*Nick Tirozzi*

*Tool Name*: www.digitalpassport.org (http://www.digitalpassport.org/)

*Short Description:* Digital Passport used a game-based learning approach to teach elementary level students digital citizenship and digital literacy. In the online modules, users are taught digital citizenship concepts from 6th and 7th-grade tutors. Then, they complete in mission-based (progressive) games to reinforce and practice key skills/concepts. Students collect badges as they progress through the modules and the ultimate goal is to earn a "Digital Passport."
Educators can export analytics and reports to aid in the assessment of student growth/outcomes.

*Examples of Uses:* As an engaging, game-based learning tool that is a fun (and free) way to teach digital citizenship and literacy in 3rd-5th-grade classrooms.

**Tool name: **Padlet.com (http://padlet.com/)
**Short Description: **Padlet can be easily integrated into a pedagogic practice using the Google account auto sign-in feature. Padlet allows teachers to set up a digital platform (referred to as a "wall") that basically opens up/modifies a traditional SmartBoard and turns it into a collaborative place that students (who have the link) can all access from their devices simultaneously. Teachers can control the settings as they see fit (depending on grade level) and educators and students can "pin" information on the padlet (text, videos, photos, pdfs, etc.)
**Examples of Uses:* ***Padlet can be used in many different capacities within the classroom. As a pre-assessment tool, padlet offers a more visual version of a traditional KWL chart and also makes for easier KWL revisiting at the conclusion of a unit. Padlet can also function as a vehicle for student communication within one class, between classes, or even between classes in different states/countries. Padlet can be used as a digital space to showcase student work and allow for student feedback. Student presentations can be "pinned" to a padlet wall and shared with peers, parents, other grade levels, etc. Padlet would also work well as a place to pin reflective prompts.

**Tool name:* *Storybird.com (http://storybird.com/)**

**Short Description: **Storybird is a k-12 app that is compatible with any curriculum or device. Essentially, it uses beautiful art/illustrations to inspire students to write stories. It also allows for publication, teacher and peer feedback, and is even suitable for different styles of writing (picture books, long-form chapter books, poetry). So many students struggle with "getting started" when it comes to writing. I often encourage discussion prior to writing, but I had never considered attempting to harness the power of art as a pre-writing motivator. This is a great way to elicit an emotional response in a young writer and help combat the "blank page syndrome."
The peer feedback/commenting feature would be a great way to build digital citizenship awareness!

**Examples of Uses:* ***

* Free writes
* Personal narrative writing
* Rewriting of literary classics
* Explaining scientific concepts
* Retelling historical events
* Partner write collaborations

*Tool Name:* Makerspaces

*Short Description:* Makerspaces are designated spaces in a classroom for students to work collaboratively on creative projects. Makerspaces focus on the constructivist approach to learning and the maker mindset of creating something out of nothing. In these "spaces," students can explore and investigate a problem or essential question that they are interested in, while developing their critical 21st-century skills in all content areas. Essentially, makerspaces encourage learning through investigation, research, and experimentation. They are cross-disciplinary, with aspects of art, science and workmanship, and they offer tools and materials that encourage students to create rather than consume (Krueger, 2014).

*Examples of Uses:*

* Building ramps that can test theories that relate to physics (momentum, friction, Newton's Laws, etc.)
* Building/creating something that will allow them to test/investigate gravity or projectile motion.
* Bridge building engineering projects
* Egg Drop makerspace to investigate physics, motion, etc.
* Build your own instrument to investigate sound, vibration, pitch, tone, timbre, etc.

**Tool Name: **Flipgrid.com (http://flipgrid.com/)** **

**Short Description: **Flipgrid is a video response/discussion platform that, with some educator creativity, can have many valuable uses in the classroom. Flipgrid lets students record themselves (using a device webcam) and then edit, comment, and share their video response on the classroom flip "Grid." Flipgrid also has a teacher approve feature that allows educators to approve the videos before posting them to the Grid. Students can "flip the camera" and pause the video while recording with unlimited retakes. Students can also add graphics, custom stickers, and other visuals to design a student selfie for the Grid. A title and link can also be added to the completed videos. Class Grids can even be shared as a community portfolio. Flipgrid can also be integrated into Google Classroom.

**Examples of Uses: **Almost limitless!

* As an icebreaker "all about me" activity after students return from summer break.
* As a video response to a reading prompt that could be shared with other flipgrid students from other geographical regions/ countries. This would expose students to different perspectives and help them develop a more global perspective.
* As a reading prediction prompt that could be revisited by students later in a class read aloud.
* As a platform that would allow students to "act out" the role of a historical/ biographical figure in a social studies or reading lesson/unit.

*Tool name:* www.prezi.com (http://www.prezi.com/)

Added a @prezi enrichment option to our grade 5 social-emotional learning curriculum this week. A finished prezi is not as linear as more traditional presentation options, and students are free to navigate through their prezi in a way they choose. Prezi creations also have an ability to zoom in and out of embedded text and media. Furthermore, they now contain an "add collaborator" option that allows for small groups to work on building a prezi at the same time, similar to many Google Drive applications. Great for global learning collaborations. Students can co-create a prezi with peers from around the world. Teachers can embed Google Street View Videos into a Prezi and use them to take students on a virtual field trip.
Teachers can even upload a PDF into a prezi and then "zoom in" on relevant sections for classroom discussion.
There is also a live mode, where students can "drag and drop" images into graphic organizers (such as Venn Diagrams) to demonstrate understanding during a lesson.