“Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important.” ~ Bill Gates
Throughout the year, I’ve shared many activities and resources to engage your learners with technology. Below are more than 15 ideas to try with your learners. Try picking one or two that you think would really motivate your learners to be more creative, problem solve, and think critically. You will find links to the resources, lesson plans, activities, and free web tools and apps I have shared for each of these ideas weekly in webinars or blog posts. You can click to download the pdfs of the slides and access my bookmarks. Below is a slide presentation featuring all 15 ideas with a few examples. Thank you so much for reading this blog and sharing the posts and resources. Hope you have an incredible teaching year! If you like these ideas then be sure to check out my new book, Hacking Digital Learning Strategies: 10 Ways to Launch EdTech Missions in Your Classroom.
Get your copy of Hacking Digital Learning, The 30 Goals Challenge, or Learning to Go. Ask me about training your teachers, [email protected]!
Ideas and Resources
- Mobile Learning- Find activities in my book, Learning to Go! For my bookmarks check out ShellyTerrell.com/mlearning.
- Learning Missions- Transform a lesson or homework assignment into a meaningful learning mission that gets students to make a meaningful impact. Check out these examples.
- The future of technology lies in virtual reality, augmented reality, wearables, and gesture-based technology, which I’m excited about because it means people will live more active, healthy lives. Check out ShellyTerrell.com/cooltech for ideas and resources.
- Game Creation- Try Hopscotch, TinyTap (iOS/Android), Scratch MIT, Zondle, GetKahoot, Stencyl, SketchNation, GameSalad, Purpose Games, ClassTools, Game Maker Studio, Sploder, Gamestar Mechanic, X-Note, What2Learn, Kodu, GamePress, Adventure Games, and Textbased Adventures. For more resources and ideas check out ShellyTerrell.com/games.
- Comics- My favorite comic creators are Makebeliefs, ToonDoon, Friendstrip, Comics Head, and Pixton (Web/iOS/Android). For more resources and ideas check out ShellyTerrell.com/comics.
- Infographics- Students can create infographics using Piktochart, Infogram, Adioma, Visme, Smores, Canva, or Genial.ly. For resources check out and ideas ShellyTerrell.com/infographics.
- Citizenship- For resources and ideas check out ShellyTerrell.com/citizenship.
- Problem Based Learning- For resources and ideas check out TeacherRebootCamp.com/pbl.
- Digital Portfolios- Check out this post with ideas and examples from my students.
- Sketchnoting- Syliva Duckworth has a new book with her sketchnotes. You can follow her @SylivaDuckworth. Also, check out this video tutorial where she walks you through the process.
- Coding- For resources and ideas follow these hashtags #coding, #kidscancode, #code, and #hourofcode. Also, check out this Edshelf of coding resources.
- Social Bookmarking- Get students to bookmark their research with these free tools and apps like Diigo, Pearltrees, Storify, Pinterest, Livebinders, and Educlipper. For more resources and ideas check out ShellyTerrell.com/research.
- Global Projects- Skype or do a Youtube live event with classes worldwide. To connect with other classes try Skype Education, Epals, or Quadblogging. For more resources and ideas check out Teacherrebootcamp.com/survivaltips/globalprojects.
- Makerspaces- For resources check out this awesome Edshelf of resources.
- Many makerspaces include 3D printers, which really inspire students to solve problems. Read about the college student who 3D printed his own braces for less than $60.
