matic

8. News for Kids

News for Kids is a website created by a teacher to make news accessible to young learners. It offers a wide array of news stories covering world current events written in a simple language accessible to struggling readers. News categories include: world, US, science, sports, and arts.

9. KidNuz

KidNuz offers daily news podcasts for kids covering news from all around the world. Besides news, podcasts also feature games, puzzles, learning challenges, and several other interesting educational materials to use with your kids and students.

KidNuz mission, as is stated in their homepage, is to "engage kids in current events, encourage critical thinking, and spark meaningful conversations."

10. Scholastic Kids Press

In summary, teaching news to kids is crucial for their development as informed, responsible, and empathetic individuals. It helps them build essential skills that will benefit them throughout their lives and contribute to their

5 Best News Apps

2023-05-12T14:52:00.000-03:00

Looking for some reliable apps to keep you posted about what is going on in the world? The list list below has you covered. In it I featured five of the best news aggregators out there. A news aggregator is an application that collects news from around the web and organizes it into a single reader friendly and clutter-free interface for you to read at your own pace.

Instead of checking individual news sites and reading news stories in their dedicated platforms why not have them come to you. You can do this through news aggregators. You save time and effort and you get a better news reading experience.

As an educator, I had teachers and fellow educators in mind while composing this list but the apps are also ideal for anyone else interesting in staying in the know of world news. For kids, check out best kids friendly news websites.

Ways to incorporate news apps in your teaching

Using news apps with students is an effective way to encourage critical thinking, promote media literacy, and engage students in current events and global issues. Here are some ways you can incorporate news apps into your classroom:

1. Select appropriate news apps

Choose news apps that are reputable, age-appropriate, and offer diverse perspectives. Some popular news apps for students include Newsela, CNN 10, BBC News, and The New York Times. Consider the reading level, content, and user interface when selecting an app for your students.

2. Daily or weekly news updates

Schedule regular time for students to read or watch news updates on the app, either individually or as a group. Encourage students to explore different categories or sections to broaden their knowledge of various topics.

3. Current events discussions

Use news stories as a starting point for class discussions or debates. Encourage students to share their thoughts, ask questions, and express their opinions about the issues covered in the news.

4. Analyze news sources

Teach students how to critically evaluate news sources by examining factors such as author credibility, objectivity, and evidence. Discuss the role of bias and propaganda in the news and how to identify reliable sources of information.

5. Compare and contrast coverage

Ask students to compare and contrast how different news apps cover the same story. This can help them understand the importance of diverse perspectives and the role of media in shaping public opinion.

6. Research projects

Assign research projects based on current events or global issues. Students can use the news app as a starting point for their research and gather additional information from other sources as needed.

7. Create news reports

Have students create their own news reports or articles based on the stories they find on the news app. This can help them develop research, writing, and presentation skills while engaging with current events.

8. News quizzes

Create quizzes or games based on the news stories students have read or watched. This can help reinforce their understanding of the content and encourage them to pay close attention to the details.

9. Connect news to curriculum

Find ways to integrate news stories into your existing curriculum, such as discussing the historical context of a current event, exploring the science behind a news story, or analyzing the language used in an article.

10. Parent involvement

Encourage students to share news stories and discuss them with their families. This can foster a culture of learning and curiosity outside the classroom and promote healthy dialogue about current events.

Remember to be sensitive to potentially controversial or sensitive topics and create a safe space for students to express their opinions and engage in respectful discussions. Using news apps effectively can help students become informed, responsible global citizens with a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Best news apps for students

1. Feedly

Feedly is definitely one of the best news aggregator out there. I have been recommending it for teachers and educators for several years. Feedly collects news feeds from all your favourite news websites and arranges them into a single reader friendly interface. The way Feedly works is simple: Open an account (registration is free) and start adding your news sources (e.g., news sites, Twitter feeds, podcasts, blogs, etc).

Feedly collects news from these sources and keeps you updated whenever something new is published. Feedly also offers shared boards where you can curate and share news insights with your colleagues, or even students.

App details:
Age: 17+
Price: Free, offers in-app purchases.
Compatibility: iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) and Android.

2. Google News

Google News app is a free news aggregator app that curates and organizes news stories from all around the world and provide them to you in a clean reader interface. Google News has a unique feature called Briefing which provides you with personalized news briefings based on your own preferences.

You can also opt for Full Coverage and learn about how different news sources cover the same story.Google News also allows you to access news stories by location. You can choose multiple locations and access local news and stay in the know about what's going on in your community. The Stories for You section is where you can take control and customize news stories you want to read.

App details:
Age: 12+
Price: Free, offers in-app purchases.
Compatibility: iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) and Android.

3. Apple News

Apple News is another powerful news app to try out. It brings the world news into one place. Using smart technology, Apple editors collect and share with you well-sourced and fact-based stories from authority news sites such as The Washington Post, Politico, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angels, Times, The Globe and Mail, Time, The Atlantic, New York Magazine, The New Yorker and many more.

The more news stories you reader the better the app recognizes your style and preferences and start sending you personalized news stories. Apple News also offers a premium subscription that costs $9.99 which allows you to access tons of magazines and premium newspapers.

App details:
Age: 12+
Price: Free, offers in-app purchases.
Compatibility: iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch).

4. Pocket

Pocket is a content curation app that enables you to saves content that matters to you for later access. You can save new stories, magazine articles, web pages, blog posts, articles, and videos from any device and any publisher or app. Pocket offers a clutter-free reading environment where you can focus on the information at hand.

Pocket even offers special themes such as dar and sepia that reduce visual stimulation before sleep. Text to speech or read aloud is another powerful feature in Pockets. It helps you listen to your news stories, articles, and blog posts while driving, working out, walking, etc.

App details:
Age: 4+
Price: Free, offers in-app purchases.
Compatibility: iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) and Android.

5. SmartNews

SmartNews is a local news app that sources news headlines from various reputable news outlets including NBC News, MSNBC, USA Today, TIME, The Huffington Post, The Verge, Vice, VOX, Reuters, Buzzfeed, and many more. Some of the features it offers include offline news, notifications for breaking news stories, over 300 top US and World news publications, the ability to customize your channels the way you want, and many more.

App details:
Age: 17+
Price: Free, offers in-app purchases.
Compatibility: iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) and Android.

Best Free Online Sticky Note Tools

2023-05-12T14:45:00.000-03:00

Sticky notes help you visualize your thinking and provide you with a visual workspace to capture, edit, and share your ideas. With the internet and web technologies, sticky notes are no longer done with pen and paper. You can now create your digital sticky notes online and invite your friends or team members to join your boards and work together in real time.

Importance of sticky notes

Sticky notes, also known as Post-it notes, are small pieces of paper with a re-adherable strip of adhesive on the back, allowing them to be easily attached and removed from surfaces. While they may seem like a simple office supply, sticky notes can have a significant impact on productivity, organization, and communication. Here are some reasons why sticky notes are important:

1. Memory and reminders

Sticky notes serve as visual reminders of tasks, appointments, or other important information. By placing a note in a prominent location, such as on your computer monitor or refrigerator, you can help jog your memory and ensure you don't forget important tasks.

2. Organization

Sticky notes can be used to categorize and prioritize tasks, ideas, or projects. By color-coding and arranging notes, you can create a visual system to help you stay organized and focused.

3. Brainstorming and idea generation

Sticky notes are a popular tool for brainstorming sessions, as they allow you to quickly jot down ideas and rearrange them as needed. They can also be used for mind mapping, a technique for visually organizing information and exploring connections between concepts.

4. Teaching and learning

Teachers can use sticky notes for a variety of classroom activities, such as collaborative brainstorming, peer feedback, or exit tickets. Students can use sticky notes to annotate texts, organize research, or plan essays.

5. Communication

Sticky notes can be used to leave messages or feedback for colleagues, family members, or roommates. They can also be used in team settings to facilitate communication and collaboration, such as during Agile project management or Kanban workflows.

6. Goal setting and tracking

Sticky notes can be used to set and track personal or professional goals. By breaking down larger goals into smaller tasks and using sticky notes to visualize progress, you can stay motivated and focused on achieving your objectives.

7. Creativity and self-expression

Sticky notes come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, which can be used to create unique and visually appealing displays or artwork. They can also be used as a creative outlet for doodling or sketching ideas.

8. Portability and versatility

Sticky notes are lightweight, portable, and can be easily repositioned or removed without damaging surfaces. This makes them an adaptable and convenient tool for a wide range of applications.

Sticky Note tools

1. Miro Sticky Notes

Miro's digital collaboration tool offers a visual workspace where you can create, edit, and share sticky notes online. You can add sticky notes to your board, customize the color and size and share with others.

Miro also allows you to to digitize handwritten stickies enabling you to instantly convert photos and post-its into digital sticky notes, CSV, and Jira tasks. You can also invite your team members and work together on a board. Sticky notes can include, besides text, images and PDFs.

Other interesting features provided by Miro include over 200 pre-designed templates, an infinite canvas, presentation mode to present your sticky notes right from your board, built-in video chat for remote meetings, interactive features such as voting, a timer, and integration with several other tools such as Jira, Trello, Zoom, Slack, and more.

2. Padlet

Padlet is an online bulletin board that you can use to collaborate, curate, and share digital content. The way Padlet works is simple and easy: users create padlets and add posts to them; others interact with publicly shared posts (e.g, through comments and reactions) or contribute by adding more resources. Posts can contain various types of digital content such as text, videos, audio recordings, screencasts, web links, graphs, images, GIFs, and many more.

Padlet offers a wide variety of interactive and collaborative features making it an excellent learning platform to use with your students. You can create padlet boards for your class and invite students to join. As a teacher and moderator, you have access to a number of admin privileges to help you make padlet a student-friendly and learner-focused environment where everybody takes part in knowledge building and sharing.

For instance, you can use profanity filters to block inappropriate content, deactivate comments and reactions, control who can contribute what, and many more. Additionally, you can create padlets that are accessible only to your students, see below to learn more about the different sharing and privacy options you can use in this regard.

3. Google Jamboard

Google Jamboard is a collaborative digital whiteboard that you can use to brainstorm, share ideas and collaborate both synchronously and asynchronously. Each jam consists of several frames and within each frame you can use Jamboard's rich editing tools to draw, add various types of shapes, add sticky notes and text boxes, insert images from Google Drive or from the drive of your device, and many more. Best of all, Jamboard is simple, easy to use and free.

To start creating your jam, head over to jamboard.google.com and click on the plus sign button at the bottom right hand corner. Type in a name for your jam and use the editor to start working on it. Google Jamboard offers various ways to save your jams.

Click on the ellipsis button at the top right corner and choose from the options there: You can download your jam as PDF, make a copy of it, or save it as an image.

A great feature I really like about Jamboard is the ability to save individual jams. If you have a jamboard that consists of multiple jams and you are only interested in a single frame you can click on it to save it as image to use on other platforms or in your presentations.

4. MindMeister

MindMeister is an online concept mapping software that allows you to capture and share ideas visually. You can create various subtopics and add context to your topics using things such as links, attachments, embeds, images, and integrations.

MindMeister supports real time collaboration enabling you to work with your team on collaborative projects. Once your concept maps are ready, you can share them in PDF or PNG format. MindMeister is available on the web as well as on Android and iOS operated devices.

Using Blogs in Teaching- A Helpful Framework for Teachers

2023-05-12T14:38:00.001-03:00

Blogging is a digital activity with immense pedagogical benefits for students. Besides developing a number of key multimedia literacy skills essential for thriving in the 21st century classroom, blogging also empowers students voice and helps them communicate more effectively.

Bloggins is also a medium for students self-expression. Knowing that there is an authentic audience (beyond their teacher) to read their work, student bloggers become motivated to write, learn, and share.

However, for blogging to be a pedagogically sound activity, teachers need to conceptualize it within a clear pedagogical framework that views it as an educational activity with clear objectives and a well defined rational.

To help you make the best of blogging in your teaching, here is a five-steps framework I designed to guide your blogging practices from the conceptual stage to the writing stage.

1- Outline clear pedagogical objectives

As a teacher, you need to clearly articulate the pedagogical goals behind using blogs with your students. To do so, you need to pose questions and contemplate different possibilities. A sample of questions to ask include:

What are the learning goals I want my students to achieve through blogging?
What kind of literacies and skills will students develop through blogging?
Should I allow students to produce blog content or should I restrict their blogging roles to simply sharing comments and feedback on teacher-generated posts?
What kind of content will my students be allowed to share?
Will the classroom blog be accessible to all students? Will it incorporate all voices and speak to different learning needs and styles?
How about students privacy? Will I make my classroom blog open to everyone to see or restrict its readership to specific individuals?
Who will take care of technical issues in case they arise down the road?
How much time to be allocated to educational blogging?

2- Set out blogging rules and regulations

After deeply contemplating these questions your next step is to outline rules and regulations to regulate students blogging. This is better done through a collaborative participatory approach involving every student.

For instance, rise the idea of creating a class blog and invite students to come up with a list of do's and don'ts to regulate their blogging activity. You can, for example, provide prompts or discussion starters and invite students feedback. You can even use feedback gathering tools to collect students ideas.

Whichever way you do it, make sure it is a collaborative teamwork. Students will show stronger commitment when they know their voices are taken into account and are part of the decision making process in class. A participatory approach will also boost students responsibility and enhance their sense of accountability towards their learning.

3- Explain concepts of digital citizenship and copyright

After outlining rules that regulate students blogging you need to attend to what I believe are the prerequisites of using any technology-infused activity with students. One of these prerequisites is making sure students understand their ethical obligations as responsible digital citizens.

This can be done through teaching them about the concept of digital citizenship. There are several educational resources to use in this regard including games, lessons, and activities. Students need to demonstrate a functional understanding of digital citizenship before they embark on any digital activity.

They also need to learn about the intricacies of copyright and fair use. Introduce them to the concept of creative commons licenses and and assign them different digital tasks to ensure they practice what they have learned. Make sure you share with them this list of resources where they can search for and access copyright friendly visuals to use in their blogging projects.

4- Create blogging rubrics

Now that students are informed about the ethical, technical, and pedagogical requirements involved in educational blogging, your next step is to design a list of evaluative criteria to assess students blogging.

Rubrics will help students understand your expectations behind integrating blogging in classroom teaching and will also guide their blogging practice. Choose which learning areas you want to grade and share the list with students so that they are aware of what is expected of them.

For instance, some of the areas you may want to focus on include content, writing mechanics and style, students voice, research skills, citations, timeliness, proofreading, etc. Check out this list of blogging rubrics to help you get started creating your own.

5- Choose a blogging platform

The last step in this blogging framework is concerned with the selection of the right blogging platform to build and host your classroom blog. Because it is an educational blogging experience that involves students, you need to be picky about your options.

More specifically, any blogging platform that you may want to consider should at least provide the following:

Be teacher- and student-friendly and offers a secure environment for sharing information and resources. If the platform collects users' personal information, make sure you read their privacy policy so you know for which purposes they collect this type of data and why.
Simple and easy to use. A blogging platform that has a complex technical learning curve or requires coding and HTM knowledge to operate it will definitely not be the best option for you and your students.
Supports various forms of content creation and sharing including videos, images, tables, posters, charts, graphs, presentations, and many more.
Offers various privacy settings. You may want a blog that includes the ability to restrict readership to only specific people, for instance, those with the link or invited readers only. In this way, down the road if you decide to restrict your blog audience to only students and their parents you will be able to do so.
Offers the possibility to add a custom domain name. The assumption is that when you first set up your classroom blog it will be under a subdomain such as: yourblog.edublogs.com. A blogging platform that allows adding custom domains will enable you to add your own custom domain name (e.g., www.yourblog.com) with the possibility to redirect the old URL to the newly created one. This is usually done for a small annual fee.

I have already reviewed 5 of the best platforms where teachers and educators can create their own blogs and websites. Check out the list to explore the options I included there.

More sources:

Free courses on blogging created by educators for educators (Edublogs)
Edublogs blogging resources and guides for teachers (Edublogs)

Blogger in the classroom (Google)

Using Blogs in the classroom (University of Michigan)

Teaching with blogs (Vanderbilt University)

Best Platforms to Create A Classroom Website and Blog

2023-05-12T14:37:00.000-03:00

Creating a digital presence for your class is now a required pedagogical investment to help you boost your teaching and enhance students learning. Now that the world is going digital, having a virtual space where you and your students create, discuss, and share learning resources can do wonders to your teaching.

A classroom website is much more than a mere portal to your classroom, it is a learning hub where students unleash their creative thinking, connect learning to their own individual experiences, and develop strong digital and multimedia literacies while working towards becoming better digital citizens.

How to use a classroom website in your teaching?

Using a classroom website in your teaching can greatly enhance the learning experience for your students, as well as streamline your workflow as a teacher. Here are some ways to incorporate a classroom website into your teaching:

1. Organize and share resources

Use the website to host course materials such as syllabi, lecture notes, presentations, videos, and reading lists. This will provide students with easy access to all the resources they need to succeed in your class.

2. Announcements and updates

Post important announcements, updates, and reminders about upcoming events, due dates, or changes to the course schedule. This will help keep students informed and engaged.

3. Homework and assignments

Assign and collect homework, projects, and other assignments through the website. You can also provide feedback and grades online, making the submission and grading process more efficient.

4. Online quizzes and assessments

Create online quizzes and assessments to evaluate student understanding and progress. These can be graded automatically, saving you time and providing immediate feedback for students.

5. Discussion forums

Set up discussion boards where students can ask questions, collaborate, and discuss course topics. This promotes active learning and encourages students to engage with the material and their peers.

6. Collaborative projects

Use the website to facilitate group projects and collaborations. Students can work together on shared documents, presentations, or other assignments, making it easier for them to collaborate and communicate.

7. Showcase student work

Create a space on the website where students can display their projects, essays, or other creative work. This can inspire other students and foster a sense of pride and accomplishment.

8. Multimedia resources

Incorporate multimedia elements such as videos, podcasts, or interactive activities to enrich the learning experience and appeal to different learning styles.

9. Accessibility and inclusivity

Ensure that your classroom website is accessible to all students, regardless of their abilities or needs. This may include providing transcripts for audio content, image descriptions, or adjustable text size.

10. Communicate with parents

A classroom website can also serve as a communication tool between teachers and parents. You can provide updates on class activities, showcase student work, and share important information about the course.

Remember to keep your website up-to-date, organized, and user-friendly, so students and parents can easily navigate and find the information they need.

Blogging terms

Before you set up a digital space for your class, you need to familiarize yourself with the blogging terminology and understand what words such as post, tag, plugin, theme, etc mean. Understanding basic blogging terminology will help teachers make the most of this platform. Here are some key terms to know:

1. Blog

A blog (short for "weblog") is an online journal or informational website featuring regularly updated entries or posts, usually displayed in reverse chronological order.

2. Blogger: A person who writes and maintains a blog.

3. Post: An individual entry or article published on a blog. Posts can contain text, images, videos, and other media.

4. Comments: Reader feedback and responses to blog posts. Comments allow for interaction and discussion between the blogger and their audience.

5. Tags: Keywords or phrases used to categorize and label blog posts. Tags make it easier for readers to find related content on your blog.

6. Categories: A way to organize blog posts by topic or theme. Categories help readers navigate your blog and find the content they're interested in.

7. RSS Feed: Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is a format used to deliver frequently updated web content, such as blog posts or news articles. Subscribers to an RSS feed receive updates automatically when new content is published.

8. Permalink: A permanent URL or web address for an individual blog post. This makes it easy for readers to share or reference specific posts.

9. Blogroll: A list of links to other blogs or websites, typically displayed in the sidebar of a blog. A blogroll can help you connect with other educators, share resources, and expand your professional network.

10. Widgets: Small applications or tools that can be added to a blog's sidebar or other areas. Widgets can include features like calendars, social media buttons, or search bars.

11. Template/Theme: A pre-designed layout and style for a blog. Blogging platforms typically offer a variety of templates or themes to choose from, allowing you to customize the appearance of your blog.

12. Plug-ins: Additional software components that can be installed to add functionality to your blog, such as contact forms, image galleries, or spam filters.

13. Content Management System (CMS): A software application used to create, edit, and manage digital content for a blog or website. Examples of popular CMS platforms include WordPress, Blogger, and Joomla.

14. Trackback/Pingback: A notification sent to one blog when another blog links to one of its posts. This helps bloggers track conversations and interactions between blogs.

Understanding these terms will help you navigate the world of blogging and use it effectively as a tool for communication and professional development.

Besides knowing blogging terms, you also need to conceptualize your blogging project within a clearly defined pedagogical framework.

To this end I designed a specific blogging framework made up of five major steps to help you in the processing of using blogs in teaching. Check it out to learn more

Blogging platforms

Now that you have done the conceptual work, next is the practical phase: search for the right blogging platform for your class.

There are numerous places where you can build your classroom blog/website, however, for some of the best recommendations, check out the list below.

I particularly picked these platforms because, first, they are teacher and student friendly. Second, they are all easy and simple to use and offer a plethora of fully customizable pre-designed templates.

They also support various types of content (e.g., videos, images, text, graphics, ect) and in case down the road you decided to get a custom domain for your class blog, these platform do offer this possibility.

1- Google Sites

Google Sites is Google's platform for creating websites. Google Sites' editor is simple and easy to use. No coding or HTML knowledge is required. Google Sites offers a wide variety of ready-made templates to choose from.

Simply browse through the collections of templates there and when you find the template you are interested in click to open and customize it. Alternatively, click on Blank to start building your website from scratch.

The process is as simple as dragging and dropping elements and sections into various parts of your website.

Basically, Google Sites' editor allows you to add as many pages to your website as you want. Each page acts as a stand-alone hub where you can feature resources and content to share with your readers. You can also add different types of content to your website including images, text, videos, audio, maps. calendars and more.

You can even upload content you have on Google Drive (e.g., spreadsheets, presentations, forms, charts, drawings, etc) right to your website.

One of the great features provided by Google Sites is the ability to invite collaborators to co-edit your site with you.

For instance, you can invite students and assign them different tasks on the site. Some to work on the design and layout, others to upload content, etc. Populating your classroom website can be a great learning opportunity for the whole class.

I have written a detailed guide on how to use Google Sites to create a class website. Check it out to learn more.

2- Blogger

Blogger (Blogspot) is Google's platform for creating blogs. In fact, this very post you are reading right now is created in Blogger. I have been using Blogger for over a decade now and I am very much content with it.

It is true that Blogger does not offer as many features (especially add-ons) as Wordpress but still the service is pretty good and has what you need to get your classroom blog set up and running.

Like Google Sites, you can start building your blog on Blogger by browsing through its pre-made templates. There are numerous professionally designed and free templates in itts gallery. You need to spend sometime going through the titles there, experiment with them till you find the one you like.

You also have the choice to get a third party template to install on your blog but this requires that you have at least some functional knowledge of HTML and CSS. Blogger also allows you to give access to collaborators to help you with the design and content of your blog . You can access this feature from the settings of your blog.

When you pick a custom template, use Blogger settings to edit the layout the way you want. You can add sections, widgets, banners, footer, side bars, ect. When your blog's layout is ready you can then start creating and sharing content on it.

Blogger' s post editor is simple to use, way simpler than Wordpress. You can write your post, add links, insert/upload videos and images, edit your text the way you want (e.g. change font size, text type, ect). When you are done, click on Publish.

To learn more about how to set up a blog using blogger, check out this visual guide.

3- Wix

Wix is one of the popular platforms for creating a class website and blog. Its intuitive editor makes it easy to create and share posts with few clicks.

Wix offers access to several beautiful and professionally designed templates to use for your class website and blog. All of these templates are mobile-responsive, meaning that pages will turn out good when viewed on mobile devices, and are fully customizable. You can drag and drop sections, headers, sidebars, insert images and videos and several other types of multimedia.

You have full control over the look and feel of your Wix website and blog. You can structure your pages the way you want, change backgrounds, add a personal touch, and more.

You can even hire a professional to do the design work for your website. Wix offers a team of dedicated professionals that can help you with your website design.

Before you start building your Wix website or blog make sure you visit their Explore page for inspiration and ideas. Click on Inspiring Websites to view examples of beautiful websites created using Wix editor.

Wix also provides you with analytic reports regarding the traffic and audience of your class website or blog.You will be able to access data about pageviews, sources of traffic to your platform, users demographics, and many more.

4- Wordpress

Wordpress is another great platform where you can create a class website or blog. However, there are two Wordpress versions: Wordpress.com and Wordpress.org and you need to know the difference between the two before you make your decision as to which one to use.

Wordpress.com is probably what you need as a teacher to build a class website or blog. It is simple and easy and everything is hosted on the cloud. You only need to pick a theme, customize it, and start producing content.

Wordpress.com takes care of technical maintenance, security issues, updates to themes and plugins, backups, and more.

Downsides to Wordpress.con is that it offers limited storage space (3GB for free plan) and it runs ads and branding, among others.

Wordpress.org, on the other hand, allows you to host your own site. It is a software that you need to download and install in your own web server. You will need at least basic technical knowledge to operate Wordpress.org effectively.

Also, with Wordpress.org you get to handle all technical issues yourself from 'site hosting to maintenance'.

In a nutshell, "WordPress.org helps users build a site that’s “organically yours,” as you’re creating, managing, and maintaining everything on your own. WordPress.com helps you build a site in “combination with” the team at WordPress.com as they will support your site’s creation and will be manage and maintain the system for you."

5- Edublogs

Edublogs is a teacher and student friendly blogging platform that offers a wide variety of features. Edublogs is especially designed for PreK-12 and educators. The process to set up a blog for your class on Edublogs is easy, you only need a username and email address.

Once registered you can then access your blog dashboard where you can customize the look and feel of your blog and post content.

Edublogs does not allow you to upload your theme, you can only use theirs but you do have full control over customization. You can add headers, footers, widgets, images, background, change text fonts, colours, etc. Check out this step by step tutorial to learn more about how to set up a class blog on Edublogs.

One service I like the most about Edublogs is My Class which can be accessed from the dashboard. My Class allows you to create custom student blogs with or without students email addresses.

While students publish content on their blogs you get to control the privacy settings, moderate posts and comments, allowing embed code, and many more. Check out this step by step guide to learn more about how to set up student blogs on Edublogs.

More sources:

Free courses on blogging created by educators for educators

Difference between Wordpress.org and Wordpress.com

Building anything you want with Wix

The possibilities of students blogging

Edublogs blogging resources and guides for teachers

Blogger resources for teachers

Google Sites resources for teachers

Wix help center

Wordpress.com resources for teachers

K5 Learning Offers Helpful Science, Math, Reading, and Vocabulary Worksheets

2023-05-12T03:33:00.000-03:00

K5 Learning is a platform that offers free printable worksheets for students in kindergarten to grade 6. These worksheets cover the following major areas: reading, math, science, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and cursive writing. K5 Learning worksheets are available as PDF documents with answer keys usually in the second page. You can access these learning materials without the need for registration.

K5 Learning is easy to navigate and depending on the worksheet category you are searching for, most of the worksheets are searchable by grade and topic. The following is a short review of each of these categories:

1. K5 Learning Science Worksheets

K5 Learning offers printable PDF science worksheets with answer keys for students in kindergarten through grade 6 and cover three major areas: life science, earth science and physical sciences. Topics covered in K5 Learning science worksheets include bodies, weather and seasons, plants, nutrition, animals, forces and motion, energy, light and sound, and properties of heat.

2. K5 Learning Math Worksheets

K5 Learning offers free printable math Worksheets with answers keys for learners in Kindergarten to grade 6. These worksheets cover 'the full range of elementary math skills'. You can browse these materials by grade or by topic. Some of the topics covered by K5 Learning math worksheets include Numbers (e.g., learning numbers, counting, place value, rounding, Roman numerals, etc), Fractions and Decimals, Measurement (e.g., money, time, etc), Operations (e.g., addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, drills and practice, etc), Geometry, Exponents, Proportions, Algebra, Integers, Word Problems, and more.

3. K5 Learning Reading Worksheets

K5 Learning offers a wide variety of printable reading worksheets to help students improve their reading skills and boost comprehension. There are 'over 100 free children's stories followed by comprehension exercises, as well as worksheets focused on specific comprehension topics (main idea, sequencing, etc).'

You can browse K5 Learning reading worksheets by grade (K-5) and by topic. Some of the topics covered by these reading worksheets include: children's stories, compare and contrast worksheets, main idea and supporting details worksheets, sequencing, story elements, conclusions and inferences, context clues, cause and effect, fact vs fiction, fact vs opinion, prediction, and figurative language.

4. K5 Learning Vocabulary Worksheets

K5 Learning features printable vocabulary worksheets for students in kindergarten to grade 5. The worksheets include a wide range of exercises designed to help students practice and enhance their vocabulary learning, word usage, and word recognition.

K5 Learning also offers printable reading flashcards to help students learn 'critical phonics and reading skills including sight words'. Examples of these reading flashcards include: Prefixes and Suffixes flashcards (help students learn about prefixes and suffixes), Multiple Learning Words flashcards (help students learn about the words that have identical sound and spelling but different meanings), Fry Sight Words flashcards (includes over 1000 sight word flashcards to help with learning common words used in teaching reading, writing, and spelling), and more.

5. K5 Learning Grammar Worksheets

K5 Learning offers free printable grammar worksheets to help students in grade 1 to grade 5 learn the basics of English grammar. Some of the topics covered by these grammar worksheets include nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns, sentences, punctuation, and capitalization.

6. K5 Learning Cursive Writing Worksheets

K5 Learning offers this useful collection of handwriting worksheets to help students learn penmanship and practice writing cursive letters, words, sentences, and whole passages.

How much do K5 Learning worksheets cost?

K5 Learning worksheets are available as free PDF documents that can be accessed by anyone with no login required. However, becoming a member offers you access to more features and members-only content.

Some of these exclusive features include: removal of grade levels, worksheet previews, ability to print entire sets of worksheets, ability to bookmark favourite worksheets, separation of question and answer sheets, and more. Individual membership costs $23.95. K5 Learning also offers school licenses which start with $265/year per site.

Related resources:

Free printable kindergarten worksheets to use with your kids

Free Math worksheets

Free Printable Kindergarten Worksheets to Use with Your Kids

2023-05-12T03:30:00.000-03:00

Looking for good sources of free printable kindergarten worksheets? The list below has you covered. I scoured the web sifting through piles of worksheet resources and handpicked the titles below. These are websites I deemed helpful and can be accessed within educational settings. They offer a wide variety of free printable kindergarten worksheets covering key literacy areas including reading, writing, spelling, and numeracy. Interested only in Math, check out free math worksheets resource.

You can use them with your kids to engage them in fun literacy-based activities and help them develop cognitive and learning skills required for thriving in the world in and out of school. All of these websites provided resources organized by subject area or topic and grade level. Run your search, apply filters, and click to download. Some of these websites require registration before downloading their materials. Registration is free.

K-5 Learning

K-5 Learning offers a wide variety of printable kindergarten worksheets to help kids learn letters, words, writing, numbers, colorus, sounds, shapes and more. For instance, Letters Worksheets help kids identify letters and write the alphabet; Words and Vocabulary Worksheets help kids recognize sight words and build vocabulary; Shapes Worksheets help kids draw basic shapes, Math and Numbers Worksheets help youngsters learn simple math concepts and recognize numbers and counting; Science Worksheets help in learning about plants, animals, weather, and the environment; Colors Worksheets help kids recognize colours, and many more.

Math Worksheets

Printable Math worksheets are provided by Math is Fun and cover various key mathematical skills. Each worksheet has numerous variations to choose from. Simply click on the 'Try another' button to access these variations.

Worksheets are organized by subject and include: decimals, fractions, percents, algebra, time worksheets, order of operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and more. In the Kindergarten and Grade 1 section, you will access worksheets (in colour) on early and advanced counting, fill in the missing number, picture addition, and more.

iSlcollective

iSlcollective offers tons of printable kindergarten worksheets. Simply type 'kindergarten' in its search box and use filters to search for specific worksheet. You can for instance search for worksheets for grammar or vocabulary. You can also filter your search by level, grade, and student type.

When you find the material you are interested in, click on it then select 'download'. You need to register with iScollective in order to be able to download worksheets. Also, the site now offers a new feature called Fill and Send which allows you to fill in worksheets and share them with others. Besides downloading worksheets, you can also print them, embed them in your class blog using a unique generated code, or share them via email.

Kindergarten Worksheets

As its name indicates, Kindergarten Worksheets offers a growing library of free kindergarten worksheets which can also be used with preschoolers and first graders. These resources are arranged into four main categories:

Math: Offers worksheets on the following skills: 'addition, subtraction, counting, fractions, place value, graphs, measurements, pattern words, and numbers.'
English: Includes worksheets on 'reading, alphabet, writing, phonics, vocabulary, sight words, opposites, rhyming words, and spelling
General Learning: Includes worksheets on 'science, Spanish, social studies, dinosaurs, health, zoo, foreign languages, butterflies, and kindergarten coloring activities.'
Holiday worksheets: Includes worksheets on Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween, among others.

Kindergarten worksheets are free and can be printed out, downloaded or embedded online.

123Homeschool4Me

123Homeschool4Me provides access to a wide collection of free printable worksheets, hands-on activities, printable games, and several other educational resources to use with your kids and students. You can browse worksheets by subject or grade level. Some of the free worksheets offered include:

"Countries for Kids: Teach students about 13 countries from around the world as they color maps, flags, and major landmarks to make their own countries book.
Skip Counting Mazes: Make practicing counting by 2s-10s with these fun math worksheets that have an increasing levels of difficulty.
Music Note Flashcards: We even have free printables to help kids learn to read notes! These flashcards will help kids gain fluency in recognizing notes on both the treble and bass clef.
Sandwich Book Report Form: This clever free printable helps kids recal what they have read to work on reading comprehension.
Cute Alphabet Coloring Pages: Kids will have fun learning their letters and sounds letters make with these alphabet coloring sheets.
Alphabet Worksheets: These pages help kids practice letter recognition, tracing letters, beginning sounds, and so much more.
Money Math Games: lots of fun, clever, and free money games and activities for kids."

Teaching Station

Teaching Station embeds a huge library of free printable worksheets for kindergarten and students of all ages. Use the site's internal search box to search for relevant worksheets by subject (e.g., reading, writing, math, art, and social studies) and by grade (e.g., preschool and kindergarten). To access and download worksheets you need to be a registered user. Registration is free.

Tlsbooks

Tlsbooks is another good source of free printable kindergarten worksheets. In fact, there are worksheets that are suitable for students in preschool through sixth grade. "These educational worksheets may be used to supplement your early childhood education program, home day care resources, elementary school classroom, or home school curriculum."

Tlsbooks also offers fun coloring pages, print-ready teaching resources, puzzles, reading tips, and many more.

As for the license, Tlsbooks states the following: "All of the materials found on this site may be printed for your own personal (includes printing materials for your classroom), non-commercial use. The educational materials found on this site may not be hosted on any other web site, blog, forum, etc."

Education.com

Education.com offers a vast collection of free printable kindergarten worksheets. Type in 'Kindergarten' in the search box to browse through the materials there. Filter your search by topic, subject (e.g., math, reading, writing, science, social studies, fine arts, and foreign languages), and by grade. Besides worksheets you will also have access to related learning resources such as lessons, workbooks, exercises, activities, games, and many more. You need to sign up to access these resources.

More sources:

Printables for Prek-K (Scholastic)

Kindergarten worksheets (Pinterest board)

15 criteria for kindergarten worksheets (Teflnet)

Kindergarten Worksheets You'd Want to Print (Edhelper)

Kidzone Worksheets for Children (Kid Zone)

ViewPure- Watch YouTube Videos without Ads and Distraction

2023-05-12T03:24:00.000-03:00

YouTube is a powerful video resource to use in your instruction. It offers video content covering almost anything you want from learning how to dance to watching the latest James Web's pictures of the planets millions of years away. In fact, YouTube is now being used as an alternative search engine to Google. A growing number of people opt for video results instead of textual content.

However, the unlimited access to YouTube videos comes with a cost: annoying clutter. You all know the amount of distraction that accompanies YouTube videos from the rolls of suggested videos to ads and comments, your viewing experience takes a tool. When it comes to sensitive video content (e.g., politics, religion, diet, etc), the comments section can turn into a heated battleground with all kinds of weird and expreme ideas published unrestricted.

For us in education, YouTube, unfortunately, is blocked in several schools. Even in those that allow it, YouTube in its current form, still poses a number of challenges most important of which is age-restricted content especially the one that shows up in thumbnails, suggested videos. There is also the problem of inappropriate content in the comment section Solution? ViewPure.

What is ViewPure?

ViewPure is an online platform that allows you to watch YouTube videos in a clean and clutter-free interface. ViewPure eliminates comments, ads and related videos providing you with a student friendly interface to watch YouTube videos. In this way, you can watch YouTube videos with students and kids with the minimum distraction possible.

Keep in mind that all ViewPure does is purify the video page from distracting features. It does not filter or select videos for you to watch though you can use the search settings to search for videos. Also, keep in mind that not all YouTube videos are supported in ViewPure, only those that can be embedded work on the platform..

ViewPure features

Besides removing clutter from YouTube videos, ViewPure also provides a number of interesting features. For instance, you can customize the URL of YouTube videos and create easily memorable URLs .

You can also use ‘password protection’ feature when sharing purified videos with others. Only those with the password can view the video. If you want to share only a specific portion of the video, use ViewPure to set a start and end time. ViewPure enables you to embed purified YouTube videos on your class website or blog. Simply click on the 'Embed this Video' button and grab the generated code.

Another great feature that is especially ideal for us in education is the ability to create private groups of students inside ViewPure where you can share purified videos. Students can access these videos using their own logins and passwords. You can also create playlists with specific videos for students to watch. "This is most often used for brain-improving music in the classroom that runs for hours as background music for tests."

How does ViewPure work?

The way ViewPure works is very simple and easy:

Copy URL of the YouTube video you want to purify
Open ViewPure and paste the URL into the search box
Click on Purify
Crop parts you don't want from the video
Choose whether you want to add the purified video to a playlist, embed it in a website or blog, or generate a QR Code to share with others.

ViewPure for Schools

ViewPure offers a special plan for school and district accounts with a number of interesting features including analytic oversights showing how many videos teachers loaded, as well as the number of playlists and groups teachers load. Using the admin control panel, school and distrcit admins can change passwords and block people from the system once they leave the school or district. They can also add or remove teachers or migrate staff from one school to another, and many more.

How much does ViewPure cost?

ViewPure offers a free account that includes all the platform' s features but comes with ads. There is also the Pro Account which costs $4.95/month or 49.50/year. The School and District Account comes with a discount, "only pay for the first 20 Teachers of a school building. All the rest are free."

Alternatives to ViewPure

If you are looking for similar websites to ViewPure, SafeShare TV is a good alternative. SafeShare removes all distracting features from videos including links to related videos, inappropriate ad prerolls, and annotations thus providing a safer watching experience. Check out SafeShare TV full review to learn more. Watch2Gether is another good YouTube tool to try out but this does not remove distractions but rather provide you with a private virtual space where you can watch videos with students.

20 Cool Painting Ideas for When You Are Bored

2023-05-12T02:01:00.003-03:00

Feeling stuck in a creative rut, or simply bored and looking for new and exciting ways to express yourself through the medium of paint? The collection below will help. I have compiled a fantastic collection of diverse painting ideas to ignite your imagination and banish boredom. You can use these ideas yourself, with your kids, and for fellow educators, they can use them with students in class to unleash their creative gene.

From abstract landscapes and mythical creatures to cultural celebrations and cosmic scenes, the list of inspiring themes and styles caters to artists of all skill levels and interests. Each idea is accompanied by a brief description and example to help you visualize the possibilities.

So grab your brushes, prepare your canvas, and embark on a thrilling artistic adventure as you explore the limitless world of painting! If you are looking for drawing ideas, check out this post featuring a wide variety of inspirational drawing and doodling ideas to choose from.

Benefits of painting

Painting has numerous benefits both for the mind and the body. Some of these include:

1. Stress Relief: Engaging in creative activities like painting can help reduce stress and anxiety by allowing you to focus on the present moment and express your emotions.

2. Improved Creativity: Painting encourages you to think outside the box and experiment with new ideas, techniques, and styles, which can enhance your overall creative abilities.

3. Enhanced Fine Motor Skills: The physical act of painting requires precise hand-eye coordination and muscle control, helping to improve your fine motor skills over time.

4. Boosted Self-Esteem: Completing a painting can provide a sense of accomplishment and pride, which can positively impact your self-esteem and confidence.

5. Emotional Expression: Painting serves as an outlet for expressing complex emotions and thoughts, which can be therapeutic and contribute to emotional well-being.

6. Increased Observational Skills: Painting often requires careful observation of the subject matter, which can improve your attention to detail and ability to notice subtle nuances in color, texture, and light.

7. Expanded Cultural Awareness: Studying and replicating various art styles and techniques from different cultures can broaden your understanding of the world and foster appreciation for diverse perspectives.

8. Social Connection: Participating in painting classes, workshops, or art communities can help you connect with like-minded individuals, building friendships and support social networks.

9. Cognitive Development: Painting engages multiple areas of the brain, including memory, problem-solving, and critical thinking, which can contribute to overall cognitive development.

10. Mindfulness and Meditation: Painting can serve as a form of meditation, allowing you to immerse yourself in the creative process and achieve a state of mindfulness and inner peace.

Here are some inspirational painting ideas

1. Abstract Landscapes

Create a series of abstract landscapes inspired by your favorite places. Think about the colors, shapes, and textures that define these locations, and use them to make abstract representations. Example: a warm, sandy beach with rolling waves in bold, swirling colors.

2. Portraits with a Twist

Paint portraits of friends or family members, but incorporate surreal or fantastical elements. Example: a portrait of your sister with butterfly wings sprouting from her back.

3. Upside-Down Painting

Challenge your perception by painting your subject upside down. This forces you to focus on shapes and colors rather than the subject's identity. Example: an upside-down still life of fruit in a bowl.

4. City Skylines at Night

Capture the beauty of city skylines illuminated by the night lights. Use vibrant colors and contrasting lights and shadows to create depth. Example: the Manhattan skyline with its iconic buildings and bridges.

5. Mood Paintings

Create a series of paintings that reflect different emotions or moods, such as happiness, sadness, or anger. Example: a serene, pastel-toned painting for calmness, and a chaotic, dark painting for anger.

6. Monochromatic Masterpieces

Choose a single color and create a painting using only various shades of that color. Example: a forest scene in varying shades of green.

7. Cultural Celebrations

Paint scenes from different cultural festivals and traditions around the world. Example: the colorful and lively atmosphere of the Brazilian Carnival or India's Holi Festival.

8. Optical Illusions

Create paintings that play with perspective and illusion, making the viewer question what they're seeing. Example: an Escher-inspired painting with impossible staircases.

9. Microscopic Worlds

Paint scenes inspired by microscopic images of cells, bacteria, or other tiny organisms. Example: a vibrant, intricate painting of plant cells.

10. Paint-by-Music

Listen to your favorite songs or musical pieces and paint what you visualize when you hear the music. Example: a swirling, dynamic painting inspired by Vivaldi's "Four Seasons."

11. Art Mashups

Combine elements from two or more different art styles or periods to create a unique hybrid. Example: a Cubist interpretation of Van Gogh's "Starry Night."

12. Botanical Portraits

Paint detailed, close-up views of plants, flowers, or trees. Example: a striking, realistic painting of a sunflower in bloom.

13. Recreate Childhood Art

Find old drawings or paintings you did as a child and recreate them with your current skills. Example: transforming a childhood doodle of a house into a polished, professional painting.

14. Mythical Creatures

Paint your own interpretations of mythical creatures from various cultures, such as dragons, mermaids, or chimeras. Example: a majestic, colorful phoenix rising from the ashes.

15. Silhouette Art

Create a painting using only silhouettes of objects, people, or animals. Example: a forest scene with the silhouettes of trees and deer against a vibrant sunset.

16. Collage Painting

Incorporate different materials, like magazine clippings, photographs, or fabric, into your paintings to create a unique, multi-dimensional artwork. Example: a portrait with real clothing as part of the composition.

17. Weather-Inspired Art

Create a series of paintings inspired by different weather phenomena, such as rain, snow, or thunderstorms. Example: a moody, dark painting of a lightning-filled stormy sky.

18. Paint-by-Texture

Focus on creating paintings with interesting and varied textures, using different techniques like impasto, glazing, or scumbling. Example: a rugged, textured mountain landscape.

19. Art Nouveau Revival

Paint in the style of Art Nouveau, characterized by its organic, flowing lines and natural motifs. Example: a painting of a woman surrounded by intricate, stylized flowers and leaves.

20. Cosmic Scenes

Explore the beauty of outer space by creating cosmic scenes featuring planets, galaxies, and nebulas. Use vibrant colors and experiment with blending techniques to create depth and movement. Example: a captivating painting of the Milky Way with a colorful, swirling nebula in the foreground.

Best Wordle Tools to Make Word Clouds

2023-05-11T03:14:00.000-03:00

A wordle is a word cloud created from words. The more frequent a word appears in the input text the larger its size becomes in the wordle. Indeed, wordle arts have huge educational potential and can be used in various learning activities. For instance, students can use wordle makers to summarize a text or a passage they have read.

They can also use them to quickly scan a document and develop an initial idea of what it is all about before even reading the entire text. Word clouds are also perfect in activities related to creating art and visual displays, gathering students feedback, writing book reviews, visualizing data from tables and surveys, and many more.

There are numerous tools that you can use to make wordle art. Over the years, I reviewed a number of these wordle tools here in educatorestechnology.com and today I am sharing with you four of my favourite wordle word cloud generators. For those of you looking for Wordle.net alternatives, the list below is also a great place to start with.

All of these tools are free or offer free plans. The standard process of generating word clouds comprises three steps:First input your text which can be done by simply typing it right in the word cloud generator, paste it, or import a document file.

Second, edit your wordle. You can for instance edit the layout of your word clouds, change text font, edit background colours, and more. Depending on which wordle maker you choose editing features different from one tool to the other. The third and last step it to generate and share your final wordle in the format of your liking (e.g., SVG, PNG, or JPEG).

The tools I included below are simple and easy to use, ideal for use with students in class. Also, no graphic design knowledge is required to use them. Some of them require a signup others do not. For wordle tools for kids, check out ABCya word cloud generator.

1- Word Art

Formerly Tagul, Word Art is a great wordle cloud art generator for teachers and students. You can easily create professional looking wordle art without the need for any graphic design skills. The process is simple: input your text, click Visualize and then customize your word cloud.

You can type your text or import it from a CSV or Excel file. You can then edit your wordle art the way you want. For instance, click on Shapes to apply a particular shape to your word cloud. Shapes are arranged in multiple categories that include Emoji, Hearts, Money, Nature, Numbers, Christmas, People and many more.

You can also change the font and layout of your text (e.g., horizontal, vertical, negative slope, positive slope, dancing words, crossing words, and more). Click on Styles to change the colour of words, select background colour or leave it transparent, change background image and animation speed, pick a rollover text color and more.

An interesting feature that stood out to me from Word Art is the ability to animate your cloud art. To apply animation to your wordle art click on Animate from the toolbar on top of the tag cloud then hover your mouse over any word to see the beautiful animation.

When your wordle arts are ready you can download them in PNG or JPEG format. To be able to download them in high quality (HQ) formats (i.e., HQ PNG, HG JPEG, HQ SVG vector, HQ PDF vector, HQ HTML animated, HQ Custom) you will need to pay. Word Art offers various one-off purchase plans and packs.

2- WordCloud Generator

Another great tool for making wordles. WordCloud Generator by MonkeyLearn is powered by artificial intelligence allowing you to generate tag clouds with a higher rate of accuracy. Unlike EdWordle, WordCloud Generator provides you with three ways to input your text: you can type it, paste it, or upload a text file.

The maximum number of characters that can be analyzed using this wordle maker is 200000 characters. Using the toolbar on top of the generated word cloud, you can easily change the theme of your wordle, edit text colour, customize background colour with the ability to apply a transparent background, change text font and word quantity, and many more.

Another cool feature in MonkeyLearn is the ability to create word clouds with phrases based on the collocations embedded in your text. Your final wordle can be downloaded in .SVG or .PNG formats. To be able to use MonkeyLearn you need to sign up.

3- EdWordle

EdWordle is a good wordle maker to use with students in class to generate beautiful visual representations of words. The way it works is simple and easy and no signup or software download is required. You simply input your text and and hit submit. Depending on what you want to create, EdWordle lets you edit and customize your wordle art the way you want.

You can, for instance, choose to group similar words, remove stop words, choose how many words you want to show in your wordle and many more. When your word cloud is generated you can further edit its layout, change its background color, add or delete certain words, change text font and more. Note that EdWordle supports only English language.

4- WordItOut

Another wordle art maker which has been around for long time. WordItOut allows you to generate visually attractive word clouds which you can use for a wide variety of educational purposes. It even allows you to print your wordles automatically onto items to create custom gifts.

WordItOut offers a number of interesting features. You can design your word cloud the way you want. You can, for instance, choose the layout of your preference for your wordles, , change colours and fonts, edit sizes, choose which words to display or remove, edit how they appear and on what basis (e.g., frequency, randomness, etc), and many more.

You can use WordItOut to generate wordle art from tables, whole documents, or portions of text. Your final word cloud can easily be shared with others or be embedded in your classroom blog or website using a generate code.

5. Word Tag Cloud

Word Tag Cloud, as its name indicates, is an online word cloud generator that is simple and easy to use. Simply input your text into the text box and click on 'Create my Cloud' button. Word Tag Cloud allows you to customize your word cloud as you wish: you can select which words to remove, change colour, number of words, and more. Once your word cloud is complete you can download it in PNG format.

6. WordClouds.com

Wordclouds.com is a free online word cloud generator and tag cloud creator. It works both on desktops and mobile devices. You can use it to create word clouds from a document or a webpage or blog post. You can also enter or type your own text and click to automatically generate a tag cloud.

You can select a shape you like, choose colors and fonts, and select how to draw the words. A unique feature provided by wordclouds.com is the ability to generate clickable word clouds with links (image map). Once your tag clouds are ready, you can save them as images or share them online.

Teacher's Guide to Performance-Based Assessment

2023-05-10T04:58:00.010-03:00

As educators strive to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century, traditional assessment methods alone may not be sufficient. ChatGPT is the tip of the iceberg in an ocean of concerns regarding students performance.

We have all seen first hand how chatbots are now redefining how we teach and test our students. And as these bots are getting smarter and smarter, "It is argued that there is a need to rethink the criteria by which the quality of educational assessments are judged".

I believe that performance-based assessment (PBA) holds the potential to provide a more accurate picture of student mastery than traditional assessments.This form of assessment has emerged as a key tool for evaluating students' ability to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world situations.

I am not saying that traditional forms of assessment are no longer relevant, they still have their place for sure but we need to direct our focus towards forms of assessment that can speak to the emerging learnings of our students and PBA is one of these forms.

Performance-based assessments are based on the idea that students should demonstrate their understanding of subject matter through tasks that require them to apply knowledge, skills, and processes. This type of assessment requires creativity, problem solving, collaboration and communication.

In this post, I discuss the concept of performance-based assessment, explain what it is, discuss its benefits and implementation strategies, and how it can be incorporated effectively into the classroom.

What is Performance-Based Assessment?

Performance-based assessment (PBA) refers to a wide range of evaluation methods that focus on students' demonstration of skills, knowledge, and abilities through authentic, meaningful tasks.

As Colley (2008) stated, "performance-based assessment requires students to demonstrate their learning and understanding by performing an act or a series of acts". Unlike traditional assessment methods, such as multiple-choice tests, PBAs emphasize higher-order thinking, problem-solving, and real-world application.

There are several advantages to using performance-based assessments, such as increased student engagement, the promotion of critical thinking skills, and a better understanding of individual student progress. However, PBAs can be time-consuming to design and implement, and require careful planning to ensure consistency and fairness in grading.

Elements of Performance-Based Assessment

Baker et al. (1993, p. 1211), outlined 6 elements of performance-based assessment which are:

1. Uses open-ended tasks
Open-ended tasks are those that do not have a single correct answer or solution. These tasks encourage students to think creatively, critically, and to apply their knowledge in various ways.

Open-ended tasks often involve problem-solving, investigation, or exploration, providing students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding in different ways and from various perspectives.

2. Focuses on higher-order or complex skills

Performance-based assessments emphasize the development and demonstration of higher-order cognitive skills, such as analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and application. These skills go beyond the basic recall or recognition of facts and require students to engage in deeper levels of thinking, using their knowledge to solve problems, create new ideas, or make informed judgments.

3. Employs context-sensitive strategies
Performance-based assessments take into account the context in which learning occurs and are designed to be relevant and authentic to real-world situations. By situating tasks within meaningful contexts, students are more likely to understand the purpose and value of the assessment, leading to increased engagement and motivation.

Context-sensitive strategies also help students transfer their learning to other situations, as they can see the connection between their knowledge and real-world applications.

4. Often uses complex problems requiring several types of performance and significant student time

Performance-based assessments often involve tasks that require students to engage in multiple types of performance, such as conducting research, collaborating with peers, or creating a product.

These tasks are typically more time-consuming than traditional assessments, as they involve various interconnected skills and processes. The complexity of the tasks allows students to demonstrate a range of skills and knowledge, providing a more comprehensive evaluation of their learning.

5. Consists of either individual or group performance
Performance-based assessments can be designed for both individual and group performance. Individual tasks allow students to demonstrate their personal understanding and abilities, while group tasks promote collaboration, communication, and the development of teamwork skills. Both individual and group performance assessments offer unique benefits and can be used to assess different aspects of student learning.

6. May involve a significant degree of student choice
Performance-based assessments often provide students with a degree of choice in how they approach the task or demonstrate their learning. This can include selecting topics for investigation, choosing the format of their final product, or deciding on the methods used to solve a problem.

By offering choices, students are more likely to be engaged and motivated, as they can tailor the task to their interests and strengths. Additionally, student choice encourages the development of decision-making, self-regulation, and self-evaluation skills.

Tips for designing performance-Based Assessment Activities

Here are some practical tips to help you create effective PBAs:

1. Align the assessment with learning objectives
Ensure that PBA tasks directly measure the intended learning outcomes and target the appropriate level of cognitive complexity.

2. Choose appropriate tasks and scenarios
Select tasks that are engaging, relevant, and challenging, while also considering students' interests, backgrounds, and skill levels.

3. Develop grading criteria and scoring rubrics
Establish clear and objective grading criteria to evaluate student performance consistently and fairly.

4. Incorporate technology and digital tools
This goes without saying, in an an age where generative technology is reshaping the educational landscape, incorporating technology in teaching has become a must. Performance-based assessment is an area where you can use it. More specifically, you can Utilize technology to enhance PBA activities, facilitate collaboration, and streamline the evaluation process.

5. Support diverse learners through differentiation and scaffolding
When creating PBA tasks make sure to account for learners with different learning styles, abilities, and needs. Your PBA tasks must be inclusive to accommodate the diversity of your class.

Tips to help you implement performance-based assessment in your Classroom

To effectively introduce PBAs in your classroom, consider these strategies:

1. Prepare students for performance-based assessment: Set expectations and explain the purpose, process, and grading criteria of the PBA.

2. Facilitate and monitor PBA activities: Provide guidance and support as needed, while allowing students to take ownership of their learning.

3. Provide timely and constructive feedback: Offer specific, actionable feedback to help students improve their performance and achieve the learning objectives.

4. Encourage student self-assessment and peer evaluation: Foster a culture of reflection and self-improvement by promoting self-assessment and peer feedback.

5. Track progress and adjust instruction as needed: Monitor student progress, identify areas of difficulty, and modify instruction to address gaps in understanding.

Where can you use performance based assessment

In fact, you can use PBAs in different tasks, the limits are your teaching goals and assessment purposes. However, generally speaking, some kind of tasks are more amenable to PBA. These include:

1. Project-based learning:
Students work on long-term, interdisciplinary projects that address real-world issues or problems.

2. Simulations and role-playing
Students participate in realistic scenarios, such as mocktrials or crisis simulations, to apply their knowledge and skills in a controlled environment.

3. Presentations and debates
Students research, develop, and present arguments or information on a specific topic, fostering critical thinking and public speaking skills.

4. Portfolios and exhibitions
Students compile a collection of their work, showcasing their growth and accomplishments over time.

5. Service-learning projects
Students engage in community-based projects that address social, environmental, or cultural issues while applying their learning in a real-world context.

Examples of Performance-Based Assessment Activities

When creating performance-based activities you need to come up with clear instructions for your students and prepare beforehand assessment questions to go with the task. As Colley (2008) explained, in PBA students are evaluated on whether they follow directions correctly use suitable procedures, whether they provided the appropriate answers, and whether they are able to explain their answers.

With that in mind, here are some examples of performance-based activities that you can use as a guide to help you craft effective PBA assessments:

1. Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano:
Materials: A small bottle, baking soda, vinegar, food coloring (optional), dish soap, a tray, and a measuring spoon.

Instruction: Create a mini-volcano by mixing baking soda and vinegar, and observe the chemical reaction.

Assessment task/questions:

a. What happens when you mix baking soda and vinegar?
b. How does the addition of food coloring or dish soap affect the reaction?
c. Can you explain the science behind the chemical reaction?
d. Record your observations and explanations on the worksheet provided.

2. Bridge Building
Materials: Popsicle sticks, glue, scissors, and a ruler.

Instruction: Design and build a bridge using popsicle sticks and glue, ensuring it can support a specific weight (e.g., 500 grams).

Assessment task/questions:

a. What type of bridge design did you choose and why?
b. How many popsicle sticks did you use in your bridge?
c. How much weight can your bridge support?
d. Document your bridge design and construction process on the worksheet provided.

3. Plant Growth Experiment
Materials: Bean seeds, potting soil, planting pots, water, and a ruler.

Instruction: Plant bean seeds in separate pots with varying amounts of water and sunlight exposure to observe the effects on plant growth.

Assessment task/questions:

a. How does the amount of water affect plant growth?
b. How does the amount of sunlight exposure affect plant growth?
c. Which pot had the most successful plant growth?
d. Record your observations and explanations on the worksheet provided.

4. Simple Machines: Lever Experiment:
Materials: A ruler, a pencil, a small object (e.g., an eraser), and a set of coins.

Instruction: Create a simple lever by balancing a ruler on a pencil and use it to lift the small object with coins.

Assessment task/questions:

a. How does the position of the fulcrum (pencil) affect the effort needed to lift the object?
b. How many coins were needed to lift the object at different fulcrum positions?
c. Explain the concept of mechanical advantage in the context of the lever.
d. Document your experiment and findings on the worksheet provided.

5. Solar Oven
Materials: A cardboard box, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, tape, a thermometer, a black piece of paper, and a small item to cook (e.g., a marshmallow or a slice of cheese).

Instruction: Build a solar oven using the provided materials and cook the small item using the sun's heat.

Assessment task/questions:

a. How does the solar oven work to cook the food item?
b. What was the highest temperature reached inside the solar oven?
c. How long did it take to cook the food item?
d. Record the construction process, observations, and results on the worksheet provided.

Conclusion
Performance-based assessment is a powerful tool for promoting deeper learning, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving skills. By incorporating PBAs into your teaching practice, you can better prepare students for the challenges they will face today's world.

As educators, it is our responsibility to continually refine our assessment practices and strive for excellence in supporting our students' growth and development. Embrace the possibilities of performance-based assessment and witness the transformative impact it can have on your students' learning experiences.

References

Baker, O’Neil, H. F., & Linn, R. L. (1993). Policy and Validity Prospects for Performance-Based Assessment. The American Psychologist, 48(12), 1210–1218. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.48.12.1210

Colley. (2008). Performance-Based Assessment. The Science Teacher (National Science Teachers Association), 75(8), 68–72.

Wiggins, G. (1989). A true test: Toward more authentic and equitable assessment. Phi Delta Kappan. 70. 703-713.

Resnick, L. B., & Resnick, D. P. (1992). Assessing the thinking curriculum: New tools for educational reform. In B. R. Gilford & M. C.

O'Connor (Eds.), Changing assessments: Alternative views of aptitude, achievement, and instruction (pp. 37-75). Boston: Kluwer

Baker, E. L., O'Neil, H. F., Jr., & Linn, R. (1990). Performance assessment framework. In S. J. Andriole (Ed.), Advanced technology for command

and control systems engineering (pp. 192-214). Fairfax, VA: AFCEA International.

Berk, R.A A. (Ed.), Performance assessment: Methods and applications. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press

Dunbar, S. B., Koretz, D., & Hoover, H. D. (1991). Quality control in the development and use of performance assessments. Applied Measurement in Education, 4, 289-302.

Siegel, A. I. (1986). Performance tests. In R. A. Berk (Ed.), Performance assessment: Methods and applications (pp. 121-142). Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.

30 Innovative Instructional Strategies Examples

2023-05-09T04:38:00.002-03:00

In today's post, I compiled a list of 30 instructional strategies designed to promote active learning, critical thinking, and collaboration among your students. From classic techniques to innovative approaches, these strategies will empower you to create dynamic and inclusive learning environments that cater to various learning styles and preferences.

This post complements another post where I talked about the four main instructional paradigms every teacher should know about.

Here are some key instructional strategies examples. Here the free PDF version of this post.

1. Direct instruction

Explicitly teaching content using lectures, demonstrations, or guided practice.

Example: A teacher demonstrates how to solve a quadratic equation step-by-step on the whiteboard and then assigns practice problems for students to complete

2. Inquiry-based learning

Encouraging students to ask questions, explore concepts, and develop their own understanding.

Example: Students are given a question, such as "What factors contribute to climate change?" and are encouraged to research, explore, and discuss the topic in small groups.

3. Cooperative learning

Using small-group activities to promote collaboration, peer support, and collective problem-solving.

Example: Students work in small groups to create a presentation on different aspects of the water cycle, with each group member responsible for one specific aspect.

4. Socratic questioning

Engaging students in critical thinking through open-ended questions and dialogue.

Example: A teacher facilitates a class discussion on the impact of social media on society, asking open-ended questions that encourage students to think critically and analyze different perspectives.

5. Graphic organizers

Providing visual tools to help students organize and comprehend complex information.

Example: Students use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast two characters from a novel they have read.

6. Think-pair-share

Encouraging students to think individually, discuss with a partner, and then share with the class.

Example: After introducing a new concept, a teacher asks students to think about an example, discuss it with a partner, and then share their example with the class.

7. Concept mapping

Creating visual diagrams to represent relationships between ideas and concepts.

Example: Students create a concept map to show the connections between various elements of photosynthesis.

8. Jigsaw

Dividing a topic into smaller parts, assigning each to a group of students, and then reassembling the pieces to form a complete understanding.

Example: A class is divided into groups, with each group researching a different aspect of World War II. Then, students form new groups with representatives from each original group, sharing and combining their knowledge.

9. Flipped classroom

Delivering content outside of class (e.g., through videos) and using class time for interactive activities and discussions.

Example: Students watch a video lecture on the causes of the Great Depression at home and then participate in a simulation activity in class to deepen their understanding.

10. Project-based learning

Engaging students in real-world projects that require problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Example: Students design and execute a community service project, such as organizing a food drive or creating a public awareness campaign about environmental conservation.

11. Differentiated instruction

Adapting teaching methods and materials to meet the diverse needs of individual learners.

Example: A teacher provides multiple options for students to demonstrate their understanding of a concept, such as writing an essay, creating a visual presentation, or performing a skit.

12. Case studies

Analyzing real-life situations to apply theoretical concepts and develop problem-solving skills.

Example: In a business class, students analyze a real-life company's strategic decisions and discuss the impact of those decisions on the company's success.

13. Role-playing

Encouraging students to act out scenarios to better understand different perspectives or situations.

Example: Students act out a negotiation scenario between two countries, taking on the roles of diplomats to understand the complexities of international diplomacy.

14. Peer teaching

Allowing students to teach and learn from one another.

Example: Students who have mastered a particular skill or concept teach it to their classmates, reinforcing their own understanding and helping others learn.

15. Gallery walk

Arranging student work or information around the room, allowing students to circulate and engage with the material.

Example: Students create posters about different renewable energy sources and then circulate around the room to learn about each source from their peers' work.

16. Brainstorming

Encouraging creative thinking by generating ideas without judgment or limitations.

Example: In a creative writing class, students generate a list of possible story ideas and plot points before selecting one to develop further.

17. Mnemonic devices

Teaching memory techniques to help students remember key information.

Example: A teacher introduces the acronym PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction) to help students remember the order of operations in mathematics.

18. Exit tickets

Asking students to write a brief summary or reflection at the end of a lesson to assess understanding.

Example: At the end of a lesson on photosynthesis, students write a brief summary of the process or answer a specific question to demonstrate their understanding.

19. Stations

Organizing the classroom into different activity areas, where students rotate through tasks or exercises.

Example: In a science class, students rotate through various stations where they conduct experiments, analyze data, and discuss their findings.

20. Fishbowl discussion

Arranging students in an inner circle to discuss a topic while the outer circle observes and takes notes. Learn more about fishbowl strategy here.

Example: A group of students discuss a controversial topic in the center of the room while the rest of the class observes and takes notes, then the groups switch roles.

21. Debate

Assigning students to argue opposing viewpoints on a controversial issue to develop critical thinking and communication skills.

Example: Students are divided into teams and assigned to argue either for or against a proposed law or policy, such as implementing a carbon tax or raising the minimum wage.

22. Analogies

Drawing comparisons between new concepts and familiar ones to facilitate understanding.

Example: A teacher explains the concept of diffusion in biology by comparing it to the way a drop of food coloring disperses in a glass of water.

23. Guided notes

Providing students with partially completed notes that they complete during a lecture or discussion.

Example: Students are provided with an outline of a lecture, including key points and partially completed sentences, which they complete as they listen to the lecture.

24. Storytelling

Using narratives to engage students and illustrate important concepts or principles.

Example: A history teacher shares a narrative about the experiences of a soldier during World War I to help students better understand the conditions and challenges faced by those in the trenches.

25. Mind mapping

Creating visual representations of information to help students see connections and hierarchies.

Example: Students create a mind map to visually represent the relationships between characters in a novel, with lines and arrows indicating connections and interactions.

26. Simulations

Engaging students in realistic scenarios to promote understanding and application of concepts.

Example: In a social studies class, students participate in a mock trial to understand the legal process and explore issues related to justice and fairness.

27. Problem-based learning

Presenting students with complex, real-world problems that require higher-order thinking and collaboration to solve.

Example: Students in a math class are given a real-world problem, such as planning a trip on a limited budget, and must use mathematical concepts to find the most cost-effective solution.

28. Learning centers

Designating areas in the classroom for specific activities, such as reading, writing, or hands-on exploration.

Example: In a language arts classroom, students rotate through various learning centers focused on reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities.

29. Self-assessment

Encouraging students to reflect on their own learning progress and identify areas for improvement.

Example: Students complete a self-reflection questionnaire after a group project, evaluating their own contributions and identifying areas for improvement.

30. Mini-lessons

Delivering short, focused instruction on a specific skill or concept, followed by immediate practice or application.

Example: A teacher delivers a short lesson on using commas in a sentence, followed by students practicing the skill through a series of exercises.

I hope you find these instructional strategies to be valuable resources for transforming your teaching practice and inspiring your students to reach their full potential. Remember, the key is to diversify your instructional methods so you can cater to the unique needs and strengths of each student.

Certainly, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to teaching; the key is to remain flexible and open to trying new techniques that can foster a positive and inclusive learning environment. As you continue to grow and evolve as an educator, these strategies will serve as a foundation upon which you can build a truly exceptional educational experience for your students.

Books on instructional strategies

Here are some good books to help you learn more about instructional strategies. For summaries of the books check out my post entitled Best Teaching Strategies Books.

1- How to Differentiate Instruction in Academically Diverse Classrooms , by Carol Ann Tomlinson

2- Effective Instructional Strategies: From Theory to Practice, by Kenneth D. Moore

3- The New Art and Science of Teaching , by Robert J. Marzano

4. Differentiated Instructional Strategies, by Gayle H. Gregory, Carolyn M. Chapman

5. Teach Like a Champion 3.0, by Doug Lemov

6. The Skillful Teacher, by Stephen D. Brookfield

7. Understanding by Design, by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe

8.Visible Learning for Teachers: Maximizing Impact on Learning by John Hattie

9. The Art of Teaching, by Gilbert Highet

10.Highly Effective Teaching Strategies, by Marc Hoberman

35 Fun Websites to Visit when Bored

2023-05-08T04:41:00.000-03:00

Are you ever bored and looking for something new to do? Here is a list of interesting websites I curated for you to check out when you are in the mood to explore new things. From playing chess online to discovering inspiring interviews, these websites will definitely help drive away your boredom.

[Related: 60 Amazing shower thoughts]

1. Bored Panda

Bored Panda is a website that features a wide variety of articles, videos, and images for entertainment. It covers topics from travel to technology.

2. Sketchfab

Sketchfab is an online 3D library of models that you can explore, rotate and manipulate.

3. Kahoot!

Kahoot! is a website that allows users to create their own interactive quiz games, with options for sharing them with friends.

4. Sporcle

Sporcle is a website that offers trivia and quiz games on a variety of topics. It also allows users to create their own games.

5. Enamelpins

Enamelpins.com is an enamel pin maker. If you are a badge lover, you can go to the site and customize your own unique badge with personalized designs and unique styles to suit your choice. You can create custom enamel pins no minimum at Enamelpins.com

6. 9GAG

9GAG is an entertainment website with a wide variety of content, from funny pictures to articles about current events.

7. Reddit

Reddit is a social news website where users can post and comment on content. It's a great source for finding entertaining articles and discussion topics.

8. Geoguessr

Geoguesser is an online game that tests your geography knowledge. You get to guess the location of a place based on satellite imagery.

9. Google Arts & Culture

Google Arts & Culture is a website that features artwork, museums, and historical documents from around the world. It's great for learning about different cultures, as well as for entertainment.

10. Color Hunt

Color Hunt is a website that showcases a variety of color palettes with beautiful visuals. It's great for finding inspiration or creating your own artwork.

11. IMDB

IMDB is a great website for finding movies, TV shows, and celebrity information. It's also a great source of entertainment news.

12. The Oatmeal

The Oatmeal is a website that features funny comics, quizzes, and stories. It's great for light-hearted entertainment when you're bored.

13. GIPHY

GIPHY is a website filled with GIFs (animated images) that you can use to express yourself or just have fun.

14. Windowswap

Window Swap is a website where people from around the world can submit and watch videos of everyday life through someone else's window.

15. Dribble

Dribbble is a website for finding and sharing design inspiration and work from designers around the world.

16. MyNoise

MyNoise is a website for generating background noise and ambiance sounds to help with focus and relaxation

17. Chess.com

Chess.com is a website for playing chess online. It's great for passing the time and testing your strategy skills.

18. Listverse

Listverse is a website with interesting lists on a variety of topics, from pop culture to science.

19. Playbuzz

Playbuzz is a website with quizzes, polls, and games. It's great for entertainment and discovering new interests.

20. The Exploratorium

The Exploratorium is a website for exploring science and art through interactive exhibits and experiments.

21. The Great Discontent

The Great Discontent is a website for interviews with inspiring artists and creatives from around the world.

22. Jigsaw Planet

Jigsaw Planet is a website for creating and solving jigsaw puzzles. It's great for when you're in the mood to work on something creative.

23. Virtualpiano.net

Virtual Piano is a website for playing music through your computer keyboard. It's great for having some fun and getting creative with music.

24. Accuweather

Accuweather is a website for getting the latest updates on weather and tracking storms. It's great for keeping up with what's going on in the world.

25. Chrome Music Lab

The Chrome Music Lab is a website for exploring music and sound through interactive experiments. It's great for learning about different aspects of music.

26. Classic FM

Classic FM is a website for finding and listening to classical music. It's great for relaxation or getting inspired by beautiful music.

27. Mental Floss

Mental Floss is a website for trivia, quizzes, and stories about pop culture and current events.

28. Khan Academy

Khan Academy is a website for finding educational videos and lessons on academics, math, science, history, and more.

29. Flightradar24

Flightradar24 is a website for tracking real-time flights and aircraft. It's great for learning about air travel and discovering new destinations.

30. Quickdraw

Google's Quickdraw is a website where you can draw images using your computer mouse. It's great for having some fun and exploring your creativity.

31. The New York Times Crossword

The New York Times Crossword is a website for solving the daily crossword puzzle from The New York Times.

32. Big Think

Big Think is a website for finding videos and articles about the latest news, science, and technology.

33. TED-Ed

TED-Ed is a website for finding educational videos on topics ranging from science to philosophy.

34. NationalGeographic.com

National Geographic is a website for discovering science, nature, and exploration. It's great for learning more about the world around us.

35. Futurism

Futurism is a website for exploring and learning about cutting-edge technology and its impact on society.

Whether you're looking to pass the time, explore your creativity, or learn something new, there are plenty of websites out there for entertainment and education. From playing chess and solving puzzles to discovering music and watching videos from around the world, these websites offer something for everyone.

Bonus:

36. The Useless Web

As its name indicates, the Useless Web is a website that directs you to random entertaining websites.

Best Coding Games for Kids

2023-05-08T04:39:00.001-03:00

Coding, as Scratch Jr stated, is the new literacy. It is the buzzword in education and beyond. There is now an increasing emphasis on incorporating computer science classes in elementary schools and, in fact, several schools from all around the world have already started teaching kids the fundamentals of coding.

One of the greatest things about coding is that when kids learn to code they also learn several other skills that go with it, educationists have a name for this learning phenomenon: it is called incidental learning.

For instance, coding games and exercises are inherently challenging and often require collaboration and teamwork. As kids work together to debug codes and find solutions to their coding problems, they do not simply learn the skill of coding (which is the skill that is intentionally targeted) but also develop (incidentally) a bunch of other key skills including problem solving, critical thinking, strategic thinking, systems thinking, logical reasoning, design thinking and more.

Indeed, coding games and activities are not only about being better at technical skills, they also develop kids psycho-social systems. The more kids collaborate and engage in coding activities, the better their sense of resilience, motivation, and perseverance become. Coding also nourishes kids sense of curiosity, creativity and autonomous learning.

Over the last few years, I have reviewed and shared with fellow educators and teachers a wide variety of educational coding resources including coding websites, coding apps, books on coding, and more.

In today's post, I am adding this collection of websites that help kids and students learn coding through gameplay. Learners will be able to access interactive and fun games covering different coding topics from the basic fundamentals to writing using programming languages such as Python or JavaScript.

Kids regardless of their skill level will find these materials helpful. In fact, kids do not even need any prior coding knowledge to start playing the games. There are video lessons, tutorials and guides to help kids make their way as they play the coding games.

1- Kodable

Kodable helps kids learn coding through interactive games and fun activities. As a teacher, you can easily create a class for your students in Kodable and invite students to join. I have covered this process in detail in Kodable review for teachers. From your teacher dashboard you will be able to access pre-designed coding lessons, game courses, check students progress and track their performance.

After introducing them to coding concepts, students can access Kodable games to test their learned skills. There are three main games offered by Kodable namely Smeeborg (for beginners), Asteroidia (intermediate level) and Bug Word (advanced level). Students can further consolidate the coding knowledge they gained from these lessons and games using kodable projects.

There are three main projects which students can use to apply their coding skills: Fuzz Builder, Maze Maker, and Game Designer. Kodable also offers Hour of Code allowing students to take an hour of computer science activity at their own pace and anytime they want.

2- Scratch

Scratch is a coding platform that teaches kids a wide range of coding skills and help them use these skills to create games, animations, digital stories, and many more. While it is specifically designed for kids 8 and 16 years old, Scratch coding resources and activities can be used by anyone interested in learning about computer science. For kids aged 5 to 7 there is Scratch Jr which is a simplified version of Scratch.

Scratch Ideas page features a wide variety of activities where students can use Scratch to design various types of creations. These activities include: animate a name, make music, create a story, make a chase game, animate a character, animate an adventure game, create animations that talk, record a sound, animate a sprite, and many more. For instance, in Imagine a World activity, students use Scratch to create the world as they imagine it. They can make animals talk, people fly, etc.

There is also the Scratch app which allows students to create and save their projects without the need for Internet connection. The app is available for free for Windows 10+, Android 6.0+, Mac App Store, and ChromeOS.

3- Minecraft Education

Minecraft helps kids learn coding through block-based games and activities. The Education edition of Minecraft offers a wide variety of features designed specifically for teachers and students.

These include over 600 premade standards-aligned lessons with the possibility for teachers to write their own coding lessons to submit to Minecraft. Also, Minecraft Education offers support materials for using coding and programming across curriculum covering subjects such as history, STEM, Language Arts, space exploration, and more.

Minecraft Education allows teachers to facilitate Hour of Code at their schools and classrooms. They simply need to set up Minecraft Education edition, choose a lesson plan from the lesson library, then start facilitating the Hour of Code in their class. There are several resources including video tutorials and guides to help teachers incorporate computer science lessons in their teaching, some of these materials are provided for free. However, Minecraft Education is not free it offers different pricing plans.

4- Coding Park

Coding Park helps kids learn coding and computer science through fun video games. It also provides a wide variety of educational resources including lesson plans ideal for use with elementary school students.

Teachers can set up their classes and conduct online coding workshops, invite students to join, and monitor their progress in real time. Coding Park also offers the possibility of 1-on-1 online coaching sessions. There are three pricing plans in Coding Park: Family ($29.90/year), Educator ($149.99/year), School (request quote).

5- CodeCombat

Codecombat teaches kids coding through gameplay. The games are recommended for kids 9 years old and up who are just starting to learn coding. No prior technical knowledge is required. Using games, students get to learn to write two basic programming languages Python and JavaScript.

CodeCombat' s Resource Hub offers a wide variety of educational materials for teachers including lesson plans, activities, exercises, printable guides, and many more. Teachers can easily set up their classes and invite students to join using a class code. Teachers can use the dashboard to get access to class stats and reports on students progress. CodeCombat offers different pricing options.

6- Blockly Games

Blockly Games by Google introduces kids to coding and computer programming using various games. There is the Puzzle game which helps kids learn about Blockly's shapes and how to go together, the Maze game introduces kids to the coding concepts of loops and conditionals, the Bird game develops kids knowledge of conditionals, the Turtle game takes kids into a deep learning experience focused on loops, the Movie game introduces kids to mathematical equations teaching kids how to use math to animate movies, the Music game teaches kids how to use functions to compose music, the Pond Tutor game introduces kids to text-based programming languages especially JavaScript, and finally the Pond game which teaches kids how to use blocks and JavaScript to program smart ducks.

7- Code Monkey

Code Monkey is another great platform that offers coding games to help kids learn computer programming. It offers numerous K-8 curriculum resources to get kids from different grades and skill levels engaged in learning how to code in real programming languages.

Besides having access to pre-designed courses and activities, teachers will also be able to set up their own classrooms and manage their students coding progress. As students play games and take coding lessons, teachers use automatic grading and reports analytics to track students progress and offer help and feedback in real time. Code Monkey offers two main plans: Teachers Plan and Parents Plan, each has its own pricing.

8- Erase All Kittens

Erase All Kittens is an interactive coding game for kids aged 7-13 years old. The game is meant to teach kids the following coding languages :HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The game is web-based and does not require any software download.

Erase All Kittens also offers over 5 hours of engaging lesson plans covering topics such as computer science, cybersecurity, online behaviour, fake news, the environment, and entrepreneurism. The first two levels of Erase All Kittens are free then a premium subscription is required to unlock other features and content.

9- Kidlo Coding

Kidlo Coding offers interactive fun games that helps kids learn the fundamentals of coding and programming. There are over 50 games covering different coding concepts. There are games for learning the basics of coding, games for learning the concept of sequencing, games to learn about looping, debugging, functions, and more.

As kids play these coding games, they get to develop the following skills: recognizing patterns, ordering actions in a logical sequence, problem solving, logical thinking, and many more. The game is available as an app for iOS, Android, and Amazon Appstore.

More sources:

Coding games for kids, especially girls, have come a long way (Wired)

Code with Google (Google)

Scratch educators guide (Scratch)

What Is A Quizlet Live and How to Use It with Students? Tips for Teachers

2023-05-08T04:39:00.000-03:00

Quizlet Live is a collaborative gaming system that allows teachers to engage students and boost their learning using a wide variety of game-based activities. As students play the games, teachers access live data on their performance and track their progress.

Quizlet Live games can be used for various educational purposes including review vocabulary, practice study materials (e.g., math and chemistry), learn coding, and many more. In this post, you will learn what Quizlet Live is all about and how to use it with your own students.

What is Quizlet live

Quizlet Live is a collaborative classroom game. Like other game-based formative assessment tools (e.g., Kahoot, Blooket, and Quizalize), Quizlet Live has two game modes: a Teams mode where students work together to answer questions and review terms and definitions and an Individual mode in which students play against each other.

The way Quizlet Live works is simple and easy. You can either select a study set you created or use one of the study sets you added to your library. Open the study set and click on Live. Quizlet Live automatically generates a game which students can join using a unique code or by scanning QR code using their mobile devices.

How to join a game of Quizlet Live?

Students can easily join a game of Quizlet Live using their Chromebooks, laptops, or through the browsers of their mobile devices. Here is how they can do it:

Students head over to Quizlet Live page
They enter the join code you (the teacher) shared with them
They select Join game
They enter their names
They select Let's go.

How to play a game of Quizlet Live in teams mode?

Teams mode allows students to work together to provide answers to study questions. Teams mode requires at least four players and a set that embeds at least six term-definition pairs. Each player needs a laptop or mobile device. Here is how to start a game of Quizlet Live in teams mode:

- Log int to your Quizlet teacher account

- Click a study set

- Select live from the bottom left hand corner

- Select Class Live then Get started

- Select Random Teams

- Choose the combination of prompts and answers that players will see:

"Definitions as prompts, terms as answers
Terms as prompts, definitions as answers
Terms as prompts, locations on a diagram as answers (only available on diagram sets)
Definitions as prompts, locations on a diagram as answers (only available on diagram sets)".

- Project your screen for the whole class to view.

- Ask players to open Quizlet and use the join code and enter their names.

- Select Create game and click on Start game.

Players are assigned to random teams. You can click on re-shuffle to change members of each team. You can also remove students from a team but you can only remove them before the start of the game.

Also, note that games and activities in Quizlet Live comes with music and sound effects. 'When the activity is over, music plays until you exit or start a new round'. You can turn off music by clicking on the speaker icon before the start of the game.

How to start a game of Quizlet Live in individual mode?

In individual mode, students get to play against each other. This mode requires two or more players and a study set that has at least six term-definition pairs. If students use their mobile devices, they can join by scanning the QR code. To start a Quizlet Live game in individual mode:

Log in to your Quizlet teacher account.
Select a study set
Click on Live and choose Classic Live
Select Create game
Click on Individuals
Select the prompts-answers combination you want your players to see
Ask students to join using the generated code or in case they use their mobile device, scan QR code.
Select Create game.
Click on Start game.

How to start a round of Checkpoint

A Checkpoint is an interesting way to conduct quick formative assessments in your class. Here is how to start a round of Checkpoint:

'Log in to your teacher account
Select a study set
Click on Live and choose Checkpoint
Select at least six terms and definition pairs
Select Create
Ask join using the digit code you shared with them or if they use their mobile device, to scan the QR code
Select Create activity
Click on Continue after each question to move to the next'.

Watch this video to see Quizlet live in action

Free versus premium Quizlet plans

Quizlet offers a free and a premium one. The free plan offers very limited features. The premium plan has more options and features including the ability to:

"See how your students are studying on Quizlet and which terms need more review
Track students progress and see how they are performing on Quizlet
'Play with custom teams, turn on audio and switch sets without changing groups
Create an unlimited number of classes to connect your students with your content
Help your students focus by getting rid of ads in classes you create
Emphasize key points and patterns with bold, italic, underline and highlights
Demonstrate how parts fit into the whole with multi-point diagrams and custom shapes
Scan in documents to create sets fast and access Quizlet offline with the mobile app
Help students work through tough problems with step-by-step solutions from over 10,000 textbooks".

Sources:

Quizlet Help Center