In part one of this blog, we introduced you to Wriddle and discussed applying the SAMR Model and the Triple E Framework to using it in your instruction. Today’s post offers detailed instructions for using this tool and shares classroom ideas.
Wriddle is a free multimedia literacy tool where students can write, draw, and record audio to create digital stories. Teachers can add up to 150 students and five co-teachers, with students accessing their accounts via a link or QR code. Projects autosave to the teacher portal and can be printed or shared online. Wriddle works on any web browser and mobile devices through iOS/Android apps.
Wriddle:
As you arrive at Wriddle, you can click Join or Sign In.
The next option asks if you want to Create a Class Account using Google or your name and email. Wriddle will send a verification email.
The free plan includes 150 students (you register them) and up to 5 collaborator educators. Personal accounts are another option for parents and students to use outside the classroom. This blog post references the Classroom accounts. View the differences below.
Here is a sample from Wriddle’s homepage. As you can see, students can use their best spelling and then use the microphone to add audio options. In addition, colors and drawing/painting tools are available.
Now, let’s go back and see how to create images. As students arrive at Wriddle, they click the Yellow + to create a new Wriddle. And if they are not pleased, there is a Trash option at the bottom right.
Once students click the Yellow + sign, the screen will change to look like the image below. They write the words in the Type a sentence box on the right (the microphone is at the bottom of this box). They can also click to use the drawing tools at the bottom right.
Click the microphone to record your voice. Wriddle is an excellent tool for students to read their pages, explain their drawings, and provide additional information. Once students finish recording, they can play it. Next, they can decide to Keep the audio or Try Again.
Once you click on Keep, the recording button will become an arrow playing the audio.
When finished, the student can click on the three dots on the upper-right side to print or share. The right icon is the share button. Note that if students are working in their student account that you have already created, the teacher will automatically see the Wriddle, and there is no need to share—as it will be in their student account. However, this is a great option to share with families!
Clicking the share icon provides sharing options by link, email, or QR code.
Finally, here is the student’s finished Wriddle!
Now that we have described how students can create a Wriddle, let’s look at the teacher side and how to add students and view their work. As teachers arrive at the site, it looks like the image below. Click the Green + Add Students button to start to add your class.
There are three ways to add students. You can enter a list (type or paste), manually enter it, or add anonymous students (if you do not wish to use real names).
Once you have added your students, they are visible on the teacher portal. You can view all names and passwords. At the bottom left of this image, you can see the options to share a link directly to the class Wriddle page or print user cards that allow student login with a QR code.
The printable cards are an excellent option for younger students. Teachers can keep the cards in a folder for when they are using Wriddle.
When students are ready, they show their card to access their account.
The image below shows what students view when they first log in using the URL. If they log in using the QR card, they are taken directly to their own page.
The following image is the teacher’s view of all students. From this screen, the teacher can click on any of the students’ names to view all their Wriddles (completed and in progress).
Classroom Implementation Ideas:
Wriddle is an engaging and powerful tool for young students. Because it is a writing tool, it integrates well in various subject areas. Below, we share several suggestions for using Wriddle in the primary classroom.
Use Wriddle to create a digital story about:
Social Studies:
- The community they live in.
- Community first responders.
- A president from the past or present.
- The oceans around the world.
- Basic landforms.
Science:
- Healthy living habits.
- The water cycle.
- The phases of the moon.
- Planets.
- Lifecycle of a butterfly.
Math:
- Counting objects.
- Basic addition or subtraction.
- A word problem (use audio to explain the steps they took).
- Simple fractions.
- Estimation.
Language Arts:
- The main character from a story.
- The conflict and resolution in a story.
- Spelling words (writing and saying them with the audio).
- A short book trailer after reading a story.
- Sequencing events from a story.
Arts & Humanities:
- The meaning behind their artwork (students can draw and then explain using Wriddle’s audio feature).
- Classes creating self-portraits introduction.
- The instruments they play in the band or orchestra.
- World language – simple counting or other words.
Additional Video Tutorial and Review:
- TeachersFirst Review: Wriddle
- Video: Wriddle by Tech4Learning
- Video: Intro to Wriddle
Have you used Wriddle? Then, share your activities in the comments below!