Digital tools used in this course are varied, but open, accessible, and free are key requirements. While many tools require a sign up or sign in, some will not ask you, as a student in this class, to acquire an account. As an educator, I try to minimize this, in order to limit where your personal contact information will be shared. With that in mind, I’ve also selected tools that are being used in Ontario classrooms, to expose you to how these digital resources may impact teaching and learning. Some tools have their own page of resources – Google (GSuite), Mindomo, Padlet, and Twitter. Here are some additional tools that you should know about. Let’s open the box and see what’s inside.
Answer Garden
This tool creates a crowd sourced word cloud. Participants and creators do not need to sign up or sign in. This tool can be used as a pre or post formative assessment tool to gain a quick summary of student ideas and understanding. Learn more about Answer Garden brainstorming. This Answer Garden Tutorial video will get you started.
Flipgrid
- Inspiration for using this digital tool – Flipgrid: The Power of Student Voice
- Get started with this free tool at Flipgrid.com
- Getting started for Educators, Flipgrid Help Center – web pages with information
- How to Use Flipgrid – video by Richard Byrne
- Flipgrid Fever – Google slides presentation by Jen Giffen
Word cloud generators
There are many you can use, but my favourite ones include Word Art (used to be called Tagul) and Wordle. Try using different internet browsers if you experience troubles. This quick video provides some basic information.
Sketchnote resources
- Kathy Schrock’s Guide to Everything – Sketchnoting
- Epic Sketchnoting Resources – Vicki Davis, web site with resources and links
- Sylvia Duckworth’s Sketchnoting for Beginners (Google Slides presentation full of links and resources).
ThingLink
This tool creates annotations and hypertext links on images. This video is a great way to get started. Create a ThingLink for EDU – by Susan Oxnevad.
Symbaloo
With this tool you can create grid board collections to support your information management or have a set of links ready for a lesson/unit of study.
