Nifty 50 Tips and Tools: Play on Player!
Resource Materials:
In this section of the Resources Page you will find reference materials, tutorials and how-to information that will help you review or extend your knowledge from the presentation.
Session Padlet
Research and Pedagogy
- Article: 4 Benefits of Game-Based Learning
- Article: 6 Basic Benefits of Game-Based Learning
- Article: Benefits of Educational Games in the Classroom
- Article: 7 Things That You Should Know About Games and Learning
- Article: Digital Pedagogy – Why Games
Tutorial Videos
In-the-Classroom:
Our In-the-Classroom section is where you will find ideas and examples on how to integrate the tools shared into classroom instruction.
Nifty Fifty Tips and Tools (plus a few extras)
Why Use Games in the Elementary Classroom:
- Increases young students’ memory capacity
- Increases computer fluency
- Encourages problem-solving skills
- Games are fun
- Games offer an easy way to assess learning
- Games can help to develop eye-hand coordination
- Engaging for students with ADD/ADHD
- Teaches that failure is OK – perseverance
- Teaches specific skills (typing or map skills, for example)
- Games are more engaging than traditional Teaching
Ready to Go Games
- Starfall (Grades PreK-3)
- TeachersFirst Review of Starfall
- Tips for using Starfall
- Use with even your youngest PreK students
- Many ways to use Starfall depending on how many devices are available
- Don’t forget your earbuds
- Math Games (Grades PreK-8)
- TeachersFirst Review of Math Games
- Tips for using Math Games
- The activities are linked to Common Core Standards, use this to save time during lesson planning.
- Registration is not required, but there are many benefits to joining (and it is FREE).
- Students earn points for each activity completed. Use this to gamify the activities even more (perhaps some competitions between students or to beat individual top point earnings).
- Remember the app versions differ slightly than the web version, preview ahead!
- Since grade levels are very specific, be mindful if you have students working ahead or behind the site’s assigned grade levels.
- Duolingo (Grades 1-12, very minimal reading required)
- TeachersFirst Review of Duolingo
- Tips for using Duolingo
- Great site for learning world languages (approximately 30 languages are included)
- No registration is required, but suggested, so students can keep track of progress.
- You decide how many minutes you want to learn each day.
- Use in world language classes
- Use with ESL/ELL students learning English
- Use with gifted students for enrichment
- Video tutorial of Duolingo
- ABCya (Grades PreK-6)
- TeachersFirst Review of ABCya
- Tips for using ABCya
- Many of the FREE games on the web versions are not available or free on the app (preview).
- All games on the web version are free.
- Great site for targeted practice (such as pronouns or dividing decimals).
- Share this link on your class website for families.
- Outwhiz (Grades K-8)
- TeachersFirst Review of Outwhiz
- Tips for using Outwhiz
- Students earn points, badges, and more.
- Registration is optional but does offer student report cards and more personalized learning options.
- KidCitizen (Grades K-5)
- TeachersFirst Review of KidCitizen
- Tips for using KidCitizen
- Civics + Game-based learning + Primary Sources
- Double-check the iOS version if using the app
- Banzai!
- TeachersFirst Review of Banzai!
- Tips for using Banzai!
- 3 Levels Banzai! Jr (ages 8-12), Banzai! Teen (ages 13-18), and Banzai Plus (ages 16+)
- Financial literacy + Game-based learning + assessment
- Video tutorial of Banzai!
- Tips for using Banzai!
- TeachersFirst Review of Banzai!
Create Your Own Games
- Quizlet Live (Grades 4-12)
- TeachersFirst Review of Quizlet Live
- Tips for using Quizlet Live
- View this introductory video to learn more.
- Don’t forget to allow 3-5 minutes for students to find other members of their group.
- This game-based learning tool requires collaboration.
- Don’t forget that you need 4 participants to play if using it with a small group.
- Baamboozle (Grades K-12)
- TeachersFirst Review of Baamboozle
- Tips for using Baamboozle
- Use a ready-made game and edit for your own use.
- Challenge students to create their own original games
- Plickers (Grades K-12)
- TeachersFirst Review of Plickers
- Tips for using Plickers
- Laminate the cards to make them last longer.
- Use a larger font with younger students.
- Use this as a pre-assessment, exit ticket, formative assessment, and more.
- Learn more about Plickers in this short video.
- Quizizz (Grades K-12)
- TeachersFirst Review of Quizizz
- Tips for using Quizizz
- The site has over 1,000,000 teacher-created quiz games – don’t reinvent the wheel.
- Can be done as a class or self-paced on individual devices
- Kahoot (Grades K-12)
- TeachersFirst Review of Kahoot
- Tips for using Kahoot
- Great for younger students
- Options for quizzes, polls, jumble, and more
- GooseChase EDU (Grades 3-12)
- TeachersFirst Review of GooseChase EDU
- Tips for using GooseChase EDU
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- Don’t miss the FREE archive to a full webinar training, you can learn a lot in an hour.
- Save time and edit an already-created hunt!
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- Oodlu (Grades 2-12)
- TeachersFirst Review of Oodlu
- Tips for using Oodlu
- Be sure to check out the many different types of assessment options and also feedback options.
- Read the FREE features carefully (they are highlighted on the slide). You can also view them by scrolling about half-way down the homepage.
- Sketch Nation Create (Closed – a great example of free sites going away)
- Gimkit
- TeachersFirst Review of Gimkit
- Tips for using Gimkit
- Created by a student
- Students can earn (and deduct) in-game cash
- Check out the Help Center for articles and videos
- Gimkit Tutorial video
Cool Tools Rare Finds
- Oh H1 (Grades K-12)
- TeachersFirst Review of Oh H1
- Tips for using Oh H1
- Perfect for all reading levels
- The grid size options allow for easy differentiation
- Ideal tool for your early finishers
- Learn to Code with el Chavo (Grades K-6)
- TeachersFirst Review of Learn to Code with el Chavo
- Tips for using Learn to Code with el Chavo
- Available in Spanish or English
- Could be used with world language learners above 6th grade
- Video preview of Sequence 1
- Tips for using Learn to Code with el Chavo
- TeachersFirst Review of Learn to Code with el Chavo
- Tynker (Grades 3-8, App Grades PreK-8)
- TeacherFirst Review of Tynker
- Tips for using Tynker
- Be sure to check out the app, they include a Tynker Junior area that would work well with students in primary grades and possibly PreK.
- Answerables (Grades K-8)
- TeachersFirst Review of Answerables
- Tips for using Answerables
- Start with this introductory video to learn more about Answerables.
- Combine your learning management system with game-based learning.
- This one has a slightly higher learning curve, but once you have it set-up – it is worth the time!
- TinyTap (Grades K-12)
- TeachersFirst Review of TinyTap
- Tips for using TinyTap
- Learn more at this quick tutorial video.
- Most games are free, but a few are created by professional authors and are not free (it is listed on the site).
- The free version does allow public comments. At this time, there was nothing inappropriate – but as always, previewing is best!
Gamify Classroom Management
- ClassDojo (Grades K-8 – tools could be used by all grades)
- TeachersFirst Review of ClassDojo
- Tips for using ClassDojo
- Remember that ClassDojo falls under the FERPA laws for directory information and educational records.
- Don’t miss the many tools they have available: Classroom Music, Random Group Generator, Classroom Noise Monitor, and others.
- Class123 (Grades K-6 – tools could be used by all grades)
- TeachersFirst Review of Class123
- Tips for using Class123
- If Class123 is new to you, view this video to learn about the many free features.
- Remember that Class123 falls under the FERPA laws for directory information and educational records.
- This one also has some excellent tools: Seating Chart, Virtual Chalkboard, Random Name Picker, Timer, and more.
- Symbaloo Learning Paths (Grades K-12)
- TeachersFirst Review of Symbaloo Learning Paths
- Tips for using Symbaloo Learning Paths
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- If you are looking for a quick introduction to Symbaloo Learning Paths, view this video for a short demo.
- For a more in-depth explanation of the tool, view the free archived webinar.
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Management Tips for using Game-Based Learning in the Classroom
- Train student experts to help others in need when you aren’t available. Identify them with a lanyard or nametag of some sort. This is a great way to boost the confidence of your student experts.
- Solo Cup Management – put cups on the tables or desks.
- Blue is A-OK
- Yellow needs help when you can
- Red needs a teacher or student expert ASAP
- Sandbox time – give students time to explore the tool before you begin and expect their full attention.
- Create a Game-Based Learning Tech Toolbox and introduce a new gaming tool each year during the elementary grades. By the end of the elementary school years – the students are MASTERS at 6 cool tools. Start with one of the easier tools, like ABCya. For first grade, add in Kahoot. Keep adding a new tool each year.
- Share web tools and apps on your class website for parents and families to explore together.
Don’t miss our complete list of Device Agnostic Tools (DATS), a dream for any BYOD classroom.
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