The Easiest Way to Provide Effective Feedback
Effective Feedback Made Easy Teachers often struggle to find enough time to provide feedback that is personalized, ongoing, and timely. However, these characteristics of...
Assessment
Getting Started with Pear Deck for Google Slides
Learn everything you need to get started making interactive presentations using Pear Deck for Google Slides in under seven minutes. Pear Deck is a...
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October 14, 2020 -
October 7, 2020A Must-Have Tool for Managing Student Feedback
Student Feedback Made Easy Whether used for formative assessment, exit tickets, or just checking in on student well-being, Loop provides teachers with an easy...
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January 30, 2020An Easier Way to Provide Faster, More Effective Student Feedback
Floop: Giving Students Feedback They Need, When They Need It More than just a quick, convenient way of providing student feedback on paper assignments,...
Assistive Technology
Digital Accessibility Resources to Empower All Learners
Technology is most powerful when it empowers everyone. Apple.com One of the first times I heard George Couros speak he said, “Technology is not...
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November 21, 2019Getting Started with Google Voice Typing
Text-to-Speech That Actually Works I remember trying voice-to-text software in the late 1990s. In addition to a lack of accuracy, I had to speak...
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September 16, 2019Improve Reading Comprehension with Text-to-Speech: iPad Multi-Sensory Reading
Text-To-Speech Text-to-Speech isn’t just for students with low-vision. It can also be beneficial to students experiencing a range of literacy difficulties. Read-aloud tools have...
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June 2, 2017iPad Accessibility Apps – Level The Playing Field
iPad Accessibility Apps – Level The Playing Field The iPad’s built-in accessibility features are amazing for empowering all learners. Here’s a round-up of iPad...
Communication
Rephrase Sentences with Just a Few Clicks
Rephrase Sentences the Easy Way Need to rephrase sentences? Just copy and paste or type your sentence into Wordtune’s editor, and let artificial intelligence do...
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July 31, 2020The Easiest Way to Make a Bitmoji Classroom
Bitmoji Classroom Bitmoji Classrooms are really catching on as teachers try to have fun and increase engagement by designing their virtual environments. In the...
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September 2, 2019ClassTag: Communicating with Parents Has Never Been Easier
Communicating with Parents: Let Them Decide I’m ashamed to admit that I don’t always read (or even open) the weekly email newsletters I receive...
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June 7, 2018Backchannels in the Classroom – 7 Alternatives to TodaysMeet
Backchannels in the Classroom 7 Alternatives to TodaysMeet Backchannels in the Classroom Backchannels are a great way to facilitate meaningful classroom discussions that all...
Content Creation
Etsy Template: Engage Students With This Etsy Shop Template
Create a shop and “products” with this Etsy template for Google Slides or Keynote. Students create an Etsy shop and “product” pages creatively describing...
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January 13, 2023How to Make Timelines in Google Sheets
You can now make timelines directly within Google Sheets. Learn how in less than three minutes. View the entire video or click on any...
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December 16, 2022How to Use Green Screen on iMovie for Mac
Learn everything you need to know with this step-by-step guide on how to use green screen on iMovie for Mac. We’ll cover how to...
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October 20, 2022TikTok Template for the Classroom – Perfect for Any Subject Area
TikTok Template Students can now make a TikTok profile for historical figures, book characters, landforms, math functions, and more just by replacing the placeholder...
Distance Learning
Virtual Waiting Room Slide Templates
Virtual Waiting Room Slides If you’re hosting virtual meetings or classes, chances are you spend a fair amount of time waiting for people to...
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September 3, 2020Tech Tutorials for Parents and Caretakers
A collection of tutorials for commonly used technology to support parents and caretakers during distance learning (or anytime).
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August 9, 2020Building Relationships During Remote Learning
It’s All About Relationships Everyone is likely to start off this school year with some version of online learning. Even those starting out face-to-face...
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July 24, 2020Coronavirus Resources for Families, Students, and Teachers
This collaboration is brought to you by Study.com and is based on my unbiased experience using the site. While we all wait and wonder...
Featured App
Not Your Average Timeline App – Timeline 3D
Timeline 3D iPad App The average timeline maker looks like it still belongs on the internet of 1999. Timeline 3D is not your average...
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March 8, 202010 Must-Have Math Apps for Elementary
Free Math Apps The Math Learning Center has created 10 free math apps featuring virtual manipulatives and interactive visual models. These open-ended learning tools...
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October 13, 2019A Fun Way to Randomly Select or Group Students
Chwazi Finger Chooser Teachers are always looking for new ways to select or group students. This app makes that task quick, easy, and fun....
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April 19, 2018Manage Paper Like a Boss – Turn your iPad into a Document Scanner
Manage Paper Like a Boss – Turn your iPad into a Document Scanner OK, I’ll Say It: I Hate Managing Paper Efficiently dealing with...
Flipped Classroom & Blended Learning
The Best Free Screen Recorder for Teachers and Students
Loom Loom is the best choice for teachers and students looking for a free screen recorder. They generously offer many of their paid features...
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April 3, 2020The Beginners Guide to Creating Video Lessons with Edpuzzle
Video Lessons Edpuzzle has been featured in many of my posts and workshops over the years. With so many teachers turning to video lessons...
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March 26, 2020How to Create Instructional Videos with Screencast-o-Matic
Screencast-o-Matic Screencast-o-Matic is the easiest, free way to create instructional videos. Users don’t need to download any software; no accounts are required. Just visit...
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June 11, 2018Video Lessons for Every Subject – Study.com
Video Lessons for Every Subject From Hemingway to Hemoglobin – Study.com This collaboration is brought to you by Study.com and is based on my...
Gadgets
Learning Design & Technology Holiday Gift Guide
I was just starting to think about my annual Tech/STEM toys of the year when my friend and mentor, Dr. Marshall Jones, shared his...
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November 24, 2019The Top Tech Toys of 2019
Nick’s Picks for Tech Toys So many of my previous picks for educational toys remain among my top choices (now at lower prices), but...
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November 25, 2018Nick’s Picks for Educational Toys 2018
Top Educational Toys Under $50 Here are my top 10 picks for STEM/educational toys under $50 for 2018. I opted for only 10 picks...
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December 3, 2017The Best STEM Toys Under $25 – 2017
The Best STEM Toys Under $25 – 2017 Nick’s Picks for Educational Toys 2017 There are so many great choices for STEM toys under...
General
My Top EdTech Picks of 2022
Here’s a look back at my top EdTech Picks of 2022. TikTok Template, How to Create Fake Text Animations, Make Your Own Wordle, An...
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November 4, 20225 New Additions to the EdTech Graveyard
#EdTechGraveyard This year the EdTech Graveyard honors the memory of 5 more tools that have passed on. Since 2019 the EdTech Graveyard has served...
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August 29, 2022The Complete Beginners Guide to Apple Pencil
Learn everything you need to get started with your Apple Pencil in under eight minutes. From drawing perfect shapes to converting handwriting to text,...
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April 28, 2022Star Wars Day Ideas for the Classroom
May the Fourth Be With You Engage your students this Star Wars Day by incorporating some Star Wars Day ideas into your classroom. Check...
Learning Apps Gone Free
Learning Apps Gone Free – July 31, 2017
Paid Learning Apps Gone Free July 31, 2017 Learning Apps Gone Free Today’s learning apps gone free feature tools for stargazing, photo editing, and...
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June 30, 2017Learning Apps Gone Free – June 20, 2017
Paid Learning Apps Gone Free June 30, 2017 Learning Apps Gone Free Today’s learning apps gone free: learn about equivalent ratios while mixing potions,...
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May 11, 2017Learning Apps Gone Free – May 11, 2017
Paid Learning Apps Gone Free May 11, 2017 Learning Apps Gone Free Today’s learning apps gone free: an incredibly popular storybook app, a fun...
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March 23, 2017Learning Apps Gone Free – March 23, 2017
Paid Learning Apps Gone Free March 23, 2017 Learning Apps Gone Free Today’s learning apps gone free: AP U.S. History 5 Steps to a...
Management
Everything You Need to Implement a Classroom Economy
Not Your Typical Classroom Economy I heard an NPR interview with Rafe Esquith where he was sharing his strategies for teaching fifth-grade students about...
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January 17, 2019ClassroomQ: A Better Way to Ask and Manage Questions
A Simple Solution to a Common Classroom Problem “Wouldn’t it be cool if students didn’t have to raise their hands and wait when they...
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September 21, 2017The Seating Chart Tool You’ve Been Looking For
The Seating Chart Tool You’ve Been Looking For Mega Seating Plan www.MegaSeatingPlan.com Mega Seating Plan makes it easy to create a variety of seating...
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August 27, 2017Lesson Plan Your Way with PlanBoard
Lesson Plan Your Way When I first started teaching, I was required to turn in two weeks of lesson plans on a six-point lesson...
Presentation Resources
Ignite Student Voice with Flipgrid
Ignite Student Voice with Flipgrid Free Access to Flipgrid Classroom Get FREE access to Flipgrid Classroom through September 30, 2017 with promo code NICKLAFAVE....
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June 7, 201750 Free Tech Tools for the 21st Century Classroom
50 Free Tech Tools for the 21st Century Classroom Updated for 2018 – Links and resources from my workshops, presentations, and conferences. Teacher Tools...
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May 31, 2017Creating Interactive Lessons for Blended Learning and the Flipped Classroom
Creating Interactive Lessons for Blended Learning and the Flipped Classroom Updated for 2017 – Links and resources from my workshops and presentations on Blended...
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July 12, 2016Don’t Flip Out About Flipping Your Classroom
Don’t Flip Out About Flipping Your Classroom Updated for 2017 – Links and resources from my workshops and presentations on the Flipped Classroom. Remove...
Reading Roundup #TeachDifferent
100 Free Halloween STEM Activities
100 Free Halloween STEM Activities I’m a big believer in leveraging student interests for instructional engagement rather than fighting against their excitement (check out...
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August 4, 2017Fidget Spinners in The Classroom – #TeachDifferent Reading Roundup
Fidget Spinners in The Classroom Teachers are always looking for ways to capture student interest, yet many educators are often quick to outlaw the...
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July 19, 2017Summer Slide – #TeachDifferent Reading Roundup
Summer Slide – #TeachDifferent Reading Roundup Five handpicked articles from my PLN about the dreaded “summer slide.” See what the research says and get...
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May 17, 2017Recess – #TeachDifferent Reading Roundup
Recess – #TeachDifferent Reading Roundup All kids need recess, everyday. Especially those who “misbehave.” It has always baffled me when teachers use a form of...
Review & Study
Let Students Create Your Next Review Game in Gimkit with KitCollab
One of my favorite review game platforms just added a great new collaborative feature. Teachers can now let their students collaboratively create questions for...
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May 13, 2021The Math Game Teachers Have Been Waiting For
99math 99math.com 99math is an engaging review game exclusively for math. Intended for grades 1-8, 99math covers the basics, but also offers more advanced topics...
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February 21, 2021An Engaging Review Game That’s Perfect for Any Classroom- Blooket
Even students’ favorite review games like Kahoot, Quizizz, and Gimkit can get a little dull if they are overplayed. That’s why I’m always excited...
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February 11, 2020Create Interactive Learning Games in Minutes with Educandy
Teachers can never have too many review game options. Educandy allows teachers to quickly and easily create interactive learning games. The games are easy...
Sharing Content
The Easiest Way to Share Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, or Drawings
Four Ways to Share Google Docs Sir Links-a-Lot is a must-have Google Chrome extension that provides four quick options to share Google Docs, Sheets,...
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January 19, 2020Make QR Codes That Stand Out With This Custom QR Code Generator
Custom QR Code Generator QR codes have become so common in many settings that they tend to blend in. I still remember being surprised...
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May 30, 2019Generate Full-Screen Messages Instantly with Gzaas
Gzaas is a simple, but useful, tool every teacher needs on their bookmarks bar. Need to share something quickly or spontaneously with your class?...
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November 9, 2017Share Bookmarks and Save Time with Sqworl
Share Bookmarks and Save Time with Sqworl Sqworl.com Simple Visual Bookmarking for Educators Sqworl is a basic bookmarking site. Its simplicity and focus on...
Social Media
#MathematicalSongs
#MathematicalSongs Look what showed up in “Trends for you” on Twitter this morning! I collected a few of my favorite #mathematicalsongs. If your school...
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April 10, 2016Create a YouTube Channel for your Class! — Guest Post by Nicole LaFave
Create a YouTube Channel for your Class! Guest Post by Nicole LaFave In my first year of teaching, I’d spend hours each week gluing...
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June 30, 2014Twitter in the Classroom: Engage Your Screenagers in 140 Characters or Less – ISTE 2014
Twitter in the Classroom: Engage Your Screenagers in 140 Characters or Less ISTE 2014 Twitter in the Classroom Poster – ISTE 2014 (Click to...
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August 13, 2013Twitter in the Classroom – A White Paper
Overview: As teachers look for more ways to gain and sustain the attention of learners , many educators complain that they are in constant competition with cell phones, texting, and social media....
Student Response Systems
Simple Online Buzzers for Classroom Games
Early in my career, the technology for my review games consisted of flyswatters: Each team was given a flyswatter, and an opponent from those...
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March 11, 2021Real-Time Communication, Collaboration, and Formative Assessment – Whiteboard.chat
Whiteboard.chat I wasn’t going to share another web whiteboard, but I really can’t categorize Whiteboard.chat as just a web whiteboard. It’s a combination of...
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October 7, 2020
A Must-Have Tool for Managing Student Feedback
Student Feedback Made Easy Whether used for formative assessment, exit tickets, or just checking in on student well-being, Loop provides teachers with an easy...
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September 24, 2020A Web Whiteboard that Displays Student Responses in Real-Time
More Than a Web Whiteboard So much more than a web whiteboard, Whiteboard.fi allows teachers to quickly create a class and view student responses...
Video Tools
Take Time-Stamped Notes While Watching YouTube Videos
I frequently take notes when watching videos but often find it difficult to go back to the point in a video to which a...
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November 8, 2020The Best Free Screen Recorder for Teachers and Students
Loom Loom is the best choice for teachers and students looking for a free screen recorder. They generously offer many of their paid features...
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September 14, 2018Attention Getters for Any Lesson – ClassHook
Engage Your Students Through the Movies and TV Shows They Watch Video clips from popular shows and movies provide a great way to capture...
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November 20, 2016Use Video Clips to Identify Bias, Propaganda, Rhetorical Devices, and More
Use Video Clips to Identify Bias, Propaganda, Rhetorical Devices, and More ClipChoose ClipChoose is a quick and easy way to share and compare YouTube...