Web-based | fulbrightsingapore

Web-based tools:

Socrative and Infuselearning are web-based formative assessment tools. Students just need the teacher’s ‘room’ info to use. Teachers create the ‘room’ from their log-in.

Zaption provides a number of interactive video tools. Teachers are able to insert inform, questions or images into a video, track student response as well as time on task. I've seen this used in a variety of classrooms with all levels of students.

Lino is a virtual bulletin board. It uses virtual stickie notes that can be moved around and changed in color. It is great for collaborating. In a science class, students used this as a place to post questions and/or answer classmate’s questions. This site does require a username and password.

Popplet is a simple, powerful tool for creating mindmaps. Teachers and/or students can gather and share information on a topic quickly. A history teacher used Popplet as the basis for her student's webquest assignment. It provided plenty of options for students to explore. This is also available as an app.

Pearltrees is an organizational site. It allows either an individual or groups to bring together a variety of types of resources in an organized manner. The site also allows users to share their 'trees'. An English teacher in my school used this for a class project. Each team of students were responsible for a different aspect of research, then all of the 'trees' were joined together creating a depth of knowledge and resources on one subject.

Polleverywhere is a free polling site (U.S. only). Is a free, quick and easy to use polling site. Anyone, teacher or student can create a poll, gather the results (multiple choice or short answer) and display the results quickly.

Mentimeter is a free polling site. The teacher creates the poll on through their account, users just need the code to text their response in.

Class Dojo is random name generator apps. Teachers just input students names and the app will then randomly choose students to be called on.

Today’s meet is backchannel /discussion board which has the added feature that allows discussions to be saved and shared. Users only need the link to join the ‘meeting’.

QRCodes are very easy way to share websites with students when using an iPad. There are lots of free sites.

URL shorteners are useful when sharing websites with students on computers. There are lots of free sites.

Gooru learning – allows a teacher to make a playlist of resources/activities for students to utilize at their own pace. The site contains numerous resources for teachers to choose from and also allows teachers to add their own resources. Teachers can track student progress with a variety of analytical tools. This is a non-profit organization and I know the creator and one of the leads. I am happy to share more if this sounds of interest to you.

Screencasting sites are most often used by teachers to flip their classrooms or create tutorials. There are a variety of free sites, the two I like best are Screencast-o-matic and Jing. Very easy to use, both allow a teacher to create a video recording of their computer screen. The free versions limit the amount of recording time which is good as videos need to be short if they are to be meaningful.

PowToon is a cartoon animating video tool. It allows teachers and students to make engaging short cartoon videos. It is a great way to bring a subject to life! Is also available as a google add-on.

Blabberize is similar to GoAnimate only it just animates a picture while the student or teacher adds audio content. Users do have to have an account to create one. I worked with one teacher who set up an account and just had students individually use her computer to choose a picture and add the audio. These can be shared with the whole class.

Thinglink is an interactive image-maker. A user can use an image of a Tree, then add buttons all over the picture that links to websites, images, open text boxes or a variety of other types of information. This is shared via a link. Users do need an account to create a Thinglink.

Newsela is a current events site. The site pulls articles from sources around the world. Articles are color-coded by topic. The user can choose to only look at articles from certain locations around the word and/or on a given topic. The best part of this site is the ability to change the lexile level of the article. This allows for easy differentiation for your lower or higher readers. The site does require an account but articles can be easily printed out or saved and shared with students. This is one of my favorite sites!

Futureme allows the user to send an email to him/herself in the future. This can be weeks, months or even years into the future. I have introduced this at all levels in my district. Our Kindergarteners with the help of a parent or teacher (using the parents account), sent an email to him/herself 13 years into the future when they will graduate from high school. Other levels wrote out goals, hopes, and dreams. I’ve had my students write predictions on the content of the next unit of study. Another time, they wrote things to really remember to review before the next test. Great tool for those who use email. Requires a personal email account.

Wordle and various other word cloud generators allow the user to create a cluster of words either independently or by copying and pasting a text into the program. The program will generate a ‘cloud’ with the most common words appearing the largest. I’ve used this often to preview a unit of study or to review one. I also used this as a warm-up activity to see what they remembered from the previous days lesson. It is quick, fun and easy to use. No account is needed and it is easy to share.