TeachersFirst Edge
New web 2.0 tools appear each day. Many of these tools were not originally intended for classroom use, but they can be powerful learning tools for today's techno-savvy students and their more adventurous teachers. These sites appear (and frequently disappear) very quickly, launched by creative techno-geeks out there in the world.
Many of these tools require a higher-than-average set of teacher tech skills or some extra monitoring to assure student "safety." TeachersFirst Edge reviews these "tools on the Edge" carefully, and with specific ideas for using them safely and effectively in teaching and learning. Reviews point out any safety or policy concerns for the tool and offer links to management tips for each concern.
Especially popular is this subset of the Edge: BYOD Dream Tools: Free tools that work on any device. Look for the device agnostic tool tag in any review.
This is the world your students already know. Try teaching in their vernacular. A little adventurousness makes for powerful learning.
See General Tips for using Edge Tools - a must for first-time users
Browse the full listing of detailed safety/school policy tips or save time by reading them as needed from each tool review.
If you try one of these tools and find it especially useful, be sure to leave a comment on it to share your students' successes with other teachers. If you know of another tool that teachers would find beneficial, please suggest it via our webmaster account, as a "suggested resource."
Here's the Edge:
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Timeline Templates - Genially
Grades
4 to 12
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): digital storytelling (151), infographics (60), multimedia (55), timelines (58)
In the Classroom
Students can retell events from a novel or a historical figure's life using a timeline with images and clickable text, making reading comprehension more interactive and visual. Have students create timelines that connect historical events with scientific discoveries or literary works from the same era. Assign specific events to different students or groups to add to a shared timeline, promoting teamwork and reinforcing sequencing skills. Students can build a yearlong timeline of their learning journey, showcasing key projects, reflections, and academic milestones to share during student-led conferences.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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FlipHTML5 - FlipHTML5
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (208), digital storytelling (151)
In the Classroom
Upload PDF versions of students' writing to create a digital classbook. Use one of the many tools available from TinyWow reviewed here to convert images and documents into PDF files to use with FlipHTML5. Make a flipbook of a presentation as an engaging alternative to a web page or PowerPoint. Share classroom information such as rules and expectations in an easy-to-read format. Use this resource as a great way to bring digital storytelling upfront in your classroom. Make photosynthesis a story instead of bits of equations and information. Portray a historical period or create books of different political or societal opinions. Create a flipbook with the viewpoints and personalities of characters in a story. Practice a different language by creating a themed flipbook. Lower grades can combine writing into a class flipbook to be shared online or read aloud. Any written assignment can easily be re-visioned as a flipbook! Make your literary magazine a flipbook or build new poetry collections during poetry month. Share all your flipbooks on individual laptops, the interactive whiteboard, or the projector. Create simple flipbooks of Dolch words for beginning readers.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be embedded
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AudioPen - Nicheless Inc.
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (208), DAT device agnostic tool (124), multilingual (71), text to speech (18)
In the Classroom
Use AudioPen in several different classroom situations. Share this tool with students to use as an assistant with writing projects. Have students create recordings of what they want to include in their project without having to write or take notes, then use the text to organize their project. AudioPen is also a helpful tool for multilingual students. Adjust the settings to record their thoughts in their native language, then produce an organized set of ideas in English without transcribing from one language to another. Use AudioPen to assist with professional tasks such as organizing teaching units, writing grant proposals, or planning ideas to include with newsletters.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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MusicFX - Google Labs
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (208), songs (47)
In the Classroom
Share music clips with students and ask them to describe the tone and emotions of the music. Create music to use as background for presentations, such as digital books made with Book Creator reviewed here or presentations made with Google Slides reviewed here. Use MusicFX to create relaxing music, then turn on looping to play as background during classroom work times. If your students create podcasts, design prompts to use as introductions and endings for their recordings.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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ImageFX - Google Labs
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (208), creativity (81), editing (86), graphic design (50), images (259)
In the Classroom
Use ImageFX to generate images to accompany students' creative writing projects or as inspiration for a creative writing assignment. Enhance learning by using AI-generated images as prompts for language learners to practice vocabulary, grammar, and oral or written descriptions. Create images to add to presentations, slides, or websites. Challenge students to describe famous artworks and use AI to recreate them, comparing the results and discussing descriptive language and interpretation. Visit The National Gallery of Art reviewed here to search for artists and works of art to try to duplicate using ImageFX.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Perplexity Pages - Perplexity
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (208), communication (113), digital storytelling (151), multimedia (55), presentations (22), Research (78)
In the Classroom
Use Perplexity Pages in many different ways to support student learning. For example, create Pages to introduce content to students as you begin a new learning unit. Include Pages as part of choice boards or multimedia text sets (MMTS), view the archive video of OK2Ask: MIE Day - Quick & Engaging Explorations with Multimedia Text Sets,reviewed here to learn more about using MMTS in the classroom. Use Perplexity Pages to share examples of creating informative and engaging research presentations. Extend learning by asking students to use Sway, reviewed here that include similar features, including images and videos.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Bluesky - Bluesky
Grades
K to 12tag(s): communication (113), microblogging (15), professional development (272), social media (50)
In the Classroom
Include Bluesky with your other resources as part of your Professional Learning Network. For example, follow other Bluesky members who teach the same content or grade level as you to find lesson ideas and ideas for tech integration. Take advantage of starter packs to find members to follow with similar interests. Share your Bluesky handle with parents and share weekly updates about your classroom and upcoming events. Bluesky also serves as a helpful teaching tool. Studying space? Follow NASA. Studying politics and government? Follow your congressional representative or the White House. Consider using your teacher or class account to send updates, interact with others across the country or the globe, and participate in collaborative projects.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Meshy AI - Meshy Ai
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (208), design (78)
In the Classroom
Have students choose a vocabulary word and use Meshy to create a 3D model that represents it. For example, for the word "volcano," they can generate a 3D model of a volcano from a text prompt. Then, they can present their model and explain how it connects to the word's meaning. After reading a story, have students describe a character in detail and use Meshy to turn that description into a 3D model. In social studies or ELA, students can research an artifact from a historical period (ex., a medieval crown or ancient vase) and then generate a 3D model from a text or image prompt. Students can brainstorm and design an invention, describing it in detail via text. They then can use Meshy to model their invention and present it in a "Shark Tank"-style pitch, explaining how it works and its usefulness.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Free Online Infographic Maker - Drawtify
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): infographics (60)
In the Classroom
Students can use Drawtify to create infographics using their design tools. Students can post their infographics in Padlet reviewed here. Students can use Lino reviewed here to comment on each others infographics.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Infographics Presentation Templates - SlidesGo
Grades
5 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): infographics (60)
In the Classroom
Students can download infographics to customize for classroom assignments. Students can use Canva Edu, reviewed here to create their own infographics. Students can use Padlet, reviewed here to post their infographics.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Halloween Escape - Genially
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): digital escapes (25), fall (12), halloween (46), holidays (228), mysteries (27)
In the Classroom
Customize and share this escape room activity with your students as you recognize and celebrate Halloween. Use it as a station during fall or Halloween parties. Change the questions to match your students' age level and content, and your curriculum. For example, include Halloween math word problems or vocabulary with spooky definitions. Find additional tools to include in your escape room by visiting TeachersFirst Special Topics Page: Escape Room Resources, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Arteater - Arteater
Grades
K to 12In the Classroom
Create animated images for students to include with any presentation. Have younger students use a three-frame loop to demonstrate the stages of plant growth or steps in a math problem, while older students can use the six- or nine-frame loop to include more details. Include animated images in presentations made with Sway reviewed here or in digital books made using Book Creator reviewed here. Ask tech-savvy students to create video explainers to use the more advanced templates using Free Screen Recorder Online reviewed here, then include the videos on your class website or LMS for students to access anytime.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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SEL Lesson Planner - Yourway Learning
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (208), social and emotional learning (110), Teacher Utilities (198)
In the Classroom
Save this lesson generator for many different classroom uses. Create lessons to build social-emotional learning skills that address the needs of your students or incorporate SEL thinking processes into lessons that require students to understand different perspectives, such as the civil rights movement or the environmental impacts of pollution. Take time to develop the prompt for the final box to include specific information for the type of lesson to create, teaching frameworks to include, technology to incorporate, and consideration of thinking routines. For example, use a prompt such as "the civil rights movement of the 1960s, include five station rotation activities; one should be technology-based" to generate a SEL lesson. Consider adding Thinking Routines, reviewed here that encourages students to use perspective to consider others' thoughts, experiences, and feelings.Edge Features:
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be shared by URL
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
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Glose - Medium
Grades
3 to 5tag(s): audio books (30), collaboration (79), digital reading (15), literacy (120), literature (218), literature circles (5)
In the Classroom
Assign a book on Glose and have students highlight key passages, add comments, and respond to each other's thoughts. This encourages interactive discussions while developing comprehension skills. Students can create a personal glossary by highlighting unfamiliar words in Glose and using the built-in dictionary. They can share their words with peers and create the glossary using Book Creator, reviewed here. Assign different themes, such as friendship, perseverance, or kindness, and have students annotate sections of the text that align with these themes. This helps with critical thinking and thematic analysis. Students can also take on the role of a character in a book they're reading and use Glose's annotation tool to write journal entries from the character's point of view.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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AI Poem Generator - poem-generator.io
Grades
3 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (208), digital storytelling (151), poetry (196)
In the Classroom
Use the Poem Generator to introduce students to different forms of poems through exploration and use of the generator's features. Challenge students to identify the features that indicate various types of poems. Create a class Padlet, reviewed here, with columns for each type of poem, and ask students to share their creations in the appropriate column. After students have had time to experiment with the Poem Generator, challenge them to create poems without using this tool. Extend learning by adding a reading of their final project to Adobe Podcast, reviewed here. Ask students to create podcasts that include their reading of the poem and a short discussion about the features that identify the poem as belonging to a specific genre.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Padlet TA - Padlet
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (208), assessment (134), images (259), qr codes (15), quizzes (86), rubrics (35), Teacher Utilities (198), worksheets (71)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save Padlet TA as a handy tool for creating professional and classroom resources. As always, verifying the accuracy of AI-generated content is essential. Share Padlet TA with parents and caregivers to create quizzes, worksheets, and leveled text as a study aid at home. Use the Smart Group creator to create random groups for station rotations or class projects and the Name Picker to choose student names for multiple purposes or as part of lessons on probability. Generate AI images for creative writing projects or as a tool for creating presentation images.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Jigsaw Planet - Jigsaw Planet
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): fathers day (17), holidays (228), mothers day (22), puzzles (147)
In the Classroom
Students upload their images or class photos to Jigsaw Planet and create custom jigsaw puzzles. They can choose meaningful images like family photos or classroom memories. Encourage students to create puzzles as personalized gifts for holidays like Mother's Day or Father's Day. They can print and present the puzzle pieces as thoughtful, interactive gifts. Teachers can create jigsaw puzzles using educational content, such as historical events, scientific concepts, or vocabulary words. Students can then solve the puzzle while learning about the topic. Create a trivia-based jigsaw puzzle where each piece corresponds to a question or fact about a specific topic (ex., animals, historical figures, or math concepts). Students solve the puzzle and answer questions as they go.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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29 Free Mother's Day Label Templates That Show Your Infinite Appreciation - Online Labels
Grades
K to 8tag(s): mothers day (22)
In the Classroom
Students can choose a template from OnlineLabels.com to design and personalize the labels with messages, decorations, and artwork. Set up a labeling station where students can print out their personalized labels and use them to decorate gift bags, cards, or small gifts. Students can use the Mother's Day label templates to create a complete gift set for a mom or guardian. This could include labels for a jar of homemade cookies, a small plant, or a personalized photo frame.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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880+ Free Templates for 'Mothers day gifts' - Poster My Wall
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): infographics (60), mothers day (22)
In the Classroom
Students can use PosterMyWall to design personalized Mother's Day posters or flyers, incorporating images, text, and their creative messages. Students can design a social media graphic for Mother's Day, choosing a template and adding personal messages and pictures to create a shareable digital post. Have students work in small groups to create a Mother's Day campaign with posters, social media graphics, and flyers. After designing their Mother's Day projects, students can write a reflection about why they chose certain design elements, colors, and messages. This reflection can be included as part of the design.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mother's Day Gift Certificates - Canva
Grades
3 to 5tag(s): crafts (83), mothers day (22)
In the Classroom
Students can use Canva to create personalized Mother's Day gift certificates, customizing templates with their messages and design elements. Teach a lesson on graphic design principles such as font choice, color harmony, and balance. Let students explore Canva's design features to enhance their gift certificates. After creating the gift certificates, students write a thank-you note or short paragraph inside the certificate, explaining why they are grateful to their mothers, guardians, or even teachers! These gift certificates can be used throughout the year for special events.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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