Tech Bytes

Cell phones in the classroom can be an extremely useful engagement tool for your students. However, they can be a distraction if not managed properly. I was working with one of my teachers at the high school and she pulled up this really cool idea  that she had found on Pinterest for cell phone management.  I have included a link here  to the original blogger. The teacher behind the idea, Brit Bingold, is a high school English teacher and had several suggestions for the classroom. The first drawer of the tower is for cellphones. The rest can be used for school supplies or books. If you are looking for new ideas for your room, I highly recommend her blog. Get inspired for the upcoming school year.   The first drawer of the tower is for cell phones and the other drawers are for supplies and items needed for class. Learn more by reading Brit's blog.  Click here to read her blog.  Bingold, Brittany. Desk Towers. Digital image. The Bits of Brit...

Do you love Kahoot? Do you love Google Classroom? Do I have a new resource for you! Quizizz is a website that allows the teacher to create multiplayer games that can be played at school (similar to Kahoot), however these games can be played at home as well! The teacher creates the game with any multiple choice questions and then assigns the quiz through Google Classroom. Students click on the link, prompted to choose their Google account, then input their user name. After that is simple game play. Quizizz offers reports with the student name and results. It could be used for formative or informative assessment. It is a great tool to add to your belt of engagement tools. ​If you have any questions or would like to learn more, let me know. I will be happy to help you get started or share ideas for your classroom. ​ Resources: http://quizizz.com/ http://quizizz.com/resources - quick slide show that explains Quizizz and how to use

If you have used Kahoot, you know how competition can increase student engagement in your classroom. Another such tool has been shared with me.   Vocabulary.com is a place for participants to learn vocabulary. It is set up in a game format where participants can earn badges and points by completing activities in the process of learning vocabulary words. Participants can study, participate in a practice activity, and try their hand at the spelling bee. While learning the vocabulary, participants are given the definition of the word, an explanation, as well as the option of hearing the word spoken. Vocabulary.com is an excellent resource for educators as well. Teachers can set up classes, use list which have already been created, or create their own list that relate to their current assignment. Students join the class through the use of a class code. Teachers can then track how much time they are spending on the website and how their learning is progressing. However, the...