My Top Ten Things You Didn’t Know You Couldn’t Teach Without
1. Pandora. Stream different styles and genres of music for your students. Build an (optional) account and Pandora will learn your preferences. Play music to match your learning units (ie Bluegrass for Kentucky history, Big Band while reading about the 30s and 40s). Expose your students to Jazz, classical and treat yourself to whatever you like while grading papers and planning lessons. http://pandora.com
2. Timing is Everything. Use simple timers to keep your instructional day flowing. I prefer Egg Timer but also check out Online Stopwatch. Both are online. If you prefer a downloaded program check out the freeware Cool Timer.
3. Google Docs. Your online word processor. No more backing up documents, they are save online for you. Need to collaborate with someone? No Problem. Need to build a super simple web page? No Problem. Tired of emailing attachments back and forth? Give Google Docs a try.
4. A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words. For dealing with the images you take of your students, Picasa is the very best starting point. Organize, crop, create collages and make simple slideshows. Picasa is ’the program that should have come with your digital camera.’ http://picasa.google.com/
5. BrainPop. http://brainpop.com/ A lot of people write off BrainPop because they do not have a subscription. There are, however, twenty one free videos and quizzes available at any given time. If you like this tool, a subscription is more reasonable that you might think. BrainPop shares a lot of qualities of great children’s literature (familiar characters, consistent format) and presents good acedemic content in a fun and catchy way.
6. YouTube http://youtube.com Find a video on just about anything. Illustrate teaching points or visit far away places. Use inspirational videos (ie Susan Boyle , Animal Odd Couple ) for writing prompts or discussion starter. More Ideas
7. Podcasts. Use short video and audio clips that are delivered right to your computer to supplement your instruction and add routine to your day. They are great for transition time and also for differentiation of instruction at computer stations. Check out (and add to) my list of elementary level podcasts at http://tablettalk.info/elementary-podcasts/
8. The Hat. A random name picker. Keep your kids on their toes and ensure everyone has a voice. Download The Hat here and check out a tutorial here:
9. Google Reader. It is the preferred way to maintain all of your blog subscriptions.
10. TabletTalk Shameless self promotion here, but it’s my list, right? TabletTalk brings the best of the web to your TabletPC. I review sites and services that promote student engagement and teacher productivity. I try to find sites that make the best use of the stylus feature of your Tablet PC and are elementary-teacher friendly.
Which site or service would YOU add to a TopTen list?
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | Blogging, Me, Podcasts, Teacher Productivity, Teacher Web Page, Web 2.0
If you liked the Top Ten list, check out Tablet Talk’s A-Z Cool Tools page, linked on the right.
I love love love the egg timer! Every elementary, middle and high school teacher should be using this daily! Talk about elapsed time made real!
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