Quizlet will make your students come to "Live!"

It's officially Spring break and we are almost into State testing preparation mode! A new tool I explored this past week is Quizlet and we plan to use it a lot with test preparation! I originally thought quizlet was just a form of online flashcards but there are so many different games you can play with the same set of terms and definitions; it goes way beyond flashcards!

What I love about quizlet is that it's engaging and competitive which the kids love! What I don't like is that, the kids end up memorizing terms and/or definitions and I worry about how much they actually retain. As long as the classroom management piece is in tact and teachers explain their expectations, this is a great tool for quick fun review! The images I'm going to show below are from a set about simplifying expressions.

With the same set of cards, you can study them and just use them as flashcards but you can also test yourself, play a matching game, play a game where you "keep asteroids away from planets" and then there is quizlet live! Where you work in teams to get the correct answers. 

This is a matching game where you have to match the question or the term to the answer. The answers disappear as you get them right.

Students use the code to log-in and quizlet randomly assigns groups of four. The groups have to work together and if they get one wrong, they have to start the whole game over. The goal is to finish all the questions before the other teams. 

With four students playing, the game separates the kids into pairs and they have to move to sit together. The code is always posted in case students get kicked out.

On the board, I post this screen so teams can see who is in the lead. 

The two partners have all possible answers split between them so you have to work together to get the right answer. 

The questions are the same (among the same team) but only one member of the group has the answer shown. If a group member chooses a wrong answer, the whole group has to start back at zero.

This is the home screen. You can organize your quizlet account into units and classes. You can search pre-made sets or create your own. 

Is it even better than Kahoot?

Hello and welcome back to my blog! I haven't checked up on the site in a while but there's a new tool I'd like to post about - It's called Quizizz. In my classroom I always want to try and engage my students and make learning fun. I'm sure most teachers have this same goal but there's always the battle between is it fun enough but also engaging enough? Is learning really taking place or are the kids just messing around?

I've explored and used Kahoot in the past and while I do love it (and so do the kids) I don't like how focused the game is on racing. So often my students rush through the questions and just hope they guess correctly. Quizizz allows students to work at their own pace and they do NOT get extra points for answering quickly (although you can add that setting if you'd like to). A running total is kept up on the board and funny memes pop up for the kids in between every question! See images below.

I would DEFINITELY recommend this tool as a quick review and I usually use it in my intervention class which is a small group of 6-12 students. I did try using it as a full class and it was definitely effective but extreme classroom management was needed - might try doing it in teams next time.

You can search pre-made quizizz by topic or create one on your own.




You can then organize your quizizz into groups or "collections" and keep your classes organized. This is especially helpful when teaching different subject areas and grade levels.





Keep the leaderboard up so students can see who is in the top five and how the class is doing as a whole in terms of accuracy. The students are finished when they reach the end of the bar BUT speed doesn't help. If they get all the questions wrong and their bar is all red, they WON'T win.




At the end, look at the statistics for each question per kid. This definitely helped guide my focus when it comes to review questions. I only focused on the questions that most if not all students missed.

Assignment 5.1: Mobile Learning

Mobile Learning Exploration

Sarah Mulkie

Note from the blogger... I have to tell you that I had such a fun time exploring these resources! I created accounts on all of them that I would really like to play around with even more. Something that I am loving about this class is that it is forcing me to explore apps and resources that I do not usually have time for when I'm trying to get my lessons together. So often with teaching, time for exploring new resources does not happen because we have 87, 000, 000 other things we need to be doing (as so many of you probably know), this assignment helped me find 4 new resources that I absolutely love! Enjoy :)

Name: Quiz me!

Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/quiz-me%21/id490508243?mt=8 

Description: Quiz me! is a fun and easy app for students to review for an upcoming test or quiz! It is pretty basic but does allow for multiple types of learning. Students can study flashcards, they can be asked questions and promoted to type in their own responses, and they can take tests and receive feedback about their score. 

As a teacher, you can create your own set of flashcards, questions, test questions OR you can search for pre-made sets that are on public record and add them to your own set. When creating your own set, you can add images to the cards which is an excellent aid in helping students feel more comfortable with the material being presented. 

Another fun aspect of this resource is that you can link it to your quizlet account and upload sets that are already created on there! In terms of bloom's taxonomy, this is definitely on the lower end of the spectrum but it is definitely a great tool for simple memorization and practice, always necessary in the world of education! I would (and probably will for real!) definitely allow my students to get out their phones on a review day and access a set that I already created or I would post this to my account on edmodo (further down on the post!) as a potential study tool!



The ability to create your own set     I found this set already made                Flashcard setting!
or search for one already made          about algebra - 3 options:
                                                                     flashcards, learn, test!

• One of the test settings, you can do written responses, matching, multiple choices (seen left) or true/false. You can get feedback and look at your grade!
• "Learn" setting where the app gives you a prompt or question and you give your response - it will correct your answer if necessary.  

Name: Educreations

Link: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/educreations-interactive-whiteboard/id478617061?mt=8 --> link to get the app/more information 

https://www.educreations.com/lesson/view/graphing-a-linear-equation/40904718/?s=OB8XEl&ref=app --> link to a creation of mine! A short tutorial for graphing a linear equation.

Description: Educreations is an amazing app for students and teachers to create posters, tutorials, videos, etc. One drawback is that it has to be used with an iPad so if you do not have one, this wouldn't be for you! Anyways, I have an iPad that I used to create a math tutorial about graphing basic, linear equations. I took screenshots of what I created which are below (as well as the link above). 

I really enjoyed using this app. It is extremely user friendly and allows a lot of different options for your creation. You can record your voice, you can upload pictures, you can choose a different background (grid, lined, blank, etc). It really allows for a lot possibilities 

When thinking about bloom's taxonomy, this app allows students to create their own lessons or creations  and share them with their peers or with their teacher. They could evaluate each other's projects or create a project in small groups to present to the class. 

I could also see this for use with teachers in that they could create individualized tutorials for students to review either in times of studying or when intervention is needed. They could create short videos and assign them to certain students or post them on an online platform (like canvas) for students to access at any time. 

Multiple lessons already prepared that teachers can add to their library!

Create lessons and record your voice explaining what the lesson is teaching.

Added text to give the students their own assignment in extension of my tutorial.

Have the option of uploading images, text, or take pictures.

Add lesson to a library of lessons that can be accessed at any time. Also can create classes and assign lessons  classes or individuals groups of students (especially when thinking about intervention groups).

Name: Duolingo 

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.duolingo&hl=en 

Description: The app duolingo can be used in schools or for anyone trying to learn or improve on another language. I took 4 years of Spanish in high school and have always wanted to get back into it so I downloaded the app and made a real profile (which I really plan to practice with daily, as cheesy as that sounds!) When downloading the app, the first thing I noticed is the crazy multitude of language possibilities! I obviously chose Spanish but it looked like there were over a hundred language choices (I lost count!) so this is definitely designed to hit as many people all over the planet as possible. 

Once you choose a language and create a profile, you have the option of selecting "beginner" or taking a placement test to potentially jump ahead on lessons. In the placement test, you are asked to listen to someone speak a sentence and write it in Spanish, you also read it in Spanish and translate to English and you can choose words from a word bank to translate the Spanish sentence into English. I took the placement test but did not get a high enough score to jump ahead!

Once the test is done, you can see your individualized daily and weekly goals and keep track of your progress as you complete lessons. The lessons continually get more difficult as you move through the material. 

In schools, I could definitely see this as a great tool for ELL students trying to master English or students in junior high or high school learning  a new language;  I definitely plan to show this to my 8th graders tomorrow! This app does not allow the highest levels of blooms taxonomy (creating, evaluating), or at least I haven't gotten that far through my experience yet, but it does allow some strong practice where you can self evaluate and follow your own progress yourself. You also have the ability to practice real conversations in your language but you must unlock a certain level to do so. 

• Potential to jump ahead based on your ability         
• Possibility for real conversation         
• Differentiating practice based on experience levels

• Multiple language options         
• Levels needed to be unlocked  
• Example practice from placement test

Name: Edmodo

Link: https://www.edmodo.com/home?rfsh=1#/

Description: Edmodo reminds me of an app that takes Facebook and makes it strictly for educators! Even when looking at the computer version of the site, it really looks like Facebook! It is user friendly and can be accessed on a computer or by a mobile device which helps reach multiple people at any time of day. Also on the mobile front, their is an edmodo for parents app! This is fantastic news! So many parents, especially at the middle school age level, are constantly wondering what their child is doing in school and with this app they can receive updates, see assignments posted, get information about upcoming tests, etc.

I created an account and went ahead and made groups for each one of my classes. You can create classes and invite students to them with different class codes. Within each class, you can create subgroups (which I have not done yet) and I plan to do this for my students who are on IEPs so that I can post specific modified assignments for them and can post little helpful tools or tutorials that might help them with specific skills they are still trying to master (maybe my educreation tutorial from above!)

In terms of blooms taxonomy, this is not much of a place where students can create their own work BUT it does allow them to take more responsibility for their learning. They can access assignments and study tools to help prepare for class each day, they can find out if there is anything they missed if they were absent or missing from class; a lot of possibilities! I also love the idea of having discussion boards. I would post a question about an assignment or a topic debated in class and have the students respond on this app. While there would need to be some accountability and I would need to make sure that people respond appropriately, this could open up an array of possibilities. 

Didn't explore the "snapshot" feature too much but I love how they have suggested standards right on the site! You can connect these standards to posts or assignments, a great tool for helping students really be in charge of their learning!

Groups created by class period so you can create specific assignments based on the class or it can be assigned to all students on the app. Can also look at each student's accounts and access everyone's individual progress. 

Can look at latest posts, progress of students, library of assignments and files uploaded, connect with the community (connected to school district and other staff members using the site)

My first post ever! Sent to all 5 groups and meant to just simply show parents and students what the app/site looks like and how I plan to hopefully use it as much as possible!

Screen shot of the computer version... see, Facebook! groups are on the side, posts in the middle and extremely user friendly! I felt comfortable with creating this right away. 

Assignment 4.1: Survey of Tools

Tools for Technology in the Classroom 

Name: Webspiration

Link: http://www.inspiration.com/webspirationclassroom 

Type of learning and experience: 

Webspiration is a place where students can go to work on their writing, plan their writing and collaborate on their writing. It's a fantastic tool for all subject areas and really helps students develop their writing skills every step of the way. Educators create classes and assign lessons to each student or a full class of students. Then, students make a copy for themselves and begin planning. Students can start at any aspect of their writing if they choose but Webspiration allows them to create a web diagram to brainstorm their ideas, add pictures and quotations that they want to include in their writing and then it moves them on to an outline. Students are creating their work at their own pace and this program allows it to be completely individualized. 

Web Diagram to begin the planning process. Notice the possible bubbles and images that can be used. on the left tool bar. 

Outline is created based on ideas included in the web chart. 

Another great aspect of webspiration is that students have the opportunity for collaboration. When writing, they can submit their work to their teachers or other peers to leave comments, make edits and give overall suggestions for their work. Their is also a live chat option where students can message back and forth and give suggestions while they are in the process of editing. This is great for peer edits but also for group collaboration. And this can be done anywhere there is internet access so students can collaborate in class or at home on their own time. This an especially strong tool for students who are struggling writers, which was always me! I never knew where to start and how to get my thoughts on paper. Webspiration is a fantastic way to help me organize what I want to say, how I want to say it and it gives me multiple avenues to plan. 

Groups create a word web together and then live chat about it on the right side of the page.

Students can add collaborators who then give edits and suggestions.

Name: Kahoot!

Link: https://getkahoot.com 

Type of learning and experience:

Kahoot is an online study tool where students can review key concepts from class, preview concepts that are to come or create their own quizzes to stump their peers and show their knowledge of the content. Typically, teachers create a quiz for review, give the students an access code and the students log in on their phones or another digital device. The teacher puts the questions on a projector or common screen and the students answer on their own devices. Results are shown on the screen and students can keep score. Another cool feature is that students can collaborate with other classrooms across 180 countries around the world. 

Teachers and students have the opportunity to create fun review games that cover multiple types of questions and incorporate images, videos and diagrams. You can look at the results of the class in a survey and allow for class discussion and collaboration of questions and concepts. 

Then you play! You create a fun atmosphere in the classroom where the students are social and engaged in their learning. The results are put up on a common screen that everyone can see and classroom discussion begins. This expands their knowledge of the concepts and allows them to see and hear how students got to the answers and conclusions they did.

After completing educators create their own game and run it in their classroom, they could encourage students to create games themselves. this is a great tool for review and to further solidify the concepts being taught in class. Students are in charge of their own learning and are creating something that they could use to help their peers be successful.

Name: Creately

Link: http://creately.com

Type of learning and experience: 

Creately is a tool where students (and all people in general) can go in and create diagrams, concept maps, organizational tools, etc. to help organize the information needed for a given project or lesson. This tools seems to be more geared towards all people rather than just education but there are strong implications for both. When you first create an account, you can create your own web or organizational tool from scratch or you can choose from one of a multitude of pre-made templates based on what you are using it for. The possibilities for collaboration are fantastic as well. You can have multiple collaborators at one time and have them working on the same project at once. Creating and collaborating are huge for this tool. You are able to access creately on or off line and save projects to your computer for later use. When looking at using this is the classroom, I would encourage my students to use creately when planning a group project or assignment. They can brainstorm ideas, organize information and create an outline for what they want to present or create. It also allows ever student to be involved and makes sure every student is contributing their ideas. 

Beginning stages of your creation: Choosing a template based on the information that you are trying to organize.

Collaboration tool. Two students are working on a word diagram simultaneously and can discuss the changes they are making together. This is also a great tools for teacher collaboration when designing lessons and assignments. 

Example of an education template and how you can use it. Students create a flow chart for the stages of a butterfly's life. Excellent tool for projects where students have to show timeline, cause and effect or stages of an event.

Name: Gliffy

Link:https://www.gliffy.com

Type of learning and experience:

Gliffy is similar to the previous resource, creately. However, gliffy seems little less complicated and maybe a little more student friendly. It also has a variety of templates and the ability to share with others but it works well with google chrome and can be accessed from multiple sources with internet access. Students can collaborate and create on projects and then share them with their teachers or the rest of the class. This is a great tool for students and teachers alike. Teachers can create lessons and diagrams to facilitate learning and students can create diagrams and charts to help plan writing, projects, assignments, or even to help study for a final assessment. This also gives the opportunity for self evaluation and peer evaluation when you open up the lines of communication and ability for collaboration in the classroom and outside. 

Simplistic viewing allows students to create without feeling overwhelmed. They can also choose a pre-designed template but this is a nice way for them to create with their own image in mind.

Once diagram is created, they can share with their peers or teachers to showcase their work and display their understanding and application of the material in class.

Fun example of how students could use a venn diagram to create, compare and contrast multiple aspects of a lesson. They take the material presented in class and show their understanding of how concepts relate to one another. Another great tool for studying for a final exam of assessment.

Assignment 3.2 - Blog Discussion of Technology Applications

Different Ways to use Social Media as technological tools for learning in your Classroom

• Instagram

• Link: https://www.instagram.com 

• Type of Learning: Aside from the fact that Instagram is a great tool for teachers to share classroom experiences with parents, it is also a great opportunity for students to showcase their own work. In social studies for example, they could analyze the life of a historic figure and create an Instagram account from that person's perspective. They could post things that he or she would have posted if the time period was occurring present day.

• Type of Learning Experience: This creates a hands-on approach to research where the students are creating their own project and presenting it to their peers in a way that allows for creativity and allows for the possibility of real-life experiences. 

• Blend Space

• Link: https://www.tes.com/lessons?redirect-bs=1 

• Type of Learning: Blend space is a place where educators can put all of the important resources for a unit or group of lessons in one place. This allows students access to all different types of resources that better fit their needs. A key aspect of this is that the possibilities for differentiation are endless. You could create spaces for different groupings of students; you could also label each resource with different types of learning styles so students can access the resources that better fit their style of learning. 

• Type of Learning Experience:The other opportunity for blend space is that students could create their own space to share with their peers. Maybe instead of a unit test, the students have to create a blend space with at least 6 different resources of varying types. The blend spaces could then be used as study tools for other students as a place for students to showcase their knowledge of not only the content but the technology standards as well. 

• Story Bird

• Link: https://storybird.com/create/ 

• Type of Learning: Story bird is a place where educators can go to find books that are already created and ready to read to their students. BUT story bird is also a place where students can go to create their own stories. They can work with a topic, type up and edit the text on each page and then add images and share with their peers. I do a project in my unit on Ancient Africa where students write an ancient African Folk tale and have to use certain elements of Ancient African culture to make their stories authentic. This tool is an amazing way to give students some freedom in how they want their story to be designed, what they want it to look like and how they want to share their knowledge of Ancient Africa (or whatever topic you choose) with the class. 

• Type of Learning Experience: By participating in this learning experience, students are gaining a knowledge of the material in a much more authentic way by literally creating a story that meets the standards they are needing to reach. As mentioned previously, there are so many other ways to show assessment or goals reached than standardized testing. Story bird allows students to create a story that teaches students about the content rather than simply stating information and having students regurgitate back. 

• Quizlet 

• Link: https://quizlet.com

• Type of Learning: Quizlet can be used as a simple study strategy where students are memorizing and practicing vocabulary terms and facts. It could also be used in competition mode where students are competing against their peers. A cool way I'd like to use it is to create a quizlet where the questions/answers are open-ended and up for argument. I would make it so that the students that are competing for the points have to argue there reasoning and prove why their answer is correct. It gives that competitive edge that so many students crave and it makes them really think about their responses. 

• Type of Learning Experience: By having students argue their responses and explain their reasoning, they are also self-evaluating and evaluating the responses of their peers. They have to use previous knowledge and past experience to prove why their answers are correct and how that connects to a real world situation.