Get Students Talking With Digital Tools - Looking At The Tools

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to conduct a webinar with Simple K12. The topic was on I have discussed before, students talking with digital tools.

Students have A LOT to say.. just ask any K-12 teacher.  However, with some guidance and the right tools, students can share their thoughts, knowledge, and passions to a global audience.

When you think of students talking, you immediately go to the Speaking and Listening standards under ELA. The idea of using your voice doesn't have to stay in the ELA classroom though. Students can flex their voice in math, science, and social studies too.

Let's look at three tools students can start using today.

The first is Vocaroo.  I have shared about Vocaroo for several years. (previous post on Vocaroo) Vocaroo is a simply, web based program that allows students to record and share their recording.  Students in K-12 can use this tool!  The sharing options are great .. link, MP3, WAV, and even a QR Code. Side note, the recordings do not last forever, so if it is something you want to keep for years, download and save it.

             

Voice Memos is one that most of us have at our fingertips, but don't realize it.  Voice Memos is an iPhone / iPad app that appears simple but is pretty powerful. Like Vocaroo, just about anyone can use Voice Memos to create a recording. Once recorded, you can edit the recording and simply save and share. Depending on what accounts you have connected to your iPhone / iPad, you could share via Google Drive or iCloud.

    

The third tool is a Chrome extension, Screencastify. This extension allows you to not only record your voice, but your screen and webcam as well.  There is a free and paid version.  The free version provides 50 videos per month and a limit of 10 minutes per video. You can share the videos to your Google Drive with the free version, which is a great plus!

       

As always, if you teach students 13 years old and under, have a conversation with your technology department prior to using any tool with your students. You want to make sure the tools you select have been vetted by the department and are appropriate for use.

Some other tools worth mentioning include Audacity, Explain Everything, and Twisted Wave.

In the next post, we will talk about different activities students and teachers can use in the area of speaking and listen in all subject areas.

Do you have a tool you love using? Share that with us!

8 Weeks of Summer Blog Challenge - Week 2

This post is week 2 of 8 in the 8 Weeks of Summer Blog Challenge for educators.  This week's prompt is "Ponder Your Professional Past: What has contributed to the educator you are today?".

I'm the educator I am today because of my mentors and the friendships I have made in career. Each one provides me guidance, advice, and knowledge that helps me be a better educator every day.

Some of my mentors I have never met in person, but because of Twitter.  Some of my Twitter mentors I have had the privilege to meet because of conferences. I have access to them and their wisdom because of Twitter. Can you tell I like Twitter??

Some of my mentors have been my friends and in my life for many years. We have been their for each other during higher education degrees, changes in jobs, and life's moments.

Some of my mentors are previous bosses and co-workers. Their knowledge and valued experiences have helped me grow. In some cases, I have also learned what not to do, because of their experiences.

I'm the educators I am today because of the people I have been able to surround myself with. I want to continue to surround myself with great mentors and friendships so I can keep growing and keep becoming a better educator.

Want to check out week 1? You can find it here.

eva

8 Weeks of Summer Blog Challenge - Week 1

This post is week 1 of 8 in the 8 Weeks of Summer Blog Challenge for educators. I am so excited that I found this challenge on Penny Christensen's LinkedIn. I am a few weeks behind, but won't stop me.

This week's prompt is "Planned Professional Growth: What are your professional learning goals for this summer".

The month of June is normally a slow month for my department, unless we have a big project on the calendar. July is when everyone starts getting ready for the start of school.  For us, the first day of school is normally the 2nd week of August.  You can easily let June and July come and go without even realizing it.

Since June is just about done, I am setting one professional learning goals for the remainder of my summer.

READ!
I don't read nearly enough.  I listen to podcasts, but I don't read.  I buy the books and find the blogs, but I don't take the time to read them.  I would like to carve out some time each day to get some professional reading done.  Maybe I can carve out less time on social media scrolling!

My current professional books include Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, Leaders Eat Last, and a soon to have advanced copy of Boss Up!.

So why just one goal? Well, I am looking at my July calendar and know better! Also, I know I won't be able to read these three books in one month. This will allow me to continue to goal into August. I can also add another goal once school starts as well.

What are you reading this summer? What should I add to my list?

eva