TOO COOL (PERFECT FOR SCHOOL): We've got our favorite edtech teacher and administrator tools for the week right here, as highlighted in our Instruct newsletter! Our top S'Cool Tools are:
*Free! For the lesson planner in all of us: the Literacy Design Collaborative (LDC) offers free LDC Core Tools, a framework and collection of Common Core-aligned ELA tasks and mini-tasks that teachers can assemble into “modules” (each 2-4 weeks of instruction). Current offerings also extend to history and science. Watch here for more info on the framework and using LDC’s template tasks.
*Free! Created by a teacher, for teachers. Hooda Math is the brainchild of former middle school math teacher Michael Edlavitch, who realized five years ago that his students “needed more than a textbook or curriculum to stay engaged.” His website contains 50+ colorful educational math games that target kids from Kindergarten to high school--as well as math tutorials with Edlavitch dressed up in (what else) animal costumes, including a delightful lobster suit. Hooda Math is also available as an Amazon app and in the Chrome store.
*Free! Google Apps are certainly helpful, but the selection is extensive. And let’s face it--educators have enough on their plates. So get some in-the-moment training with Synergese! This Chrome addition (launched for former Googlers, so you know it’s legit) is directly accessible inside Google Apps. Meaning? You don’t have to leave an application to learn how to use it!
*Freemium: Tired of having to endlessly switch between PowerPoints during a lesson? Check out SlideDog. The tool mixtures the benefits of an iTunes playlist with PowerPoint, online content, and media files. SlideDog allows you to combine all sorts of presentations and multimedia files into one full playlist experience--no switching required. The free component is a basic package, while a paid upgrade gets you features like looping and remote control.
