2024 EdTech App Updates by Kristin Gasser

Padlet Update

ms_gasser — 2024-08-20 22:58:42 UTC

Wakelet Update

ms_gasser — 2024-08-20 23:00:43 UTC

Flip (formerly Flipgrid) Is Being Discontinued!

ms_gasser — 2024-08-20 23:01:18 UTC

Flip has been merged with Microsoft Teams. Unless you have a Microsoft Teams account, you will no longer be able to use Flip.

What can you use in place of Flip? Have you checked out Padlet? Padlet and its new AI feature make ita fantastic alternative to Flip! Check out my video on how to get started!

FigJam Update

ms_gasser — 2024-08-20 23:06:47 UTC

Jamboard is sunsetting in October 2024! What can you use in place of it? Have you tried FigJam? Here is a video on how to get started!

Convert your Jamboard files to FigJam before Oct 1st. The Jamboard-to-FigJam importer is live, and can turn hundreds of Jamboard files into editable FigJam files in just a few seconds.

If you have used FigJam before, did you know that FigJam can now Share to Google Classroom with just one tap! Easily distribute shared files or personalized copies directly to students' Google Classroom feed.

Discovery Education Update

ms_gasser — 2024-08-21 15:38:22 UTC

There is a free trial of available for Mystery Writing for Grade 5! This provides lesson plans that are ready-to-go from Discovery Education that focus on teaching the writing process.

Common Sense Education Update

ms_gasser — 2024-08-21 15:45:04 UTC

New Back-to-School Digital Citizenship Resources are now available.

MagicSchool AI Update

ms_gasser — 2024-08-21 15:50:45 UTC

Have you seen MagicSchool for Students? Create your own room that students can use with teacher-selected AI tools. MagicSchool is constantly adding new features for teachers and students to use, so check it out!

Pear Deck Update

ms_gasser — 2024-08-21 15:54:32 UTC

Instant Pear Decks is an AI-powered content generation tool to create interactive, standards-aligned lessons for any topic quickly. You can also upload your own materials to turn them into engaging lessons.

Diffit Update #1

ms_gasser — 2024-08-21 16:01:39 UTC

Diffit has a new resdesigned Activity Library that allows you to navigate, sort, search, and preview templates with ease.

Diffit is also now partnering with Ditch That Textbook to export your Diffit content into engaging new templates!

IXL Update

ms_gasser — 2024-08-21 16:03:10 UTC

New Math Benchmark (LevelUp Math Benchmark) takes 45-60 minutes to complete, and it is available in Spanish
IXL rosters can now support multiple co-teachers for one class
IXL Quiz Library - Create and instantly share assessments making it availablt to both teachers and admins in our district
Introducing IXL Common Assessments - this new feature puts administrators in the driver’s seat of student evaluation, allowing them to build assessments by drawing standards-aligned questions from IXL's comprehensive curriculum
IXL is now available in more than 50 languages

Applied Digital Skills Update

ms_gasser — 2024-08-21 16:03:21 UTC

Google's Applied Digital Skills Back-to-School Collection - This collection features engaging, scaffolded lessons that build digital literacy, self-expression, well-being, and organization, and the easy-to-use lesson plans make it a breeze to jump right in! Explore the possibilities of Artificial Intelligence with your students or promote the importance of digital citizenship and internet safety.

BrainPop Update

ms_gasser — 2024-08-21 16:10:17 UTC

Updates for Grades 3-8 include a reorganized (and added to!) the teacher topic page. These new features include:

New grade-leveled activities that encourage students to practice and apply vocabulary and comprehension skills.
An assignment building tool that empowers you to easily assign auto-graded activities to your whole class, small groups, or individual students.
Teacher resources that include alignments to state content standards, a lesson guide that gives use cases, time estimates, and examples of each activity, and a Teacher Toolkit with tips on how you can use BrainPOP in your classroom.

Genesis Update

ms_gasser — 2024-08-21 16:13:16 UTC

* Gradebook -> Grade Assignment

- Added a new flag when grading assignments called "Collected".
- If Collected has been checked but no grade or flag has been entered, the Parent/Student Module will show the
assignment as 'Collected'.

- If a grade has been entered, the grade will be shown instead of 'Collected'. If the assignment is hiding the grades
from the Parent/Student Module, the entered grade will be hidden and instead 'Collected' will be displayed until
the assignment is updated to show the grades.

Canva Update

ms_gasser — 2024-08-21 16:21:35 UTC

It's a long video, so here is a quick summary! The bottom line - Bulk Create is still available, Magic Erase and Magic Grab have a new "click object" function, and there is now an audio enhancement option to remove background noise from audio clips!

See something new here that you want to learn? Set up time with me! I am happy to help you!

ms_gasser — 2024-08-21 20:24:19 UTC

Email me at kgasser@oceanschools.org or click the link above to schedule time with me!

-Kristin Gasser, TOIS EdTech Coach

EdPuzzle Update

ms_gasser — 2024-08-22 14:16:24 UTC

NONE AT THIS TIME, but need some ideas?

Try recording a welcome video with the screen recording extension!
Flipping back-to-school night for students’ families!
Use Live Mode as a first-day icebreaker!

Diffit Update #2

ms_gasser — 2024-08-30 16:38:40 UTC

With the latest vocabulary features, you can:

Create word lists from any of your reading passages and resources
Add an image for any vocabulary word
Use any of the five new image-rich activity templates

Just click the link above, and then click the "A Vocabulary List" tab to get started!