Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Otter.ai is an AI-based tool that becomes your meeting assistant by recording meeting transcripts and summarizing the content. Use Otter.ai within Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet to automatically write and share notes with other team members. Sign up with your email, then follow the prompts to allow Otter.ai to sync with your work calendar to notify others of upcoming meetings and ask for authorization to join meetings. Free plans offer 300 transcription minutes per month, 30 minutes per conversation, and up to five workspace members.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (187), communication (130), parent conferences (21)

Read creates AI-generated summaries, transcripts, and action items free for up to five Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Webex video conference meetings per month of up to one hour in length. Create an account to connect your calendar to Read. Read joins meetings as a participant. Following each recorded meeting, members receive an email with a recording, transcript, and AI-generated summary.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (187), communication (130), parent conferences (21)

Fellow is like having a personal secretary to transcribe and summarize online meetings. The free plan integrates with Google, Microsoft, Slack, and Zoom, including meeting notes, personal notes, and a meeting timer. Fellow links to meeting notes to your work calendar to place information in one easy-to-find location.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (187), communication (130), parent conferences (21)

Automatically record, transcribe, and summarize meetings using Fireflies.ai. This tool uses AI resources to quickly view important information from meetings, such as action tasks, questions, and key topics discussed. Create an account and allow Fireflies.ai access to your calendar and select options for access to scheduled web-conference events. Fireflies.ai includes access to meetings conducted via Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Webex, and other major conferencing platforms. Following each recorded meeting, memberss receive an email with a recording, transcript, and AI-generated summary.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (187), communication (130), parent conferences (21), professional development (392), video (267)

Collect, organize, collaborate, and visualize with Milanote's visual boards. Milanote is a digital bulletin board that includes drag and drop features to add notes, images, files, text, almost anything! Share your boards with others to collaborate in real-time, when finished, share your boards using the link to view online or download as a high-quality PDF. Additional options include a web clipper app to add items directly from your browser, and the Milanote app allows you to save text, images, and links on your phone for use when working on the computer interface. Take advantage of the ready to use templates available to start your visual boards. Education examples include boards for research projects, brainstorming, class notes, and an academic project plan. Free accounts include adding up to 100 items, unlimited boards, and uploading up to 10 files.
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tag(s): collaboration (94), collages (17), creativity (87), curation (32), DAT device agnostic tool (146), graphic organizers (49), organizational skills (88)

Curate and bundle online content into engaging websites or newsletters using elink's easy to use templates and tools. Begin by selecting a template or start from scratch. Add website links, customize the header text and image, select a layout, and adjust theme colors as desired. When finished, publish to access links to share as a website, use the embed code to embed into popular website platforms, or share via social media. Another option allows you to share as a newsletter using most email providers; however, not all of the templates work as a newsletter, so look for that option if that is how you plan to use this tool. The free plan offers one published post per day that includes up to 5 links.

tag(s): bookmarks (43), curation (32), digital storytelling (155), social networking (61)

Do you need to share a group of URLs? url List makes it easy to create and share a list of URLs without having to share each one individually. Copy and paste each link, then share the URL created, no need to even register! As you build your list, use drag and drop features to re-order items. When finished, give your list a name and description and publish it. Once published, copy the URL from your browser to share by email or however you usually share links. Create a free account if desired to save, manage, and edit your lists.

tag(s): bookmarks (43), curation (32)

Are you looking for some of the best content on the web? Use Mix to browse and search for information based on your interests and those of like-minded people. Mix imports content from news sources, popular blogs, and additional world-wide resources. The more you browse and save material, the more Mix will refine its understanding of what you like. Create collections by adding information found on the site or by keeping links to web content found as you browse the Internet. Use Mix's web browser extension to save URL's to collections with just one click. When ready to share your collection, use the share icon to copy the link, send via email, or share on social media.

tag(s): bookmarks (43), evaluating sources (30), social networking (61)

Curate and share texts, documents, links, photos, and more with Netboard. Register and activate your account to begin. Choose "create" to begin a new page and begin adding content. Enter the URL for any website, upload information from your computer, or add text boxes. Personalize the look of your page using layout, font and background skin options. Save your Netboard and share the custom URL with others, privacy options allow others with the link to only view or contribute to your board and for boards to remain private.

tag(s): bookmarks (43), bulletin boards (15), collaboration (94), communication (130), curation (32), images (263)

Curate, organize and share web content with Weje (formerly Webjets). Create your account and begin working with your Weje desktop. Use links at the bottom of your workspace to add lists, mindmaps, folders, and more. Drag and drop content from your computer and add to your workspace. Install the bookmarklet onto your computer browser to automatically push information into your inbox. Weje operates on a system using "boardss." After creating a board, personalize content by changing backgrounds and adding information. Collaborate with others by sharing boards and allowing them to edit information.

tag(s): digital storytelling (155), microblogging (14), organizational skills (88)

3x3 Links is a bookmarking site that organizes saved websites into a 3x3 grid. Add items as a link to any website or create a folder that links to a new grid with websites you add. Customize your page to include a personalized URL, add a background image or color, and include or delete captions.

tag(s): bookmarks (43), preK (286)

Create, curate, and share web content with Wakelet. Save online links, including articles, videos, tweets, and more then organize them into collections called wakes. Share collections with a personalized link or use the embed code to embed anywhere online. Use the keyword search to explore and view wakes created by other Wakelet members. Save information from other wakes to your account for use in your own wakes. To make your wakes more distinctive, add a cover image, background, and choose the layout you prefer. Wakelet works smoothly with many apps such as Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, and Flip, just to name a few. Note: Wakelet now has a Pro version. This review is for the free version which includes everything mentioned above and Unlimited items & collections, Unlimited share to view, 3 collaborative collections, Publish 4 collections, and Explore other collections

tag(s): bookmarks (43), collaboration (94), communication (130), curation (32), DAT device agnostic tool (146), multimedia (55), news (226), personalized learning (10), playlists (8), social media (50), social networking (61)

Mahara is an open source e-portfolio creator. Download the Mahara software to begin creating your e-portfolio including journals, social media resources, and uploading files. Once created, share your portfolio using access permissions, allowing members to determine who can view their work. Other features include a resume builder and social networking system connecting members to online learning communities. Scroll to the bottom to find Mahara Support which includes links to a User Manual and Wiki. There is even a demo for you to use for the day to preview Mahara.

tag(s): assessment (146), classroom management (119), portfolios (24)

Rambox is a free download for organizing online messaging services into one convenient place. This service allows access to several services in one place and also offers the availability of the included mobile apps onto your desktop computer. Some of the services include Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Google Hangouts, Voxer, Linkedin, Hootsuite, Tweetdeck, and much more. Not finding the service you need? Add it manually. Follow links to download Rambox onto your computer, then choose from provided services to enable them. Personalize each of the setting notifications to meet your needs.

tag(s): communication (130), organizational skills (88)

Reddit democratizes news through voting on the headlines that matter to you. Though informative, it is not eye catching. Simply "upvote" or "downvote" a headline to bring it higher (or lower) in the news column. Curate the best stuff on Reddit by creating a Subreddit. Note: New accounts are unable to make a Subreddit without time spent being active in the community. Search or view the various Subreddits for a topic of your choice. To make a Subreddit, choose "Create your own Subreddit." On the left-hand side are the boxes for your Subreddits (under the Multireddit label). Subscribe to various threads of interest through the subscribe button. As you subscribe to the threads, your Reddit page will change to show these subscriptions. Some threads are Ask Me Anything (AMA), and the poster will answer when you ask. As Reddit is Social Networking, be sure to look at the comments of others before sharing with students. Since you can curate your own topics, this may not be a major concern.
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tag(s): microblogging (14), news (226), social networking (61)

Create boards of links to your popular tools and bookmarks curated into one beautiful and simple interface! Use Papaly to collect links from X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, news sites, Pinterest, existing computer bookmarks, and new bookmarks. Follow the pop-up messages to learn the controls from the tutorial. Hover over Boards to click on the + sign, and then name the new board. Select from popular categories to instantly populate your board with common tools. Use Papaly with any browser, however, you can import computer bookmarks by installing the Chrome extension or creating an HTML file of them by following the tutorial. Click on Board Properties in the upper right corner to change your board to Secret (private), make your board Invisible for Google, alter your settings, and change the layout of the board. Share boards by email, X, or Facebook. Note: If using the boards with students, be sure not to import information from personal sites such as email, X (Twitter), Facebook, etc. as the login information would be visible to students.

tag(s): bookmarks (43), collaboration (94), news (226), social media (50), social networking (61)

Raindrop.io is a smart bookmarking tool to "collect" online and media content. It is available as a mobile app, as a web tool, and as a browser extension for Safari, Chrome, Opera, or Firefox. After adding the extension to your browser, a couple of clicks saves and organizes content into thematic collections. Collections can include videos, files, images, and other media. Watch the tour videos to see how it works. Add tags and notes, and drag and drop bookmarks between collections as you wish. Browse your collections using the search bar and keywords. Use Raindrop's social networking feature to create and share collections or find and subscribe to others' collections. Receive a weekly email digest of your bookmarks, or turn that feature off.
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tag(s): bookmarks (43), collaboration (94), curation (32), DAT device agnostic tool (146)

Create a customized start page including your favorite websites, RSS feeds, and social networking sites with Start.me. Choose from over 20 widgets such as bookmarks, weather, calculators, or currency converters to personalize content. Drag and drop widgets to any area on your screen. Change backgrounds using images provided or one you upload, or personalize using other options under settings. All saved information is cloud-based, so it is available from any device where you log in to your account. Create multiple pages for different needs such as work, home, hobbies, etc. Add the bookmarklet to your browser to add items easily to your start page at any time. The introduction video is hosted on YouTube. If YouTube is blocked at your school, view the intro video at home to learn more!

tag(s): bookmarks (43)

This interactive social bookmarking and collaboration tool does so much more than any ordinary bookmarking tool. It is a research curation tool, knowledge-sharing community, website annotation tool, and social information network all rolled into one "cloud" package. To get started, check out the About link. You will find information and videos on the uses of Diigo. Set up an account, being sure to click the FREE education edition upgrade. This is a device-agnostic tool, available on the web but also available for free as both an Android and iOS app. Use it from any device or move between several devices and still access your work. App and web versions vary slightly. At this time Diigo is experiencing issues with the "Top 10 Tags" from the menu on the left.

This tool can be used as a basic bookmarking tool, simply allowing YOU to save, sort, and access your own bookmarks from ANY computer or mobile device (once you are logged in). You have the choice whether your bookmarks are public or private. You can gradually ease into more advanced and interactive features: highlight parts of sites and save or share those annotations, add sticky notes to parts of websites, pictures, screen-shots, documents, audio, and more. Do group collaborative research. Organize your bookmarks by tags. Unlike sorting bookmarks into file folders, adding tags permits you to put multiple tags or "labels" on one site. The same site you tag for book reports could also be tagged for biographies, for example. Additional Diigo features include groups (a way to share and exchange bookmarks with a certain group of Diigo users), messaging, and search features. You can search all the public bookmarks made by others and discover other people with similar interests, already bookmarked and ready for you to mark as your own. There are many groups you can join, such as those with a specific teaching interest or hobby. See "Tools" for many helpful options, including bookmarklets to make bookmarking instant on multiple devices. Bookmarklets drag directly to the toolbars on your computer and are well worth it. It goes beyond simple bookmarking and adds options like highlight, capture, send, read later, comment, search bar and Diigo message options. You decide your own level of use and desired tools to be shown on the bar. If choosing not to install the toolbar, then there is an applet called Diigolet that will be used in its place. It is not as strong a tool as the toolbar, but will work well if the toolbar installation is not possible. Check our sample group. You can also install a widget on your blog (or class web page) that will show your bookmarks there.
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tag(s): bookmarks (43), collaboration (94), curation (32), DAT device agnostic tool (146), forum (2), organizational skills (88), social networking (61)

Dropmark is a tool for collaborating, curating, and presenting files, links, and text. Create your account and choose the basic (free) plan offering 250 MB of storage. Begin by dropping and dragging images or files from your computer onto your Dropmark collection. Add links to URLs and online media by choosing the + button and adding link information. Once complete, adjust privacy settings as desired and share using your unique URL. If you prefer, save your collection to your computer in ZIP format using the download link. You can also collaborate with others "in the cloud" by sharing files and links.
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tag(s): bookmarks (43), curation (32), organizational skills (88), social networking (61)