Feel free to browse these sources to help in your own digital exploration. This collection will be more focused on some of the less obvious or underrated platforms/tools. The majority of these resources have a free version that has many of the important and basic tools, with paid options that are more advanced or customizable.
As a student, the most challenging assignments are often group projects. Finding the right time to get together or exchange files and ideas can be difficult. These platforms will make it much easier!
Some sources that will help with collaborative work:
- Slack - This site shares files with groups and video chat or message groups. Get in touch and transfer work back and forth so everyone can be involved.
- Trello - Organization is key to working in groups. This site helps with assigning work and keeping track of what needs to be completed so that everything is done by the time your deadline comes up.
- Wunderlist -this app is for creating lists and assigning tasks to people, deadlines can be set for each individual task, lists can be categorized, notifications of activity on the go. This is great because it is easy to connect with others straight from your phone. No need to be by a computer.
- Flipboard - This application can be installed on phones or computers. Participants can create short videos to respond to questions or prompts that have been given to them and view others' video responses. This could be a great way to break the ice in a new class.
Some resources that may help in a teacher-student setting that will help get learners involved in the material that is being presented:
- Wooclap - This is similar to the popular questionnaire site Kahoot, but with more ways including labeling, poll-taking, rating, messaging, and more. It also allows for slideshows to be uploaded to your profile and questions to be submitted throughout.
- Quizlet - This is another quiz type of application that can be used on a computer or phone. It is a great way for students to learn definitions. Teachers can create games so their students can play anytime they like just by searching the name of the flashcards set.
- Nearpod - This application is similar to some above, given that it is another opportunity for students to submit their answers with their devices and participate in a lesson/presentation. However, this program is great for teachers because it has premade lessons on a wide variety of topics with different lengths. Another fun feature is that it incorporates Virtual Reality technology in some lessons.
- Peardeck - This is a great way for teachers to be given real-time responses to questions that they pose for students. This can be used for assessment purposes.
- Jamboard - This is a Google application that allows students and teachers to create boards with blurbs from participants.
- Padlet - This application can be used to create graphics with larger groups of people. Students can refer to the padlet for peer responses and information that the teacher wants them to respond to.
Here are some resources that can help with encouraging creativity in your students or simply for organizing ideas as a student:
- Ideaflip - This mind mapping program is easy to use and provides a great way of organizing and brainstorming ideas. Users can organize by colour, change the size, and move things around with the touch of their finger or by mouse.
- Storyboard That - Comics and storyboards are a great way of getting students to express their thoughts. This is a program that has a wide variety of customization in order to create exactly what the user wants. It's easy to use and is free.
For educating students via online learning, here are some programs that could be used:
- Zoom - This is a popular program for video conferencing classes with students. There are features on this program that assist teachers or presenters such as annotations, whiteboards, share screen, and chat services.
- Microsoft Teams - This is another video-conferencing application that works similarly to the previously mentioned one.
