Create Interactive Images with Thinglink

One tool that I intend to make great use of this year is Thinglink.  Thinglink gives users the ability to create interactive images by uploading a picture and linking the image to websites, videos, and text.  This could be a great project for students or could be used by teachers to create student guides.  Thinglink's site is free and does allow students to connect with others by commenting on one anothers' creations.  If a picture is worth 1,000 words, imagine how much more powerful it could be by linking different media to it and sharing the vast knowledge available on the Internet.  Check out an example below to get an idea of how Thinglink works.  How can you use this with your students?

Share My Lesson: Free Lessons Created for Teachers, By Teachers

One great find from ISTE 2013 was the website Share My Lesson.  Share My Lesson is an extensive database containing over 265,000 resources and over 300,000 members.  Teachers can not only search and share lessons, but also follow people whose lessons they really like.  Lessons are searchable by grade, subject, or topic and linked to the Common Core Standards.  Searches and resources can be saved to one's account for later reference.  My quick searches of "Internet Safety" and "Scary Story Writing" yielded some impressive resources that included not just lesson plans, but weblinks and student handouts as well.  This is a site worth bookmarking and using on a regular basis for its simplicity and the extensive collection of resources available.  Why reinvent the wheel when there are others out there who have done it already and have freely shared what has worked for them?  You may be inspired to share your great ideas as well and connect with a large network of educators just waiting to learn from you.

Bilblonasium: an Online Reading Community for Kids

 If you are looking for an exciting tool that will engage your students in reading and connecting with others who love reading, look no further than Biblionasium. Biblionasium is an online community designed especially for kids to share favorite books, keep reading logs, find reading suggestions, and connect with other like-minded readers. The design is similar to Shelfari, only student accounts are managed by teachers and do not require student email addresses. Biblionasium offers a paperless alternative to traditional reading logs in a safe, private, online space. Teachers can easily track and organize student data and even create groups and reading challenges for students.  Biblionasium offers the social media experience for today's connected students in a safe, fun, yet educational environment with a format that is sure to engage even the most reluctant reader.

21st Century Ways to Teach a Book

Today I was presented with a challenge; a Language Arts teacher wanted to know how to teach her next in-class novel without the usual routine of study guides, comprehension questions, and vocabulary worksheets.  Your memories of English Language Arts classes probably include those types of activities.  While those activities all have their place and can still be worthwhile, technology has made it possible for students to create connections with their reading in deeper ways.  Below is the start of a list of ideas for truly engaging students in a book discussion using 21st century tools and higher level thinking.

1.  Create a classroom space on Edmodo.  Have students discuss the story in large or small groups.  Connect with another classroom elsewhere reading the same book.

2.  Contact the author to see if he or she will Skype.  Many authors will Skype with students for free.

3.   Use the Fake Tweet Builder to tweet a character or write a book review.  Try the lesson created by The Daring Librarian.

4.  Create character conversations using ifaketext.  See the example that I created between Katniss and Peeta.

5.  Find one image that represents the book or a specific part of the book.  Share this in Edmodo.  Have other students guess and comment on what it represents and why it was chosen.  Use Thinglink to have kids link their images to videos and other information.

6.  Use BrainyFlix to illustrate vocabulary words.  Share final product in Edmodo.

7. Create a voki speaking from the perspective of one of the characters to share his/her feelings during any part of the story.  Blabberize would also work well for this purpose.

8.  Have a QR Code scavenger hunt to begin the book and help students understand background information.  Display QR Codes around the room, and use a QR code scanner to have a scavenger hunt.

9.  Use Padlet to connect with the story at the beginning of class.  Post a sticky note with a question related to the reading/connection to students' lives.  Students respond and comment on others.  This would also be great as an exit ticket.

10. Use tools such as the trading cards, motivator, and magazine cover at Big Huge Labs.

11.  Create a comic that illustrates a part of the story at Make Beliefs Comix.

12.  Rewrite the ending of the story.  Use  PowToon or GoAnimate 4 Schools to create it as an animated video.

13.  Use the app Songify to turn text that students write about the story into a song.

14.  Create a screencast of students discussing and illustrating vocabulary words using apps such as Educreations or Show Me.

15.  Have students create a Google Earth virtual tour to highlight parts of the setting.

16.  Use mindmaps and online organizers such as Popplet and Mindmeister to make connections and map out parts of the story.  These tools also allow images, weblinks, and video to be added.

17.  Post a request for a partner class on Skype in the Classroom.  Find another classroom to take part in a virtual conversation.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, this is only a start!  There are many other ideas we could add to this list.

What are your ideas for teaching literature in 21st century ways?  What are you doing in your classrooms to help students form real connections with the text and think about their reading in deeper ways using 21st century tools?

Do your students do "projects" or "project-based learning?"

Project-based Learning has transformed the way classrooms are structured in the 21st century.  It gives students opportunities to create ownership over their learning, work for an authentic audience, and puts students in real-world situations where problem-solving is the key factor.  On the other hand, it is important to understand that projects are not the same as project-based learning. Below is a fantastic comparison between the two provided by Amy Mayer of FriEdTechnology:

How does your classroom compare? 

Are you interested in changing your classroom but not sure where to start?  The Buck Institute for Education focuses on project-based-learning and offers amazing resources on its website including the latest research and a project directory.  

In addition, here is a great CommonCraft Show video explaining the basics of project-based learning.

Finally, here is a wonderful checklist from the BIE that lists the essential elements of project-based learning.

Google Apps Promo

Here's a funny and enlightening promo for using Google Apps with students!

Being BRAVE to inspire our kids and ourselves!

This morning as I attempt to get back to reality after a great couple of days attending the Wisconsin State Reading Association annual convention and picking up an award for Leadership in Literacy Technology, I  am busy decompressing and reflecting on all of the great new ideas and knowledge that I gained.  Some of the useful nuggets include better ways to manage our iPads, new apps, great new books, and better ways to implement online Lit Circles.

While so many great ideas were shared, I was most struck by a session presented by author and veteran teacher, Kate Messner.  In her session about creating student leaders, she inspired her audience to create authentic and meaningful learning experiences beyond standard classroom-based instructional activities.  One of the ideas that she stressed throughout the presentation, and the message that struck me the most, was that in order to create thoughtful, reflective, forward-thinking future leaders, we need to give kids experiences that force them to be brave.  This type of bravery does not mean exposing kids to life-threatening activities, but rather giving them a chance to go outside of their comfort zones and outside of their usual safe boxes.  Many of us have this fear of failing, of not looking perfect in the eyes of our students, of somehow not appearing to know everything.  I know that I personally put a lot of pressure on myself to feel as if I can solve any problem and find the answer to anything.  I often worry about not keeping up and not staying one step of everyone else.  I worry that when I put myself out there, others will think that I am not good enough or smart enough.  As I listened to Messner, I reflected upon how I limit myself by giving in to these insecurities.  I realized that I gave less of myself when I did this.  Do I really want to do this to my kids as well?  If I am supposed to be their leader and their model, how can giving in to my fears and putting limitations on myself teach them about being brave and the rewards that come along with that?

Kate inspired me to take more steps to be brave.  How can I do that?  First, by expanding my PLN, especially through Twitter.  Second, by making more of a personal contribution to my school district, associations, and the other educational communities of which I am a part.  While we all often make the excuse that there is not enough time, the real excuse is sometimes our fear of not appearing to be perfect to others and worrying that others will think less of us.

On the other hand, I have always been a brave teacher.  I am not afraid to try whatever new tool I discover immediately within my lessons.  I believe in giving kids as many real-world learning experiences as possible.  I use Skype regularly to connect kids to authors, other classrooms, and world experts.  The same class that I have been teaching for three years has looked almost completely different every semester that I begin anew.  That's why I am really excited about Messner's new website Kid-sourcing.  Kid-sourcing was created to connect kids to experiences where they are able to solve real-world problems.  As shared by Messner, the data collected by students engaging in some of these projects will be used for real research.  What better way is there to give kids real-life opportunities, take them outside of their comfort zones, and allow them to participate in the body of knowledge that is being created?  When opening our students to these types of experiences, we not only engage them in real-world activities, but we are also teaching them to be brave.  Bravery, of course, is essential to creating great generations of future thinkers and leaders.

I encourage you to consider your own classroom.  How are you instilling bravery within your students?  What opportunities are you giving kids to connect with the world outside of their classrooms?  How are you modeling bravery?

This blog has been a big step for me.  As I continue to add new posts, I attempt to put aside my fear of worrying about what others will think of me and my ideas.  I continue to put more of my voice into it, which is really the key piece in contributing to the world.  It is one way that I choose to be brave.

Thanks, Kate Messner for inspiring me!

10 Creative Presentation Alternatives

Presentations are a common way for students to share their knowledge, but have you considered the many different websites out there that allow students to creatively present their information in new ways?  Think about giving one of these options a try next time you want your students to share what they have learned.

1.  Meograph- Dubbed "four dimensional storytelling," Meograph allows users to integrate timelines, Google Maps, links, and videos to create one interactive story.

2.  Jellycam- This is a simple, free stop-motion animation creator that creates videos using a webcam or uploaded images.  A soundtrack can also be added to your video.

3.  Powtoon- If you are familiar with Common Craft's simple video tutorials and have always thought of making your own, Powtoon is the tool for you.  This easy-to-use tool allows users to make simple animated presentations by choosing from one of their several options.

4.    Go Animate- Create animated videos to be saved and embedded online.  Users design everything from the characters to the background and add voice through a microphone or typing in text.  View some examples from our students.

5.  Easel.ly Infographics- Infographics are a fantastic way to visually present information.  Easel.ly is a great tool for easily creating your own Infographic on a topic of research.  What is an infographic?  It is a visual representation of information or data.  Your students can use Easel.ly to mix text with images to create a professional looking visual of their knowledge.  Take a look at this infographic example below.

6.  Biteslide Online Scrapbooks- Students can make their very own digital scrapbooks using Biteslide by adding their information, images, videos, and Biteslide's fun additional tools.  Embed, download, and share student work.

7.  Knovio- Want to update your flat PowerPoint presentations?  Knovio is the answer.  Using a webcam or microphone, you can add video and narration to a PowerPoint slideshow.  Simply upload the PowerPoint file, record, and share with others online.

8.  Jux- Create really cool, professional looking products such as Top 10 countdowns, slideshows, articles, or videos by adding information and images.  Modify using Jux's effects and templates.

9.  Popcorn Maker- Modify videos that you find on the web by adding in Google Maps, text, or web links to the videos to view while they play.  Think about the many ways in which students can add their thoughts or information to a YouTube or other videos.  What about adding a Google Map to a video that highlights an important location or linking to a web article that further explains a topic?  There are many different options for creativity.  Videos created with Popcorn Maker can be embedded into a blog or a website for others to view.

10.  Comics- Comics are a great way to get kids thinking about information and sharing it creatively.  The free comic creator Make Beliefs Comix is easy to use, requiring no login.  Bitstrips for Schools is a more advanced comic creator, but it is not free.  (It does have a 30 day free trial!)  View some examples of comics our students created about Internet Safety using Bitstrips for Schools.