TeachersFirst Teacher Utilities
Technology offers teachers many management tools for classroom procedures, communication, design of the classroom, and more. This collection highlights what we call "Teacher Utilities." These are any tools that make the job of the teacher slightly easier to manage. Some examples of tools in this collection include timers, learning management systems, lesson plan builders, classroom design tools, and many more. Remember our "In the Classroom" suggestions give you ideas about how to use these tools in your classroom.
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Insta-Lesson - Insta-Lesson
Grades
K to 12
tag(s): artificial intelligence (273), substitutes (25), Teacher Utilities (205)
In the Classroom
Use this tool to create lesson plans for substitutes or remediation, including detailed instructions and standards-aligned activities. After generating the lesson, use the editing tools to modify the plan as needed to match your professional needs and standards. Share the slide presentation with students and add an exit ticket slide to review upon your return. If needed, clarify directions or provide additional instructions for students or your substitute for your lesson by creating a short recording using Awesome Screenshot, reviewed here.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Edcafe AI - Edcafe
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (273), assessment (139), flash cards (44), Formative Assessment (45), images (263), presentations (31), Teacher Utilities (205)
In the Classroom
Include Edcafe with your other AI-generation resources to increase productivity and effectiveness for your educational needs. For example, save time by using the planning tools to generate lessons based on your teaching standards or to create a presentation using your teaching materials. Create formative assessments with the YouTube quiz creator to extend student learning as part of flipped or blended lessons, or during station rotation activities.Edge Features:
Includes an education-only area for teachers and students
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 shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
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ChatGPT for Teachers - ChatGPT
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (273), chat (40), presentations (31), professional development (303)
In the Classroom
Use this educational version of ChatGPT for a wide range of classroom and professional needs. Create lesson plans that align with your state standards, upload your current lessons to create assessments or differentiate learning activities, or find new resources to supplement your current teaching materials. Take advantage of the integration with Canva, reviewed here, to create infographics, presentations, and other materials to enhance student learning. Canva is available through an app in this version of ChatGPT. Follow the instructions to link your accounts for easy access to all available features. Learn more by viewing the archive of OK2Ask: AI for Educator Excellence: Reclaiming Time and Enhancing Instruction, reviewed here, find out more about Canva's AI features by watching OK2Ask: Interactive Lessons with Canva's AI Magic Tools, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Online Pomodoro Timer - Francesco Cirillo
Grades
K to 12tag(s): classroom management (125), organizational skills (84), Teacher Utilities (205)
In the Classroom
Students can use the Pomodoro Technique with the customizable timer for a month. While using it for a month, students can use Google Drawing, reviewed here to track their opinions of using the technique. Students can use Stickies.io, reviewed here to share ideas on how they are using the Pomodoro Technique and timer. Finally, students can use Kiddle, reviewed here to research more about the Pomodoro Technique.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Image Picker Wheel - Image Picker Wheel
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): Teacher Utilities (205)
In the Classroom
Students can use the Image Picker Wheel to select writing prompts, brain breaks, and get to know you. Finally, students can use the wheel for yes/no activities, guess the number, and learn about different countries.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Grouper - InCommon
Grades
K to 12tag(s): collaboration (110), Teacher Utilities (205), teaching strategies (66)
In the Classroom
Teachers can create randomized or customized student groups based on criteria like skill level, interests, or leadership qualities. This can make ideal groupings for peer reviews, skill levels, and student interests. Form groups tailored to specific learning needs, such as advanced learners, those needing additional support, or mixed-ability teams for peer learning. Assign students to groups based on roles, such as researchers, presenters, or team leaders. Automate the rotation of students through various learning centers or stations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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QRCode Monkey - qrcodemonkey
Grades
1 to 12tag(s): Formative Assessment (45), images (263), qr codes (15)
In the Classroom
Generate QR codes that link to online surveys or quizzes where students can submit their understanding of the day's lesson before leaving. Create QR codes that link to clues or questions hidden around the classroom or school. Students scan to receive their next hint, promoting active learning. Link your QR codes in handouts or on a classroom bulletin board to newsletters, school event calendars, or homework help resources that parents can easily access. Set up stations with QR codes linking to different educational activities or virtual labs where students can engage with the material in diverse ways.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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NotebookLM - Google
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (273), note taking (34), Teacher Utilities (205), timelines (60)
In the Classroom
Use NotebookLM to support and engage students in many different ways. Upload lessons and documents to create and share study guides with students. Create and share an audio podcast at the start of a new unit to engage students in the upcoming lessons. Share the video with students to include when reviewing materials for upcoming assessments. Use NotebookLM to create a study guide, copy it, and paste it into a quiz tool that uses AI, such as Quizlet reviewed here to create flashcards and study materials for your students or Gibbly, reviewed here to create a quiz. Create a short tutorial using Free Online Screen Recorder, reviewed here on the features and how to use NotebookLM to share with parents for use at home to create study guides for classroom lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Lumio - Smart Technologies ULC
Grades
K to 12tag(s): assessment (139), blended learning (29), communication (120), Learning Management Systems (20), questioning (37), remote learning (32), Teacher Utilities (205)
In the Classroom
Use Lumio's many included features to deliver personalized learning opportunities for all students. Begin learning about Lumio's features by exploring the activities available in Lumio's library and editing the content to fit the needs of your students. Once familiar with the tools and delivery system, upload and create personalized lessons for students. Quickly adapt activities and content to fit the needs of multilingual learners, gifted students, or special needs students within any content area.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Gamma - Gamma Tech, Inc.
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (273), multimedia (59), presentations (31), slides (38), Teacher Utilities (205)
In the Classroom
Use Gamma to create engaging presentations to introduce and review content quickly. For example, ask Gamma to create a presentation introducing a new novel to students, including background information and vocabulary. Instead of creating a presentation, use Gamma to create an interactive website as a flipped learning activity and include links to online resources and assessments created with Microsoft Forms, reviewed here or embedded quizzes made with Blooket, reviewed here.Edge Features:
Includes an education-only area for teachers and students
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
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Evolve EdTech - Evolve EdTech
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (273), computers (115), infographics (69), podcasts (155), resources (80), Teacher Utilities (205)
In the Classroom
Discover the many free resources to add to your technology toolbox. For example, visit the Jamboard portion of the site to find and download many organizers for posing questions, summarizing, and vocabulary development. Download any of the templates to use or modify to fit your needs. Watch the short tutorials for tips and tricks on using PowerPoint and Microsoft Teams. Use the ideas found on this site to learn 24 ways to use ChatGPT, reviewed here in 24 days. Learn how to create collections using Wakelet, reviewed here, to curate and share information with students or to use for lesson planning and student projects.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Floop - Floop Edu, Inc
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): assessment (139), editing (88), Formative Assessment (45), homework (26), Online Learning (34), proofreading (17), rubrics (38), Teacher Utilities (205), writing (309)
In the Classroom
Use Floop to provide timely and specific feedback for any assignment. Floop is a great resource for teaching students how to provide and respond to feedback in purposeful ways and engaging them in the learning process. Floop chose to use hotspots on documents to access feedback so that students have to revisit and refer to items shared. Take advantage of this by strategically placing feedback within documents in areas where students are to focus. For example, place a hotspot on an area with grammar mistakes that need correction and guide learning by asking students to revisit that portion of the text. Allow peer feedback when working on group assignments or create rough drafts to encourage students to provide input and direction as a class. After using Floop for several assignments, encourage students to reflect upon common mistakes found in their work. Extend learning by asking students to create a tutorial using FlexClip, reviewed here, explaining how to avoid these errors. One example will be in math class if a student makes an error in several assignments, such as forgetting how to borrow and carry when subtracting. Ask them to create a video tutorial demonstrating the proper steps to reinforce the concept and share it with peers.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Wordwall - wordwall.net
Grades
K to 12tag(s): assessment (139), game based learning (299), quiz (61), quizzes (88)
In the Classroom
Use the interactive games found at Wordwall to use at computer stations or home to practice skills or prepare for upcoming quizzes and tests. Use the embed code to add your games onto your class website for easy student access. Instead of asking students to memorize dates or events, help them by organizing the information into common features. For example, during a Civil War unit, group together events taking place in different cities to help provide context for students. Include a link to your quizzes on your class webpage or blog for students to practice at any time using the URL or embed code. Enhance technology use and learning by having students create their own Z-A quizzes to share with peers when studying for tests or use as an introduction with class presentations. This quiz generator is also a great resource to use during professional development sessions with your peers. Create a quiz to increase your viewers' interest in your topic as you begin your discussions or as a final activity to review the information shared. Find many more ideas and examples for using WordWall on this curated list.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Education for the Real World - EVERFI
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): cross cultural understanding (177), financial literacy (93), game based learning (299), literacy (125), mental health (59), social and emotional learning (166), STEM (354), Teacher Utilities (205)
In the Classroom
Discover the many free resources on this site to provide individual lessons or complete learning units for your students. As students complete assignments, use the many offerings found at Class Tools, reviewed here, to enhance learning through creating timelines, completing graphic organizers, and more. For activities that include new vocabulary, use a digital game creation site such as Baamboozle, reviewed here, to review and practice new words and terms. Have students show what they know upon completion of any of the activities using Adobe Express for Education, reviewed here, to create a collage, poster, flyer, or multimedia presentation sharing their knowledge of the subject.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Wheel of Names - Martin Omander and Google
Grades
K to 12tag(s): classroom management (125), preK (318), Teacher Utilities (205)
In the Classroom
Use the Wheel of Names to randomly call students during class discussions. Add images instead of names to make the wheel more interesting. In addition to the obvious use for calling names, use this random wheel in a variety of different ways. Add dates onto the wheel when reviewing events in history, review vocabulary, instead of student names add character names from novels for students to discuss, add books to determine the next read-aloud, the list goes on and on! Be sure to save the wheel with the names of class members so that it is ready to go at any time.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Classkick - Andrew Rowland and Peter Do
Grades
K to 12tag(s): assessment (139), collaboration (110), Learning Management Systems (20), Teacher Utilities (205)
In the Classroom
Use Classkick in class, for blended learning or remote learning since you can see all students working from anywhere. Use Classkick to differentiate instruction based on students' current performance. Many students are motivated to learn at their own pace using online tools, and Classkick is an option providing lessons in a different format than currently available. If not using Classkick whole - class, it provides many options for helping and enhancing learning for individual students, use for homework, or as a temporary option for providing instruction to home-bound or remote learning students. As students learn through this type of management system, ask them to use a portfolio tool such as Mahara, reviewed here, to document and reflect upon their learning process.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Future Ready Schools Planning Dashboard - Future Ready Schools
Grades
K to 12tag(s): collaboration (110), data (212), Teacher Utilities (205)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of this free online tool to guide your district toward planning and implementing your technology plan. Share with administrators as an option for use with your technology committee. As you gather and share information with your community and staff to use in your guide, consider using a collaboration tool like Padlet, reviewed here. Use Padlet to share technology options with the community and gather comments. Create another Padlet to gather comments and ideas from staff. When considering more complex ideas during your planning, use Gravity, reviewed here, to create and share video discussions. Help build community support for your technology plan by creating ongoing podcasts using Spotify for Podcastors, reviewed here. Share podcasts with your community throughout the planning process to discuss ideas, update listeners on your goals and progress, and to compare and contrast options considered for your plan.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Deck.Toys - Boon Jin Goh
Grades
K to 12tag(s): assessment (139), bookmarks (34), classroom management (125), Teacher Utilities (205)
In the Classroom
Use Deck.Toys to create gamified learning activities for all students. Deck.Toys is perfect for creating mini-lessons for students to explore during center time or as a flipped classroom activity. Use to remediate and enrich lessons for struggling learners or as an enrichment activity for gifted learners.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Classroomscreen - Laurens Koppers
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): classroom management (125), emotions (63), functions (59), iwb (28), multilingual (77), social and emotional learning (166), Teacher Utilities (205), time (94)
In the Classroom
Use Classroomscreen on your interactive whiteboard for quick access to many commonly used tools. Enhance SEL for your students by using the backgound widget to set a calm tone for learning as students enter the classroom, use the timer for destressing during activities. Add to student computers for access to a calculator and text box for notes. ENL/ESL teachers will enjoy the multi-language feature, set it up under Personalize. Use the different backgrounds as inspiration for creative writing projects.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Smithsonian Learning Lab - The Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): animals (271), architecture (81), art history (103), aviation (50), black history (129), civil war (143), dinosaurs (48), explorers (65), images (263), inventors and inventions (87), Learning Management Systems (20), oceans (139), scientists (71), shakespeare (98), Teacher Utilities (205), volcanoes (62)
In the Classroom
Choose an image, artifact, or document from the Smithsonian Learning Lab and display it to the class. Have students use an observation routine such as See, Think, Wonder to describe what they notice, what they think it means, and what questions they have. Have students explore the Learning Lab and select 3-5 items that connect to a current unit (for example, the American Revolution, ecosystems, or famous artists). Students can create their own small collection and write a short explanation of why each item belongs in the group. Assign a document, photo, or piece of artwork from the site and have students add notes explaining important details, vocabulary, or clues. Students can identify what the source shows, who created it, and why it is important.Comments
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