Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Create free posters in three easy steps without registration using DesignCap. Begin by selecting a template from the many offerings on the site. Use the tools to edit your poster's features including text, images, and background. Upload your images to use or choose from clipart available in DesignCap. When finished, share to social media using the provided link, download to your computer, or print your project. Registration isn't required; however, it gives you the ability to save projects to your online account.

tag(s): images (263), posters (43)

Androidify any image using this web app or the app on your Android device. Turn the green android into the look you desire. Follow the directions to customize clothing, appearance, and add a signature move. When complete, click the submit link to share on social media sites or download to your computer as a GIF.

tag(s): digital storytelling (156), images (263)

Create memes using your computer or mobile device with Meme Buddy. Meme Buddy works with Google Assistant to build a meme using your instructions for adding an image and text. Change options as you like until your meme looks the way you want. Save to your device to share as desired. Be sure to watch the video for an overview of how Meme Buddy works.

tag(s): creativity (87), DAT device agnostic tool (146), digital storytelling (156), images (263)

Although Empatico is no longer a tool to connect to other educators and students through video, it still offers an Empathy Framework with numerous excellent activities for your K-12 classroom. Use the search at the top of the page to find lessons and activities for your students. Scrolling down the page, find Featured Activities, the Empathy Framework, Daily Practices, Classroom Activities, Virtual Exchanges, and activities in Spanish. Daily Practices offers valuable lessons such as mindfulness, managing big feelings, compassion, and more. Classroom activities include Kind vs UnKind Words and several Book Club topics like Gratitude, Building Bridges, and others. A note about the Virtual Exchanges: Empatico is no longer a video connecting tool, so they suggest using Zoom, reviewed here or Google Meet.

tag(s): climate (86), collaboration (94), commoncore (73), communication (130), cross cultural understanding (178), cultures (226), empathy (37), family (49), globe (12), maps (224), weather (160)

Design a free logo with DesignEvo, no download or registration required! Find icons from the millions in the site's library, then add and customize text and shapes to create your logo. Change colors, add backgrounds, and much more. When finished, download to your computer. One caveat, before downloading you must give credit by sharing DesignEvo on your social media account or using the embed code on your website.

tag(s): design (80), drawing (62), graphic design (50), images (263)

Easily convert Microsoft applications to PDF with the installation of CutePDF onto your computer. Follow the directions and system requirements to install. Once installed, select print for any Microsoft document that allows printing, then select to save as a PDF.

tag(s): conversions (37), Microsoft (79), worksheets (71)

Think of Memo Notepad as the online version of your spiral notebook. Replace that paper notebook by just clicking on the pencil to type your notes onto the lined paper. Write as many pages you like without even creating an account. To share any page, choose the email icon and send. Create an account to save your pages and access your notes on any device. Download the iPad or iPhone app for easy use on an iOS device. An Android app is in the works at the time of this review.

tag(s): note taking (36)

Kami is a web application offering the ability to view, annotate, and edit documents online including PDF files. Use it to replace paper and textbook highlighting and margin notes. Create an account to begin using the site and open a PDF or supported document. Use the toolbar to draw, highlight, or add notes to your document. Changes automatically save to your Google Drive.
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tag(s): collaboration (94), editing (93)

Room Escape Maker takes the popular room escape adventures online. The only way to escape is to solve a series of puzzles using hints and strategies as you find your way out of the locked room. Browse through the selection of games created by others to find ideas on how to use this site. When ready, choose "Create Game" to start. Begin with your chosen canvas or background and follow prompts to add items and clues to your escape room.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): game based learning (208), gamification (86), makerspace (40)

ReClipped allows you to annotate, collect, and share portions of online videos using their Chrome browser extension. Additional features enable adding notes and markers to specific areas of videos. Create your account and download the extension following the site's directions. Collect segments of videos into "Snippets" to save onto boards to share publicly or save as private. Add collaborators to create shared boards.

tag(s): collaboration (94), conversions (37), movies (56), video (267)

Fake Text Message is a tool to create images that appear to be screenshots of text messages. Use the editing tools to include a name, a series of messages, show time, battery life, and more. When finished editing, choose the link to create your image then share it using social media links or download to your computer.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): creative writing (125), digital storytelling (156), writing prompts (60)

You may already be familiar with Google Maps, reviewed here, but Google My Maps takes working with maps a step further. Use Google My Maps to create custom maps with features you add. Add points or shapes to any location, use the embedded search to find places then save to your map, import information from spreadsheets, and customize your map with colored icons and your uploaded images and videos. Collaborate on your project just like you would with Google Documents, then embed maps into your website or blog.

tag(s): maps (224), virtual field trips (132)

ProProfs Brain Games allows you to play or create puzzles and games. Choose from created games in formats including hangman, crosswords, word scrambles, tic tac toe, and more. Create a free account to make your own puzzles using the game choices provided. Creating puzzle options includes options for levels of difficulty and personalization of images and vocabulary.

tag(s): game based learning (208), gamification (86), logic (160), problem solving (233), puzzles (148)

Microsoft Visual Studio offers a variety of free tools and services to create and develop apps on any platform. Transform your classroom technology use by downloading Visual Studio Code and Visual Studio Community, and sign up for a free account on Visual Studio Team Services providing tools and information for integration across platforms. Sign up also for training sessions and additional downloads.

tag(s): coding (87), computers (109), design (80), logic (160), Microsoft (79), problem solving (233)

Beautiful Audio is an in-browser audio editor that works with Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Use the editor to import or record audio files to edit. Use the toolbar to add effects, drag and reorder audio, and split or delete sections of your file. Easily save completed projects to Google Drive or your computer. Be sure to visit the "Docs" section of this site for an overview of available features. Beautiful Audio recommends using the editor for files under 300mb or 45 minutes in length to avoid crashes leading to project failures.

tag(s): editing (93)

Create crossword puzzles, word searches, and bingo cards quickly with WordMint. Create your free account to begin, then choose an activity to set up and enter terms. When finished, print and save your puzzle including an answer key and student copies. WordMint also contains an extensive database of already made word searches and puzzles that don't require registration to use, find the links to them at the bottom of the home page.

tag(s): crosswords (19), game based learning (208), puzzles (148)

Create personalized and interactive maps with MapHub's user-friendly features. Explore the featured maps to find examples of maps, then make your own. MapHub's short tutorial provides an overview of features. Add and personalize points on your map by choosing from different icons and color combinations. Give your icon a title and description; MapHub also provides many choices for map backgrounds. Connect points of interest using lines or define with polygons. When finished, download your map or share using the provided link or embed code.

tag(s): digital storytelling (156), maps (224)

Turn audio into a podcast using any device with Spotify for Podcasters. Add songs from Apple Music or Spotify, upload audio from your computer, or record your voice to create your podcast. Choose a name when finished, then upload your content as a finished podcast. For ideas on what to include in your podcast, listen to other podcasts shared on the site by members.

tag(s): communication (130), DAT device agnostic tool (146), digital storytelling (156), podcasts (118)

Create and play your own quizzes with QuizPedia's straightforward and customizable design. Play quizzes without registration or register to create and save your own quizzes. Follow the steps to create your quiz on any device. QuizPedia's format allows the use of images as an option for both questions and responses. Additional options let you set the time quizzes are active or set rules for visibility options.

tag(s): assessment (146), DAT device agnostic tool (146), game based learning (208), gamification (86), quizzes (90)

Sketchboard is an online collaborative whiteboard tool that contains unlimited drawing space. The free plan allows up to 5 users, three private boards, and unlimited public boards. View the 3 step tutorial to learn how to add features and use the included features. Easily share your board with other participants using the provided link.

tag(s): drawing (62), iwb (31), painting (54)