Ways to Use Free Technology Tools
Check out some of our favorite, free technology tools and ideas on how we have incorporated them into our classes. If you'd like to hear more ideas and see more detailed examples, please contact us! We'd love to connect with you!
Actively Learn
Enhance text with embedded media, links, notes, and questions to create an interactive reading guide. Students can collaborate to create their own study guides or teachers can create and share as a learning tool.
Enhance text with embedded media, links, notes, and questions to create an interactive reading guide. Students can collaborate to create their own study guides or teachers can create and share as a learning tool.
AnswerGarden
Prompt the entire class with one discussion question and ask the students to respond from their computers or mobile devices. Answers submitted at a higher frequency will appear larger, allowing for the class to discuss the prominence of responses as well as the responses themselves.
Prompt the entire class with one discussion question and ask the students to respond from their computers or mobile devices. Answers submitted at a higher frequency will appear larger, allowing for the class to discuss the prominence of responses as well as the responses themselves.
Blendspace (from Tes Teach)
Pre-select existing online resources (websites, media, etc.) to embed in a single location. Then, prompt students to add and respond to the research using the comment function for an online and interactive discussion.
Pre-select existing online resources (websites, media, etc.) to embed in a single location. Then, prompt students to add and respond to the research using the comment function for an online and interactive discussion.
Brain-Break Websites (GoNoodle, Google Quick, Draw!, FreeRice, Memory Match, Paper Planes (app))
Sometimes students simply need a break. Consider using these websites for quick, playful brain or movement breaks. Each site presents a critical thinking challenge or movement prompt that can be accomplished in just a few minutes time.
Sometimes students simply need a break. Consider using these websites for quick, playful brain or movement breaks. Each site presents a critical thinking challenge or movement prompt that can be accomplished in just a few minutes time.
Breakout EDU (Digital)
Like the breakout games that are run physically in actual classrooms, use or create breakout games to challenge student thinking and teamwork about any subject. Bonus: the digital version of breakout games requires no expensive kits!
Like the breakout games that are run physically in actual classrooms, use or create breakout games to challenge student thinking and teamwork about any subject. Bonus: the digital version of breakout games requires no expensive kits!
Cartoon/Avatar Creation (Voki, Art of Storytelling)
Ask students to use existing images, landscapes, and props to tell a story, visualize a scene, or collaborate on a new beginning or ending. These tools could also be used to enhance a concept or historical event, add detail to a biography of an expert in the field, or show knowledge and understanding of a work in translation.
Ask students to use existing images, landscapes, and props to tell a story, visualize a scene, or collaborate on a new beginning or ending. These tools could also be used to enhance a concept or historical event, add detail to a biography of an expert in the field, or show knowledge and understanding of a work in translation.
Classcraft
Gamify your course content and classroom management by assigning your students roles, teams, quests, rewards, etc.
Gamify your course content and classroom management by assigning your students roles, teams, quests, rewards, etc.
Collaborative Portfolio Creation (Weebly, PBWorks, Google Sites, Seesaw)
These website creation tools allow for quick and easy website development. Students could collaborate to create a website about a person, place, or event or even build an entire and ongoing curriculum study guide.
These website creation tools allow for quick and easy website development. Students could collaborate to create a website about a person, place, or event or even build an entire and ongoing curriculum study guide.
DeckToys
Take an existing unit -- notes, vocabulary, videos, activities, etc. -- and place these tasks on a digital game-board. Students trek their ways through map-like platforms of teacher-curated links, puzzles, quizzes, flashcards, matching activities, etc. They may move on a pre-determined routes or navigate student-chosen paths. This website combines gamification, self-pacing, and blended media.
Take an existing unit -- notes, vocabulary, videos, activities, etc. -- and place these tasks on a digital game-board. Students trek their ways through map-like platforms of teacher-curated links, puzzles, quizzes, flashcards, matching activities, etc. They may move on a pre-determined routes or navigate student-chosen paths. This website combines gamification, self-pacing, and blended media.
Discussion Forums (Schoology, NiceNet, Flipgrid for video; see also: Recap)
We use Schoology for online learning and social classroom management. Both these tools allow for intuitive design and organization of content, curriculum, and online class discussion. The teacher might post a discussion question and prompt students to respond to the original post and build upon each other's responses in writing or orally.
We use Schoology for online learning and social classroom management. Both these tools allow for intuitive design and organization of content, curriculum, and online class discussion. The teacher might post a discussion question and prompt students to respond to the original post and build upon each other's responses in writing or orally.
Digital Link Launchers (QR Code Generator, Aurasma Augmented Reality -- both with free device app)
Start with a 2D image -- either a barcode-like QR code or an aura-enhanced picture -- and use it to launch students into the digital world. QR codes can be teacher- or student-generated and, when scanned with a QR reader, send viewers to any link imaginable. We've used OR codes to display electronic exemplifiers on classroom walls and to create interactive displays. Aura-enhanced pictures work in similar ways, projecting videos over trigger images when scanned. Take a regular handout, enhance an image, and prompt your students to watch augmented reality supplements with their phones/devices.
Start with a 2D image -- either a barcode-like QR code or an aura-enhanced picture -- and use it to launch students into the digital world. QR codes can be teacher- or student-generated and, when scanned with a QR reader, send viewers to any link imaginable. We've used OR codes to display electronic exemplifiers on classroom walls and to create interactive displays. Aura-enhanced pictures work in similar ways, projecting videos over trigger images when scanned. Take a regular handout, enhance an image, and prompt your students to watch augmented reality supplements with their phones/devices.
Fake Media Generators (iPhone Text, Breaking News, Wanted Poster, Fakebook, Newspaper Clipping, Signs, Magazine Cover)
For a quick, creative activities, ask students to produce fake media. They could imagine dialogue between two to three individuals -- scientists making a discovery, characters in a novel, historical figures on a conflict, etc -- as text messages. They could write headlines and bylines for breaking historical or plot events. They could compose newspaper articles as quick summaries. They could analyze characterization via Fakebook accounts.
For a quick, creative activities, ask students to produce fake media. They could imagine dialogue between two to three individuals -- scientists making a discovery, characters in a novel, historical figures on a conflict, etc -- as text messages. They could write headlines and bylines for breaking historical or plot events. They could compose newspaper articles as quick summaries. They could analyze characterization via Fakebook accounts.
Genuis Interactive Annotations
Ask students to annotate literature, historical documents, or songs on the Genius website. For greater options still, embed the Genuis annotate function onto any website to make all text annotatable with ideas, images, maps, and video. Students can read, reply, and extend each others' annotations, too.
Ask students to annotate literature, historical documents, or songs on the Genius website. For greater options still, embed the Genuis annotate function onto any website to make all text annotatable with ideas, images, maps, and video. Students can read, reply, and extend each others' annotations, too.
Get Coffee Random Generator
Technically, this tool is used to generate a random selection of names or a list of items. We use it to prompt discussion by imputing questions and allowing individuals or small groups to select questions at random, moving from prompt to prompt at their own pace. Teachers can ask students to record their responses in video-form and share the file back through Google, Schoology, or another platform.
Technically, this tool is used to generate a random selection of names or a list of items. We use it to prompt discussion by imputing questions and allowing individuals or small groups to select questions at random, moving from prompt to prompt at their own pace. Teachers can ask students to record their responses in video-form and share the file back through Google, Schoology, or another platform.
Google Forms
Create a form on which students can rank their comfort level with concepts. Allow the students to view the spreadsheet results after submitting the form. Use the "conditional formatting" feature in spreadsheets to color code the students' results, and then ask students to consult the results to seek help or provide assistance on a concept. Also, use for quick student feedback.
Create a form on which students can rank their comfort level with concepts. Allow the students to view the spreadsheet results after submitting the form. Use the "conditional formatting" feature in spreadsheets to color code the students' results, and then ask students to consult the results to seek help or provide assistance on a concept. Also, use for quick student feedback.
Google Slides
Share editing rights with all students and have individuals report ideas on separate slides, creating a collection of collaborative research. Or, ask small groups to collaborate on a presentation; the cloud allows individuals in the groups to work seamlessly but still at his or her own pace.
Share editing rights with all students and have individuals report ideas on separate slides, creating a collection of collaborative research. Or, ask small groups to collaborate on a presentation; the cloud allows individuals in the groups to work seamlessly but still at his or her own pace.
GooseChase Digital Scavenger Hunt (run on computer; played on app via up to five devices (for free))
Take your vocabulary words, input the list into GooseChase, ask five students to download the app, make these students group captains... and let the chase begin! Students can scavenger around a room, school, or beyond to take pictures that demonstrate their understanding of the assigned words/prompts. Terms can be assigned point values according to difficulty level, and team submissions can be explained with comments and moderated by the teacher. After a pre-determined time, the hunt will end and a group will be declared the winner. Later, for discussion or review, the teacher can access the team submissions in a media album for the whole class to see.
Take your vocabulary words, input the list into GooseChase, ask five students to download the app, make these students group captains... and let the chase begin! Students can scavenger around a room, school, or beyond to take pictures that demonstrate their understanding of the assigned words/prompts. Terms can be assigned point values according to difficulty level, and team submissions can be explained with comments and moderated by the teacher. After a pre-determined time, the hunt will end and a group will be declared the winner. Later, for discussion or review, the teacher can access the team submissions in a media album for the whole class to see.
Interactive Presentations (NearPod, Mentimeter, PearDeck with free trial account)
Enhance a powerpoint/slide presentation with interactive elements that appear on your class' devices. On their screens, students can answer quiz questions, open-ended questions, draw on slides, and more. Presentations can be set in live mode or student-paced for personalized learning approaches.
Enhance a powerpoint/slide presentation with interactive elements that appear on your class' devices. On their screens, students can answer quiz questions, open-ended questions, draw on slides, and more. Presentations can be set in live mode or student-paced for personalized learning approaches.
Magnetic Poetry Generator
Challenge students to capture a topic figuratively using randomly generated words and images from this magnetic poetry generator. Words can be placed anywhere on the screen and can be deleted/added as needed.
Challenge students to capture a topic figuratively using randomly generated words and images from this magnetic poetry generator. Words can be placed anywhere on the screen and can be deleted/added as needed.
Mapping sites (Coggle, Mindmeister for three free maps)
Place a central topic in the center of the web (with subtopics if desired), share editing rights with students, and have students report research in branching-off nodes.
Place a central topic in the center of the web (with subtopics if desired), share editing rights with students, and have students report research in branching-off nodes.
Meme Makers (ImageChef, Meme Generator, Canva, Desynger, Bitmoji)
Ask students to concisely share a topic -- personal or academic -- in meme-form. This activity can be used as a get-to-know-you one at the start of a class or as a review-a-concept exit ticket at the end of a lesson.
Ask students to concisely share a topic -- personal or academic -- in meme-form. This activity can be used as a get-to-know-you one at the start of a class or as a review-a-concept exit ticket at the end of a lesson.
Online Countdown
Prompt the students in small groups and start the countdown with a specific amount of time. At the buzzer, start the stopwatch again with time to discuss and challenge each group to share their ideas until the clock toils. Restart the stopwatch and move to the next reporting group.
Prompt the students in small groups and start the countdown with a specific amount of time. At the buzzer, start the stopwatch again with time to discuss and challenge each group to share their ideas until the clock toils. Restart the stopwatch and move to the next reporting group.
Online Entire-Class Games (Kahoot, Socrative, Quizlet Live, Quizizz)
Create a game with class terms and/or concepts, divide the class into teams, and compete ramified learning.
Create a game with class terms and/or concepts, divide the class into teams, and compete ramified learning.
Online Poster Creation (Tackk, Tumblr, Sutori - collaborative)
Create collaborative or individual posters to create flyers and posters about researched information that can be shared electronically or printed and shared via paper!
Create collaborative or individual posters to create flyers and posters about researched information that can be shared electronically or printed and shared via paper!
Padlet
Prompt students to research a particular topic, reporting significant quotations, media findings, and sources on the corkboard as they search. Prompt small groups or the entire class and have students/pairs/groups post ideas on this electronic corkboard. The groups/class can then discuss the responses submitted after reviewing the written explanations.
Prompt students to research a particular topic, reporting significant quotations, media findings, and sources on the corkboard as they search. Prompt small groups or the entire class and have students/pairs/groups post ideas on this electronic corkboard. The groups/class can then discuss the responses submitted after reviewing the written explanations.
Presentation Tools (Prezi, Emaze)
Beyond using these sites as a way to present information, try adding an image to the background to organize student ideas. Share editing rights and prompt students to report their findings on the background image. The zooming feature allows for significant information on a small space.
Beyond using these sites as a way to present information, try adding an image to the background to organize student ideas. Share editing rights and prompt students to report their findings on the background image. The zooming feature allows for significant information on a small space.
Recap
Create inquiry "journeys" for your students on teacher- or student- prescribed topics. On this discussion platform, students can post and respond to questions, share links, reflect in videos -- all of which can prompt inquiry threads into new research.
Create inquiry "journeys" for your students on teacher- or student- prescribed topics. On this discussion platform, students can post and respond to questions, share links, reflect in videos -- all of which can prompt inquiry threads into new research.
Scrible
Encourage students to use to annotate any HTML text with highlighting and sticky notes. Students can save their annotations in a personal library and/or share their annotations with you or each other.
Encourage students to use to annotate any HTML text with highlighting and sticky notes. Students can save their annotations in a personal library and/or share their annotations with you or each other.
Symbaloo
Curate websites as easy-to-access tiles in a webmix. Units of study could be transformed into webmixes organized by placement and/or color. Students, too, could create mixes to share and store resources.
Curate websites as easy-to-access tiles in a webmix. Units of study could be transformed into webmixes organized by placement and/or color. Students, too, could create mixes to share and store resources.
Today's Meet
Use for backchannel discussion so that students can ask and answer questions while oral discussion takes place. Later, students can return to backchannel to revisit ideas.
Use for backchannel discussion so that students can ask and answer questions while oral discussion takes place. Later, students can return to backchannel to revisit ideas.
Thinglink
Use as a way to introduce an interactive lesson or ask students to collaborate on finding an image related to the content and then adding interactive websites, images, videos, and music that enhance and build upon the learning of that content.
Use as a way to introduce an interactive lesson or ask students to collaborate on finding an image related to the content and then adding interactive websites, images, videos, and music that enhance and build upon the learning of that content.
Video Enhancement (EDPuzzle, Vialogues)
Select a video to track and enhance with embedded media, pop-up questions, personal voiceovers, discussion threads, and so much more.
Select a video to track and enhance with embedded media, pop-up questions, personal voiceovers, discussion threads, and so much more.
Wizer.Me
Create, share, and find aesthetically pleasing, digital worksheets. Student tasks can include filling on an image, matching, sorting, answering open-ended questions, watching videos, drawing, discussing, and much more.
Create, share, and find aesthetically pleasing, digital worksheets. Student tasks can include filling on an image, matching, sorting, answering open-ended questions, watching videos, drawing, discussing, and much more.
Weavesilk
Use as a way to get students thinking across disciplines. A math problem can be set to a musical and visual scene. A literary passage can be visualized with symbolic color.
Use as a way to get students thinking across disciplines. A math problem can be set to a musical and visual scene. A literary passage can be visualized with symbolic color.