Build Your Own Interactives

In many schools, especially at the elementary level, it is common for students to be using tech for core skill building. For example, they might be using Zearn to go through math practice at a level that is personalized based on pre-assessment results. This can be beneficial, but some research suggests that so-called drill and kill types of platforms might not be best and may even have negative effects on student learning. See this research page from Liz Kolb's Triple E Framework site for more on that. 

I also believe that students can be doing much more than practice problems with the devices they are using. So, I have been exploring ways to design activities that involve application of learning and using tech to build or create based on the concepts being taught. This may sound a bit daunting, but here are two examples that are fairly simple to set up:

1. Google Slides Place Value Interactive. You can add background elements, like a cartoon field, that won't move by editing the Slide Master (how to edit Slide Master in Google Slides). When students load the link, they can make a copy, or teachers can assign it through Classroom as a copy for each student. Then they interact and build.
2. Google Doc Array and Area Activity. This prompts students to build some simple layouts in Geogebra and then asks questions that farmers would actually have to ask when building a fence. Like in the previous activity, students need to apply their understanding. They also have links to reference in case they need it (e.g. perimeter and area).

These are not the most polished or amazing, but they incorporate some complex thinking and some personal interaction as well. Take a look, make copies for yourself, and modify as you see fit. Please share any ideas or questions with us so we can learn from you as well.

Digital Text Sources and Tools

Many teachers express that they are overwhelmed by the tools and services that one can use to find and interact with digital texts. As part of our study session in Kent ISD's Literacy Coaches Network, Andrew Steinman and I have facilitated investigations into some of the options that we feel have the most value to educators and students. Here is some of what we uncovered:

First, we really like Diigo, especially when used as a Google Chrome extension. When added, users can highlight and make notes on any webpage or PDF, and it's all stored in a user's library in a way that can be shared. It also has an outliner tool and a groups function, both of which can be used for many purposes. Tip: make sure you access the education upgrade to get more features.

We also looked at a number of platforms and sources for texts. See below for some basic details about the ones we chose.

• Newsela / Newsela Elementary
  • Allows choice of non-fiction articles with option for different Lexile level for each article
  • Access articles by link without logins or set up a class
  • Helpful cross-text features like Issues and Text Sets
  • Users can annotate text but teacher can’t see annotations w/o paid model
  • Assessment questions available (more complex and varied than Teen/Tween Tribune)
  • They try to lure you into their paid model - comparison of free vs paid
• Teen/Tween Tribune
  • Allows choice of non-fiction articles with option for different Lexile level for each article
  • Access articles by link without logins or set up a class (You can see student results w/ login)
  • Assessment questions included with login (mostly simple recall questions)
  • Provides a commenting option that allows students from everywhere to post comments on articles and reply to each other.
  • Student can access articles, take quizzes, and post comments without teacher assigning
• Mel.org/books
  • Some great options for finding and exploring texts
    1. Bookflix (Read and listen to texts)
    2. NoveList (find books by interest, lexile, and more) No full text.
    3. eBook Collection / eBook k-8 Collection
    4. Gale PowerPack (magazines & more)
• ReadWorks
  • Large library of articles searchable by lexile, skill, and other filters w/ audio option for some K-5 content
  • Questions, strategies, and much more available
  • Requires downloading or printing texts and sharing w/ students
  • Digital ReadWorks
    1. Requires logins for teacher and students
    2. Students can annotate texts, which are visible by teacher
    3. Allows teacher to assign and track quiz results
    4. Students can’t alter Lexile level but teacher can assign articles to specific students to differentiate
    5. Questions are fairly low level but provide feedback for students
    6. No way for students to select articles on their own

Yes, that's a long list, and there is more to explore no doubt. Hopefully this helped you determine what might be best for you. If you have other ideas to share, please add them in the comments.