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Monday, October 24, 2011

Tech Tools for Teachers


September and October have seemed a little like one long conference/workshop (Montana History Conference, Montana Festival of the Book, Mountain Plains Museum Association, MEA-MFT Educators Conference). I’m just now unpacking and rediscovering some of the exciting resources I was introduced to during the last whirlwind months.

At the Montana History Conference, collaborators from Teaching with Primary Sources helped us present a one-day workshop on, well, teaching with primary sources. They also pulled together a fabulous list of technology tools that work well with teaching with primary sources. 

What makes the list fabulous? First—all the tools listed are web-based and free for educators to use. Second, for each tool, the list includes the following:
  • a description of the tool
  • basic instructions for use
  • suggested ways to integrate the tool with:
    • inquiry learning
    • 21st century skills
    • literacy tools
  • an example of how the tool could be used to teach with primary sources
  • a list of similar tools 
I tend to be a little skittish about learning new technology—but I know that if I can get past my initial fear, I’ll love many of these free programs. So—I’m committing to learning how to use one of these tools before December 31. Which of them do you use? How and why? Which do you recommend I try first?
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4 comments:

  1. LibraryDragon/StorykeeperOctober 31, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    Thanks for sharing the tech tools. Really good information. I will forward this to my teachers.

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  2. Linda BOctober 31, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    I'm just in the midst of teaching a class about online tools. What a gift you've given me! I am starting with Glogster, fairly easy and fast for products. For large projects to manage, I'm looking at Evernote and Livebinders-keeps things all together. I haven't used many of these, but tagxedo is fun, and wordle. Good luck!

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  3. Martha KohlOctober 31, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    Thanks, Storykeeper and teacherdance, for taking the time to comment. It is always encouraging. Glad you found the information helpful!

    I have gotten as far as signing up for Prezi but then I stalled out. But your comments have re-motivated me--and I still have two months to master (or begin to master) one of these tools.

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  4. LibraryDragon/StorykeeperNovember 17, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    You might also want to go to ilearn technology she always has great information. Another site that hasn't been updated for awhile but has some good information is. Li-Bear-Y Corner http://libearycorner.blogspot.com

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