September 27

Apps Worth Investigating: Google Screencast

Because our Chromebooks have been upgraded to a newer operating system, we now have access to the Screencast App that Google has included with the more recent updates. This software has a lot of features that Screencastify had, and a few more editing options. One promising feature is a build in transcription tool. The wonderful thing is we don’t have to pay for it. This won’t work on your laptop, only a Chromebook, but if you are logged in with your account the videos created will be accessible in your Google Drive.

This brief video shows you how it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mp1TcpJfF4&t=3s&ab_channel=GoogleforEducation

If you’re interested in more details, here is a video from Eric Curts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHyPcIHvlxo&t=2s&ab_channel=EricCurts

Or if you prefer a website rather than a video  https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/11972236?hl=en

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February 22

Google Docs Cloze Worksheets

If you want to create your own Cloze worksheets for building vocabulary, check out this short video by Flipped Classrooms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoACo03N82g

In a nutshell, he goes over how to use an Add-on called “Cloze-It” to select vocabulary words in a Google Doc paragraph that you type or copy and replace them with blanks. Then add-on generates a word bank that students can then use to fill in the correct word. You  have the option of removing the entire word or leaving the initial consonant as a hint.

I’ve added the Cloze-It add-on to our “approved” list for Google Docs so you shouldn’t have any trouble installing it.

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May 7

App Worth Investigating: Glide

I’ve been playing with a cool app that creates phone apps from Google Sheet data. It is called Glide: https://www.glideapps.com/ Here is a sample one I created for Kelso Schools: https://go.glideapps.com/play/H9VV5EhOetFsMd4EbUFg

It works really well on phones (scan the QR code to test it out). I thought it might be an interesting tool for some of your more advanced students to work with (it’s not hard, programming wise- they  just would need to work on pulling together the data and image links). Here are some samples of how it can be used: https://www.glideapps.com/

For a high shcool, one could be created for the various clubs and could include advisors, officers, meeting times, etc. Same with sports. A community service activity would be to create one our city– maybe historical sites, places of interest, parks?

Here is a nice tutorial explaining how it works

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQPRVtxI1gM

and some ideas on how you could use it from Richard Byrne https://www.freetech4teachers.com/2019/04/5-ideas-for-using-glide-to-create-your.html

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December 12

App Worth Investigatin: Khan Academy Kids

If you have access to an iPad to use with your students, you might want to download the Khan Academy Kids app. Khan Academy Kids includes thousands of interactive activities for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners that are aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and Common Core Standards.

It has received high ratings and has won several awards. It has games, books and videos, and if you have a VGA adapter for your iPad, you can display these for all of your students.  The app is free, so it might be worth a look. Want to learn more? Check out Common Sense Media’s Review: https://www.commonsense.org/education/app/khan-academy-kids

ROBUST CURRICULUM
• Reading and literacy—phonics, the alphabet, spelling, and early writing.
• Language—vocabulary, opposites, prepositions, and verbs.
• Math—counting, numbers, addition, subtraction, shapes, and measuring.
• Executive function and logic—focus, memory, and problem-solving.

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February 22

App Worth Investigating: Telestory

There is a free app available called Telestory, that you might want to look into.  TeleStory lets students write, direct and star in their own television show, commercial or informative video. They can choose from themes and digital costumes.

This would be a fun app to encourage students to write, perform and create! They could present about a science or social studies  topic you are learning about, or it could be a creative way to share about a book they are reading. You can’t beat the price J

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/telestory/id915378506?mt=8

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March 4

Apps Worth Investigating: WriteReader

CaptureThe WriteReader App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/write-to-read/id590707197?mt=8

was developed and is highly used in Denmark to support young children as they learn to write. It is recommended for students aged 3-10 years old and utilizes Speech to Text features to create books. There is a basic version (limits the number of books) which is free and the Pro version (unlimited books) is available to purchase with VPP credits for $4.99.

On the iPad app, students can record and tell a story in their own words, which is then put into writing through a speak-to-text feature. They can also type out the story on a phonetic keyboard. Based on the student’s version, parents or teachers can then write out text underneath, so the young student can learn to read by associating objects and characters in their stories with the right words. Adults can then publish the books to either a private or public audience.

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February 12

Apps Worth Investigating: Mt. Multiplis

multiplisVisualization is an important part of math development. Mt. Multiplis capitalizes on the visual when introducing multiplication concepts.

This common core aligned app is meant for 3rd – 5th grade students. The best part about this app is that it’s free!

http://www.teachley.com/mt-multiplis-app.html?utm_source=EdsurgeTeachers&utm_campaign=116974a752-Instruct+157&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3d103d3ffb-116974a752-291892437

 

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April 23

App Worth Investigating: Showbie

If you want a better way to manage iPad projects, you might want to check out the Showbie app: http://www.showbie.com/ There is a video on the homepage that explains how it works.

It looks like it works with some of the apps you already use: GarageBand, Educreations, Show Everything, Storykit etc.  (find the directions and full list of apps here http://support.showbie.com/knowledgebase/articles/163893-showbie-and-garage-band )

It looks like this is a nice way to collect all assignments in one area rather than checking a classroom set of iPads.

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March 13

Apps Worth Investigating: Bitsboard

Bitsboard is a skills practice app that gives lots of opportunity for students to learn vocabulary and reinforce skills. This app comes with a few “boards” but teachers can go to the “catalog” and download several boards on a variety of topics. They can even create their own with class specific content.
Once students select a topic, such as “sight words” or “telling time” they have the option of choosing from flashcards, games, or quizzes. This app would be great for differentiation since teachers can select topics from a variety of levels and subjects. The best thing is that it is currently free: https://itunes.apple.com/app/bitsboard/id516842210?mt=8

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