Sunday, October 10, 2010

Digital Tools for Student Expressions and Retention

Today will be a workday. There are tools that are constantly changing and evolving out there, but these are the ones we will focus on today.

Your Goal: Find one of these sites that can work for your classroom and play with the tool. Sketch a rough lesson plan (2-3 sentences) to share at the end of the class. You may wish to copy down usernames or passwords and email the entire idea to yourself at the end of the class. Alternatively, post your idea as a comment at the end of this blog segment.

ETC. Sites


ThisisSand is primarily a game (you may need to have it unblocked by your network admin). But it allows students to use sand art in an expressive way. Here are some examples:

Symmetry (math, art)


Sedimentary Layers (geology applications)




This is an easy app that allows you to record messages, memos, tape yourself for audio assessments, etc. Students need a webcam to use this.

Visual Webbing

There are a variety of visual webbing tools right now. Here are twoI have found useful.




Student Mixes

GotBrainy lets you combine ideas with text to illustrate a point.

Bubbl.us is an online mind mapping and brainstorming tool

FlashCardMachine Allows lots of personal practice and study

Toondoo allows student cartoons to be created on a subject

Professor Garfield Although a bit gimmicky for upper level students, I appreciate this site's Internet Safety tutorials, developed by the State of Virginia

Museum Box Help kids organize ideas on a topic in a visual exhibit


Designed by MIT, this program requires a download, but it is well worth it for students who have an interest in storytelling or programming. Take a look at the gallery and see if you can find something ready-made



No comments:

Post a Comment