Web 2.0 Technologies

Piktochart

Piktochart is an online tool to create visually appealing posters, infographics and presentations from scratch or using one of the templates. There are many features such as drag and drop, tons of images as well as Google Sheets integration to create dynamic charts.

Available at: http://piktochart.com/

Image from: https://d3pl14o4ufnhvd.cloudfront.net/v2/uploads/edf629fa-0527-424c-b069-1fd2353acbb9/0236e8d72de0b3ebb73ede360491ae484e88b061_original.png

Kahoot

Kahoot is a online digital formative assessment tool where the teacher can ask questions and have all students participate  in responding to multiple choice questions in a game-like format through their individual devices.

Available at: https://kahoot.it/#/

Image from: http://joanaflor.com/MorganRitchie/home/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Kahoot_colours-35.jpg

Kiddle

Kiddle is a search engine for kids powered by Google Search with additional safe features as well as images to make it a visual search engine with more age-appropriate content.

Available at: http://www.kiddle.co/

Image from: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsZGD31LxuyjSoqHVEVpYWOqZPyA1TJ4YJ2SrZiirZmMEWw0RAwlAUrFz5mxmWEcNsc5bFjFDQRo9gaF0Qkg_q4jB9jJlw6yFyQ6lvBD1_WLyp39Xn11dV6pGlwKrlrGNKChudgjMhqo/s1600/12715_104112_0-775838.png

Blogger

Blogger is a blogging platform that is linked to students Google accounts (if they are a GAFE school). It is a good online tool for ongoing reflections, project progress or e-Portfolios.

Available at: http://www.blogger.com

Available at: https://lh4.ggpht.com/Av1ChCz8qIHLTtuMVI2b2u5M-wYmD5jExohP3fvh4X11vkMvTobt--6gb0gNHl46alE=w300

Padlet

Padlet is an wall for posting ideas, videos or images. It is a digital bulletin board that can be set up by the teacher for students to post ideas, questions, plan and share resources in a classroom setting.

Available at:https://padlet.com/

Image from:http://region6pd.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/file/view/padlet.PNG/437353690/padlet.PNG

Web-Based Resources

Record in your blog some of the web-based resources that you may be able to use and how you will integrate them into your teaching.

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Piktochart

Piktochart is a great way to create digital infographics. Students can use these to represent primary or secondary data that they find. This can link to mathematics and data handling as a way to show the results of surveys.

Available at: http://piktochart.com/

Image from: https://d3pl14o4ufnhvd.cloudfront.net/v2/uploads/edf629fa-0527-424c-b069-1fd2353acbb9/0236e8d72de0b3ebb73ede360491ae484e88b061_original.png

Padlet 

Padlet is a digital cork board where post-its of ideas, videos or images can be posted. In a class setting, this is a great place to brainstorm ideas, generate questions, create a plan, or even share some of the learning that has been happening in the classroom. 

Available at: https://padlet.com/

Image from: http://region6pd.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/file/view/padlet.PNG/437353690/padlet.PNG

Wordle 

Wordle create a word cloud based on a list of words you provide the programme. This is a great way for students to generate a list of word related to a unit or topic. Students can also create a word cloud for a given piece of text to see what the most prominent words are in it. 

Available from: http://www.wordle.net/

Image from: http://tedteachersnetwork.pbworks.com/f/1285607143/wordle%20wordle!.PNG

QR Code Generator 

QR Code Generator generates a QR code for any digital resource. These QR codes can be used in class as part of a scavenger hunt, instructions for an activity or even on the back of a book to create an audio book. 

Available from: http://www.qrstuff.com/

Image from: http://www.qrstuff.com/images/default_qrcode.png

When To Use Technology in the Classroom

Some days as a teacher you may use technology in almost all components of your classes, then other days not even touch it. When is too much? When is not enough? In my mind, why are we even asking these questions? If we focus on what is important, then those questions become irrelevant.

In my role as an education technology coach, my role is to support teachers in integrating technology into the classroom. Many would think I would advocate for getting more technology into the classroom but more doesn't mean better.

I always chuckle when I have a teacher that comes to asking for an opinion on an activity that they want to use technology with and I suggest a non-technology approach. To me, using technology should only be done when it makes sense, when it enhances the learning experience for our students and is authentic. We shouldn't force the use of technology in our classes just because we have it.

There are definitely many benefits of being able to use technology in the classroom - access to information, connecting with others, supporting individual needs, motivation, etc. But the most important aspect of teaching should always remain the teaching and learning for student growth.

When I was a homeroom classroom teacher, I always loved assigning a final project with no limit on how it was presented. In doing so, it allowed the students to express themselves using the tools and resources they felt comfortable with. The final products were of higher quality and more diverse. Whether it was a bulletin board, a dramatic presentation, an online presentation of slides, video, art piece, or handwritten essay, the important thing was that the student felt they had ownership in how they chose to demonstrate their learning journey.

If we stop asking when is too much and not enough use of technology and start asking does it make sense to use technology for this learning experience, the technology integration will be more meaningful. In doing so, we are then able to provide our students with just another set of skills to add to their toolkit that they can draw upon when it is most appropriate.