Do you ever feel like the lady in this picture? Imagine if you told a student to go and find their work in that pile. That is a nightmare right?
If you have ever taken your class to the computer lab or brought in a set of laptops to work on a student project, you know how much time can be wasted searching the Internet for specific information. Just like it would be to search for a specific paper on the desk in the picture. It might not even be an intentional waste of time, but the student starts with a Google search (of course) on their topic. Forty five minutes later they may or may not have found any useful or valid websites.
Another scenario might be that you want your students to go to a specific website to study for a test or play educational games when they finish their class work. They might type the website wrong or continuously ask the teacher what to type in. Here are some free web-based tools that can help you if you find yourself in either of these situations.
1. Portaportal – This is an online bookmarking website that is very simple and organized. Create a free account, add some categories, and begin saving websites in a matter of minutes. example
2. Jog the Web – Kind of like an upgraded web quest or a tour. Students scroll through the websites that you have deemed appropriate. example
3. Live Binders –organized like a binder with tabs for every subtopic - Within each tab you can save multiple websites, articles, or videos. example
4. Glogster EDU – This is a site that allows you to create a digital poster. example (made by Kate Straley)
5. Evernote - (look at the previous blog post for more details)
That great thing about all of these tools is that they are free. Go ahead and get started. Save some SOL review websites, resources for a research project, or even something to share with parents so they can be in touch with what their child is learning. As always contact your ITRT if you need assitance in setting any of these things up or determining which one would be best for your lesson.
Another scenario might be that you want your students to go to a specific website to study for a test or play educational games when they finish their class work. They might type the website wrong or continuously ask the teacher what to type in. Here are some free web-based tools that can help you if you find yourself in either of these situations.
1. Portaportal – This is an online bookmarking website that is very simple and organized. Create a free account, add some categories, and begin saving websites in a matter of minutes. example
2. Jog the Web – Kind of like an upgraded web quest or a tour. Students scroll through the websites that you have deemed appropriate. example
3. Live Binders –organized like a binder with tabs for every subtopic - Within each tab you can save multiple websites, articles, or videos. example
4. Glogster EDU – This is a site that allows you to create a digital poster. example (made by Kate Straley)
5. Evernote - (look at the previous blog post for more details)
That great thing about all of these tools is that they are free. Go ahead and get started. Save some SOL review websites, resources for a research project, or even something to share with parents so they can be in touch with what their child is learning. As always contact your ITRT if you need assitance in setting any of these things up or determining which one would be best for your lesson.
