Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Microsoft Visual Studio offers a variety of free tools and services to create and develop apps on any platform. Transform your classroom technology use by downloading Visual Studio Code and Visual Studio Community, and sign up for a free account on Visual Studio Team Services providing tools and information for integration across platforms. Sign up also for training sessions and additional downloads.

tag(s): coding (85), computers (109), design (79), logic (161), Microsoft (80), problem solving (233)

Poki Educational Games provides an assortment of learning activities in several different subjects. Find interactives by content by choosing from the related categories options on the the left menu tabs. Categories include interactives in all content areas as well as problem-solving activities and puzzles.
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tag(s): game based learning (205), logic (161), problem solving (233)

Learn letter placement on the keyboard through gameplay with TypeTastic! The site's many free activities teach and practice location of letters on a keyboard through visualization of the board in three different colors. Keyboarding exercises come in three different levels (K-2 Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle & High).
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tag(s): game based learning (205), keyboarding (28), preK (270)

Inkscape is a free vector graphics software program. Download it to your computer using the provided links for different operating systems. Use Inkscape to create icons, logos, maps, and more. The software supports many different file formats and has an extensive set of drawing tools. View the many tutorials found on the site to learn how to use Inkscape and understand the many features available for use. The video tutorials reside on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.

tag(s): design (79), graphic design (49), images (263)

RobotBasic is a free program download for robotic simulations. It features the ability to include several different commands and sensors. The program is for both novice and experienced programmers, this site includes several video tutorials that begin with the assumption that users don't have any programming experience. Be sure to read all system requirements and necessary information before downloading the program.

tag(s): computers (109), robotics (24)

C-Stem Studio is a software download integrated with learning opportunities for STEM subjects. Videos and interactives provide instruction in math, coding, and robotics. Choose from the different pages to view information about each program. For those who prefer not to download software; try RoboBlockly. Roboblockly is an online tool for learning to code using drag and drop blocks to move robots. There is a link for RoboBlockly on this site.

tag(s): coding (85), computational thinking (40), game based learning (205), gamification (83), logic (161), problem solving (233), robotics (24), STEM (297)

Learn to code through videos demonstrating actual typing of code to create items from scratch. Scroll through the page to choose a demo featuring HTML5, CSS, Javascript and more. Click the demo image, then Play, Walkthrough, or View code. Project ideas include creating an interactive to-do list, text bubbles, or hover over information over images, and much more. After selecting a video, go to the upper left corner and click to play the walkthrough or view the code. Playing the walkthrough takes viewers through typing the code from beginning to end. There is no audio/sound.
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tag(s): coding (85), computational thinking (40), computers (109), critical thinking (127), design (79), logic (161), problem solving (233), STEM (297), tutorials (52), video (266)

Learn to code with Edabit and their progressively difficult interactive challenges. Start by using your email to register. Begin with challenges that match your coding skills, then continue learning as you progress through more challenging activities. Each Edabit Challenge includes a problem, practice with code, help resources, and a discussion area. As you complete coding challenges, earn experience points and unlock new skills through real-world situations.

tag(s): coding (85), computational thinking (40), computers (109), critical thinking (127), engineering (129), problem solving (233), STEM (297)

Childnet International (was Know IT All Resources) provides Internet safety resources and information for parents and teachers. Support information includes presentations for primary and secondary teachers, leaflets for parents, and toolkits including lessons and activities for teaching online safety.

tag(s): cyberbullying (40), internet safety (114)

The Curious Engineer YouTube Channel provides monthly animated video explanations of the world around us. Categories include Latest, Popular, and Oldest. Browse through to find titles including How Touchscreen Works and Why our Sun will never become a Black Hole . Most videos run less than 5 minutes in length, providing short, yet interesting explanations of many topics. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
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tag(s): birds (46), computers (109), magnetism (36), maps (220), oceans (149), space (222), STEM (297), time (91)

KidzType contains a full suite of activities for learning and practicing typing skills. Choose from games, keyboarding lessons, typing exercises, or typing practice to begin. Most activities include many competence and grade level choices.
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tag(s): computers (109), game based learning (205), keyboarding (28)

Find social media guidelines for students, parents, and educators at this site from the New York City Department of Education. The section for students includes information and activities for students 13 years and older and those younger than 13. For parents, the site details the family's role in responsible social media behavior. Educator information includes staff guidelines as well as teacher guides to student social media.

tag(s): digital citizenship (85), internet safety (114), social media (48)

Use code to make your own Minecraft game or learn the basics of computer coding by moving characters through a Minecraft world with these Hour of Code activities. From the top of the page choose one of the Minecraft Activities like Voyage Aquatic, Heros Journey, Adventurer, or Designer. These activities teach and reinforce coding skills through the familiar Minecraft game. Scroll down the page to watch one of the inspirational videos as an introduction. Free resources include a lesson plan, videos, computer science curriculum, and a teacher training. The free trial is limited by the number of logins and includes 25 for teachers with an Office 365 Education account and 10 for all other users. Trial logins cannot be refreshed.

tag(s): coding (85), computational thinking (40), computers (109), critical thinking (127), design (79), problem solving (233), STEM (297)

Would you like to clean up your online presence? Perhaps you want to know what you signed up for in the past. deseat.me uses your Google email address to find websites you have signed up for and then offers the option to delete or unsubscribe.

tag(s): internet safety (114)

CSS References is a visual guide to CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). CSS describes how HTML elements display on a screen. Choose from within the guide to view by collections including animation, backgrounds, and typography. Use the search bar to locate any of 129 properties, or scroll through the list to find your desired content. Each item includes images and descriptions using the correct HTML code.

tag(s): coding (85), computers (109), STEM (297)

Defend a company from online cyber attacks with this interactive that includes four major components. Play the interactive to learn about coding skills, basics of secure passwords, identifying scam information, and defending against cyber attacks. As you play, meet cyber-experts and learn about a day in their life. Take quizzes to find out how codes protect online information and the motivation behind hackers and hacking of online information. Cybersecurity Lab also includes an extensive teacher's resource section with lesson plans aligned to Next Generation Science Standards, tips for using the site, and a glossary of cyber terms.

tag(s): digital citizenship (85), internet safety (114), STEM (297)

Master five core principals of Internet safety through gameplay with Interland. Choose from four different lands to learn how to deal with phishers, hackers, over-sharers, and bullies. Interland is part of a larger Internet safety site from Google, Be Internet Awesome, reviewed here.

tag(s): cyberbullying (40), digital citizenship (85), internet safety (114)

Be Internet Awesome is a series of resources from Google to teach digital safety. Resources include Interland, reviewed here, an online interactive that offers participants the opportunity to practice skills to combat phishers, hackers, and cyber bullies. The free curriculum, available for download, is best suited for grades 3-5; however, it is easily adaptable to other grade levels. Click the Educator tab on the top menu bar and find a teacher curriculum, ready to teach Google Slides, an Internet safety poster, certificates and badges for students, plus a lot more. All features of this site align to ISTE Standards.

tag(s): cyberbullying (40), digital citizenship (85), game based learning (205), internet safety (114), OER (43)

Clean up your online life with Just Delete Me. This site provides direct links to deleting your account at numerous sites such as Amazon, Facebook, or more. Search for a particular site or scroll through to find available links. Each link is color-coded to the degree of difficulty in deleting your account. Just click on any link and follow instructions to remove your account. Just Delete Me also provides a Chrome browser extension that takes you directly to the account deletion page when on an included site.

tag(s): internet safety (114)