Tool belt Theory: Digital Learning Tools
At one time the education system tried to cater to the average student. Currently, researchers have learned more about the brain and educators recognized that there isn't an average student. We all learn in unique ways. Students are motivated for different reasons and input information in various ways. Student stay engaged and focus on tasks using different skills and desire to express themselves using different tools. The Toolbelt Theory recognizes the technological advances that students have access to and encourages teachers to take a step back from planning structured activities and let the students lead. When students are encourages to take responsibility for their own learning, their motivation expands and creativity ensues. In addition, when students are provided choice, they learn to select the most appropriate tools to suit their own needs based on the task and environment. The Toolbelt Theory teaches students beyond the classroom. If an individual wants to succeed beyond secondary education, he has to learn to adapt, access information and communicate in ways that take advantage of this skills and abilities.
To apply the Toolbelt Theory in your classroom:
-allow students to choice what agenda works best for their needs (digital or calendar book)
-provide students with a paper novel and audiobook format when completing a novel study
-allow students to write drafts on paper or in a Word document.
As a teacher, I encounter a lot of students that struggle with literacy. There are quite a few students that have low reading levels and struggle with writing. The toolkit below includes tools to limit limitation on completing assignments based on reading and writing.
To apply the Toolbelt Theory in your classroom:
-allow students to choice what agenda works best for their needs (digital or calendar book)
-provide students with a paper novel and audiobook format when completing a novel study
-allow students to write drafts on paper or in a Word document.
As a teacher, I encounter a lot of students that struggle with literacy. There are quite a few students that have low reading levels and struggle with writing. The toolkit below includes tools to limit limitation on completing assignments based on reading and writing.
Reading Assistance Tools
Newsela - Contains articles and news categorized by subject, grade and reading skills. The site also can quiz students about any article read and students can write a response. This is a useful tool for research. Articles are written with a youth audience in mind and could inspire broader research.
Actively Learn - Program provides students with ability to interact with students
-Once text is selected (upload PDF, use website content) teachers can add class list, add questions, encourage dialogue
-Features: dictionary, text-to-speech, highlight, notetaker, polls
-Provides lesson plans and text
-Tracks student progress
Actively Learn - Program provides students with ability to interact with students
-Once text is selected (upload PDF, use website content) teachers can add class list, add questions, encourage dialogue
-Features: dictionary, text-to-speech, highlight, notetaker, polls
-Provides lesson plans and text
-Tracks student progress
Free Online Automatic Text Summarization Tool:
Text Compactor - Paste text into text box to summarize text (found on a website) to what you feel is appropriate.
Text Compactor - Paste text into text box to summarize text (found on a website) to what you feel is appropriate.
Into the Book - Provides tools (lesson plans) to teachers for teaching comprehension skills/thinking skills
-Resources are categorized by: Prior Knowledge, Making Connections, Questioning, Visualizing...etc
-Resources include text, lyrics, teacher videos, activities
-Ideal for grade 3 students
-Free, resources in PDF format
-American
Gutenberg, Loyal Books and Learn Out Loud - Websites that also provides audiobooks
Writing Assistance Tools
Clicker 7 -Software writing tool
-Audio takes account of punctuation
-Many audio voice options (children' voices)
-Word predictor: audio option, can be theme sensitive, phonetic predictor
-1 Font is dyslexic specific
-paid for program
Google Read & Write - I love how this program operates. The option of recording your voice to write and having a visual dictionary can be instrumental for some students. I also like the word prediction option. Word predictions can help so many students differentiate words that are similar and the text-to-voice feature is great for the editing process. This extension also preferred because it can be used with a variety of subjects and assignments.
-Audio takes account of punctuation
-Many audio voice options (children' voices)
-Word predictor: audio option, can be theme sensitive, phonetic predictor
-1 Font is dyslexic specific
-paid for program
Google Read & Write - I love how this program operates. The option of recording your voice to write and having a visual dictionary can be instrumental for some students. I also like the word prediction option. Word predictions can help so many students differentiate words that are similar and the text-to-voice feature is great for the editing process. This extension also preferred because it can be used with a variety of subjects and assignments.
Spelling City -Teacher can insert spelling vocabulary and the website inserts vocabulary into games
-Fun and interactive way for students to practice spelling
-For primary students
-Record data
-Membership required but free if just using website to; save word lists and perform spelling tests
-Fun and interactive way for students to practice spelling
-For primary students
-Record data
-Membership required but free if just using website to; save word lists and perform spelling tests
Doorway Online - Based on UK curriculum, software available over the internet
-For primary students
-Provides practice and testing opportunities
-Visuals, audio
-Categories: Literacy, Number, Time/Money (£), Typing, Memory/Matching
-Oral directions, includes keyboard
Other writing assistance tools can be linked to speech-to-text extensions and even Google Translate.
-For primary students
-Provides practice and testing opportunities
-Visuals, audio
-Categories: Literacy, Number, Time/Money (£), Typing, Memory/Matching
-Oral directions, includes keyboard
Other writing assistance tools can be linked to speech-to-text extensions and even Google Translate.
Whiteboards- Although this may not be necessarily classified as technology, I feel it is important to mention that whiteboards can be helpful for students to express ideas and helpful for teachers to receive immediate feedback. Teachers can provide a whiteboard to every student and they can express there answer using images, checkmarks, one word answers or complex sentences. They are relatively cheap and encourage students to fully participate in classroom activities without the pressure of sharing their answer with the entire class.
Literature Resources (summarizing text)
Book Rags -Study Guides
-Lesson Plans containing chapter summary, lesson calendar, fun activities, essay topics and assessment tools
-Bios
-Essays
-Homework Help
-Book Notes contains: chapter summaries, notes on characters, topic tracer, quotes, plot summary, author/context information
-Study Guides organized by: fils, free book notes, non-fiction, poetry and Shakespeare
-Teaching Resources
-Subscription Required
-Downloadable in PDF or Word File
60 Second Recap-Also accessible via YouTube
-One person quickly gives a book summary in 60 seconds
-User can listen to multiple 60 sec clips on the same book
-Useful when trying to understand a plot but student will still need to read the book
Resources for ESL Students
Google Translate App - can translate documents
-audio option
-write with finger
Google Chrome - has a translate extension that can be added by going to Google Web Store
G-board - can be used with android phones
-it provides a different keyboard for the user
Tap to Translate Option - for android users
- great way to send texts because you can remain on the same app page
Tumble Books - Provides books in different languages
-audio option
-write with finger
Google Chrome - has a translate extension that can be added by going to Google Web Store
G-board - can be used with android phones
-it provides a different keyboard for the user
Tap to Translate Option - for android users
- great way to send texts because you can remain on the same app page
Tumble Books - Provides books in different languages
Ways to Express Learning
Press organizes learning
-user can insert PowerPoint
Storybird -user can build a book using art available on the webpage
-Read and comment on books
VideoScribe -Create your own presentation and images can be selected from the webpage library
Toondo
-user can insert PowerPoint
Storybird -user can build a book using art available on the webpage
-Read and comment on books
VideoScribe -Create your own presentation and images can be selected from the webpage library
Toondo
Collaboration with Students
Online Bulletin Boards:
Pallet - is an online bulletin board. Operates like a cork board
- add text, audio, YouTube video or URL
- Easy to use. Use for collaborative discussions, gives all students a voice
-29 languages
-Options of a random or structured format (grid)
-use it to express your thoughts on a common topic and allow others to add to the discussion
-Privacy options
-Save and Refresh often
Storyboard - Online brainstorming and collaboration
-Add sticky notes, photos and videos to a shared wall
-All ideas can have a comment attached
-Notes can be prioritized, distributed or voted on
-Ideas are in the form of: text, whiteboard, photos, video, index cards or files
Linnet - online stickies, can collaborate to create group bulletin board.
- Download in App Store
Voxer - combines audio with texting and images, listen live or later and respond when it's convenient
- Like an online walkie-talkie
- App
- Great for international collaboration
-Students can collaboration using Voxer with other students
Scribbler - a real-time, multi-user online whiteboard which offers text chat and audio.
- Provides an online teaching format
-Teachers are provided a white board to write on and record audio. The student follows along.
-Add images, PDFs, PowerPoints, Word Documents and Snapshots
- Perfect tool to try when face to face isn't possible
-Free 14 day trial only. Pricing based on number of students
Online Teaching Tools for Curriculum and Instruction:
PlayPosit - embed questions into video
-Find educational videos online (40, 000+ pre-made interactive videos)
-Share with learners or colleagues with any Learning Management System
-Analyze data
-Basic 1 year usage is free, $144/yr for master usage
EdPuzzle- engage your students using video, check for understanding. Attach a YouTube video, edit the video according to length, ask a question to your students and wait for a response. Students can be monitored using website tracking program.
Bookmarking Tools: to create class favourites that your students can retrieve anywhere to help them study
Delicious
Diigo
Tool belt Theory General Links Provided by Paul Hamilton
Ira Socol is the Assistant Director for Educational Technology and Innovation in the United States. He believes that technology can provide students with the power to manipulate the world. He has proven that when students are given the appropriate tools, they can excel remarkable beyond expectations. In this career, he has seen struggling students become leading students with the support of technology and from removing typical education restrictions.
He also promotes students to be the full administrators of their devices which encourages students to download and adapt technology to their specific needs.
He also promotes students to be the full administrators of their devices which encourages students to download and adapt technology to their specific needs.