The best resource for a student that thinks they hate math is a great teacher. But what about the best resource for that teacher? Beyond an active imagination, ability to relate to students, and an incredibly strong content knowledge themselves, it may not get much better than Numberphile . While the site is simple a crudely interactive graphic with links to videos, it has, in one fell swoop, creatively curated some of the most compelling and engaging "problems" in mathematics. From Benford's Law to French Numbers, to whether or not zero is an even number, it frames the content area of math-which is often riddled with rote practice of very traditional arithmetic and formulas-in a problem-based learning kind of approach.

The ever clever Russel Tarr has developed a new neat tool for creating fictional text message exchanges between fictional and or historical characters. The Classtools SMS Generator is free to use and does not require students to log-in. To use the SMS Generator just click the left speech bubble icon and enter a message. Then to create a reply just click the right speech bubble icon and enter a new message. You can make the exchange as long as you like. To share the conversation click the sprocket icon and grab the embed code, direct link, or QR code for the exchange

Digitally Aided Education, Using the Students' Own Electronic Gear

alternative to wordle

alternative to wordle

3D Tin is a great web tool that allows users to create 3D models. Designs can be saved in the cloud and shared with others to critique and edit and revise. Models are published under a CC License (creative commons) - This is a great design community that is somewhat similar to both the community part of Scratch and the design tools that were found in SketchUp. Great place to play and have a real-world learning experience.

Easel.ly is an amazing new web-based tool that allows users to create beautiful infographics using a drag and drop menus with tons of pre-loaded content and lots of great themes that students can edit and manipulate to look however they want. This is a welcome change that can engage students and challenge them to show information visually in a new and exciting way. Currently in open beta, check this out and watch for more features coming soon.

"A safe way for teachers to text message students and stay in touch with parents. Free. "

TitanPad lets people work on one document simultaneously

Show Mapping Worlds is an amazing tool that allows users to break apart maps based on many different statistics. Imagine being able to show an interactive map that shows how many people are alive in the world and how old they are and then breaking down how many people have died of different diseases or are in a particular job or age bracket. This is a truly interesting tool that makes social issues, history, and other subjects spring to life. Many classrooms can use this as a way to enhance presentations and also make quick visual representation of data.

PicMonkey is a wonderful photo editing tool that is fun, full-featured, and easy to use. Picking up where tools that have disappeared left off (Picnik) this one allows users to just get to work without signing up or entering an Email. There are lots of filters, effects, and tools to enhance a photo from a number of galleries online or using an uploaded image. PicMonkey is truly a breath of fresh air with a clean interface that begs for a user to unleash their imagination. PicMonkey can be used for the obvious art purposes, but can also be woven into many other areas of the curriculum - editing a map, working with manipulatives for math, and much more.

Storyline Online is a collection of video recordings of children's stories being read by notable actors and actresses. Each video has a short introduction by the actor before transitioning to the reading of the story. Students can follow along with the pictures and words of each story. Along with each video you will find a set of online and offline activities to support your use of each story in your classroom.

Alternative to Google searches can add notes, journal, web etc

This site was created by Dr. Alice Christie to share an exciting new approach to teaching and learning. Enabled by Web 2.0 tools, GoogleTreks™ allows teachers and students to synthesize information in one easy-to-use map that places text, pictures, audio files, video files, and much more in one central location. GoogleTreks™ Video.

More than 80,000 of Albert Einstein's documents and drawings are now available to view for free at Einstein Archives Online. The archives include not only his scientific work but also his images and documents from his travels and thoughts on the world in general.

Ever want to be a British spy? Love spy books? Whether or not you answered yes or no, you will love this site! Based on the British spy show M.I. High, this site takes you through agent training all the way to being a spy. Make sure you sign up as a "New Agent" and remember your password so you can save your game (no email is required, but a unique username is.) Have fun being a spy and you never know when good agent skills like paying attention to detail and memorizing patterns just may come in handy!!!

Old Maps Online is designed to help you find historical maps of where you live or any other location that you enter into the search function. By default Old Maps Online searches for maps near your location. You can refine your search to a specific time using the timeline slider on Old Maps Online.