Review on 8 Technology Tools for Teachers
ED271 has allowed me to explore the internet and come across many different platforms that can benefit students and teachers. In this post, I will be reviewing 8 technology tools I have encountered on my education journey.
Moodle:
When I first entered U.O.G., my teachers made it a point to make students create a moodle account. At first, I did not know why moodle was so special to use? However, after trying out the platform, I understand why teachers like using it.
Pros: Moodle is a platform where students can turn in their assignments, take tests, answer questions, or communicate with the teacher. I feel it is much better then emailing a teacher your assignments. Once you submit your assignment, it can give you an email saying your assignment was submitted. I feel teachers and students benefit from this platform.
Cons: Moodle logs the student out if they are not using the site, which is frustrating. Moodle is also said to not be compatible with Google Chrome which is not a problem for me, but might be a problem for others. Lastly, when submitting assignments, there are too many confirmations that come along with it.
Overall I give Moodle: 3/5
Chrome:
Google Chrome is a web browser. In all honesty, I prefer to use morzilla firefox. However, Google Chrome is known for being fast, being simple to use, having good security, and allowing its users to use incognito mode.
Con: One con I found with this web browser is that it is not recommended to use for Moodle.
I would rate this web browser 5/5 because it does what it is meant to do, even though it is not recommended when using Moodle.
Google Apps:
The google apps is a life safer for people who need to do group projects. The google apps was especially useful for my group and I. We used Google Docs a lot in order to jot down our ideas for our presentations. In addition, we also used google hangout to communicate with one other if one of our members was missing from our group. It is also like an online storage for your work. Lastly, it always saves your work.
I rate google apps : 5/5
Livebinder:
Livebinder is a platform that I was introduced to just this semester.
Pros: The cool thing about livebinder is that it works as a storage and saves websites that you find is important to you. That way, you can find what you want, just like how a binder works.
Cons: The problem I have with Livebinder is that there are some links that do not wish to show up when you insert it into a tab. It is also a little confusing when you want to place photos in the livebinder. Lastly, you have to play around with it a lot to finally figure out how to use it.
I rate this platform 3/5
Socrative:
If you want a great audience interaction tool, Socrative is the one for you.
Pros: Socrative is free so anyone can create an account. It is also easy to navigate through. Socrative has a variety of ways for teachers to ask questions. Teachers can ask multiple choice questions, true or false questions, or short answer questions. Socrative also gives the option to the teacher to make the lesson teacher paced or student paced. Lastly, you can use other teachers quizzes from Socrative.
Cons: A con stated from "Common Sense Education: Socrative" is that teachers need to be "diligent" when collecting data from the socrative quizzes in order to see the students progress.
Overall, I give Socrative a 4/5
Kahoot:
My experience with Kahoot was very memorable for me in high school. It was a great tool to help students review what they have learned in class.
Pros: Is a fun audience interaction tool that will bring the competitiveness in students. With this competitiveness it allows students to pay attention to the game. It also engages students into having discussions about the answers for the questions. It also gives students motivation to do better when they see the score board for the quiz. They can also use their devices to interact with kahoot.
Cons: It only deals with multiple choice questions, but I do understand why it is multiple choice.
I give Kahoot 5/5
Wix:
Wix is a website builder that can be very beneficial for teachers. I uses wix for one of my projects for ED271 called "Factor Pair up" and it was fun to create.
Pros: Can be free if you want it to be, it is simple to use, you can be creative, and it is fun to use.
Cons: It is difficult to simultaneously work with a group to edit website. If two people are working on the website at the same time, someone's work might not be saved.
I rate this website: 4/5
Prezi:
Unlike the other technology tools, the last one is a presentation tool. Prezi is a free presentation tool that allows people to collaborate with one another at the same time. Unlike google slides, Prezi allows the presenter to make the slides and words move in a variety of ways. Prezi also allows you to choose whether you wish to put the presentation private, or open to the public.
Con: Sometimes the way students make their presentation can make the viewer dizzy from all the shifting to different slides. It also takes a lot to get used to, sometimes you would want to try input something, but you accidentally mark it to be the next slide to go to.
I give Prezi: 3/5
Reference:
Diven, T.; Perez, M.; & Reyes, T. (2018) Retrieved May 7, 2018, from Factor Pair Up website:
https://gibbonsevh3.wixsite.com/onlinegame
Sobotka, K. (2018, April 23). Socrative. Retrieved from https://www.commonsense.org/education/website/socrative
Moodle:
When I first entered U.O.G., my teachers made it a point to make students create a moodle account. At first, I did not know why moodle was so special to use? However, after trying out the platform, I understand why teachers like using it.
Pros: Moodle is a platform where students can turn in their assignments, take tests, answer questions, or communicate with the teacher. I feel it is much better then emailing a teacher your assignments. Once you submit your assignment, it can give you an email saying your assignment was submitted. I feel teachers and students benefit from this platform.
Cons: Moodle logs the student out if they are not using the site, which is frustrating. Moodle is also said to not be compatible with Google Chrome which is not a problem for me, but might be a problem for others. Lastly, when submitting assignments, there are too many confirmations that come along with it.
Overall I give Moodle: 3/5
Chrome:
Google Chrome is a web browser. In all honesty, I prefer to use morzilla firefox. However, Google Chrome is known for being fast, being simple to use, having good security, and allowing its users to use incognito mode.
Con: One con I found with this web browser is that it is not recommended to use for Moodle.
I would rate this web browser 5/5 because it does what it is meant to do, even though it is not recommended when using Moodle.
Google Apps:
The google apps is a life safer for people who need to do group projects. The google apps was especially useful for my group and I. We used Google Docs a lot in order to jot down our ideas for our presentations. In addition, we also used google hangout to communicate with one other if one of our members was missing from our group. It is also like an online storage for your work. Lastly, it always saves your work.
I rate google apps : 5/5
Livebinder:
Livebinder is a platform that I was introduced to just this semester.
Pros: The cool thing about livebinder is that it works as a storage and saves websites that you find is important to you. That way, you can find what you want, just like how a binder works.
Cons: The problem I have with Livebinder is that there are some links that do not wish to show up when you insert it into a tab. It is also a little confusing when you want to place photos in the livebinder. Lastly, you have to play around with it a lot to finally figure out how to use it.
I rate this platform 3/5
Socrative:
If you want a great audience interaction tool, Socrative is the one for you.
Pros: Socrative is free so anyone can create an account. It is also easy to navigate through. Socrative has a variety of ways for teachers to ask questions. Teachers can ask multiple choice questions, true or false questions, or short answer questions. Socrative also gives the option to the teacher to make the lesson teacher paced or student paced. Lastly, you can use other teachers quizzes from Socrative.
Cons: A con stated from "Common Sense Education: Socrative" is that teachers need to be "diligent" when collecting data from the socrative quizzes in order to see the students progress.
Overall, I give Socrative a 4/5
Kahoot:
My experience with Kahoot was very memorable for me in high school. It was a great tool to help students review what they have learned in class.
Pros: Is a fun audience interaction tool that will bring the competitiveness in students. With this competitiveness it allows students to pay attention to the game. It also engages students into having discussions about the answers for the questions. It also gives students motivation to do better when they see the score board for the quiz. They can also use their devices to interact with kahoot.
Cons: It only deals with multiple choice questions, but I do understand why it is multiple choice.
I give Kahoot 5/5
Wix:
Wix is a website builder that can be very beneficial for teachers. I uses wix for one of my projects for ED271 called "Factor Pair up" and it was fun to create.
Pros: Can be free if you want it to be, it is simple to use, you can be creative, and it is fun to use.
Cons: It is difficult to simultaneously work with a group to edit website. If two people are working on the website at the same time, someone's work might not be saved.
I rate this website: 4/5
Prezi:
Unlike the other technology tools, the last one is a presentation tool. Prezi is a free presentation tool that allows people to collaborate with one another at the same time. Unlike google slides, Prezi allows the presenter to make the slides and words move in a variety of ways. Prezi also allows you to choose whether you wish to put the presentation private, or open to the public.
Con: Sometimes the way students make their presentation can make the viewer dizzy from all the shifting to different slides. It also takes a lot to get used to, sometimes you would want to try input something, but you accidentally mark it to be the next slide to go to.
I give Prezi: 3/5
Reference:
Diven, T.; Perez, M.; & Reyes, T. (2018) Retrieved May 7, 2018, from Factor Pair Up website:
https://gibbonsevh3.wixsite.com/onlinegame
Sobotka, K. (2018, April 23). Socrative. Retrieved from https://www.commonsense.org/education/website/socrative
Hi:
ReplyDeleteYour Wix evaluation has 1 spelling and 1 grammar error.
-j-