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Top learning tools for Learning

Useful tools for secondary teachers are sites that allow for more access to resources, videos,embedding tools, and printables. I enjoy using Edhelper.com which allows for the creation of content-based puzzles and printable worksheets. Unitedstreaming.com is also a website that provides access to SOL based videos and curriculum units. Though these two websites are not free, edhelper allow teachers to create minimal activities for free and unitedstreaming is often purchased by school districts who receive a site license. Last but not least, I recommend Zamzar.com, which allows teachers to embed YouTube or other videos into PowerPoint presentations that may otherwise be blocked by district internet screening tools.

Checklist for Evaluating Web Resources

Center for Social medio tackles some fair use issues with video

Flipping the classroom great idea.

Web tool that turns photos and video clips into video slideshows with added music and graphics.

Online photo management and photo sharing tool.

This article discusses how literacy can be helped through the creativity of poetry. I think it is very interesting because it is not something that is being done in a suburban or private school with lots of funding and most students at the standard level, but in an urban classroom.

Have your students create and print out these free online thinking guides when they are working on a laboratory assignment or collaborative group project. There is a wide array of graphic organizer templates that may be manipulated and used for different disciplines and topics.

Use this web tool to have students manage classroom based projects online.

This is a great collaborative brainstorming tool that will allow all students to contribute, not just those who are willing to put their voice out there. If you like post-it notes, you'll love it! -I'm using it as a brainstorming activity for my students to set up their class goals and "laws" for the class constitution in the first days of school. It's also private in that the students need to have the specific link in order to find the site. I would post that on blackboard.

A easy site to communicate quick bits of information and allowing others to add notes to share on the wall.

A site to check out and read some good ideas about using creativity in our classrooms.

This site is just a fun way to share information in a simple way.

This site is a great way to make or have your kids create an informational online poster. There is a education site for educators to utilize.

I'm sure most of you have seen this one, but it does not get old to me. It stimulates creativity in my own thinking as an administrator and teacher. I do not necessarily agree with everything he says - but it is intriguing nonetheless.

Screenr is the simplest screencast tool I've used. No downloads and no account needed. You literally hit "record" and go! Check it out!