Top Ten Tech

Tools for

Elementary

Teachers

Laurie Conzemius

Media Specialist

Pine Meadow Elementary, Sartell

Who a

m I?

Media

specialist

Teacher

Reader

Techie

ISTE Board

Member

Volunteer

Cri

teri

a

FreeEasy to useWork on multiple formats, devices

No filter issuesNo specific apps

needed

Tool #

1:

Fuel t

he B

rain

http://www.fuelthebrain.comWhat it is: A huge resource

of online games, ebooks,

teacher guides, articles

and more!

Usage in the Classroom:

This site includes a wealth

of instant activities that

you will be able to use in

every subject area.

Tool #

1:

Fuel th

e B

rain

Pros:

Blog introduces

even more great

resources!

You can play

without

registering, but if

you do register

your scores are

tracked.

Root of the

Week!

Cons:

You have to

scroll up and

down to

center the

activity

Activities are

geared for

grades K-3

There are

ads

Tool #

2:

Thin

kfinit

y

http://www.thinkfinity.org

What it is: Resources from

NCTM, ArtsEdge, Smithsonian, Wonderopolis,

National Geographic,

EconEdge, etc. organized by

standards and grade levels.

Includes a teacher community and much more!

Usage in the Classroom: Can’t

be missed for finding lesson

plan to tie into standards in

all curricular areas. The

connections between the

sponsors is excellent!

Tool #

2:

Thin

kfinity

Pros:

Easy to search

– limiters for

grade, subject

& more

Fits into every

subject you

teach!

Allows for

cross-

curricular

activities

Cons:

Can be

difficult to

locate find

what you’re

searching

for.

Resources

are for all

grade levels.

Tool #

3:

Webto

ols

4U

2 U

se

http://webtools4u2use.wikispac

es.com/

What it is: Complete listing

of web 2.0 tools of all

types, with examples of

how they can be used in

your school.Usage in the Classroom:

Gives you many options

when looking for a webtool.

Tool #

3:

Webto

ols 4

U2

Use

/Wikis

Pros:

Wide range

of tools

Great tips

for use!

5 to try –

shows top 5

Cons:

A bit

overwhelmin

g

Too many

choices!

Tool #

4:

Cla

ssro

om

2.0

http://www.classroom20.org

What it is: A learning community showcasing

webinars that are archived

and supported with tons

of resources. This is your

PLN 24/365!Usage in the Classroom:

Anything you want to

learn you can find on this

resource – and the best of

the best is already located

for you!

Tool #

4:

Cla

ssroom

2.0

Pros:

Archived

webinars

Supporting

resources

Cons:

Too much

content

Tool #

5:

Cla

ss D

OJO

http://www.classdojo.com

What it is: A behavior management website that

allows you to keep running

records of positive behaviors.

It includes student and parent

logins and provides reports

with multiple options.

Usage in the Classroom: A great

tool for keeping track of

behaviors in the classroom.

For more info: Student information video http://www.youtube.com/watc

h?v=KaeNSYJvrn0

Tool #

5:

Cla

ss DO

JOPros:

Motivating

to use

technology

with

behavior

Easy to

setup

Parent

connect

Cons:

Could be too

negative

Students

may get

bored with

this

approach

Tool #

6:

Pinte

rest

http://www.pinterest.com

What it is: The Pinterest

community – with pins

related to everything

you teach, and more!

Usage in the Classroom:

Need a quick idea? Your

fellow teachers will be

asking you where you

found such great ideas!

Tool #

6:

Pinte

rest

Pros:

Great

community

connections!

Easy access

to tons of

resources

Cons:

Can be

addicting!

Can get off-

track easily

Tool #

6:

Live

bin

ders

http://www.livebinders.c

omWhat it is: An online file

cabinet for all your resources – or a way

to access other teachers’ resources.

Usage in the Classroom:

Great way to share links with students. Access to others’ Livebinders!

Tool #

6:

LiveB

inders

Pros:

Websites are

visible to the

viewer

The

Livebinder

can be

changed/add

ed to on the

fly

Cons:

Websites

open in

frames,

which can be

difficult

The site is

sometimes

glitchy

Tool #

7:

Kid

blo

g

http://kidblog.org/home/

What it is: A resource that allows a teacher

to create a class set of

blogs, individual for each student. Usage in the Classroom:

Students can learn to

comment, discuss and

collaborate in a safe

environment.

Tool #

7:

Kid

blo

gPros:

This site is

safe and

secure.

Students

learn to use

social

networking

tools.

Cons:

There is

some

advance

setup.

Students

may have

difficulty on

portable

devices.

Tool #

8:

Readin

g R

ock

ets

http://www.readingrockets.org

What it is: The definitive

source on teaching students to read! Includes instructional

videos, author videos,

posters, tips, strategy

info, and so much more!

Usage in the Classroom:

Every teacher is a reading teacher – and

with this resource you will

have what you need!

Tool #

8:

Readin

g

Rocke

tsPros:

Inlcudes

EVERYTHING

related to

reading!

Instructional

videos are

excellent!

Cons:

Navigation

can be a

little

challenging.

Tool #

9:

Diig

o

http://www.diigo.com/What it is: Social

bookmarking at its finest. You can bookmark and view your bookmarks on any computer.Usage in the Classroom:

Your bookmarks are always available to you. You can view the

favs of others with similar interests.

Tool #

9:

Diig

oPros:

Bookmarks

are available

everywhere!

You can see

what other

people are

bookmarking

and find

additional

resources.

Cons:

You need to

keep it

updated.

Tool #

10:

Edute

cher

http://www.edutecher.net/

What it is: A website that

organizes educational

websites, provides a

Pinterest-like tool, and

much more!Usage in the Classroom: If

you’re looking for a tool,

Edutecher will help you

find it!For more info: http://www.edutecher.net

/video_tutorial.php (Tutorials)

Tool #

10:

Edute

cher

Pros:

Many

useful tools

Convenient

ways to

collaborate

Educlipper

tool

Cons:

Similar to

other tools

Some links

are

outdated,

and the best

aren’t

always

visible

Bonus

Tool:

Math

landin

g http://www.mathlanding.or

g/

What it is: A website that

organizes math information of all kinds.

Usage in the Classroom:

There are lesson plans,

PD videos, and more!

Bonus To

ol:

Math

landin

gPros:

Great new

resource for

all things

math

Geared

totally

toward

elementary

school

Cons:

Still in beta

format

Can be

difficult to

locate

information

Top T

ools

for

Kid

s

Spelling City Arcademic Skill BuildersStarfallPoisson RougeKerpoofCarrotSticks/Study LadderAnimotoiPad creation apps: Educreations, ShowMe,

Whiteboard, etc.

Sky

pe

Skype an authorSkype an expertSkype a parent

serving overseasSkype a mentorSkype classroom

buddies

Cla

ssro

om

Te

ach

ers

to

Watc

h