GimkitGimkit is a online based game that is extremely interactive and to be honest, a lot of fun. This game allows students to compete, gain "money", buy different upgrades and powerups. It is also a great tool in foreign language classrooms when students need practice remembering vocabulary.
Affordances: Game show appearance, collaboration, quick answer, interactive, engaging, strategize, generates data, free version, lower level cognitive skills, phone or computer Constraints: Pay to play upgraded versions, higher level cognitive skills aren't accessed; doesn't help students analyze, evaluate or create. |
mindmeisterThis website is for online mind mapping. As you can see in my quick example below the icon, the website allows you to have categories, sub-categories, make connections, change colors and fonts and so much more. I could see this teachers using this in classrooms, at professional development and with instruction.
Affordances: Quick, easy, simple Constraints: Not as "pretty" as other mind mapping sites |
EASELLYEaselly is a tool that assists you in creating infographics. You can turn data, statistics, facts, etc. into a visual. You do not need to have any graphic design experience to work with this tool.
Affordances: Templates, many tools, easy to share and download. Constraints: Pay for upgraded version, free version is extremely limited in what you can do and use, some tools can be tricky to work with, time consuming. |
Video creator and editor.
Affordances: Very user friendly, easy to make polished videos that look professional, options like speed editor, adding text, adding transitions, filters, photo enhancement and many other effects. Easily upload you finished product to YouTube, in messages or on social media. As an educator, I have made demonstration videos that I have uploaded to YouTube and played for my class. Constraints: It can only be used on a Mac or iOs device. |
Classroom screen is a website that a fellow teacher friend introduced me to. It has so many tools that you can use in the classroom.
Affordances: Choose different languages, choose a background, choose a random name of a student to call on, check the sound level of the classroom, timer, text block, clock, traffic light, drawing, exit polls, movable icons and boxes and free! Constraints: If you shut down your computer, the screen you have up doesn't save. So, for example, you'd have to upload a student roster every time you opened the website. |
ZoomEasily host or join online meetings with colleagues, build conference rooms, create and manage phone systems, cross-platform instant messaging and file sharing.
Affordances: Zoom has really great customer reviews and is used by many large companies and universities. Connects people internationally. Personally, I have not had any problems with connectivity while using zoom. You can use it on your laptop, tablet or phone. Text chat, screen sharing, recording options. Constraints: There is a free version and an upgraded version. Free version limits time meetings |
futureme The FutureMe website is an interesting tool. You can write and send yourself an email that will be automatically sent to you however far in the future you'd like - a day, a month, a year, 10 years! Teachers could use this for pre- and post-assessment information. Or perhaps students could write their future self a prediction of what they will learn throughout a course and expectations they might have. Or even just to send themselves a positive and encouraging note!
Affordances: Teachers could really think outside of the box and use this for some writing and literacy, private or public but anonymous, you can read future letters from others, emails are kept confidential, you can write in a different language! Constraints: No automatic spell check, no way to add pictures, can't send to a friend, |
EVERNOTEEVERNOTE is a free website that you don't have to download where you can store to-do lists, personal notes, reminders and share with others. If you always have your laptop or phone on you or your computer nearby, you can go paperless with your to-do lists!
Affordances: Paperless, free, don't have to download, convenient, easy, store photos, personal or business, syncs with your devices, share with anyone, sort and organize the way you'd like, search box to easily find certain notes. Constraints: This is really not that big of a deal but personally, I didn't like how I had to erase the things I checked off of my to-do list. I feel like once I check it off, it should automatically go into a different area. If you don't always have tech like laptop, computer or phone available, you might just want to stick with an actual physical agenda. |
SketchUp MakeSketchUp Make is an advanced tool used to create three dimensional objects and scenes. Personally, I don't see myself using it as an educator in the classroom much but it was interesting to no end to learn how to create my own classroom. Don't get me wrong, it was a huge learning curve and frustrating at times but the results are incredible. Check out the classroom I designed to the left.
Affordances: If I can do everything you see to the left with the free version, imagine what you could do with the upgraded version!! Perhaps high school teachers could integrate this program into the classroom. Constraints: The program slows computers down because of the amount of memory it uses. It takes a tremendous amount of time to learn and create in it as a beginner. It definitely is not elementary school friendly. |
As an educator in a school that has switched basically every computer and laptop to a chrome device, it was essential that I hop on the Google train. I absolutely love using Google Slides to facilitate instruction. I use google slides every day, in every class. I'd like to say I wouldn't be lost without it but... I just might be!
Affordances: Free, easy to use and edit, collaborate and share easily, present wherever you are, easily embed videos Constraints: Definitely does not have as many bells and whistles as PowerPoint. A little restrictive on adding certain details. |
Google DocsAs I mentioned in the previous tool, this is a program I use daily at school. This is the word processor for Google. It can be used by teachers or students.
Affordances: Free, easy to use and edit, collaborate and share easily, use wherever you are, smart editing, styling tools, various fonts, add links and images. Constraints: Once again, it does not have all of the same abilities that Microsoft Office's Word Processor does. It is restrictive on margins, placement of photos and printing can get tricky. Simply put, there isn't as much free-reign over the documents. |
ChatterPix is a kid friendly app that you can use to make photos talk!You take a picture of anything or use a photo from your gallery, draw a line with your finger where you'd like the mouth to open, and record a 30 second audio blurb. The audio will automatically be applied to the photo and make the mouth move while playing your audio.
Affordances: Easy to use, kid-friendly, photo filters, the app gives directions while you work, few buttons, you can add stickers, a frame and text onto the photo. Constraints: The app is only for iPads and iPhones, teachers would need to download the app before using it, question boxes come up about accessing photos and microphone which could confuse students. |
imgflipI'll be honest... imgflip is pretty cool. Although I don't believe there is much higher level thinking going on, I could see most students really enjoying this website. Students can create memes, make gifs and charts. This will be a hit with the high schoolers!
Affordances: Engaging, relevant, easy, simple, quick, lower level thinking skills Constraints: Little to no use of higher level thinking skills, students could get distracted or use it inappropriately |