This is a set of apps and web based tools for the NETA teachers to play and experiment with to help make powerful learning experiences for their students.
Allows teachers to edit videos from sources such as Youtube and add quiz questions at points in the video. Usage: You found a great video that you want your students to watch as homework but it is too long and complex. You can still use the video by cutting out parts that don't relate to the topic, also record your voice to better explain the content, and at parts of the video to help your students check for understanding insert quiz type questions.
Give positive reinforcement with badges that students earn as they master skills or content. The badges can be custom designed by the teacher for any content or skill. Usage: You teach writing and you want students to master parts of an essay. You can create a badge for each part that you can reward you students with. So for instance when students master the thesis statement they are awarded a badge, when they show mastery of the organization of the multiple paragraphs you award a badge, and perhaps when they have done well with editing you do the same.
A add-on app that the teacher connects with their Google account that allows the teacher to add voice comments to student documents for feedback or grading. (Requires Google accounts) Usage: You don't have time to meet one on one with each student and typing a comment is not enough. You can bring a set of student assignments into a folder and then you load the student assignment and highlight what you want to add a voice comment to. The student sees their assignment and you've given voice comments for support, praise, or suggested changes.
Allows the teacher to create an electronic bulletin board that students can add post its or stickies to. The post its can have weblinks, photos, or videos. Can be set up like an open space where students put stickies wherever they choose or a time based bulletin board in which most recent posts are on top. Can be used as a peer to peer learning tool as well. Usage: You have an open ended question or the type that students will have different responses to. You have the students post their responses and then also respond to their peers on whether they agree or disagree.
Allows teacher to curate and organize lessons for students. Usage: You have a lesson that incorporates multiple sources of video, web links, or information. The website allows the teacher to easily organize the resources.
This tool acts like a chat which allow the entire class to participate. It allows students to share ideas in the back ground, also known as a back channel that can be run during presentations or in response to lessons. Usage: You want students to watch an event or watch student presentations and want them to be giving their feedback or ideas without disrupting what is being watched or heard. The new version also allows the teacher to moderate the comments so that anything inappropriate does not post. It can also be used as a formative tool in which students are asked to give examples and respond.
Allows students with their Google accounts to create notes as they are watching Youtube videos. Usage: You want the students to watch a video and be keeping notes. The students add this app to their Google accounts and allows students to type notes which are synced to where they are in watching the video.
Allows students to create avatars that can also speak for acting out stories or creating responses to content. Usage: You want students to act out or present a poem or creative work. The students set up an avatar and then add text which the avatar will speak with gestures to match or the student can record their own voice and the avatar will be in sync with what is recorded.
Allows the teacher to keep track of student behaviors and level of focus, keeps track of both positive and negative behavior that can be shared with students and parents. Usage: A perfect tool to use during project times when students are working together. You can circulate around the room and mark who is on task and who is off task. The reports that are generated can be given to students or emailed to parents.
Allows students to do searches and organize the information visually into mind maps. Usage: You want the students to do research on a topic and keep all their reference material together. The tool allows students to create a mind map of what they are learning about including incorporating websites, photos, and videos and can be converted to a journal or even provide quiz questions to help students to master the concepts. The level of complexity of what is researched can also be adjusted so that content the student sees is not too difficult.