TECHNOLOGY | Kennabattle

Technology Tools

Below is a list of technology that I find helpful for use in the classroom! Each of the images is a direct link to each tool.

Google Expeditions is an awesome tool to use virtual reality in the classroom with older students. There are so many lessons included on this, and it can be used with iPads or Google Cardboard within the classroom. It also has a feature that let’s the teacher guide the journey for the class and has information and a script as if you’re on a guided tour. It is very intuitive for students to use and visually appealing while learning about a new place.

This is a really fun way to engage students of all levels in math. In fact, the creators claim to be the most engaging math platform in the world. It has a game type feel to the website and students or teachers can create their own account. The material on prodigy is also common core aligned so it is a helpful tool to use as a reward or even an incentive because students enjoy it so much. Kids can also log on at home and play the game as well.

Canva is a very easy to use design tool that allows you to create newsletters, posters, invites, etc. There are so many pre-made templates that you are guaranteed to find one that works for something you need! Also, if you do not like any of the templates you are able to design your own. Canva makes it very easy to download your creation and also saves everything that you work on as you go, in case you ever need to use it again.

This is an awesome collaborative tool that allows for students to pin information, including text and pictures in a very organized manner. It also allows for the teacher to have quick access to information and to see student thinking in a new way. I love to use Padlet for exit tickets and for quick check ins with students. It is also great for students working in partnerships. I really like this because it is free but also organized and easily accessible.

Book Creator is an engaging tool that allows students to write, create, and even illustrate their own books! There are so many options with this tool that allows for students to truly customize their books. With the free educator account, you can hold up to 40 books in your teacher library, while still getting all of the perks of a paid account, just with limited book storage. Upgrading to a paid account provides access to more books and storage.

This is an app that hosts student portfolios. It is very popular in several schools and allows for parents to see what is going on in their student’s classroom. Student portfolios are also kept private to just the parent and the teacher. It is easy for kids to use to upload images about what they are working on as well as the teacher to send out information to parents. Seesaw provides parents with information that is going on in the classroom on a much more individual level for each student.

This is a great presentation tool if you’re looking to use something other than PowerPoint or Google Slides. The site is very user friendly as it essentially walks you through your first presentation and can continue to indefinitely. I would also say that the tools are very easy to use and manipulate within the presentation. If you are someone who prefers to work on an iPad however, there can be some issues with the appearance once it is pulled up on a computer. Therefore, be cautious if iPads are your main creation tool.

Popplet is great to use with students of all ages! It is very intuitive and easy to use for children and adults. It is a mind mapping tool that is very easy to use with inserting both images and texts. Students can either make their own or they can make/ add on to a whole class map or a group map. This is great on iPads or computer devices and is easily shared out with students.

If the name of this app alone does not appeal to your senses, then the look of it will! This is such an awesome tool to use for creating newsletters that are very appealing for parents but also very friendly from the teacher perspective. One of the greatest features of this is that you can see who has read the newsletter and who has not. Therefore, it is easy to know who to get in contact with parents/ guardians who you know did not get the information.