The following text is from Common Sense Media. | Apps for Edu: PreziWhat is Prezi? Prezi is a multimedia presentation platform that boasts a 3D zoom-in feature. Once teachers and students create an account, they can start Prezis in two ways: upload an existing PowerPoint presentation or use one of the dozens of available free templates on the site. Templates, labeled as Novice, Skilled, or Master, are available for several different categories. Students and teachers edit Prezis to navigate through a series of nested paths and can zoom in to different levels in order to get more detailed and creative, adding videos, images, charts, icons, text, and more. Fans of the original tool, Prezi Classic, will likely miss the freestyle presentation option as well as the ability to search a gallery for other user-created presentations (and duplicate them for editing). However, all Prezis created with the basic license are searchable online, and users with paid plans can choose to make them public as well. |
The text comes from Common Sense Media. | Apps for Edu: PowtoonWhat is Powtoon? PowToon gives users tools to create animated slideshow presentations that present like videos. Anyone can sign up for free with an email address; teachers can buy a classroom account for up to 90 students, which gives them access to additional templates, features, and export options. Once signed in on the website or Chrome app, users can design presentations using ready-made templates or start from scratch. Both options allow users to add text, images, simple animations, short videos, stickers, transition effects, borders, and more. Users can search for images and videos on PowToon, or they can upload or import their own. Free, Basic, and Elite versions come with different customization options and time limits. Beware that there are sometimes lags in loading projects, and getting the timing right on slide elements can be tricky and at times, frustrating. |
PROS Clear learning progression, interesting challenges; teaches concepts as well as a specific coding language. | Teck this Out: GrasshopperWhat is Grasshopper? Grasshopper is an app for learning to code with JavaScript that's available for Android, iOS, Mac, PC, and Linux users. It was created by one of Google's experimental projects teams. New users can choose to start as complete beginners or to skip ahead a bit if they have some experience. Once they start, students work with blocks of JavaScript code (instead of graphical blocks like many other learn-to-code apps) to complete challenges. |
Today In TechToday in Tech is a brand new show talking about lots of diffrent tech. New videos will be released throught December. New videos will NOT be shown on dbked.com but will be shown on my Chromebook Padlet. Check back often to see new videos being released. Here is my first video. Let me know what you think. |
| Apps for Edu: BrilliantWhat is Brilliant? Brilliant is an online (web and mobile) community of learners who share and solve science, math, and computer science (CS) problems. Aimed toward high-aptitude students, it's particularly useful for kids competing in Math or Science Olympiad contests, or for those who want to get started in coding. The site's main interface is divided into the Today panel, Courses panel, and Practice panel (the community portions are, unfortunately, fairly hidden in one of the drop-down menus). The Today panel has a set of daily problems covering Math & Logic and Science & Engineering. Students can also access the Daily Problem archives. When students solve these problems, they can contribute an explanation to their solution if desired, with formatting including LaTeX. |
The following text comes from | Apps for Edu: PadletPadlet is a website and app that allows kids to curate information onto virtual bulletin boards using a simple drag-and-drop system. Students can start with a template or a blank page and add videos, text, links, documents, images -- basically anything -- to the wall and organize it, like a page full of Post-it notes. Kids can add as many notes to a wall as they like; it scrolls in all directions. Teachers can opt to turn on profanity filters, comments, and voting features for more collaboration without the worry of inappropriate language. As added checks, teachers can moderate all posts or require that students display their names on the board. |
The above comes directly from Common Sense Media. To read more click here ! | Apps for Edu: Quizlet The QUIZLET website, which is also available as an app, includes text-based and visual study materials. Kids can add audio and images to flash cards and use tools that quiz them, test their spelling, let them import and label diagrams, and advance their progress in a game if they enter correct answers. The Quizlet Learn feature mixes true and false, multiple-choice, and other types of questions and, based on performance, increases difficulty over time. Subjects range from a set simply called "Numbers" to the highly specific "Underwater Diving Disorders." |
The text is from | Teck This Out: LumosityLumosity is a brain-training program that uses games and exercises to improve memory, attention, and processing skills. Based on extensive scientific and neurological studies, Lumosity helps people use their brains to the highest potential. The site offers games and activities that improve memory, attention, speed, flexibility, and problem-solving. Its cognitive training activities are designed for use by all ages, but it's probably going to be most helpful for older students who can stick with the program over time. Free access is limited to just a few games; users who pay get access to more than 30 games, plus additional resources. |
The following text comes from Common Sence Media! | Cool Apps: CanvaCanva is a graphic design tool for the web (including Chrome) and for iOS. Users create an account (with an email address or by linking their Google account. Users can upload their own images and create their own layouts or choose from a selection of thousands of built-in images and design templates (some of which are available for in-app purchase). Features abound: You can adjust brightness and contrast, resize images, overlay images with text and colors, and more. Once users have finished creating, their designs are automatically saved to the cloud (so it requires an internet connection) and are accessible from the user's home page in the app or on the website. Users can then export their creations via email, as Facebook posts, or via Twitter, and they can download their images in JPEG, PNG, or PDF format. |
The following text is from Common Sense Media | Apps for Edu: PadletPadlet is a website and app that allows kids to curate information onto virtual bulletin boards using a simple drag-and-drop system. Students can start with a template or a blank page and add videos, text, links, documents, images -- basically anything -- to the wall and organize it, like a page full of Post-it notes. Kids can add as many notes to a wall as they like; it scrolls in all directions. Teachers can opt to turn on profanity filters, comments, and voting features for more collaboration without the worry of inappropriate language. As added checks, teachers can moderate all posts or require that students display their names on the board. |
Apps for Edu: EvernoteWhat is Evernote? Evernote is a cloud-based platform for storing, saving, and sharing digital notes and files created across a wide range of devices and applications. Creating notes is as simple as tapping the plus sign, and the user-friendly interface is rich with features but doesn't take much time to learn. Students can create handwritten or text-based notes, annotate images, customize templates, attach files, create checklists, and more. Notes can be formatted, tagged, shared, exported to cloud drives, or simply stored until you need them. Search by tags, favorites, or keywords for quick access, even with handwritten notes and images. Text from above comes from Common Sense Media |
Edu 90: Lock QuizzesLooking for a way to keep students focused and distraction-free during assessments? Check out locked mode for Quizzes in Google Forms, a simple way to control the assessment experience. The Above comes from Google for Education. |
Other than unveiling Tesla's new low-polygon-count pickup, Elon Musk also introduced an electric ATV at the event last night. Dubbed the Cyberquad, Musk confirmed on Twitter today that the two-person ATV will be available "first" as an option for Cybertruck buyers. At the event, the four-wheeler rode into the back of a Cybertruck as the truck's adaptive suspension leaned back for easier loading, and then the ATV plugged in for charging right there in the bed. We still don't know anything else about its capabilities or potential cost, but early adopters of the truck who want to go off-roading may appreciate a zero-emission recreational vehicle to go along with their purchase. | Elon Musk confirms Tesla's 'Cyberquad' as a Cybertruck accessory |
| Apps for Edu: Scratch Scratch is the latest iteration of the block-based coding language created by MIT's Lifelong Kindergarten Group. It can be used online or downloaded and used without an internet connection. Like its predecessors, Scratch allows students to learn and put to use all the essential elements of coding and computer science. From creating variables to building functions, students snap drag-and-drop blocks of code together to create programs for animation, digital storytelling, art, math -- you name it. With Scratch, students can also program a variety of peripheral devices (like the micro:bit) for robotics, science, and engineering learning. This latest version of Scratch isn't much different from previous versions, so users won't have trouble getting used to it. Instead, it's another iteration of a very powerful learning tool. In addition to the new look and layout, Scratch programmers have new extensions that allow them to include text-to-speech and language translation. For teachers, the most important upgrade in 3.0 is that Scratch now runs on tablets, too. -Common Sense Media |
Please note that the following text is from Common Sense Media. | Apps for Edu: DuolingoWhat is Duolingo? Duolingo is a game-based language learning tool. Students first choose which language they want to learn. Beginners can start with "Phrases," or more advanced learners can take a quick placement test to determine the appropriate starting point. Instructional practice activities cover all four skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) and require students to go back and forth between the target language and their self-identified native language. When students make an error, they see the correct answer. Students can also practice conversational, situational language skills in the Stories section. Students see their streak count (their number of days in a row spent using the tool) and their hearts (like lives remaining in a video game). Students earn experience points (XP) for their time in the app, and their user profile (visible when signed in) displays badges with their level and XP and flag icons representing the languages they're learning. English speakers can elect to learn Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Irish, Danish, Swedish, or Turkish; other languages have similar (if slightly more limited) options. |
The following Text is from Common Sense Media . |