What are your top technology resources for teachers? Read on to find out mine, and how I rank them for difficulty and ease of use! Sharing is caring…. isn’t this so true! I love to share. I can’t really even keep secrets. This must run in my family because my birthday is 3 weeks away, and my mom has already given me a birthday present. Last night, my daughter begged to give me a present she got me because she was too excited about it. I need to rephrase my statement: I can’t keep secrets. I can. It’s just when I am excited about something, it’s hard. In honor of my family’s non-ability to keep secrets that we are excited about, I am going to share as many of my favorite 21st century technology resources for teachers that I love! I am also going to give each tool a rating from 1 to 5 according to difficulty of use.
Splice
Splice Go Pro Splice video editor is my current most used app at the moment. I have created some pretty dang good videos right from my phone. It allows me to use video and photos from my photo library. I can easily take content in or out. It comes with an assortment of free audio to use in the creating process. I can insert text/titles with the click of a button. I swear this app makes me look genius to my colleagues. The best part, students as young as primary can use it with ease. My daughter used it and discovered it light years before myself. I will admit that I looked up a YouTube tutorial to get my feet wet. Ten minutes on YouTube had me moving along with it just fine. Difficulty rating: 3
Free Technology Resources for Teachers
National Geographic Certification Recently, I completed National Geographic Educator Certification. This was amazing!!!!! Not to mention, I now have the coolest email signature line ever! This process broadened my horizons as an educator, provided me with knowledge and access to ample resources, and it’s the gift that just keeps on giving. The best part…. you can do this at no charge other than your own time. No charge!!! National Geographic is dedicated to bringing educators into the 21st century. They want to connect your students with their explorers so that students can begin to have a real explorers mindset now. Difficulty rating: 4
Google Science Journal App
Google Science Journal This app is of the caliber that Batman himself would use. It’s unbelievable. Basically, it turns your smartphone into a sensor for sound, motion, and light. It can replace some very pricey sensors for science class. Some of the tools include: temperature, volume, velocity, and more. The app also creates a journal for notes and recording measurements. The marble composition book has now been upgraded! On the website, educators will find resources for experiments to use with the app. Difficulty rating: 4
Technology Resources for Art Teachers
OK Go Sandbox Students will get right into this resource. The OK Go crew in collaboration with Google Science Journal used the new app for some very cool experiments and videos. I just can’t get enough of these guys. They really bring out the integration of science and the arts. Check it out and get a little bit of instruction for Google Science Journal! Difficulty rating: 3
Technology Resources for Teachers to Use in the Classroom
Breakout EDU Grown ups and kids are having fun all over the country with the new Escape Room fad. Breakout EDU brings it to the classroom. I have found free resources for the classroom in this format, but some things are worth spending money on to keep my sanity. For about $150, a teacher can get started with a Breakout box and all the locks. One box purchase will give you access to their platform of games and resources. This is the best part. There are so many details that go into setting one of these lessons up, it’s best to let someone else do the work for you. Now, you will still have to do your homework to set up a Breakout box, but the end result will be worth it. Mine is set up and ready for Monday. Difficulty rating: 5
Technology Resources for Science Teachers
Survey123 This app allows students to collect data and create a map of where the data was collected at the same time. I haven’t used it yet so I can’t rate it, but I am so excited about it. I learned about it from a National Geographic educator that uses it regularly with middle school students.
Before I share the next two resources, I need to go ahead and break your heart a little bit. They will both cost you quite a bit. Close to $2000 to be exact, and you will still need money for other expenses. I do have to tell you, if you want, you can get it. I have both and haven’t spent a dime yet. I participated in contests, grants, and programs to do so, but with a little research and a determined mind, you can do it. If I can, you can. I plan to write a very extensive post about both of them later, but I wanted to share now. They are my favorite 3D printing resources. The My STEM Kit company actually finally got me to want to bring 3D printing into my classroom.
My STEM Kits
MySTEMKits This resource creates prefabricated 3D print files to accompany STEM lessons in the classroom. You must have a 3D printer to go with the software already. The company offers software and printer packages. I acquired my first 3D printer through Donorschoose.org, and I won a contest with Konica Minolta for the software and an additional printer. The company is constantly adding new print files and complete lessons to go with them. It truly is an innovation in education. Difficulty rating: 4
Maker’s Empire
Maker’s Empire On my journey to acquire 3D printer, I stumbled upon the GE Additive program. This program provides printers and software for students to use in the classroom. 3D print file creating can be very complicated to teach with no experience. This software makes it easy for students by teaching them along the way. I am just getting started with it, but my students are over the top with excitement. Difficulty rating: 5
Disclaimer about my difficulty ratings: I came up with my ratings based upon the amount of time I used for research to properly educate myself to be able to use these technology resources for teachers. We all want resources we can just pick up and go with. These resources are worth your time!
Want to know my source for almost everything I use in the classroom? Read Twitter for Teachers to find the gold at the end of the rainbow.
Check out my ultimate guide for starting a STEM/STEAM classroom: 9 Steps to turning your classroom into STEM/STEAM classroom in any subject!
