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What if something out there had your kid begging you to turn off the TV or tablet, put away the video games, and listen to a story? It seems practically impossible in today's media environment. Why would anyone (especially kids who've grown up with YouTube and Netflix) bother with screenless entertainment? But with podcasts, "no screens" becomes "no problem." Podcasts made for -- and even by -- kids are popping up all over the place.

Many adults are already familiar with podcasts, thanks to popular but mature hits such as Serial and Radiolab. But thankfully, podcasters are starting to realize that kids love what they're doing as much as grown-ups. Teachers are even using them in the classroom. With exciting stories, fascinating facts, and lively sound effects to grab kids' interest, all you need for an entertaining family-listening experience are some headphones or a set of speakers. Check out these 20 awesome podcasts for kids -- including perfect bedtime stories, science exploration, cool news, and more. Plus, find out the best way to get them and use them. (We took our best guess for the target ages but include them as a guide since some of the content can be mature.)

How to Listen

It can be daunting for a first-timer to enter the world of podcasts, but digital tools have made it easier than ever to start listening. Podcasts are available to stream online or with a "podcatcher," an app you can download specifically for podcasts. Here are some popular options for listening:

Podcasts. The original podcast app (only available for Apple iOS)

Stitcher Radio for Podcasts. "Stitch" together custom podcast playlists with this mobile app

Pocket Casts. A mobile app with a sleek, easy-to-use interface

SoundCloud. An online audio-streaming platform for podcasts as well as music (also an app)

Podbay.fm. Streaming platform specifically for podcasts (app available for Android, but iOS coming soon)

Kids Listen. An online (but not mobile) app that only features kid-friendly podcasts

Once you have your favorite app or website, search its library by topic and start exploring everything from science to sports to movies and more. And don't forget to subscribe! Subscribing lets the app push new episodes directly to your device as soon as they're available, so you'll always have the latest update at your fingertips.

Pros and Cons of Podcasts for Kids

On the plus side, podcasts:

Boost learning. With engaging hosts and compelling stories, podcasts can be great tools to teach kids about science, history, ethics, and more. Listening to stories helps kids build vocabulary, improve reading skills, and even become more empathetic.

Reduce screen time. With podcasts, families can enjoy the same level of engagement, entertainment, and education as screen-based activities without worrying about staring at a screen.

Go anywhere. Podcasts are completely portable. You can listen in the car, on the bus, or in a classroom or even while doing chores around the house.

Cost nothing. Podcasts don't have subscription or download fees, so anyone with internet access can listen and download for free. Most podcatcher apps are free, too.

Get two thumbs up from kids! Podcasts are designed to hook kids with music, jokes, compelling stories, and more. Some are designed in a serial format with cliffhangers at the end to get kids to tune back in.

On the downside, podcasts:

Play lots of ads. Many podcasts run several minutes of ads at the beginning or end. Because they're often read by the podcast host, the ads can feel like a hard sell.

Can be confusing. Many podcasts update regularly, so you can jump right in and start listening. Others are styled like radio or TV shows, so the most recent episode is actually the end of a season. Check whether something is serialized or long-form before listening to the most recent update.

Vary in age-appropriateness. The iTunes Store labels podcasts "Explicit" or "Clean," but even a "Clean" label doesn't guarantee kid-friendly content. When in doubt, listen first before sharing with your kids.

Luckily we've discovered some excellent kid-friendly podcasts that you and your family will love listening to. Here are 20 of our favorites:

For the Whole Family

Dream Big
Precocious 7-year-old Eva Karpman and her mom interview celebs, award winners, and experts in a range of fields each week, with a hope of encouraging young people to find their passion and follow their dreams. The relatable mother-daughter dynamic and the big-name guests make this a fun choice for kids and their parents to listen to together. Best for: Kids

Wow in the World
One of the newest podcasts to hit the scene, NPR's first show for kids is exactly the sort of engaging, well-produced content you would expect from the leaders in radio and audio series. Hosts Guy Roz and Mindy Thomas exude joy and curiosity while discussing the latest news in science and technology in a way that's enjoyable for kids and informative for grown-ups. Best for: Kids

This American Life
This popular NPR radio show is now also the most downloaded podcast in the country. It combines personal stories, journalism, and even stand-up comedy for an enthralling hour of content. Host Ira Glass does a masterful job of drawing in listeners and weaving together several "acts" or segments on a big, relatable theme. Teens can get easily hooked along with their parents, but keep in mind that many episodes have mature concepts and frequent swearing. Best for:Teens

Best Bedtime Podcasts

What If World
With wacky episode titles such as "What if Legos were alive?" and "What if sharks had legs?," this series takes ridiculous "what if" questions submitted by young listeners and turns them into a new story every two weeks. Host Eric O'Keefe uses silly voices and crazy characters to capture the imaginations of young listeners with a Mad Libs-like randomness. Best for: Kids

Stories Podcast
One of the first kids' podcasts to grasp podcasts' storytelling capabilities, this podcast is still going strong with kid-friendly renditions of classic stories, fairy tales, and original works. These longer stories with a vivid vocabulary are great for bigger kids past the age for picture books but who still love a good bedtime story. Best for:Big kids

Best Podcasts for Road Trips

The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel
This Peabody Award-winning scripted mystery series has been called a Stranger Things for tweens. With a voice cast of actual middle schoolers, a gripping, suspenseful plot, and interactive tie-ins, this story about an 11-year-old searching for his missing friends will keep tweens hooked to the speakers for hours -- more than five, to be exact. Best for: Tweens

Welcome to Night Vale
Structured like a community radio show for the fictional desert town of Night Vale, the mysterious is ordinary and vice versa in this delightfully eerie series. Both the clever concept and the smooth voice of narrator Cecil Baldwin have helped the show develop a cult-like following. It's a bit creepy and dark for kids, but older listeners will find it perfect for a nighttime drive along a deserted highway. Best for: Teens

Best Podcasts for Science Lovers

Tumble
Often compared to a kid-friendly Radiolab, this podcast not only addresses fascinating topics but also tries to foster a love of science itself by interviewing scientists about their process and discoveries. The hosts don't assume that listeners have a science background -- but even kids who think they don't like science may change their minds after listening to this podcast. Best for:Kids and tweens

Stuff You Should Know
From the people behind the award-winning website HowStuffWorks, this frequently updated podcast explains the ins and outs of everyday things from the major ("How Free Speech Works") to the mundane ("How Itching Works"). Longer episodes and occasional adult topics such as alcohol, war, and politics make this a better choice for older listeners, but hosts Josh and Chuck keep things engaging and manage to make even complex topics relatable. And with nearly 1,000 episodes in its archive, you might never run out of new things to learn. Best for:Teens

Best Podcasts for Music Fans

Ear Snacks
The catchy soundtrack is the star in this delightful podcast from children's music duo Andrew & Polly (not surprising since the hosts have created songs for Wallykazam! and Sesame Studios). But this funny program also covers a range of topics by talking to actual kids as well as experts, providing thoughtful fun for young ones and their grown-ups. Best for: Preschoolers and little kids

The Past & the Curious
Reminiscent of the TV show Drunk History (minus the alcohol), this amusing podcast features people telling interesting, little-known stories from history with an emphasis on fun and humor. Although it's not specifically a music podcast, each episode contains an often-silly song that's sure to get stuck in your head. There's even a quiz segment, so kids will learn something, too. Best for: Kids

Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child
Families can enjoy rock and roll without the downsides with this fun radio show/podcast. Each week there's a new playlist combining kids' music from artists such as They Might Be Giants, with kid-appropriate songs from artists that grown-ups will recognize, such as Elvis Costello, The Ramones, and John Legend. It's a perfect compromise for parents tired of cheesy kids' music. Best for: Kids

All Songs Considered
This weekly podcast from NPR covers the latest and greatest in new music with a particular focus on emerging artists and indie musicians. It covers a wide range of genres and even includes artist interviews and live performances. Some songs contain adult themes and explicit language, but teens will love discovering a new favorite that you've probably never heard of. Best for:Teens

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What if something out there had your kid begging you to turn off the TV or tablet, put away the video games, and listen to a story? It seems practically impossible in today's media environment. Why would anyone (especially kids who've grown up with YouTube and Netflix) bother with screenless entertainment?

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As they enter the room, I wave the big yellow envelope in the air. They know what it is, and the room comes alive with excitement. They can barely wait until I open the envelope and pass out the contents. Their pen pal letters have arrived!

With Tech, Who Needs Pen Pals?

With the introduction of technology in the classrooms, I felt as though pen pals had become a thing of the past. That was a disappointing feeling. In my humble opinion, no matter how many times you Skype, FaceTime or share YouTube videos, there is nothing like a letter. No form of technology-based communication produces the excitement on my students' faces like the arrival of a letter from their pen pal. Watching them devour their letters, with intermittent shouts of, "Mrs. Mims, you know what my pen pal said?" is something to be savored.

Pen pal letters provide the opportunity to break down classroom walls. Whether the class you connect with is in another state or another country, it serves the same purpose. It gives your students a chance to see a world outside of their walls. My classes have connected with other classes as close as Georgia and as far away as Russia.

This year, I took advantage of Skype in the Classroom and connected with a class in Spain. So far, we have exchanged letters and videos, and plan on much more collaboration throughout the school year, including a Skype session.

Pen pal letters also provide an avenue to create better writers via an authentic audience. My students know that not only is someone actually going to read their letter, but also respond to it. This encourages students to write with meaning, to write with a sense of purpose. As the year progresses, there is always a vast improvement in their writing.

Many states have implemented Common Core, and letter writing is not a part of the Common Core standards. However, it is very easy to create projects that classes can share through letters. For example, classes that are connected via the Global Read Aloud project can write letters to each other about their reaction to the same book. Students can share narratives about their lives, and then compare and contrast with the lives of their pen pals. The possibilities are endless!

Making Connections

When I joined Edmodo in 2010, I used it as an opportunity for reaching out to teachers who would be interested in connecting with my class. A teacher answered me, and our kids wrote each other at least once a month. We also connected our classes via Edmodo, but the most important connection was through letters. Not only did our students connect, but this teacher and I connected as well, and even met in person at an ISTE conference.

In 2011, I created a Pen Pal group on Edmodo named Pen Pals Who WRITE. I wanted to share my enthusiasm for pen pals by providing a forum where teachers could connect their classes. Over 100 teachers signed up, and it is still presently open.

After reading an article about a class that had connected with a local university, I decided to do the same with my students. I am currently in the third year of my partnership with the Wilmington University women's basketball team. The students and basketball players write each other once a month, the ladies bring them goodies on the holidays, and one day in the year, we stay after school in order to attend one of their games. My students are full of questions about college, basketball, etc., and these young ladies, who are great role models, willingly answer them in their letters.

Skype in the Classroom makes it so easy to connect, although it does require a Skype account. Once connected, you can set up your own Skype lesson and connect with teachers around the world. I posted that I was interested in being pen pals with a fifth grade class outside of the United States, and chose from the responses I received. The great part is that, although we are writing letters, we will still use Skype as a form of communication.

How to Begin

I always require my students to begin with a letter of introduction. They write at least two paragraphs, one talking about themselves, and the other asking any questions they may have for their pen pal.

It's always a good idea to read the letters that are sent to your students. My students are made aware of the type of conversations they are allowed to have, and I always read their letters. They do not write their last name and may not disclose personal information.

Written permission should be obtained from the parents. I always do this because some parents might not want their child to correspond with someone they don't know. Again, I have been fortunate and have always had 100 percent participation.

Pen pal letters may be a thing of the past to many people, but they will continue to be a part of my classroom's future!

Have you brought pen pals to your students? How have they responded? What tips would you share for others?

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As they enter the room, I wave the big yellow envelope in the air. They know what it is, and the room comes alive with excitement. They can barely wait until I open the envelope and pass out the contents. Their pen pal letters have arrived!

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Learn Zillion               -Improvements

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Learn Zillion               -Improvements

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favorites needs better organization tools

Several lessons have been created by the same person

no other links to other resources

can not download videos for students without internet access at home

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LearnZillion | Smart Curriculum. Smarter Teaching.

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LearnZillion helps you grow in your ability and content knowledge and it gives you the opportunity to work with an organization that values teachers, student, and achievement by both. It has reinforced for me that teachers are some of the brightest and most talented people in the world.

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Not so good things:   Amazing Kids Magizine

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Not so good things:   Amazing Kids Magizine

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not every submission gets published

it needs to be submitted in digitally

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                        Learn Zillion

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                        Learn Zillion

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http://learnzillion.com/

This is a great resource because:

It is FREE!

It can be used 1:1 or whole class

It is CCSS aligned

Teachers can make student accounts

or students can recieve a "quick code".

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                                                Great things about---Amazing Kids Magizine

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                                                Great things about---Amazing Kids Magizine

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Things that I like about this magazine:

Variety of styles of writing

Contests

fiction and non-fiction

poetry

science

so much more

FREE

All digital-great for IPads

book review

apps reviews

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The 5 Best Free Tools For Publishing Student Work - eLearning Industry

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The 5 Best Free Tools For Publishing Student Work - eLearning Industry

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1. Flipsnack

About Flipsnack
Flipsnack is a free online app that allows you to convert images into digital books with a professional look and the ability to flip through pages.

How to Use Flipsnack
The first thing you'll need to do is sign up. Flipsnack allows users to sign up with a simple email address. You also have the option of creating an account linked to your Twitter, Facebook, or Google+ page.Once you're signed up it's time to get to work! Begin by adding a document. Give the document a title, and a description if you choose. Browse your computer or drag and drop a URL of an image or a PDF to be converted. Next, get customizing! Flipsnack allows you to choose different templates for your flipping book so take advantage of it. Choose a relevant template for the file you upload. After you've chosen a template, it's time adjust your settings. Flipsnack gives you control of a number of widgets that allow you to determine the look of your book in the Flipsnack app, so get to adjusting!Finally, it's time to publish! Decide whether you'd like comments on your book's page, share your book with others or embed it on a class website.
2. Wordfaire

About Wordfaire
Wordfaire is an incredibly simple and free live-blogging platform that updates in real time.

How to Use Wordfaire
The thing that makes Wordfaire great for classroom use is the simplicity of the interface. Simply sign in through a Twitter, Google+, or Facebook account, choose a URL and a name for your blog and get writing!Wordfaire provides a simple alternative to more complex student publishing programs such as Flipsnack or Storybird.
3. ePubBud

About ePubBud

ePubBud is a website created by two parents of a boy named Wren who died 12 hours after his birth. The website was created so that they could write an eBook about their experience that would be available on iPad. The website functions much like YouTube for children's eBooks.

How to Use ePubBud
Like any other website that provides a service, the first thing you must do is sign up with an email address. After that, you are free to start working on your eBook! Like Flipsnack, ePubBud allows you to upload images that get created into an eBook, or you are free to create the eBook through ePubBud's interface.Fill in some important information, then get to work on the cover of your book. After that, get writing! The website's interface allows you to add links, images, and even videos. Once you finish creating your book, save it and send your book's link to fellow teachers, parents, or students. You are able to read ePubBud books from nearly any device, so click here for more information on the technicalities of this.
4. Storybird

About Storybird

Storybird is an online-based web app that allows users to convert text into illustrated stories through the use of images from artists around the world. Storybird's ease-of-use and intriguing graphics make it ideal for a younger classroom.

How to Use Storybird
The first thing you must do to create a Storybird is sign up. The site offers different options for teachers, students, or regular users. Once you've signed up, it's time to get creating!Click on "Create." Next, choose some artwork for your story. You can browse through work from different artists, or search for a keyword of the type of art you'd like, such as: "sports" or "fairy tales," etc. Click on the art you'd like, then click "use this art," and select "for a story" from the drop down menu. Drag and drop a picture onto your page, click the white area to add a title or text to your story. When you're done with that page, click the plus icon on the bottom right of the screen to add another page.Repeat this process until you are done with your book. Then click "save." Once you've done this, you can return to your Storybird's page, click "menu," and then click "publish." Give your story a summary, some tags, choose a genre, decide whether you'd like to make your story public or private, and you're done!
5. Slideshare

About Slideshare
Slideshare is an online community created so that users are able to upload, download, and share slideshows with each other.

How to Use Slideshare
Slideshare's simplicity is what makes it a great online tool to use with your students. In order to use Slideshare, the first thing you or your students will need to do is create a slideshow to upload. Once you have a product that you are proud enough to show to the world, sign up for Slideshare using either a Facebook/LinkedIn account or an email. After signing up, find the button on your home screen that reads "Upload." Click it and find the file on your computer that you would like to upload. Select the file and upload it! After that, you are free to share your file with the world through a URL, an embed code, or an email!

Free Educational Technology

All of these free educational tools are easy-to-use. That being the case, you can choose to publish students' work yourself or have them become members of the online community to do it.

Any of these free educational tools are great for adding some flair and motivation to any traditional assignment in which students will be writing, whether it be a short story, an easy, or even a simple paragraph for homework.

Use these 5 Free Educational Tools for Publishing Student Work to keep your classroom exciting and engaged no matter what the assignment.

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The 5 Best Free Tools For Publishing Student Work - eLearning Industry

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1. Flipsnack About Flipsnack Flipsnack is a free online app that allows you to convert images into digital books with a professional look and the ability to flip through pages. How to Use Flipsnack The first thing you'll need to do is sign up. Flipsnack allows users to sign up with a simple email address.

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Publishing Student Writing -- and Your Own | Edutopia

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Publishing Student Writing -- and Your Own | Edutopia

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Easier Than It Seems

But publishing a book doesn't only bring the best out of our students. For more than two years, I had been carrying an idea for a book in my mind and in my heart. I had the text mostly written but needed an illustrator and a publisher. I finally opened my eyes and found the illustrator living right here with me -- my wife. Now, all I needed was a publisher.

This is when I remembered talking with people who had self-published their books online through a Web site called Lulu. Two of those folks, David Warlick and Doug Johnson, I highly respect for their thinking on the effective and innovative use of technology to support schools, students, teachers, and their communities.

So it was now time to get this thing done. I got serious about cleaning up the text, and my wife got serious about doing the illustrations. First, I created my account on Lulu. As a frugal Yankee, I appreciated the fact everything was free and that I would have to pay only if I ordered hard copies of my book. I read forums on the Web site about what works and installed NeoOffice on my MacBook.

When the text and images were ready, I put them together in a NeoOffice document and exported it as a PDF file. Of course, I had to spend a bit of time figuring out how the numbering of pages works, where to put the title page, and other things a real publisher would have done for me. But I was learning, and the sense of empowerment when I uploaded the finished document was palpable -- I had done it!

Next, I used the supplied templates to create a cover. I inserted a photo of my wife and me on the back and a picture of a California gray whale fluking off the coast of Oregon for the front, along with the title. With the cover uploaded, the project was complete.

Hard Copies, or Virtual?

I was tempted at this point to put a link on my Web site and order a bunch of the books to sell at conferences. But Lulu has obviously worked with many rookies, and the site warned me to begin by ordering only one hard copy to make sure it really was the book I had carried in my mind and heart for so long. I listened to the site's counsel, ordered one, and waited impatiently for a week or so.

When it came, I read it, achieved a new level of humility, and set about fixing the multiple mistakes I found. Trust me, I have a new respect for editing. Yeah, I've edited stuff before, but this was our book. I made the changes, uploaded the updated files, and ordered another hard copy. That came, and I found one last flaw. I then uploaded one more set of updates and called it finished. But I still worried, just like a student. When the audience is real, the quality matters so much more.

So, there you go. Our published book is called Computers Can, Computers Can't.

Students as Published Authors

Ever since I used the Lulu Web site to create our book, I have been actively encouraging teachers to publish their books. I'm interested to find out how many educators there are out there like David, Doug, my wife, and me. Have you used Lulu or any other self-publishing utility to put your kids' work into a book? Are you an elementary school teacher who took that ABC book to a new level or a social studies teacher who has made oral histories of local old-timers part of the community collection of text in the school and local libraries? What about doing Anytown Middle School: Our Writing, 2009 and including in it one piece from each student?

And, of course, when you publish online, you can make your book available to anyone, or you can restrict access. So, how about creating a book with your class and sharing it with a class across town, across the state, across the nation, or across the globe?

The bottom line is, you can do so much. The only limit will be your creativity.

Remember, if you've self-published with your students, please share. I'd love to know what folks are doing and, as always, what you think are the best technology tools out there.

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Publishing Student Writing -- and Your Own | Edutopia

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But publishing a book doesn't only bring the best out of our students. For more than two years, I had been carrying an idea for a book in my mind and in my heart. I had the text mostly written but needed an illustrator and a publisher.