Think Teaching

#Padlet

I really like Padlet, its such a great tool think of it like a an online virtual “bulletin” board, where teachers, students or colleagues can collaborate, reflect, share links and pictures, in a secure location. Padlet allows users to create a hidden wall with a custom URL. Padlet creators can also moderate posts, remove posts, and manage their board 24/7. I've used it in sessions with students, with colleagues or even with friends its such as useful tool. 

​

#Post-it notes

These small colourful pieces of paper are invaluable for the classroom or training environment. I have used them over the years for student personalised task setting, providing feedback to the teacher or each other, for quick quizzes or noting down an idea, comment or suggestion. These have helped me to provide a quick brain break for the class, capture personal ideas and suggestions. I will also admit  these have been so helpful when having to pad for that last 5-10 mins in a session every now and then. I like using funny post-it notes in presentations and I quite like the approach this cheeky artist used with his post-it notes, take a look here. 

​

#QR Codes

I really like these small squares of code, they are such a good use of tech in an educational environment and for me a positive use of phone use in a classroom. A QR code will take the user to a specific website (you can programme in email address, phone numbers etc, but lets keep this simple!). Simply search for 'Free QR code makers' and several sites will pop up to use. You copy in the web page you want to use into the QR maker and press enter and seconds later a square box will pop up! (Can you always add colour this box as well).

​

You can get Static or Dynamic QR codes (basically a one-off use or a permanent one).  I have a QR code that belongs to be, and I can programme it to take the user to whatever I want, the great thing I can use this same code in different environments, and always make sure I am in control of the content. Scanning the QR code is easy, either users need a QR code reader App on their phone- they are free and easy to load. Or some phones in this techy world, will scan it strange from the camera when held over the QR code- do try it and see! 

​

#Class QR

This is a new development, so do check their website as its evolving! Its an App that means you can record your voice, verbally give instructions, provide verbal feedback that can be personalised to a student which you then attach to a QR code. You can use the QR code once or assign a code to a student, so you can use it again and again. In the predecessor to this new App (which was called Vocal Recall) I saw printed codes stuck into students work books which I thought was a nice touch- just think how much time this might save when providing feedback and how it can easily be personalised. 

​

#YouTube

I really like using YouTube in the classroom environment, there are some really good demonstration videos, documentaries, video talks, animations that you can use to support learning. Its a tool like others, to be used in moderation but it can be very helpful and a good integration of technology. I like creating playlists that I can use in my sessions, it might be how to draw fruit, or about an artist and their body of work- its simple to do but has good results. 

​

#Music

I really like to use music in the classroom to help set the tone, atmosphere and relaxed environment. This is where YouTube is so helpful so much variety, I have put together a playlist of calming, relaxing music to use in the classroom environment, if you want to use it find it here. I also like this topic so much I wrote a post about it find it here! 

​

#Flip Gorilla

This site is so useful, basically it takes a PDF and 'flips' it like a book! It is so helpful for large files to make them look a bit more interesting and interactive. Also as you upload your file to this site its stored there, so this makes this site great for sharing- even better you will be given a easy link to share which users can view the file and also download a copy of the PDF. Another benefit from this site is that you can take your 'flip book' and embed it in a VLE platform - really helpful for staff and students. 

​

#PuzzleMaker 

This site is so helpful to produce quick brain breaks, starter activities or recap tasks. I liked using it my sessions to introduce words, embed quick maths tasks or check learning, to explore it for yourself.