20 Great Applications - Part 1

Here are 20 great applications for the classroom.

My selection criteria for this listing:

1. Useful for learning.  

2. Free (mostly), 

3. Easily Accessible by both students and teachers.
There are going to be many other relevant applications so this is definitely not a complete list. They may be 'cool' apps, but really are not meaningful unless they help to achieve learning objectives in the classroom.  

In upcoming postings, we will look at some creative ways that applications are used to create engagement and promote learning.

Comment below and let me know what would be in your 20.

1	Zoom       Video Conferencing Tool alternatives: Skype / Google Hangout	Collaborate with experts, meet with your peers. This is free, easy to use and the only account needed is the host.
2	TED Talks and TedED Build a lesson around any of these amazing videos. (alternative: your Dad)	Looking for inspiring and innovative speakers on a vast array of topics.  They are always interesting and just the right length for classroom use.
3	Youtube - what you didn’t know (alternative: Vimeo and more)	The most popular video-sharing site on the planet. Did you know that you have your own school YouTube channel? ...and playlists? ...and video editor? YouTube audio library
4	QuietTube - YouTube without the distractions	Play a Youtube video in class without comments or advertisements.
5	Keepvid use with care - YouTube video downloader alternative: - ssYoutTube	You can download YouTube videos to your computer for later playback.  Be cautious about copyright issues.
6	TubeChop -	Link or embed only the portions of a video necessary for the lesson. YouTube allows a link to start at a defined time.  This give you a start and end.
7	eduCanon	Watch a YouTube video with formative assessment questions embedded within the video.  Responses are recorded for the teacher.
8	Quicktime	This does more than just play videos.  Users can create screen, audio, or movie recordings.
9	Remind	Communicate quickly with students in class and parents without compromising school policies.
10	emaze  - Online presentation software	This provides an alternative to Google Slides, Powerpoint,  Prezi, or Keynote.
11	Google Apps  - Blogger, Google Translate, and many more.... Blogger  -  for the teacher	This list just keeps on growing. Check out my weekly blog Here.
12	Chrome Web Store TweetDeck LucidCharts	There are hundreds of freely accessible applications to use within your Chrome web browser.
13	Kahoot  Create a Kahoot or Join a Kahoot	This is a quick formative assessment tool.
14	Collaborize	Build classroom discussion boards and much more
15	VolunteerSpot  alternate: SignupGenius, Jooners	Use this application to sign up for just about anything.  Create custom events with jobs you are looking to have filled.
16	Movenote	Create a production that pairs your video with a document or presentation slide.
17	Symbaloo  alternate: Diigo	This is a social bookmarking tool.  Share those important bookmarked sites with anyone.
18	SpicyNodes  alternate: Lucid Charts	This is one of many graphic organizers that students can use.
19	CreativeCommons youTube audio Library	This is a library of hundreds of audio files that can be used in video productions for free and without violating any copyrights.
20 How do you build your PLN? (professional learning network)	FreeTech4Teachers  Education Technology @TechTeach3r	A library of technology resources. How do you build your personal learning network?

AIW and Transformational Technology
Technology Integration Matrix


Coming Soon:
Digital Citizenship
Hour of Code

Video Conferencing

Are you getting Hung Up on Google Hangouts?  

Have you skipped out on Skype?

Try using a Zoom Room! <- Click to find out more!

 This is a free, quick and EASY way to set up a video conference.  Use it in your classroom, do some professional networking, or visit with your crazy Aunt Mary.

A Zoom Room is like a telephone number.  Just set up an account - you could conveniently use your Google or Facebook account, grab a room number, invite your guests  - up to 50 of them,  and keep it under 40 minutes - for the free account.

Zoom makes inviting your guests quick and easy.

Share your screen,Share yourself,         Or View the whole party. Open the Chat for a sidebar comment as needed. Invite the entire neighborhood for free, that is, if your neighborhood has fewer that 50 people. You have options..

Classroom View Chat Window

You will need to have a computer with a webcam - Windows or Mac - OR a big BONUS - you can even use your Android or iOS device (cell phone or tablet)

I have used this as a delivery means for several graduate classes, collaborated with educators from all over the state, and even visited with family.  It is quick to start up and something the not-so-techy person can use without a lot of direction.

If you can:

It is best-practice if you can use a headset, or at least a set of headphones.  It gets pretty rough when your microphone picks up your speaker audio.... unless you like echo echo echo.

Also, in a large group, please mute your microphone when you are not talking -   Then they won't hear you munching on those chips or the other extra noises from around the room.

Try it out. Invite me along.  Let's Zoom together!

My Zoom Room is ->  tinyurl.com/gruzoom

How is the Tech going at Grinnell?

Have you wondered where our district is on using technology in the classroom?

Ask a student and you will get one perspective.  Any teacher would give you another.  It is hard to make big decisions based on what could be faulty or biased data.  We have a significant community investment in technology within the schools, especially with the 1:1 initiative at the middle and high school.  It should be expected that some good analysis is being done.

One of the assessment tools that the Grinnell Schools will use this year is a Clarity Survey.  It is given to students and teachers in grades 3-12 to provide a glimpse of technology use in 4 categories:  Classroom, Access, Skills, and Environment.  (K-2 data is not collected since this tool requires both student and teacher reporting.) 

The analysis provides a valuable way to indicate the strengths and gaps in how our district serves our students.  It is used in decision-making by the district technology team and the administrative team.  It provides insight into what technology resources students have available at home and school, as well as how they are used and supported.

The service is free to the district and is given to schools across the State of Iowa.  We will have  analysis support of our data from experts at AEA267 after it is complete.

Here is a great video provided by Clarity that provides a little more insight:

Let's get some music pumping...

So, you are putting together an awesome slideshow or video on your computer and it's time to make it all flow together with a little music.  The project is going to be uploaded to YouTube when it's all complete.  You would really like to add your favorite Brad Paisley or Rachel Platten song, but understand that you do not have the license to use their media in a video.

What options do you have?

	YouTube Audio Library - my favorite for its ease of use. This is royalty free music that is ok to use in video projects.  It includes several hundred songs shown by category and are very easy to preview and download.  Just keep in mind that you will usually need to give credit to the musician in your credits.
	Creative Commons - Music Communities These audio/music files are also free and readily available to use in projects.  There are links to 12 different music libraries.  Not all of the songs in these libraries are royalty-free, but there is enough variety to satisfy whatever you are looking for.  Typically, the only requirement is to give credit to the artist somewhere in your production
	Garageband - The king of the hill This powerful program contains hundreds of free-to-use music clips that can be used by themselves or put together to create a background song.  Customize according to the length of your project, right down to the second.  The audio file can be exported as an .mp3 file and dropped into your video project.

copyright ©

Unfortunately, there is an impression that all work for school is exempt from copyright rules and regulations.  Student, teachers, and school system need to be mindful about following appropriate use of what other's have created.  These are called Fair Use Guidelines.



Video Editing Tools
            Slideshare
            Vimeo
            YouTube Video Editor
            iMovie - an Apple Product
            Microsoft MovieMaker - a Microsoft Product

Multimedia Projects

Multimedia Projects can often be used in the classroom to create a meaningful context for students.  They are often collaborative and allow students the opportunity to use their creative skills in a way that writing a paper would not.

At Grinnell High School, Mr. Kastendick's high school Modern Conflict course recently created a video about Afghanistan and its surrounding political and cultural issues.  Students created a script, videotaped in front of a green screen for effect, and edited their work in iMovie.  Their product was then uploaded to YouTube for public viewing.  You may watch the video below:

The Setup:

Enduring understanding: Being informed about world conflicts is a good first step toward resolving conflict and preventing future conflict.

Goal:  To analyze a current conflict as well as organizations that are intervening, in order to educate and possibly mobilize members of this school and community. Students will suggest a course of action for their peers / audience.

The Product:

This link will take you to a scoring rubric that can be used to assess student video projects.

A project like this can meet the ISTE Standards for Students, including:
     1. Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
     3. Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.