TECH TOOLBOX by Sebastian Contreras

Diffit

scontreras8_3 — 2024-11-14 15:27:44 UTC

Diffit is ideally suited for classrooms that accommodate a range of literacy needs, including English Language Learners (ELLs) and students with reading disabilities. It offers leveled reading materials, enabling all students to engage with content at a suitable reading level. This tool promotes inclusivity and enhances student engagement by supporting comprehension for those who may find standard grade-level texts challenging, thus fostering a supportive learning environment. It also helps alleviate some of the stress educators experience when creating visual aids for students. It makes the process much more streamlined.

Speechify

scontreras8_3 — 2024-11-14 15:38:37 UTC

Speechify offers crucial support for students with dyslexia, visual impairments, or reading disabilities by converting text into audio. This allows students to listen to books, articles, and classroom materials, making content accessible in a format that meets their needs. This approach can improve comprehension and retention for those who learn better through auditory means. It also summarizes what was read to allow students to see the main points of the article/reading/class material. The range of voices will captivate young and reluctant readers because Speechify has celebrity partnerships.

scontreras8_3 — 2024-11-14 15:55:44 UTC

Read&Write is a versatile toolkit for literacy support, including features like text-to-speech, word prediction, and a picture dictionary. It assists students with learning disabilities or language delays by breaking down reading and writing tasks into manageable steps, enhancing comprehension, and boosting independence. What I liked most about Read&Write is their acknowledgment that their product is a UDL tool, with UDL principles shaping how they structure their product. The only caveat is that the program is a paid tool that looks for district purchases. I love this tool because I can see the benefits of using the support Read&Write offers to the students I serve directly.

Kami

scontreras8_3 — 2024-11-14 16:04:00 UTC

Kami is a digital learning platform that enhances collaboration and engagement through interactive documents, suitable for both in-class and remote learning. With tools like highlighting, underlining, text boxes, voice comments, and drawing, students can actively engage with content. The platform supports real-time collaboration, enabling group work and instant feedback, and integrates seamlessly with Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, and Canvas for easy assignment management. Kami also offers accessibility features, including text-to-speech and translation, helping students with diverse learning needs. This flexibility accommodates different learning styles and fosters an inclusive environment where all students can thrive.

Bookshare Reader

scontreras8_3 — 2024-11-14 16:56:12 UTC

Bookshare is an online library that offers free and low-cost digital books for students with disabilities, such as visual and physical impairments and severe learning disabilities. It provides access to various academic and recreational reading materials in formats like audio, Braille, large print, and highlighted text-to-speech, catering to diverse needs.

The platform works well with assistive technologies, such as screen readers and Braille displays, and is compatible with computers, tablets, and smartphones. By offering flexible reading options, Bookshare promotes literacy and learning independence for students who struggle with traditional print materials. Educators can also create personalized reading lists and assign books directly to students, making it especially valuable in special

education settings.

Newsela

scontreras8_3 — 2024-11-14 17:06:39 UTC

Newsela offers current news articles at various reading levels, which helps support literacy for students with different abilities. It is an excellent resource for enhancing reading comprehension and critical thinking, as it allows students to engage with real-world content that aligns with their reading skills. Teachers can assign articles that relate to class topics, making the content relevant and interdisciplinary.

Prodigy Math

scontreras8_3 — 2024-11-14 17:49:54 UTC

Prodigy Math turns math practice into an RPG (role-playing game), with students solving math problems to progress through the game. It’s aligned with curriculum standards, making it easy for teachers to track student progress and identify areas for improvement. Prodigy enhances motivation and engagement by making math feel like play rather than work. It also helps teachers and parents by sharing snapshots of student progress and giving access to assigned student assignments. The math work is personalized to meet the students where they are at.

GeoGebra

scontreras8_3 — 2024-11-14 19:36:43 UTC

GeoGebra’s interactive math tools help students explore and visualize mathematical concepts in real-time. It is particularly useful in subjects like geometry, algebra, and calculus, where abstract ideas can be challenging to understand. GeoGebra promotes active learning by allowing students to manipulate graphs and geometric figures, which deepens their understanding. The interactive graphs are impressive as they illustrate how different data points affect the interaction of objects, such as the velocity of a car or the components of a whole in fractions.

Remind

scontreras8_3 — 2024-11-14 19:45:30 UTC

Remind bridges communication gaps by sending students and parents messages, reminders, and announcements. This app promotes home-school connection and is invaluable for teachers of students who may need additional support or reminders outside of class. It can also boost student accountability with assignment reminders by including other stakeholders in the student's education, such as their family. Remind is a tool that my training site utilizes, and it has proven resourceful. Students today are so familiar with having a phone with them that they could make it useful as a tool. This tool is excellent for students, families, and all education stakeholders because it allows for communication beyond the classroom.

Classcraft

scontreras8_3 — 2024-11-14 19:46:08 UTC

Classcraft's game-based platform motivates students by transforming classroom tasks into an adventure. Students earn points for positive behavior, teamwork, and achieving academic goals, which can be exchanged for rewards such as "powers" or privileges. The platform fosters collaboration as students work together to reach their objectives and are particularly effective in enhancing student motivation, engagement, and a sense of community within the classroom. This is a different approach to classroom management than what I have seen used at my training site. I see this being beneficial for a small group of students, but I would love to witness how an entire class can utilize this to build on those SEL practices and norms. This program is big on student collaboration and

Epic!

scontreras8_3 — 2024-11-15 00:45:43 UTC

Epic! is a resource for both educators and parents, providing personalized recommendations, tracking tools, and assessments to monitor children's reading progress. In classroom settings, it offers reading logs, quizzes, and assignments, allowing teachers to set specific goals and assess comprehension effectively. With a variety of reading levels and formats, including Read-to-Me books and audiobooks, Epic! supports differentiated instruction, making reading enjoyable, accessible, and engaging for all learners. At my training site, we use Epic!, and the student feedback has been positive. I've noticed that many students particularly enjoy the graphic novels available on the platform. Additionally, this program supports multiple languages, enabling even more students to access reading materials.

IXL

scontreras8_3 — 2024-11-15 01:17:12 UTC

IXL is an online learning platform that provides personalized practice in subjects such as math, English, science, social studies, and Spanish for students from pre-K to 12th grade. The platform adapts to each learner's skill level by offering targeted questions that promote the development of foundational skills. As users work through the content, they receive instant feedback to enhance their understanding. The "SmartScore" system allows students to track their progress, and teachers can use analytics to identify areas needing support, customizing their instruction accordingly. IXL aligns with Common Core and state standards, making it a valuable tool for differentiated instruction across various subjects. Many teachers use IXL to supplement their students' learning, and it also serves as an excellent resource for parents to engage with their children at home. Both teachers and parents can monitor a student's progress in specific subjects.

Blooket

scontreras8_3 — 2024-11-15 01:21:59 UTC

Blooket is a gamified learning platform that enables teachers to create interactive quizzes and review games, similar to Kahoot! and Quizizz, but with added fun and variety. Students engage in various game modes that combine learning with elements like character leveling and mini-games. Teachers can customize quizzes or select from a library of pre-made content across different subjects. Blooket supports both live and asynchronous play, appealing to diverse learning styles. With modes like tower defense and battle royale, it keeps content engaging and helps reinforce concepts. Additionally, Blooket tracks performance, giving teachers insights into student needs and making learning interactive and enjoyable. I have used this in math lessons to check for understanding and ensure that students are engaged and collaborating during these lessons.

Random Name Picker

scontreras8_3 — 2024-11-15 02:04:55 UTC

This is a simple yet effective online tool that randomly selects names from a list provided by the user. I imagine using it to engage students in an impartial manner when calling on them to answer questions, participate in activities, or be assigned tasks. This makes it particularly helpful for promoting fairness and inclusivity in classroom participation. There are different options such as a slot machine, airport ticker, and wheel to add some diversity.

Seesaw

scontreras8_3 — 2024-11-15 02:11:54 UTC

Seesaw is a digital app that helps students, teachers, and parents communicate and share learning. Students can show their work by taking photos, videos, drawing, and recording their voices. This creates a multimedia portfolio that highlights their progress and achievements. Teachers can assign tasks, give feedback, and connect directly with parents. Parents can see their child's work and receive updates on what is happening in the classroom. Seesaw encourages students to think about their learning and take charge of it by allowing them to create and share their projects. Teachers can provide personalized feedback and encourage students to collaborate. Students can view and comment on each other’s work in a safe and supervised space. For parents, Seesaw gives real-time updates on their child’s learning journey, helping them stay involved in their education. The app supports different teaching approaches, allowing teachers to adjust assignments to meet various learning needs. Seesaw works well for young children and elementary students but can be used for all grade levels.