KidzType is a free comprehensive approach to learning keyboarding. The ad- and distraction-free interface provides not only practice drills but quick links to grade-appropriate keyboarding games (including the popular ones from DanceMat Typing). It’s easy to get started and just as easy to use making it the perfect tool for busy teachers and students who have lots to do besides keyboarding.

But in the crowded field of online keyboarding, KidzType will become your favorite for one other simple reason: It multitasks. It has tons of wordlists for many subjects so students learn while practicing keyboarding. For example, if you’re working on geography, students can keyboard with the Geography word list or Marzano Science. If you’re studying literacy, use wordlists for Dolch/Fry/Sight words, Compound Words, or Phrases. Activities present as a timed test (between one and five minutes) that are selected by grade and topic. When completed, students get a certificate that can be printed or simply saved in their personal file.

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Thomas Wikman and I met over a love of dogs which soon grew into a mutual appreciation for all things cerebral. He writes about Leonbergers (if you’ve never seen one of these amazing dogs, click through to his blog and check them out) and wrote the definitive book on the subject about his own Leonberger, The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle: Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger.

Beyond dogs, Thomas writes erudite posts about science, fun facts, book reviews, and more. As an educator, his recent guest post on science books for the youngest of our children caught my attention as one the Ask a Tech Teacher community would enjoy. With Thomas’ permission, I’ll share his review of several science books intended for our youngest learners, presented in an age-appropriate fashion for those with curious minds even in preschool.

If this tweaks your interest, click through to Thomas’ science blog, SuperFactful, for more fascinating quick overviews of the wonders of science:

Summer is a great time to reset your personal pedagogy to an education-friendly mindset and catch up on what’s been changing in the ed world while you were teaching eight ten hours a day. My X friends gave me great suggestions, but first:

A comment on the selections: I did get more than I could list so I avoided books with hot-button subjects teachers are divided on and focused on positive and uplifting reading. Yes, there is a lot wrong with education around the world but I wanted a selection of books that would send me — and you —  back to teaching in the fall with a can-do attitude for how to accomplish miracles with your next class of students.

Having said that, here’s a granular list of teacher-approved books to keep you busy this summer:

What Great Teachers Do Differently

by Todd Whitaker

What are the beliefs and behaviors that set great teachers apart? In this internationally renowned bestseller, Todd Whitaker reveals 19 keys to becoming more effective in the classroom.

This essential third edition features new sections on why it’s about more than relationships, how to focus on a consistent, engaging learning environment, and the importance of choosing the right mode―business, parent, child―to improve your classroom management.

Perfect for educators at any level of experience, for independent reading or for schoolwide book studies, this practical book will leave you feeling inspired and ready to do the things that matter most for the people who matter most―your students.

Take Control of the Noisy Class: Chaos to Calm in 15 Seconds

by Rob Plevin

You’ll discover:

• The simple six-step plan to minimise & deal with classroom behaviour problems
• How to gain trust & respect from tough, hard-to-reach students
• How to put an end to power struggles & confrontation
• How to have students follow your instructions… with no need to repeat yourself
• The crucial importance of consistency (and how to achieve it)
• Quick and easy ways to raise engagement and enjoyment in your lessons
• The ‘Clean Slate’ – a step by step method you can use to ‘start over’ with that particularly difficult group of students who won’t do anything you say.

(more…)

Here are quick, safe spots to send students for research (click here for updates to the list):

1. CoolKidFacts–kid-friendly videos, pictures, info, and quizzes–all 100% suitable for children
2. Dimensions–academic research geared for college-level
3. Fact Monster–help with homework and facts
4. Google Earth Timelapse–what changes to the planet over time
5. Google Trends–what’s trending in searches
6. History Channel–great speeches
7. How Stuff Works–the gold standard in explaining stuff to kids
8. Info Please–events cataloged year-by-year
9. National Geographic for Kids
10. Ngram Viewer–analyzes all words in all books on Google Books
11. TagGalaxy–search using a cloud
12. Wild Wordsmyth–picture dictionary for kids
13. World Book–requires membership

Citing Resources

1. BibMe
2. Citation Machine
3. EasyBib

Kids Search Engines

1. Kiddle–visual search engine for kids
2. Kidtopia

How to Research

1. A Google A Day
2. How to Search on Google
3. Power Searching (with Google)
4. Teaching students to search/research
5. Internet Search and Research–a lesson plan for K-8

Lesson Plans

1. Image Copyright Do’s and Don’ts
2. Internet Search and Research

Resources/Research

1. BrainPOP–Bring learning to your fingertips™ with the BrainPOP® Featured Movie app
2. Kids Picture Dictionary
3. Primary Source Documents
4. SparkVue–collect and display live data from iPhone etc to the iPad
5. Talk to Books–research your topic based on books
6. TED app–TED’s official app presents talks from some of the world’s most fascinating people

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No one disagrees with the importance of the visual in communicating. The problem usually is creating it. Most teachers aren’t adept at matching colors, picking fonts and font sizes, and then laying everything out artistically. It’s much easier to use text with a few pictures tossed in and leave the artistry for the art teacher. When Microsoft Publisher came out a lifetime ago, it was the first major desktop publishing effort to blend layout, colors, and multimedia that was accessible to everyone. Unfortunately, it was (and continues to be) an expensive piece of software not traditionally included in Microsoft’s Office Suite (though that changed with Office 365). That meant MS Publisher skills learned at school were rarely transferrable to a home environment.

Canva changes that. It’s web-based (including apps available for iPads and Chromebooks) with a drag-and-drop functionality that makes the design process simple and intuitive. You can create professional presentations, posters, multi-page documents, marketing materials, social media graphics, and more using Canva’s more than 1 million photos, icons, and layouts, each with colors and fonts coordinated into attractive schema easily accessed by both beginners and reluctant designers. There’s no cost for basic (a yearly cost for premium) to use the thousands of free illustrations and images in the Canva library or uploading your own. For a small fee (usually $1.00), more than one million professional stock images and graphics can be used on a pay-per-use basis (most free with premium). (more…)

Here’s a long list of Language Arts and Word Study websites (check here for updates).

1. Contraction Games
2. Contraction Practice
3. Feast of Homonyms
4. Glossary of Poetry Terms
5. Grammar Gorillas
6. Grammaropolis
7. Punctuation Games
8. Suffix Match

Word Study

(more…)

Summer is a great time to reset your personal pedagogy to an education-friendly mindset and catch up on what’s been changing in the ed world while you were teaching eight ten hours a day. My Twitter friends gave me great suggestions, but first:

A comment on the selections: I did get more suggestions than I could possibly list so I avoided books that involved politics or hot-button subjects that teachers are divided on and focused on positive and uplifting reading. Yes, there is a lot wrong with education around the world but I wanted a selection of books that would send me — and you —  back to teaching in the fall with a can-do attitude for how to accomplish miracles with your next class of students.

Having said that, here’s a granular list of teacher-approved books to keep you busy this summer (some of these are repeated from last year):

Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times

by Eric C. Sheninger

Digital Leadership defines a strategic mindset and set of behaviors that leverage resources to create a meaningful, transparent, and engaging school culture. It takes into account recent changes such as connectivity, open-source technology, mobile devices, and personalization of learning to dramatically shift how schools have been run for over a century.

Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns

by Clayton M. Christensen

Selected as one of Business Week’s Best Books on Innovation in 2008, Disrupting Class remains a worthy read. It is filled with fascinating case studies, scientific findings, and insights into how managed innovation can unleash education. Disrupting Class will open your eyes to new possibilities and evolve your thinking. For more detail, read my review, Disrupting Class.

(more…)

Summer is a great time to reset your personal pedagogy to an education-friendly mindset and catch up on what’s been changing in the ed world while you were teaching eight ten hours a day. My Twitter friends gave me great suggestions, but first:

A comment on the selections: I did get more suggestions than I could possibly list so I avoided books that involved politics or hot-button subjects that teachers are divided on and focused on positive and uplifting reading. Yes, there is a lot wrong with education around the world but I wanted a selection of books that would send me — and you —  back to teaching in the fall with a can-do attitude for how to accomplish miracles with your next class of students.

Having said that, here’s a granular list of teacher-approved books to keep you busy this summer:

Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times

by Eric C. Sheninger

Digital Leadership defines a strategic mindset and set of behaviors that leverage resources to create a meaningful, transparent, and engaging school culture. It takes into account recent changes such as connectivity, open-source technology, mobile devices, and personalization of learning to dramatically shift how schools have been run for over a century.

Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns

by Clayton M. Christensen

Selected as one of Business Week’s Best Books on Innovation in 2008, Disrupting Class remains a worthy read. It is filled with fascinating case studies, scientific findings, and insights into how managed innovation can unleash education. Disrupting Class will open your eyes to new possibilities and evolve your thinking. For more detail, read my review, Disrupting Class.

(more…)

This how-to-type website doesn’t get enough exposure so I’m doing a quick overview of pros and cons and how to use it. If you’re looking for a good typing program to engage your students during summer school or next school year, this is an excellent choice:

KidzType is a free comprehensive approach to learning keyboarding. The ad- and distraction-free interface provides not only practice drills but quick links to grade-appropriate keyboarding games (including popular ones from DanceMat Typing). It’s easy to get started and just as easy to use making it the perfect tool for busy teachers and students who have lots to do besides keyboarding.

(more…)

Ask a Tech Teacher occasionally reviews an education website that caught our eye and seemed to have excellent value for readers. Today, it’s SplashLearn. Here’s an easy-to-read bullet list of what we found:

Platform: 

• Android
• iOS
• Web

Overview:

SplashLearn is an innovative online learning platform tailored for PreK through Grade 5 kids. With a global reach engaging over 45 million children and 446k teachers, it ingeniously blends the excitement of gaming with the rigor of academic learning; the platform ensures that each session is not only engaging but also deeply educational.

Cost:

• Parents: SplashLearn offers a 7-day free trial, allowing parents to explore its features before committing to a subscription. Subsequent plans start at $7.50/month. You can get started here!
• Teachers: For teachers, SplashLearn is completely free. It includes access to thousands of educational resources without hidden costs or permissions. You can get started here!

Age Group and Subjects:

• Parents: SplashLearn offers Math and Reading curriculum from PreK through Grade 5 for parents.
• Teachers: SplashLearn’s curriculum spans Kindergarten to Grade 5 for Math and Kindergarten to Grade 2 for Reading.

What SplashLearn Offers:

Parents:

• Daily Learning Path: Parents can customize bite-sized daily lessons to fit their child’s schedule.
• Curriculum Alignment: SplashLearn aligns closely with school curricula, reinforcing classroom learning with games and activities.
• Engagement: Interactive content, vibrant colors, and engaging gameplay keep children interested in learning and something for children look forward to.
• Rewards: To further motivate learners, SplashLearn incorporates rewards like coins and access to non-curricular games. These games include puzzles and quizzes that enhance critical thinking skills and offer a fun break from traditional learning.
• Content Types:

1. Games: Each educational game on SplashLearn is crafted to strengthen understanding and practice new skills, ensuring that children grasp concepts while having fun.
2. Worksheets: An expansive collection of worksheets is available, covering every imaginable skill necessary for school success. These worksheets serve as excellent reinforcement tools.
3. Live Classes: Children can learn from expert tutors in live classes that go beyond the standard curriculum, offering advanced learning opportunities and helping students stay ahead. Read more about it here.
4. Multiplayer Games: These allow children to challenge and compete with friends, adding a social element to learning that can boost engagement and motivation.

Teachers:

• Compatibility with Other Tools: SplashLearn integrates seamlessly with Google Classroom and Clever, simplifying data import and saving teachers time.
• Free 11,000 Worksheets: Over 11,000 free worksheets across various subjects and levels are available to support teaching.
• Free Assignment Access for Home: Assignments can be accessed at home, enhancing learning continuity between school and home.
• Teacher-Referred Discounts for Parents: Teachers can extend subscription discounts to parents.
• Lesson Plans and Teaching Tools: Detailed lesson plans and tools align with educational standards to aid effective teaching.

Screenshots

• Parents

• Teacher:

How SplashLearn Works for Parents:

• Personalization: From the moment you sign up, SplashLearn customizes the learning experience based on your child’s educational level and preferences through an initial onboarding questionnaire, ensuring content matches their abilities and goals.
• Research-Based and Expert-Designed Content: Developed from educational research, SplashLearn’s curriculum and games align with academic standards, target misconceptions, and include scaffolding to support learners and foster deep understanding.
• Live Classes: Led by expert tutors, SplashLearn’s live classes range from basic practice to advanced explorations, plus creative “out-of-the-box” sessions. These help students advance beyond standard curricula and encourage creative application of knowledge.
• Adaptive Algorithm: A robust adaptive algorithm analyzes your child’s interactions and progress, adjusting content difficulty and type in real-time to match their pace and skill level for an optimal learning challenge.
• Detailed Reports: Detailed reports provide insights into your child’s activities and achievements, outline mastered skills, and recommend future learning steps.
  
  Tips and Suggestions for Using SplashLearn:

• Access to All Grades PreK to Grade 5: SplashLearn allows you to adjust the learning level based on your child’s needs. Whether your child is gifted and needs more challenging material or has special needs and requires a slower pace, you can tailor the content by setting them at an appropriate grade level.
• Integration with Google Classroom and Clever: For schools using Google Classroom or Clever, SplashLearn integrates smoothly with these platforms, ensuring a consistent learning environment between school and home.
• Free Teacher-Recommended Content: Teachers can recommend specific SplashLearn content that students can access at home without charge.
• Automatic Assignments: With just one click, SplashLearn activates assignments, simplifying the process and saving time.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Parents can try SplashLearn for free before committing to a subscription.
• It is completely free for teachers.
• The platform is aligned with educational standards.
• Integrates seamlessly with classroom management tools.

Cons:

• SplashLearn does not currently offer an ELA curriculum for Grades 4 and 5 for teachers.

Closing Remarks on SplashLearn

In conclusion, SplashLearn is a standout educational platform that effectively merges the excitement of gaming with the rigor of structured learning. Despite the minor drawbacks, SplashLearn’s benefits—such as its adaptability and the broad spectrum of engaging content—significantly outweigh these issues. Whether you’re seeking to enrich your child’s educational journey or find supportive classroom instruction tools, SplashLearn is an excellent choice for enhancing learning outcomes and making education fun and impactful.

–Image credit for some–Deposit Photo

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Here’s the sign-up link if the image above doesn’t work:

https://forms.aweber.com/form/07/1910174607.htm

“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.