Eclectic Technology

Summertime...a time to recharge and to think about what we might do in our classrooms next year (at least for the folks who are now out of school). Have you been considering learning some new tech tools? This website is a great place to start. They have short tutorials on nine "emerging tech tools" and more will be added. The tutorials include:

* Create a Flipped Lesson with TedEd

* Easily Create Private Digital Online Content Discussions with Tackk

* Using Movenote to Create Custom Video Lessons

* Create Powerful Lessons in Minutes with Blendspace

* Remind 101 - A Free Tool for Text Messaging Students

Two more tools are available and you might want to bookmark this site as they will continue to add new tools as they become available.

Five resources are shared in this post, with explanations about how to use them in your classroom. All have free versions available.

* LessonPaths (http://www.lessonpaths.com/) allows you to put together groups of web resources and other digital resources in one location. (This was called MentorMob.)

* Blendspace (https://www.blendspace.com/schools) is similar to LessonPaths but with a different look to it. Check them both out to see which fits your needs.

* Geddit (http://letsgeddit.com/) provides a space where you can ask questions and students can respond using most any digital device that can access the Internet.

* TED-Ed (http://letsgeddit.com/) is a resource that provides lessons that include a video, questions, resources and a discussion forum and allow you to flip any lesson you find. Additional videos are added frequently.

* Powtoon (http://www.powtoon.com) allows you to create videos using templates. It is a little more complex to learn and you will be limited to five minute videos unless you subscribe. There is an educational version available.

Have fun exploring these tools and creating content to engage your students!