Weekly Tech Tip

This week my wife was talking about having to give four different spelling test to her students during her Friday spelling tests.  She explained that her district requires them to do leveled spelling tests.  You know as well as I do that if you have a group of 22 third grade students you have several levels.  I’m sure that most of you could imagine the amount of time this takes on Friday to give these tests.    

Well, I got on the prowl for a better solution.  Now whether or not she uses it is up to her.  Here’s what I found, The www.spellingcity.com .  The teacher creates an account (FREE) and creates the 4 spelling lists online.  The students can then go online print out their spelling lists by finding their teacher’s name or spelling list’s name.  This also allows the parents to get a copy of the list whenever they want it.  The students are able to go online play spelling games such as Word Search, Hang Mouse, and Unscramble.  When Friday roles around they go to the computer put on their headphones and go to Spelling City.  They find their spelling list and click on take test, and then spellingcity.com will read the word to them and use it in a sentence.  They type the word correctly in the blank and zip their test is done.  All the student does now is print out their certificate, which has their score on it. 

I must also give you the downfalls of this application. 

1. Most classrooms only have 1 to 3 computers in it.  You’ll have to find a way to rotate your class through to take the test or go to the computer lab.

2. When you print out the certificate it doesn’t show the ones they got incorrect.  If you want that info they will need to print the page after the test and before the certificate. (Once you see it you will understand.)  As with any teaching, it’s good to model it for them before you have them do it.

If nothing else it’s a good tool to use with some of your lower performing students that need extra practice.  I’m sure most of you can find several useful ways to incorporate www.spellingcity.com

Now, go, explore, and enjoy!

Weekly Tech Tip

This week’s tech tip will get all of your students participating and thinking!  If you want to get your students collaborating there thoughts into one location about one thing this is the spot for you.  www.voicethread.com  You can post a picture, video, document or whatever and give your students the link.  They go to the link and post voice comments, typed comments, or even draw on it.  They can hear or read what other students think about the post as well as make there on comments.  This service is free to educators. 

Picture Writing Prompts will never be the same with this technology. 

Imagine doing a science experiment.  Post a picture as you start the project and have students leave comments about their hypothesis, then once it’s over have them go back and listen to see if they are correct.  Then they can leave comments about what they have learned from the experiment. 

The ideas are endless! 

Here is one that I created as an experimental test subject.  Play around with it post comments just to see how easy it is.  You can use your microphone, web cam, type it, doodle on it, or even have it call your phone so you can leave a voice comment on it that way.  You will need to create an account to leave a comment, but don’t worry it’s free.

http://voicethread.com/share/40005/

Now Go and get those students collaborating and thinking!