The EdTech Roundup
Connect:
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Editorials & Press
  • Ed Tech Sites
  • Lesson Plans
    • Elementary
    • Secondary
  • Former Weekly Podcast
  • About Me
  • Contact

Guest Post | Looking for New Ways to Enhance Classroom Collaboration? Try These Possibilities!

3/28/2017

4 Comments

 
Author: Rachelle Dene Poth
Picture
There are so many options for integrating digital tools into the classroom today. So many, that getting started can become overwhelming, especially with all the resources available and ideas being shared through books, blogs, social media, conferences, and conversations.  I too felt a bit overwhelmed a few years ago, but took a step back to focus on one area that I thought could benefit from some change.

I tried to find some areas where communication and collaboration were lacking or non-existent, and then decided to test out a few tools and see what happened. I listened, read, tested them, and finally decided to take a risk, pick one new tool, and try something different. 

Here are eight tools that I tried and my thoughts on why they have made a difference in my classroom.


Tools to Get Students "Talking"

There are always questions to be asked, and many times you may notice the students are not responding, even though you know that some, if not all of them know the answers. It is understandable that being called upon in class can make students nervous, for many reasons, either truly not knowing the answer, or that impending feeling of being put on the spot. With these reactions, getting students to volunteer in class can be tough, and this is why digital tools can be the “answer” to your question of “how can I get the students to talk more.”  Technology should not be a substitute for having students speak, because they need to develop their confidence in speaking in class, but using a digital tool to get them started can be of great benefit.

Here are a few tools that I started with and some more recent methods. I don't necessarily use them in their traditional manner, but they worked in my classroom and I hope that it can work in yours as well.
​  
1 | Survey Monkey
How many times have you completed a survey using SurveyMonkey? I have done so many that one day it occurred to me that I could use it for the classroom.  Why not create a survey with a  variety of questions for student reflection, create a quick entrance or exit ticket as a formative assessment just for some starters. I have used it to ask students to let me know content areas they need help with, we voted for club officers and answered questions about class field trips and more. The data is available and graphically represented quickly, making that “just in time” feedback easy. Try this as a different way to give a quiz or ask for a reflection.
​

2 | GoSoapBox
GoSoapBox is a web based tool, that opens up spaces for student responses and discussion or even polls and quizzes.  Teachers create an “event” and provide students with an event code, which means that students do not have to create their own account. They enter the code to join and access the activities set up by the teacher. Using GoSoapBox for assessing students with a quick check is easy and opens up ways for students to convey their thoughts, without having to be in the same learning space.
​
3 | Recap
Recap is a newer tool available for teachers and students to engage in a video response system. Students can be given a prompt by the teacher and record their response, comfortably at home or wherever and whenever they want. All responses are then compiled into a “daily reel” , where teachers can view and provide feedback to the students. There are even some new features coming out with Recap and it is a free tool to use. My students have really enjoyed using this for class and come up with new ways to use it all the time.
​

Picture

Communication through Collaboration

There are many options available to use technology to enhance opportunities to collaborate and communicate, and to encourage students to be more involved in the class discussion.
​

4 | Wikispaces
Wikispaces is a great a way to share information, create a class webpage, and open discussion possibilities.  The use of Wikispaces has worked really well for having my students collaborate, create a discussion page, design an informative page with resources, as just a few examples of some possible uses. Last year, my students created a travel agency using Wikispaces and worked together to make a really nice website that they shared with their peers.
​

5 | Padlet
If you have been looking for a way to have students brainstorm, even if not physically in the same learning space at the same time, then I recommend trying Padlet.  Padlet is considered a kind of “virtual wall.” You can easily create a Padlet, post a discussion question, add a picture, curate resources and more. Students can then respond on the Padlet, add their own images, upload a file and more.  It is a great way to connect and open up learning spaces to beyond the classroom, and interact with students throughout the world.
​

The use of tools like these and others are beneficial because they can be used to expand where and when learning occurs, in addition to providing space for students to collaborate.
​
Picture

Creating Presentations and Telling Stories

Finally, here are a few options for having students present information in a visual way, with options for multimedia like videos and embedded objects.
​
6 | Buncee
Buncee is a web based tool that can be used for creating presentations, interactive lessons and more, with many options for including different characters, fonts, animations, video and more.  You can watch a quick overview of the tool here:
​


7 | Piktochart

Piktochart is a tool for creating infographics, social media flyers, engaging presentations and more. Students have created menus, self-descriptions, movie and tv advertisements, recipe presentations and much more.  Students can create free accounts as well, and it's easy to share or embed the work they create on other sites.
​

8 | Visme
Visme is a “drag and drop” tool, which is easy to use for creating infographics, reports, different presentations and more. It has a library full of images, charts and more, making it easy for users to create exactly what they need.  Just like Picktochart, students can create a free account and get started with blank presentations or their large library of templates.

What are the Benefits?

Each of these tools helps promote more personalized and meaningful learning for students. These tools can be used to enhance, amplify, and facilitate deeper and more authentic learning. Using technology just for the sake of using is never best practice, but using it to help students find their voice, learn what they want to do, what they can do and what they need help with, does makes sense and can make a meaningful impact in your classroom.

I use each of these tools with my different classes and I am happy to answer any questions you may have.  Feel free to contact me at rdene915@gmail.com or connect with me on Twitter @rdene915, share your stories and experiences!
4 Comments
Mycindia link
4/17/2017 04:05:27 am

Great blog ! I appreciate to you....keeping always writing

Reply
Rachelle Poth link
5/27/2017 08:30:01 pm

Thank you for your feedback!

Reply
Laura S
5/14/2017 05:37:20 pm

I have used Padlet many times, the kids love it!

Reply
Rachelle Poth link
5/27/2017 08:31:10 pm

Thanks so much Padlet has so many options for students and teachers, communication, collaboration and projects even!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Editorials

    Here you can find the Round Up's collection of editorial pieces and press releases where we will discuss the latest trends and ideas in educational technology


    Picture

    Featured

    Picture
    Check out our featured review | ClassroomAPP: A Complete, K-12 Digital Platform for Online and In-Person Classrooms

    Teach.com

    Connect


    Awards

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

           
​Except where noted, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License
Picture

Copyright 2020 | Mike Karlin, Ph.D.