Five Great Ideas From the Course 21Things4 Teachers

By Laurie IversenFive Great Ideas From the Course 21Things4Teachers

There are many reasons we as teachers want to apply advanced digital learning to our classrooms.So that we can:So that we can:Promote higher order thinking skillsSo that we can:Promote higher order thinking skillsEncourage students to work cooperatively even over long distancesSo that we can:Promote higher order thinking skillsEncourage students to work cooperatively even over long distancesAllow students to be more actively involved in their own learning because they have more choicesSo that we can:Promote higher order thinking skillsEncourage students to work cooperatively even over long distancesAllow students to be more actively involved in their own learning because they have more choicesDifferentiate instruction more efficiently by providing a wider variety of avenues for learning

The first idea I would like to highlight is a graphic organizer called Popplet. This tool helps students:The first idea I would like to highlight is a graphic organizer called Popplet. This tool helps students: Find similarities and differences (CITW4, which:The first idea I would like to highlight is a graphic organizer called Popplet. This tool helps students: Find similarities and differences (CITW4, which:enhances students' understanding of and ability to use knowledgeThe first idea I would like to highlight is a graphic organizer called Popplet. This tool helps students: Find similarities and differences (CITW4, which:enhances students' understanding of and ability to use knowledgeallows students to understand and often solve complex problems by analyzing them in a more simple wayRepresent ideas visually (CITW5), which Represent ideas visually (CITW5), which reaches students who learn primarily visuallyRepresent ideas visually (CITW5), which reaches students who learn primarily visuallyand helps all students by presenting information in another wayRepresent ideas visually (CITW5), which reaches students who learn primarily visuallyand helps all students by presenting information in another wayGenerate and test hypotheses (CITW9) byRepresent ideas visually (CITW5), which reaches students who learn primarily visuallyand helps all students by presenting information in another wayGenerate and test hypotheses (CITW9) byBrainstorming ideasRepresent ideas visually (CITW5), which reaches students who learn primarily visuallyand helps all students by presenting information in another wayGenerate and test hypotheses (CITW9) byBrainstorming ideasMaking predictions

To begin go to http://popplet.com/ and sign up for a free account.

The free account requires an email and only gives you five Popplets so it is not very practical for students.

The free account requires an email and only gives you five Popplets so it is not very practical for students. However, school accounts are available (a paid service) and it is also an iPad app.

Then you make a new popplet, choosing the name and the color of the background.

Your storyboard appears:

You double-click to put your first popple on the storyboard. You click inside it to type.

You double-click to put your first popple on the storyboard. You click inside it to type.

If you dont want your name on every popple, you go to settings >view>hide nametags

You can alter your popple in various ways:From basic black

You can alter your popple in various ways:From basic black

To various colors

You can alter your popple in various ways:From basic black

To various colors

Insert a photo

You can alter your popple in various ways:From basic black

To various colors

Insert a photo

From various sources

VimeoFlickrYouTubeYourcomputerYou can also draw on your popple:

You can make a new popple in any direction by selecting your first popple and then clicking on one of the gray circles.

You can make a new popple in any direction by selecting your first popple and then clicking on one of the gray circles.

You can make a new popple in any direction by selecting your first popple and then clicking on one of the gray circles.

You can make a new popple in any direction by selecting your first popple and then clicking on one of the gray circles.

You then make subordinate popples or new popples until your popplet is done.

You can then print your popple:

You can then print your popple:

Or export your Popplet in a variety of forms:

pdfOr export your Popplet in a variety of forms:

pdfjpgOr export your Popplet in a variety of forms:

pdfjpgpngThere is another great graphic organizer named Bubbl.us that has a lot more options in terms of bubble size, font size, color options, etc., but photos cannot be uploaded without a paid account.

The second idea I would like to highlight is an online image editing program called FotoFlexer. This tool helps students:The second idea I would like to highlight is an online image editing program called FotoFlexer. This tool helps students:Represent ideas visually (CITW5), which The second idea I would like to highlight is an online image editing program called FotoFlexer. This tool helps students:Represent ideas visually (CITW5), which reaches students who learn primarily visuallyThe second idea I would like to highlight is an online image editing program called FotoFlexer. This tool helps students:Represent ideas visually (CITW5), which reaches students who learn primarily visuallyand helps all students by presenting information in another wayTo start, go to www.fotoflexer.com. You are not required to create an account, login or download anything to use the software.

First you upload a photo you want to edit. There are many options for where to upload from:

First you upload a photo you want to edit. There are many options for where to upload from:

First you upload a photo you want to edit. There are many options for where to upload from:

Once you upload your photo you have many editing choices:

Once you upload your photo you have many editing choices:Basic editing

Once you upload your photo you have many editing choices:Basic editing

Any editing is done simply by pushing buttons and selecting options. Effects like:

Effects like:

Blur edges

Effects like:

Blur edges

Cartoon

You can add animations (which glitter on the photo):

You can add animations (which glitter on the photo):

Animated stars

You can add animations (which glitter on the photo):

Animated stars

Animated stickers

With the Beauty and Layers tabs you can fix what might be wrong or add a photo to another photo

With the Distort and Geek tabs you can create interesting effects:

Twirl

Smart cutout

Smart cutout

Smart cutout

Whatever editing you do, the results can be saved or shared in a variety of ways:

Whatever editing you do, the results can be saved or shared in a variety of ways:

Whatever editing you do, the results can be saved or shared in a variety of ways:

It is great for student use in that it can be saved right to their computer.The third idea I would like to highlight is creating QR codes using Delivr. This tool helps students:The third idea I would like to highlight is creating QR codes using Delivr. This tool helps students:By assisting in assigning homework and practice (CITW7), which extends the learning outside the classroom The third idea I would like to highlight is creating QR codes using Delivr. This tool helps students:By assisting in assigning homework and practice (CITW7), which extends the learning outside the classroom Cue learning (CITW4) by having students scan the QR codes using iPads and the code can take them to any website that is relevant to the lessonTo begin, go to the website at www.delivr.com

Enter the address of the website you want to create the QR code for.

Without having to sign up for anything, you can immediately download the QR code that is created in a variety of forms.

The fourth idea I would like to highlight is a very simple way to create slideshows online called PhotoPeach. This tool helps students:The fourth idea I would like to highlight is a very simple way to create slideshows online called PhotoPeach. This tool helps students:Represent ideas visually (CITW5), which The fourth idea I would like to highlight is a very simple way to create slideshows online called PhotoPeach. This tool helps students:Represent ideas visually (CITW5), which reaches students who learn primarily visuallyThe fourth idea I would like to highlight is a very simple way to create slideshows online called PhotoPeach. This tool helps students:Represent ideas visually (CITW5), which reaches students who learn primarily visuallyand helps all students by presenting information in another wayTo begin, go to www.photopeach.com.

A free account requires you to sign up and allows you to upload 30 photos per slideshow (album).

However, educational accounts are available:

Educational accounts have a variety of advantages:

The educational accounts are reasonably priced:

The first step is to upload photos, one for each slide of your slideshow:

The first step is to upload photos, one for each slide of your slideshow:

Then you are able to manipulate the photos rearrange them, delete them, add more, etc.

Next you give your slideshow a title, give each slide (photo) a caption (description), and choose music:

When all your fields are filled out, your slideshow is ready to play:

Example slideshow:

If you would like to edit your slideshow you can:

If you would like to edit your slideshow you can:

I chose to edit captions and photosThis brings up a variety of choices, including the ability to create a quiz for the slideshow:

This brings up a variety of choices, including the ability to create a quiz for the slideshow:

I chose to put the captions at the bottom.My new slideshow is now as I want it and I can copy the URL (http://photopeach.com/album/innib0) and share it with anyone I want.

My new slideshow is now as I want it and I can copy the URL (http://photopeach.com/album/innib0) and share it with anyone I want. If I have an educator premium account, the slideshows can be downloaded and saved or burned on DVDs.

The final idea I would like to highlight is a bookmarking site named Diigo that allows you to collect the web address of other sites and use them in a variety of ways. This tool helps students: The final idea I would like to highlight is a bookmarking site named Diigo that allows you to collect the web address of other sites and use them in a variety of ways. This tool helps students: Work cooperatively (CITW 3), which helps them The final idea I would like to highlight is a bookmarking site named Diigo that allows you to collect the web address of other sites and use them in a variety of ways. This tool helps students: Work cooperatively (CITW 3), which helps them Build trustThe final idea I would like to highlight is a bookmarking site named Diigo that allows you to collect the web address of other sites and use them in a variety of ways. This tool helps students: Work cooperatively (CITW 3), which helps them Build trustLearn to communicate betterThe final idea I would like to highlight is a bookmarking site named Diigo that allows you to collect the web address of other sites and use them in a variety of ways. This tool helps students: Work cooperatively (CITW 3), which helps them Build trustLearn to communicate betterDevelop leadership skillsThe final idea I would like to highlight is a bookmarking site named Diigo that allows you to collect the web address of other sites and use them in a variety of ways. This tool helps students: Work cooperatively (CITW 3), which helps them Build trustLearn to communicate betterDevelop leadership skillsImprove conflict resolution This tool also helps students: Cue learning (CITW4) by providing resources in one, easily accessed, online location.Diigo is useful for many reasons. You can:Diigo is useful for many reasons. You can:Add digital highlights and sticky notes to web articles on any platform PC, tablet, etc. and they will always be there when you returnDiigo is useful for many reasons. You can:Add digital highlights and sticky notes to web articles on any platform PC, tablet, etc. and they will always be there when you returnBuild your own personal library in the Cloud with links, photos, notes, etc. that are never lost and can be accessed from anywhere.Diigo is useful for many reasons. You can:Add digital highlights and sticky notes to web articles on any platform PC, tablet, etc. and they will always be there when you returnBuild your own personal library in the Cloud with links, photos, notes, etc. that are never lost and can be accessed from anywhere.Save a page to Diigo so that it is archived - even if it is removed from the web, it is not lost to you.Diigo is useful for many reasons. You can:Add digital highlights and sticky notes to web articles on any platform PC, tablet, etc. and they will always be there when you returnBuild your own personal library in the Cloud with links, photos, notes, etc. that are never lost and can be accessed from anywhere.Save a page to Diigo so that it is archived - even if it is removed from the web, it is not lost to you.Comment on students writing online - you can capture it and comment using sticky notes.Diigo is useful for many reasons. You can:Add digital highlights and sticky notes to web articles on any platform PC, tablet, etc. and they will always be there when you returnBuild your own personal library in the Cloud with links, photos, notes, etc. that are never lost and can be accessed from anywhere.Save a page to Diigo so that it is archived - even if it is removed from the web, it is not lost to you.Comment on students writing online - you can capture it and comment using sticky notes.Easily organize what you have bookmarked with tags.Diigo is useful for many reasons. You can:Add digital highlights and sticky notes to web articles on any platform PC, tablet, etc. and they will always be there when you returnBuild your own personal library in the Cloud with links, photos, notes, etc. that are never lost and can be accessed from anywhere.Save a page to Diigo so that it is archived - even if it is removed from the web, it is not lost to you.Comment on students writing online - you can capture it and comment using sticky notes.Easily organize what you have bookmarked with tags.Put anything you have captured or bookmarked into lists. These lists can be private or shared. Diigo is useful for many reasons. You can:Add digital highlights and sticky notes to web articles on any platform PC, tablet, etc. and they will always be there when you returnBuild your own personal library in the Cloud with links, photos, notes, etc. that are never lost and can be accessed from anywhere.Save a page to Diigo so that it is archived - even if it is removed from the web, it is not lost to you.Comment on students writing online - you can capture it and comment using sticky notes.Easily organize what you have bookmarked with tags.Put anything you have captured or bookmarked into lists. These lists can be private or shared. You can make a list of helpful resources for a unit for your students and allow the members of your class to subscribe to itDiigo is useful for many reasons. You can:Add digital highlights and sticky notes to web articles on any platform PC, tablet, etc. and they will always be there when you returnBuild your own personal library in the Cloud with links, photos, notes, etc. that are never lost and can be accessed from anywhere.Save a page to Diigo so that it is archived - even if it is removed from the web, it is not lost to you.Comment on students writing online - you can capture it and comment using sticky notes.Easily organize what you have bookmarked with tags.Put anything you have captured or bookmarked into lists. These lists can be private or shared. You can make a list of helpful resources for a unit for your students and allow the members of your class to subscribe to itOther lists like online signups can be shared with the parents of your studentsTo begin, go to www.diigo.com.

Create an account:

The best way to use Diigo is to install the toolbar. It allows you to bookmark, save, etc. with just a click:

You then go to a website you would like to bookmark, and click bookmark in the toolbar.

You then go to a website you would like to bookmark, and click bookmark in the toolbar.

Diigo automatically puts in the name of the site, and offers recommended tags, as well as tags you used last time, plus a space to put in a description of the page.Diigo then adds that page to your Library:

To share items from your Diigo you need to create groups:

To share items from your Diigo you need to create groups:

You just push the create a new group button, and then after your group is created, you invite people to join.Once your group is created, you can share a web document that you have saved and everyone in your group can comment on it.

You can also create lists of websites for any purpose (such as resources for a unit) and share them with your group:

Hopefully one or more of these ideas has inspired you to use technology tools to provide your students with a richer learning environment.

CREDITS:Music is Luminance by The Senser Complex, license purchased from audiojungle.net

All photos were taken by me and used with permission

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