My Favorite Web Tools

Last year was my first year teaching with Chromebooks in the classroom, and I tried out tons of web tools and software.  The following is a list of some of my (and my students') favorites.  Check them out:

• Kahoot! - an interactive, competitive game show type quiz game that allows you to check your students' understanding of a topic.  Students get immediate feedback including correct answers and teachers are provided with a spreadsheet to view students' progress.  Plus, it's super fun!  This is definitely a classroom favorite; students cheer every time they find out it's on the agenda. LESSON IDEA:  Create Kahoot quiz for chapter review before tests!
• SMART amp - cloud-based software that allows students to use their mobile devices to create and discover digital content, and collaborate and share ideas in an interactive workspace.  Teachers create learning spaces for students to inspire collaborative, cooperative learning. LESSON IDEA:  Create an amp space in which students watch an included video about Sparta/Athens, then work collaboratively in the space to sort the symbols based on which city-state they best represent.
• ThingLink - students choose an image and then create hotspot links for specific parts of it to share more information.  Links can include text, videos, more images, web pages, etc.  LESSON IDEA: Choose map of the USA (or a state/country/the world, etc) and include links on each state's capital with information about the state.  Much more interactive and engaging than simply coloring a map and identifying capitals!
• PowToon - software that easily allows students to create animated, cartoon-like presentations.  Students love being able to produce "professional" quality end products.  LESSON IDEA:  Students create and present an animated book report using PowToon rather than a traditional paper format.  
• Weebly - allows students to easily create their own websites and/or blogs.  LESSON IDEA: students can create websites to showcase their progress on a project like Genius Hour or other long-term assignment.
• Newsela - Engaging daily news and current events articles that can be customized by reading level for students.  Quizzes are included and teachers can track students' progress.  LESSON IDEA:  Incorporate into weekly/daily plans to reinforce informational text reading comprehension.
• EdPuzzle - software that allows you to upload a video and include various types of questions at stopping points throughout it to check for students' understanding. LESSON IDEA: Use a YouTube video of Life in Ancient Egypt and place basic comprehension as well as higher-order thinking questions strategically throughout.
• DigitalPassport - Common Sense Media's interactive, fun way to teach digital citizenship.  Lessons are designed for grades 3-5. LESSON IDEA:  Have students complete the lessons to earn their digital passport badge at the beginning of the year to show that they are ready to use technology responsibly in the classroom.

I'd love to hear what some of your favorite Web tools are!  Share links in the comments.