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Strip Background - Zygomatic
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Before asking students to use Strip Background, demonstrate how to create and save images. Consider recording a tutorial using Free Screen Recorder Online, reviewed here, then sharing a link on student and classroom devices. Discussing copyright and fair use best practices is always an excellent idea when editing images. Use Strip Background to enhance students' presentations and stories. For example, remove the background from a student's picture and then add a background with them in a location or setting that is part of their project. Choose a background image of a city being studied, a different time, or a far-away setting like the moon, then place your student image on top. Resize the image to fit the scene. Include this image as a starter for class projects. Use images on top of book covers for book talks, create images for story characters and heroes, or use them for weather reports. The ideas for using this tool are only limited by your imagination and that of your students. Include the new images as part of larger multimedia projects created using Canva Edu, reviewed here or maps created using Google My Maps, reviewed here.Narakeet - Gojko Adzic
Grades
K to 12tag(s): chinese (45), conversions (37), german (49), greek (47), italian (31), japanese (47), multilingual (77), portuguese (22), russian (26), spanish (109), text to speech (20), video (266)
In the Classroom
Although presentations are uploaded as PowerPoint documents, Narakeet is still easy to use with Google Slides. Upload your Google Slide presentations to the Free Office Online Apps, reviewed here, and save as a PowerPoint presentation. Use Narakeet to share information with world language learners to hear the text spoken in the native language. Use this site with ENL/ELL students to convert small pieces of text to their native language. Use this site with students who have difficulty reading, especially when working with more challenging passages and text. Use the video options to convert student presentations into videos, then share presentations on your class website. Narakeet is also a handy option to use when creating flipped learning lessons. Upload the lesson as a slide presentation, and then convert it to a video file for easy viewing by students.Wriddle - Tech4Learning, Inc.
Grades
K to 2tag(s): literacy (122), spelling (98), Teacher Utilities (198), vocabulary development (94), writing (325)
In the Classroom
Demonstrate to younger students how to log in and access their Wriddle accounts. Be sure to print out QR codes and access information and send a copy home for students to use at any time. Then, ask students to create a Wriddle to share ideas on a story character, discuss the setting in a book you read, or draw an item that matches a letter of the alphabet. Take advantage of the microphone option in Wriddle to differentiate using this tool for students who find it easier to share their thoughts by speaking instead of writing. Encourage these students to attempt writing in addition to using the microphone. Share students' Wriddle drawings with parents during conferences to demonstrate and discuss their literacy development. If you use a portfolio tool like Seesaw, reviewed here, upload students' drawing and writing projects to document growth over the school year.Free Comic Strip Maker - Adobe Express
Grades
K to 12tag(s): comics and cartoons (55), graphic design (49)
In the Classroom
Engage students by using the templates to display the day's vocabulary word, the math puzzle of the week, or a concept your students are learning in social studies or science, for example. Have students create comic strips for dialog-writing lessons, summarizing, predicting, and retelling stories. Use comic strips for literature responses. For pre-reading students, create a comic of pictures and tell the story based on the pictures/scenes. It's a good idea to require students to create a rough draft of their comic using Printable Comic Strip Templates, reviewed here. Make a class book of the comics created throughout the year. That book is likely to become a class favorite! Use comics to show the sequencing of events. For example, when studying characterization, they create a dialog to show (not tell) about a character. World language and ENL/ESL teachers can assign students to create dialog strips as an alternative to a formal assessment. Have students share all of their comics on your interactive whiteboard or projector.Witeboard - Slack
Grades
K to 12tag(s): collaboration (93), iwb (31), Whiteboard (10)
In the Classroom
Save the link to Witeboard to use for many different classroom options. For example, when working with small groups of students, use Witeboard to draw and share ideas on your mobile device. When students are working on computers, ask them to use Witeboard to demonstrate their understanding of math problems or draw a quick response to stories they read. After creating their response, have students save their work as an image and add it to your Google Classroom assignments or your learning management system such as Seesaw, reviewed here. Ask students to collaborate in teams to create collaborative whiteboard explanations and share their thinking with classmates.Geekersoft PDF Converter Online - Geekersoft
Grades
K to 12tag(s): conversions (37), editing (93), worksheets (69)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this site for any number of classroom uses. Convert PDF worksheets to Word documents, then edit and change information to fit your needs. Differentiate learning by adapting information on a PDF document to fit the learning needs of students that need additional support or provide extended education for gifted and advanced learners. Take advantage of file converters such as this one to create unique class books. For example, after converting a PDF template to a Word document for students to create a newsletter about features of different states, convert each student's word document back to a PDF file using PDFaid, reviewed here. Then upload all class newsletters into one document using PDF to Flipbook Converter, reviewed here to create an online flippable book.AI PNG Enlarger - Background Generator
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
PNG images often lose quality when enlarged; using this program offers the opportunity to retain image quality for multiple applications. For example, increase the size of PNG images when creating presentations made with Google Slides, reviewed here, or to include images on web pages created on sites such as Carrd, reviewed here. Share this site with students for book reports, research presentations, or any other digital writing projects to enhance the quality of finished work and provide additional options for including images.PDF Converter - PDF Candy
Grades
K to 12tag(s): conversions (37), editing (93), worksheets (69)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save PDF Converter for any number of classroom uses. Easily convert any document into a PDF for easy sharing and use, add comments and notes to PDF documents, or convert PDF files to images or PowerPoint presentations. Use the Sign PDF option to make classroom documents electronic; for example, use this option for field trip permissions or to verify that parents view essential information. Use the Protect PDF resource to add a password to sensitive documents. Use the merge tool to combine several PDF documents submitted by students to create a class book, then use PDF to Flipbook Converter, reviewed here to make an online flippable book for all to view and enjoy.Spider Scribe - SpiderScribe.net
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): charts and graphs (171), graphic organizers (48), mind map (27)
In the Classroom
Use SpiderScribe to create chapter or story maps as a collaborative project, or work together as a class to create a story map on your interactive whiteboard. Use this tool for literature activities, research projects, social studies, or science topics. Use this to create family trees or food pyramids in family and consumer science. Have students collaborate (online) to create group mind maps or review charts before tests on a given subject. Have students organize any concepts they study. They can color code concepts to show what they understand, wonder about, and question. Enhance student learning using SpiderScribe and ask students to demonstrate a step-by-step process, such as the life cycle of a butterfly. Include students' SpiderScribe creations as part of larger multimedia projects created using Sway, reviewed here or Google Slides, reviewed here.Straw.Page - Osman Ahmed
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): blogs (65), communication (129), digital storytelling (154), portfolios (23), writing (325)
In the Classroom
Add Straw.Page to your list of website creation tools to offer for students to use for many different projects. For example, ask students to share poems, lab reports, or quick journal entries and add an image or links to additional information. If students are creating pages, check with your district's policy on publishing student work. Create pages to share information with parents about upcoming events and important dates or a list of links for resources to use at home.Slidesgo - Freepik
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (177), flash cards (44), presentations (23), slides (43)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many slide templates shared on this site to spice up your slide presentations and to share with students to use for their creations. Include a link to Slidesgo on classroom computers and your class webpage for easy access to all users. Keep in mind the limit of ten monthly downloads; consider creating an account for each class if necessary. Use the provided templates to create certificates throughout the school year to award student accomplishments or use the flashcard templates to introduce and practice vocabulary terms. Include student presentations as part of portfolios created in Seesaw, reviewed here, to share with parents during parent/teacher conferences.Stickies.io - Carbon Five
Grades
K to 12tag(s): collaboration (93), iwb (31), organizational skills (88), Teacher Utilities (198), Whiteboard (10)
In the Classroom
Save Stickies with your other bookmarks as a handy tool for student collaboration and organizing information throughout the year. For example, engage students in book discussions by creating a Stickies board and asking students to add stickies with details about characters, plot, and setting. Follow up by asking students to color code and organize labels based on the information. In this instance, character information might be yellow, plot blue, etc. Stickies is also an excellent tool to include with social-emotional learning activities. For example, encourage students to share sentences that begin with the "I like," "I wish," and "We will" formats as a tool for goal-setting.SwifDoo PDF - SwifDoo Software
Grades
K to 12tag(s): collaboration (93), editing (93), Microsoft (80)
In the Classroom
Download and use SwifDoo PDF for many of your classroom needs. Edit documents to differentiate instruction based on student interests and abilities. If your original document isn't in PDF format, use a conversion tool such as CleverPDF, reviewed here, to convert your file to PDF and begin using SwifDoo. Use the annotation feature as a collaborative tool for you and your students. For example, add feedback to a student document as an annotation and allow them to respond on the same document. Share the same feature with students working on collaborative projects as a tool for sharing ideas within a single document. Add a password to sensitive documents shared with parents, such as behavior reports or feedback on academic progress. Use the Merge tool to combine multiple files to create remote learning packets, share missed classroom assignments, or create a class handbook with pertinent information.Edge Features:
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
Requires download/installation of software
Image Candy - Image Candy
Grades
K to 12In the Classroom
Access to an easy-to-use image editor is vital for many classroom needs, be sure to bookmark and save this site on your computer for many uses and on student computers for school projects. Use the tools in many different ways. For example, use the simple meme generator with a historical figure to introduce a new social studies unit with humor. Use the background remover with pictures taken of students, then ask them to place themselves in a new place using Google Slides, reviewed here such as in a location discussed in a recent novel study. Edit images to include on your classroom website to add text, remove unwanted items, or create animated gifs from classroom videos to share with parents on your site or social media.Acast - Acast
Grades
K to 12tag(s): communication (129), digital storytelling (154), podcasts (108)
In the Classroom
With older students (and strong readers), you may want to pair them up and have them read Aclass Essentials for the basics of podcasting. Using Fiskkit, reviewed here, with this article will enhance student learning. For younger students or weaker readers, use Read Ahead, reviewed here, on your whiteboard or with a projector for a guided reading session. There are many uses for podcasting in a classroom! Create regular podcasts to share on your class web page or wiki. Record class assignments or directions. Record story time or a reading excerpt for younger ones to listen to at a computer center AND from home, adding a touch of blended learning to your classroom! Have readers (perhaps older buddies) enhance their learning and build fluency by recording selected passages for your non-readers. Launch a service project for your fifth or sixth graders to record stories for the kindergarten to use in their reading and listening center. Challenge students to create "you are there" recordings as "eyewitnesses" to historical or current events. Make a weekly class podcast, with students taking turns writing and sharing the "Class News," encourage and extend learning and have students create radio advertisements for concepts studied in class (Buy Dynamic DNA!). Invite students to write and record their own stories or poetry in dramatic readings. English language learners or students just beginning to read could record their fluency by reading passages. Allow parents to hear their child's progress reading aloud, etc. Compare world language, speech articulation, or reading fluency at two points during the year. Challenge your Shakespeare students to record a soliloquy. Write and record a poem for Father's or Mother's Day (or other special events) and send the URL as a gift to that special person. If you have gifted students who lean toward the dramatic, this tool is simple enough for them to create dramatic mini-casts without needing any additional tools.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
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
FakeYou - echelon
Grades
K to 12tag(s): text to speech (20)
In the Classroom
Create and use audio recordings from FakeYou in several different ways in the classroom. For example, convert a short student-written speech into an audio recording featuring a well-known politician's voice, such as Barack Obama or Franklin Roosevelt. In addition, FakeYou offers many voices making it an excellent option to use when writing biographies to add audio to multimedia presentations. Include the downloaded audio file as part of student-created websites made with Site123, reviewed here, or upload the file to include with additional interactive content within a Genially, reviewed here, presentation or video.Scribe - ScribeHow
Grades
K to 12In the Classroom
The number of uses in classrooms for Scribe are countless! Use Scribe to create guides for students to log in to software, games, and computer programs. Create step-by-step guides for students on how to add or edit images in tools such as Google Slides, reviewed here or Genially, reviewed here. Ask students to include Scribe within multimedia presentations to demonstrate information such as how to search Google for Creative Commons Images or how to narrow searches to fit into a custom time frame. Create Scribes to share with parents for use at home as a guide for accessing online tools needed for homework or practice. If you have a need for a guide to completing online activities, Scribe is the perfect answer!Edge Features:
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
Requires download/installation of software
Annotate - Simpliphi, Inc.
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): collaboration (93), differentiation (84), iwb (31)
In the Classroom
Use Annotate.net as a resource for using your whiteboard while still maintaining the freedom to interact with students in other classroom areas than standing at the front. Move around the room as you use Annotate to find examples of misinformation or difficulty with work, highlight student examples that share innovative thinking, or take advantage of teachable moments as they arise. Hand your device over to students to demonstrate their understanding of concepts or highlight questions they may have.Kumospace - Yang Mou and Brett Martin
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): chat (41), communication (129), parent conferences (21), video (266)
In the Classroom
Use Kumospace to set up virtual meetings for many different educational uses. Set up virtual parent/teacher conferences with participants in any location, conduct monthly parent meetings to share the latest classroom news, discuss your current curriculum, and answer questions. Create a virtual "get-to-know-you" session at the beginning of the school year or semester that includes team-building activities. Build classroom community by creating virtual rooms for students to share common interests, as a virtual study hall, or for use when working on collaborative projects.Pear Deck Flashcard Factory - Pear Deck
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): flash cards (44), grammar review (31), test prep (69), vocabulary (238), vocabulary development (94)