MEd Program Diigo Group

Why reinvent the wheel when making PowerPoint presentations? This online tool is used to upload and download PowerPoint presentations and visuals on all sorts of topics. Users may search for an already created PowerPoint on a subject they may teach and download it for their own teaching purposes. Although this online source is open to anyone, it can be used in any classroom content or subject area under discussion; however, a teacher may need to customize sample PowerPoint presentations to fit their classroom needs. For example, if a language arts teacher needed to give notes on grammar and parts of speech, they may search for a PowerPoint already made including that information. This tool saves teacher time and helps spark ideas!

The tool I posted is Slideshare, a presentation platform where users can post PowerPoint presentations they have created for their classrooms or even businesses. I have used this tool in the past in order to find ready made notes presentations I could present to my 6th grade language arts students. The great thing about about Slideshare is that I can use already created PPTs and customize them to fit my students needs. I definitely recommend this site for the teacher who just doesn't seem to have extra time to create all new notes presentations. Don't reinvent the wheel!

Samantha- Are the PPTs all Creative Commons then? You are free to use, and alter?

As stated by the MobyMax software program, it "combines curriculum resources like placement tests, adaptive lessons, progress monitoring, IEP reporting with teacher tools, and motivational features (badges, games, and contests)." Users are able to upload student rosters for this program that accommodates grade levels k-8. Drill-and-practice lessons/assessments are Common Core State Standard aligned for both mathematics and reading content. My students and I enjoyed this software as a supplement to classroom instruction. With kid-friendly visuals and quick feedback on assessment scores, this classroom supplement will make learning more engaging.

Time saving shortcuts and neat hacks.

"ProportionLand," is an online resource that aims to teach middle school students Newton's 2nd Law of motion.  It brings all of the pieces of a good lesson plan together in one medium and strives to keep students actively engaged and interested.  The site is based off of the 5 E's of scientific inquiry, Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, and Evaluate.  It also provides lesson plans and a suggested pacing guide.

This tool takes Common Core State Standards and breaks them down into individual elements in order to create customized Common Core-aligned rubrics.

This free app is appropriate for anyone who can access a 3G or WiFi network to use all three sources (Thesaurus, Dictionary, and Translator). The application is invaluable for ESL students who can access the app via a mobile telephone for in-class assistance to hundreds of new words, definitions and translations.

Coordinate projects/assignments/work

As a goal for the next school year, I have decided to include a blog that would accompany my teaching and assignments my students would complete throughout the year. Through my searching, I discovered Kidblog. According to the site, "Kidblog is designed for K-12 teachers who want to provide each student with an individual blog. Students publish posts and participate in academic discussions within a secure classroom blogging community." For my language arts students, they would use this tool by completing and discussing discussion questions relating to a novel study (we complete at least 4 throughout the year). In regards to writing, their personal blog would be a great place to stay organized with their process of writing. I also like how this platform allows students to start an e-portfolio, especially for their writing and composition samples.

For teachers looking to keep students learning even outside of the classroom, creating a blog platform for each classroom would be key. Edublogs can be used for e-portfolios and class sites. By uploading videos, pod-casts and notes, my language art students could have an interactive classroom to complete novel study discussions and assignments. In the past, I have used Edmodo and Edublogs is a similar platform. I would recommend for teachers.

Great blog and ideas for language teachers who want to ditch grammar and run a communicative language program.

Great audio, video and reading resources for Spanish speaking countries.

RubiStar is a tool to help the teacher who wants to use rubrics, but does not have the time to develop them from scratch.

A teacher could use this in their classroom for students to brainstorm in a group, identify key parts of a website, practice reading strategies on actual websites by marking them up, or discuss ideas and take notes. This site is quite interesting and I feel worthwhile. It does somewhat remind me of googledocs and other similar apps, but is unique in many ways. It could be used in a multitude of ways, and definitely lends itself to discussions and critiques of things as vast as articles and websites to paintings and art.

"Twiddla is a free, no-setup, web-based meeting playground. Mark up websites, graphics, and photos, or start brainstorming on a blank canvas. Voice and Text chat too!" This might be a great way to have students evaluate websites or documents collaboratively.

Ha! Oops..I already shared this link.

online collaboration group of tools

A teacher could use this in his or her classroom to help students brainstorm ideas in the writing process. I have used googledocs to insert a pre-writing template for students to complete prior to some writing assignments which fulfills a similar purpose. The resource could also be useful in helping you keep your agenda or priorities organized especially when working in a group.

Investigate Earth processes using real data from the National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). There are four curriculum modules available that demonstrate techniques for using real data in the classroom: El Niño, Sea level, Water Quality, and Ocean Acidification. You can download curriculum guides, master handouts, and supporting data.

Bring the past to life and turn your students into historians with the DocsTeach program from the U.S. National Archives. - Click on Activities to create activities you customize for use in the classroom. - Click on Documents to select from thousands of primary source documents from the billions preserved at the National Archives.

I'm trying this again . . . Docs Teach is digital "warehouse" of primary source documents that include interactive activities, such as evaluating evidence to make a case for a particular argument. This is very useful resource for a social studies class.

This a great tool where you can post questions or comments on a wall that is interactive. We used it during a school wide staff meeting and it worked really well. It served as a "parking lot" for questions so it didn't disrupt the flow of the meeting. We also had other teachers and administrators responding to the questions/comments in real time. See the description below.. Brainstorm with students from your own school or from other schools. This program allows you to post stickers with your ideas onto a virtual wall. You can embed your wall on a website or blog.

Brandon, This is a great tool. I have been in staff meeting where it has taken much longer than it should have, but this allows for questions to be answered while information is being presented. This tool was very easy to use and like that it can be embeded into a website or blog. Thank you for sharing. Rich

I like the ease of use of this software tool for a classroom setting. Since time is limited for a particular subject, this tool allows interaction, quizzing, gives helpful hints, provides short questions and answers that will hold students' attention, and at the same time provides geography statistics of the United States. Students can challenge themselves over and over for the quickness of the answers, and knowledge of the content. Technology can be overwhelming, so with limited time, I think software integration in a classroom should have ease of use.

Hi Sharon, This website provides multiple aspects in 1 site, which is very good for students to use. I could see myself using this tool when discussing more about where students live and finding more information about Maryland. The only con was that personally it was hard for me t navigate and find certain features. For students, they would definitely need more user-friendly tools. This is definitely a website that will save a lot of time and energy, and provide reinforcement of topics learned in social studies!

Hi Sharon, I took a look at the website and I agree that it is perfect for a classroom setting. Students can work together to complete the activities or the teacher can use the software to assist class lectures. The program is effective because it comes with a map and key visuals that would help students learn their geography. I took a quiz on the rivers/lakes/oceans and I didn't do very well, however I believe it was great practice, after a few attempts, I will be able to learn their names and locations. Great tool selection! Best, Denee Devenish