Tech Toolkit: Quizlet, check it out!

Alright! So today I would like to share about Quizlet. It was created in 2005, by a high-school sophomore. Quizlet is a wonderful tool for creating study sets. Using Quizlet, teachers are able to create online flashcards; from this information, Quizlet helps generate interactive flashcards, games, and quizzes for your students. Students can access this information, using a computer, or by creating an account and uploading the app to their phones. Even if you don’t create your own study guides, students can access millions of other study sets.

https://quizlet.com/

Having an account as a teacher, you are able to give your students an interactive tool for studying, which can go anywhere. No need for paper flashcard; however your students can print flashcards, if they prefer to do so. So far everything I have talked about is free which is wonderful. If you upgrade for a small fee, you are also able to follow student progress, and incorporate voice recordings and pictures in your guides.

I like this Technology because it allows students to study in an interactive way. This helps kids to form good study habits; which is something many of us have difficulty with. Students, who choose to create an account, are able to follow their own progress, and see what they need to study more. You can also choose to let students see the high score in games, which can motivate students to practice more. Quizlet is a wonderful tool, which used in addition to regular lessons, would help in supporting my future student on their road to success.

Below is a 12 minute video on Quizlet and how to use it; it is a little long I know, but very well put together.

Video by Technology for Teachers and Students on You Tube

Tech Toolkit: Three Ideas for Using Padlet in the Classroom

Hey Everyone!  Today I want to introduce to you Padlet (previously Wallwisher).  It is an interactive bulletin board that allows you to post images, links, videos, etc.  You can even upload videos from your cellphones, and Padlet will help make sure that it plays properly. While using Padlet, you are able to connect with peers and colleagues around the world and share your ideas.  You can post via a computer, laptop or cellphone. 

Some ideas for using Padlet are:

1. Use it with English Language learners.  Connect students, so that they are able to interact with native speakers.  The students would be able to ask questions, and solidify their learning by answering others questions as well.  In this form as a teacher I would also be able illustrate words in an interactive way. I could do this by posing a link or video, which might show how the word is used or broken down.
2. Make a timeline.  Using stories, I would be able to tell part of a story, which has been already laid out on Padlet.  After introducing the timeline to students they could each fill in different parts of the story. In this way, the students are able to share their knowledge with one another, and learn from each other.
3. Introduce a new topic.  Before starting the lesson, I would be able to ask the students what they already know, and if they have any questions. At the end of the lesson, they would be able to go back and see what they have added to their knowledge.

As you can see, this tech is intriguing because you can use it in a variety of ways, connecting you to so many people.  It allows you to see what your students are thinking, and allows them to share what they have learned.  This will also give students a chance to teach each other, and give answers to their peer’s questions.  By integrating this tech, students will be able to more firmly cement knowledge they have acquired.  Padlet is a platform for learning, and can help to make learning fun.

If you would like to try Padlet for yourself here is the link:

https://padlet.com/