Tools for Creating

 

Below is a list of tools that are useful for students and teachers!  All of the tools are technology based and allow users to create unique projects, websites, presentations, etc.  The resources listed are user friendly and most of them are free!  

 

Animoto - Animoto is a tool that is used to create HD multi-media videos.  Educators can apply for a free account. Teachers and students can use Animoto to create presentations.  Video, music, photographs, statistics and quotes can be used to create an engaging video.  You can share an Animoto through the use of e-mail, blogs, or Youtube.

 

Audacity - Audacity is a free, open-source audio editing tool that allows users to easily create podcasts and with an additional download to save them in an MP3 format. Audacity is a great tool to have students create their own podcasts--audio reports, class news, audio how-to, audio book reports. It is also a great way to record students as they read so that they can listen as they reread to build fluency. There is a learning curve with Audacity if you want to edit your audio but it's fairly easy to use. You have to download the LAME MP3 encoder to save files to the MP3 format (better for sharing on the internet or by email). You only have to do this one time but then you can create MP3 audio files.

 

Classtell - Classtell is a free program that allows users to create websites that are visually appealing and easy to use. Teachers can use Classtell to create classroom websites that are easy for students to navigate.  Students can use the created website to check homework, keep track of dates, find resources, and submit assignments. This program seems very user friendly and easy to use.  Teachers will be able to communicate with students effectively. 

 

Discovery Education Tools - Teachers can create online boards, activities, and assessments. This tool can be used by teachers to create assignments for students to complete, create digital projects for student exploration, create digital assessments based on classroom lessons, and writing activities for students to complete online. These can be shared with students.  Geared mostly towards science and social studies.  Unfortunately, a lot of videos are dated but they still provide very useful information.

 

Kubbu - Kubbu is a free tool for teachers to create engaging activities to facilitate student learning. On Kubbu, teachers can create crosswords, quizzes, and games. Students can access these online through a page designed by the teacher.  Teachers are able to give assessments online, view student results, and analyze the data.  This seems like a really great tool for tracking student progress and helping students make goals for learning.

 

Little Bird Tales - Little Bird Tales is a free web tool that allows students to publish and share their writing. Students can use Little Bird Tales to create a variety of products to show what they know.  This program allows students to record, draw, access lessons, explore photos, and create presentations. It allows students to be creative and choose a means to relay their knowledge. When finished, students can e-mail their presentation to teachers and family. 

 

Live Binders - Live Binder is an organizational tool that allows users to put resources together to share with others. Live Binder is a great resource for teachers to use to put information together for students.  Content that can be uploaded on to the site include Google Docs, PDFs, videos, photos, and links to other websites.  It is very user friendly so I can also see students using it to create places to store learning resources.

 

Popplet - Popplet is a free tool that students can use to organize concepts visually. Think virtual graphic organizer. This is a great tool for visual learners, especially ELL students. Each bubble that is created can include uploaded images or drawn pictures. The bubbles can be color coded according to concept. Students could use this tool to organize their thoughts when reviewing for a unit test. Once a Popplet is completed, it can be shared via Facebook, Twitter, and/or email through the site.

 

Recite - Enter a quote or create a quote with a plethora of backdrops to display the creation for publishing or print. This tool can be used to showcase quotes or powerful passages for hooks into lessons, book discussions, biographies, or even poetry.  The site allows the user to share through multiple modes of social media directly or with a link to the creation for other uses.

 

Super Duper Story Maker - Children can write their own stories, draw pictures or add photos and sounds. They can print them or email them when finished. ($4.99) Children can use this app to go through the publication process from brainstorming to publication.

 

ThingLink - Think Link is a website that allows you to add links within published work. This link allows students and/or teachers to add links to other cites within maps, news photography, posters, or countless other forms of media.  When you present the overall image you can click on links within the image that will take your class, or allow your students to take the class on a trip through a multitude of informational cites, that connect to the content of the image they are presenting.

 

Toon Doo - Create cartoons! This tool can be used as an interpretation tool for literature and social studies content rather easily.  This can be used in addition to story creation.  This tool allows the user to publish on the site, share through email, or print the creation.