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" What amazed me most about Classtools.net was not the valuable tools provided, but the ability for teachers to easily customize these tools and use them in any subject area. If that is not enough, how about the ability to embed your newly made instructional resource on your own classroom website, wiki, or blog? Any educator will also like the fact that students have no need to log in or sign up for an account… and neither do teachers! Need tutorials… they are provided! Do samples help you understand better… you will find plenty! Is budget a problem… then free should be affordable! Classtools.net is the work of educator, Russel Tarr, Head of History at the International School of Toulouse, France. Upon entering the site, educators will see the listing of tools. Clicking on a tool allows teachers to individualize that specific tool for their own classroom needs. Teachers then have the option of copying a generated link to place on their own web site or of copying a generated code to embed as a tool (widget) on their classroom site. Also, on the front page, are some video links that will provide further information. Two videos that provide excellent information are the 1 Minute Overview and How to Create Games. The Listing Of Over 20 Digital Tools For Your Classroom The tools that you can even customize are included below. Along with this tool listing you will find descriptions of each tool, an overview of and samples of specific tools (if provided), and any related video (if provided). * Arcade Game Generator - Allows teachers to create concept builders, practice exercises, and reviews. Best of all, one set up feeds into five different game possibilities at the same time The teacher can choose which game, or allow students a choice. Make sure you check out all the examples and pre-made games in (overview and samples). Also watch the How to Create Games . * Random Name Picker - Can be used as an activity management tool or skip the names.

"Project Based Learning's time has come. The experience of thousands of teachers across all grade levels and subject areas, backed by research, confirms that PBL is an effective and enjoyable way to learn and develop deeper learning competencies required for success in college, career and civic life. Why are so many educators across the United States and around the world interested in this teaching method? The answer is a combination of timeless reasons and recent developments."

"What is it? In this video elementary school teachers in Toronto, Canada talk about how they use Google apps in education, especially Docs, and PBL to engage students and improve project work. Why do we like it? This video features the authentic voices of teachers on the benefits of having students use technology in PBL, with clear examples and snapshots of various projects in grades 2-3 and 5. How can you use it? You and your colleagues can get tips from these teachers on how to use Google Docs and other apps for education in your own projects."

" Pixel Pushers is an educational game and modification project based out of Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center under the supervision of our client, MinecraftEdu. We are creating a toolset that allows teachers to create lessons in the popular indie game Minecraft, easily share those lessons with other educators, and allows them to effectively monitor and review their students' progress. Further, we aim to explore what academic subjects best lend themselves to the game's format through a series of proof-of-concept lessons. Finally, we want the student experience to be as safe and constructive as possible, whether sessions are being held in real classrooms or virtual youth centers."

Questions that probe for deeper meaning and set the stage for further questioning foster the development of critical thinking skills and higher order capabilities such as; problem solving, and the understanding of complex systems. A good essential question is the principle component of designing inquiry-based learning - the typical 'Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How?' of a course of study.

"Now that you have bought your iPad, what are the questions you need to ask? Questions: 1. What is an iPAD? -- The iPAD is a WiFI/ 3G slate computer that is based on the iPhone/ iPod Touch operating system. The iPAD can be used in any direction It can be used as a note-taking device; an e-reader; a web browser; to send email; and has many other uses as new applications are developed. The iPAD has accessories that can convert it into a laptop, or a projection device. Click here to learn how to set up the iPAD out of the box or the iPAD2 out of the box."

We often read that there are 4 C's in a true 21st century education: critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity and innovation. The iPad is a success at engaging individual students in critical thinking and creativity, but how about collaboration? After all, tablets are consumer products, designed to be used by one person at a time, not by teams of students. It's up to teachers and instructional technologists to figure out how best to deploy them in the classroom in a way that supports project-based learning and fosters teamwork. We asked several teachers involved in iPad initiatives which apps they've had the most success with on the collaboration front. Here is what they told us.

Are your goals... To improve student achievement? To help your staff develop expertise in standards-based lesson planning? To see technology benefit student learning in every classroom? SchoolKiT's products play a key role in districts that are effectively addressing these challenges.

Techsteps is an online learning program that allows teachers to create classroom projects for students.

3rd grade class on civic building community

"Every day, more and more teachers are using the world-building game Minecraft to engage and educate. The game is a true phenomenon and gamers young and old are using it in countless creative ways. Practitioners of Games Based Education have realized the potential and have embraced Minecraft in classrooms around the world. Now you can too!"