Nifty 50: Tools to Create – Build School-wide Literacy with Student Choice

Tuesday, June 25, 2024 ⬥ 3:30 – 4:30 PM
Presented by Melissa Henning

Session Description:

Podcasts, blogs, and videos…oh my! This fast-paced session will share 50 FREE tools your students can use to create media to show what they know! Along with each tool, learn age requirements, what is included with free accounts, and classroom use ideas. Come to learn and collaborate.

Purpose:

This session will include a brief poll and a discussion about the importance of student choice and the variety of tools available to show what they know. In addition to sharing the 50 FREE tools, classroom use ideas will be provided. We will also take some time with each tool to discuss the “need to know” details, such as restrictions in the free plans, and other important information. Finally, the resource page will include all 50 tools.

The model for building schoolwide literacy will also be introduced during this session. This model offers 1-2 tools per grade level (especially in the primary grades), so students can master those tools and then build on their tech toolbox of tools as they enter new grades. For example, in Kindergarten, students may master Adobe Express Video Maker and Flip. In First grade, students may master Breaking News Generator and SWAY (but still have Adobe Express Video Maker and Flip in their tech toolbox, as tools they have mastered during the previous year). This model will be discussed, and a general plan will be shared for participants to try in their schools.

Download a PDF copy of the slides here.

Resource Materials:

In this Resource Materials section, you will find reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information that will help you review or extend your knowledge from the presentation.

Resources from TeachersFirst

Mentioned During the Session

Blog Creators

Tools to Create and Edit Images

Adobe Creation Tools Not to Miss

Digital Storytelling Tools

  • StoryMaker ABCYa (Digital story-making tool for primary students. It includes paint effects, lined paper, and the option to print when finished)
  •  WriteReader (Create digital stories with the added feature of an adult/teacher section on each page to provide students with feedback, questions, and more). Free account allows 60 books – and this one has audio features too.)
  • Book Creator (Create very powerful digital stories with images, audio, writing, and collaboration options. Recently added Template Pages for video response and Portfolios for students to share their best writing and keep through the years. Free accounts can include 40 books and unlimited students.) 
  •  Elementari (Digital storytelling with coding! Free accounts include unlimited stories with 1 classroom and 35 student accounts.)
  •  Knight Lab (Create digital stories and more – timelines, story maps, storylines, and VR stories.)
  • Brush Ninja (Create digital stories with the option to use the paintbrush for added elements. You can also create animated GIFs and comic books.)

General Presentation Tools

  • Animoto (Create videos or slide shows with videos, sounds, and more. This one is truly multimedia. Students must be 13+ to create their own account.)
  • EdPuzzle (Upload videos and add your own voice, questions, and comments to narrate the video.)
  • Smore (Create beautiful multimedia newsletters – you can drag-and-drop the text, use ready-made graphics or your own images. There are also ready-to-go themes.) 
  • Text2voiceover (Add voiceover to YouTube videos. There are 13 different languages available.)
  • MoocNote (Add comments, links, and questions to videos. Students need an account and must be 13+ to use.) 
  • Timelinely (Create interactive video experiences. Students can paste the video URL and then start to annotate, plus add images, maps, links, and other information.)
  • Presentious (Create presentations that combine slides with screencasting and your own voice. You can also upload PowerPoint or Google Slides.)
  • Genially (Create presentations using the templates and infographics. There are over 50 different presentation options for animation and interaction including videos, games, digital publishing, presentations, courses, and more.)
  • ScreenPal (Create a screencast video recording with one click of a button. There is no limit on recordings. You can trim the videos.)

Curation Tools

  • Padlet (Recent updates include two main areas – this tool is listed twice in our Nifty 50. First, you can create boards that include the Stream, Map, Timeline, and others. These are all of the traditional Padlet options. Second, are the AI recipes that include countless templates for book trailers, biographies, summaries, exit tickets, and many other templates. Free accounts are limited to 3 Padlets per email address) 
  • Wakelet (Create wake collections to share links, articles, videos, and more. Students can collaborate on the wakes.)
  • List.ly (Curate, create, and share social lists.) 

Audio Tools

Canva Power Tools

Microsoft Tools

FigJam Features (10+ tools in one!)

  • FigJam Tools and Templates (Virtual Whiteboard for Collaboration)
    • TeachersFirst Review
    • Blog Post 
      • Sticky Wall
      • Venn Diagram
      • Curation
      • Timeline
      • Concept Maps
      • Pros and Cons
      • Storyboard
      • Vision Board
      • Essay (or research) Planning

Resources from ClassTools

Additional Media Tools (Outside of the Box) 

School-Wide Literacy

Robust reading and writing skills are fundamental to success, from early education through adulthood. These literacy competencies foster self-assurance and create a foundation for lifelong learning and achievement. Students who excel in literacy often demonstrate a greater willingness to embrace challenges and surpass their perceived limitations. Implementing a comprehensive, school-wide literacy model establishes a unified technological framework that nurtures literacy development across all grade levels and subject areas.

      • Tools for School-Wide Literacy 
        • Kindergarten – Write Reader – Digital storytelling (with space for feedback). This tool offers practice with writing, speaking, listening, and reading. 
        • Grade 1 – Adobe Express Video Maker – Create videos using images, text, videos, and audio (click to record your voice). This tool offers practice in speaking, listening, comprehension, and creativity. 
        • Grade 2 – Padlet – Create a collaborative virtual sticky board. Practice reading, writing, speaking, listening. This tool is great for curating, sharing, creativity, descriptive language, and summarizing. There are many ready-to-go templates recently added. 
        • Grade 3 – Canva Templates – Find many ready-to-go templates for grades PreK-12. There are blank templates for many media projects such as comics, timelines, posters, presentations, slides, videos, and more.
        • Grade 4 – Telegra.ph – Create blogs that you can add images, videos, and text, and publish. A URL is provided and the blogs can be edited.
        • Grade 5 – SWAY – Create beautiful digital stories (travel brochures or whatever you need) It has a simple drag-and-drop interface. Use for summarizing and descriptive language. This is device agnostic – so will work on the web or app.

 

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