1. BlendSpace, BlendSpace used to be called EdCanvas, I love showing teachers how to use this tool. It is extremly easy to use, teachers can add objectives, ask questions, and guide the learning process while the students are looking over online content. If a student has an account, they can then respond to the questions and comment about the website or video that they just watched. Think of it as a modern day web quest with more interaction with the students. Here is an example of one of my BlendSpace walls that I created for a differentiated professional development conference in Denver.
2. Padlet, I love using padlet with BYOD, iPads, and classroom computers. It is a great way to allow all students to brainstorm and share out ideas during the classroom discussion. I have even used Padlet as an opening activity during professional development conferences. I use the map background, then ask teachers to post to the following question. "If money was not an factor, where would you pick for your next vacation spot." Below is just a sample of that activity.
3.Symbaloo, every training that I have provided over the last three years, I have shown the teachers how to set up, embed, and use symbaloos as part of their instruction. By far this is the easiest way to bookmark websites for students to use while they are on the computers during rotations. I have taught the teachers to set up the Symbaloos by colors for Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 students. I have also had some teachers set up the icons by colors that represent the day of the week. (Monday's links are blue, Tuesday links are red, Wednesday links are purple...) Here is an example of one my symbaloos that I have created for 5th grade math.
4. Today's Meet is a fantastic bachkchanneling tool to use with any classroom or professional development. If you have not seen or used Today's Meet, give it a try especially if your school has the BYOD policy. Anything that connects to the internet can use Today's Meet. Think of it as a private twitter account for your students to post comments, answer questions, post links, or just share out information. In every professional development session that I put together, Today's Meet is always running in the background. I can ask the whole room of teachers what they think about a topic or website, I can have the teachers share out their classroom websites, I have had the teachers respond to questions throughout the training. Everyone gets to have a voice with Today's Meet.
5. ThingLink has replaced powerpoint! Thinklink is a program where students or teachers post an image and then within that image is hidden content that explains the significance of the picture or event that is taking place. The students have to actually explain what is going on in the picture instead of just coping over text and then reading the text out loud. One of my favorite examples of how to use Thinglink is the one that was created on the image of the Wright Brother's First Flight. Click here to see the ThingLink in action.
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