Create
Here are my current staples that I use in my classroom to provide my students with creative digital opportunities!
iMovie
iMovie is an iOS video creating/editing tool that produces beautiful student-created videos. The tool offers both a regular video creator option and a movie trailer option. iMovie is great if you have access to Apple devices because students can import pictures and videos directly from their device. One way I have used iMovie in the past is by having my students use the movie trailer option to create digital book trailers– they loved this! While iMovie is only available for Apple devices, I definitely recommend this tool if you are able to access it.
Animoto
This fast, user-friendly video creating tool is perfect for the
classroom. There are three simple steps: choose a theme, upload photos or videos (even text), and share. You can also include music in your video. Animoto offers a free trial and options for plans to purchase. If you are an educator, you can also apply to receive Animoto Plus for free.
Collaborate
Below you will find my favorite current tech tools that I use for digital collaboration.
TodaysMeet
TodaysMeet is a free web-based digital discussion tool that allows students to backchannel during an activity, event, or discussion in the context of your classroom. TodaysMeet allows for discussion to take place beyond the walls of your classroom, whether it be between your students at home or with a classroom in another state. To start a conversation simply create a ‘room’ and share the link with your students. Once students access the specific link, they are able to type in their name and start the conversation. Overall, TodaysMeet is an excellent tool for collaborative discussions and is very user-friendly.
Skype
Skype, a digital communication tool, allows its users to communicate via messages, video chats, or phone messages. What I love about Skype is that it can connect your classroom to places all over the world by participating in a Mystery Skype, a virtual field trip, or a virtual hang out with a guest speaker. Microsoft’s Educator Community offers an online forum for teachers all over the world to connect with each other as well as excellent resources to use. To get started with Skype in your classroom or to learn more, visit Microsoft’s Skype in the Classroom site!
Padlet
This tool functions as essentially a digital bulletin board. Users can post photos, videos, links, and text to their Padlet wall. Once created, a Padlet wall can be shared with others by simply providing access to the link. This is a great way for students to generate ideas, have virtual discussions, or simply collaborate together. Padlet is a free tool that can be accessed via app or web browser. A more secure paid version is offered for schools (Padlet Backpack). If you are an educator you can sign up for a free 30-day trial.
Share
I am a firm believer in providing students with an authentic audience to share their learning-here are tools that I currently use and recommend!
KidBlog
Kidblog is a safe, fun digital blogging platform that is specifically designed for student use. It gives you plenty of privacy options for setting up a classroom blog to use with your students, making it a perfect way for students to share their work digitally in any school. My students also loved the fact that they could create their own avatar as well as customize their personal blog page. While a constraint of this tool is that it is no longer free, I encourage you to sign up for Kidblog’s free 30 day trial to see for yourself what an amazing tool it is!
Natalie D'Amico 