Tech Tools for Teachers

Shanna Martin
Tech Tools for Teachers

The Tech Tools for Teachers Podcast is hosted by Shanna Martin, an instructional and technology coach focused on helping you find and understand free educational technology tools that you can use in your classroom. Free resources are available at smartinwi.com. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Designing Dream Parks! 🎡

    This week, we dive into the exciting world of amusement parks, showcasing two innovative websites that can be utilized for educational purposes in the classroom. We explore how these tools can help students engage in inquiry-based learning by designing their own amusement parks, integrating planning, mapping, and problem-solving skills into the project. The first site discussed is education.iconograms.com, which allows students to create and customize amusement park maps, incorporating various elements like buildings, roads, and attractions. The second site, themeparkbrochures.net, offers a treasure trove of historical park maps and brochures, providing a unique way to teach mapping skills and explore the evolution of amusement parks over time. Throughout the episode, we explore the fun and creativity these tools bring to learning, encouraging teachers to integrate them into their lessons for an engaging classroom experience. Takeaways: The episode highlights two educational sites designed for students to create and map amusement parks. Teachers can incorporate creativity and problem-solving by allowing students to design their own parks. Using digital tools for planning helps students learn essential mapping and design skills. The discussion includes a personal backstory about amusement parks, enhancing relatability and engagement. Listeners are encouraged to explore theme park maps from past decades to learn mapping skills. The episode emphasizes the importance of integrating fun activities in the classroom to maintain student interest. Mentioned in this episode: Education Podcast Network Tech Tools for Teachers is part of the Education Podcast Network. https://www.edupodcastnetwork.com/ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    20 min
  2. JAN 13

    Making Language Learning Accessible with Colorin Colorado

    This week, Shanna and Fuzz explore the invaluable resources available on Colorin Colorado, a website dedicated to supporting English learners in the classroom. They highlight the site's wealth of tools designed for teachers, parents, and administrators, making it easier to meet the diverse needs of students learning English. Listeners will learn about key features such as grade-level support, bilingual resources for families, and a comprehensive resource library filled with books, articles, and videos. Shanna emphasizes the importance of these tools for fostering an inclusive learning environment, especially for new teachers or those welcoming English learners into their classrooms. Tune in for practical insights and tips on effectively utilizing Colorin Colorado to enhance student learning and engagement. Takeaways: Colorin Colorado is an excellent resource for teachers supporting English learners in the classroom. The website offers invaluable parent resources available in both English and Spanish to assist families. Teachers can access a robust library of professional development materials and resources for various audiences. The site provides tools to help teachers sort resources by audience, enhancing usability and accessibility. New teachers can benefit from guides on teaching English learners and classroom vocabulary in Spanish. Colorin Colorado features articles, videos, and tips for effectively supporting English language learners. Links referenced in this episode: colorincolorado.comsmartinwi.combuymeacoffee.com/smartinwi Mentioned in this episode: Education Podcast Network Tech Tools for Teachers is part of the Education Podcast Network. https://www.edupodcastnetwork.com/ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    12 min
  3. 12/16/2024 · BONUS

    Elfster Makes Holiday Gifting Fun and Easy!

    Shanna and Fuzz dive into the fun and easy world of gift exchanges with a tool called Elfster. This platform streamlines the process of organizing gift swaps, making it a breeze to set up events and create wish lists. Whether it’s for the holidays, birthdays, or any special occasion, Elfster eliminates the stress of coordination by allowing participants to easily share their gift preferences. Shanna highlights how it can be a game-changer for teachers, helping them manage gift exchanges without adding to their already packed to-do lists. They also discuss the flexibility of the platform, which can be used for various types of exchanges beyond just holiday gifting, making it a versatile tool for anyone looking to celebrate with friends, family, or colleagues. Takeaways: Elfster is a user-friendly platform that simplifies organizing gift exchanges for any occasion. The tool allows participants to create wish lists, making it easier for gift givers. It's free to use and takes only minutes to set up a gift exchange. Elfster helps eliminate the stress of coordinating gift exchanges among friends or colleagues. You can use Elfster beyond the holidays for events like Teacher Appreciation Week or birthdays. Participants receive notifications when their gift recipients update their wish lists in real-time. Links referenced in this episode: elfster.combuymeacoffee.com/smartinwismartinwi.com Mentioned in this episode: Education Podcast Network Tech Tools for Teachers is part of the Education Podcast Network. https://www.edupodcastnetwork.com/ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    11 min
  4. 12/09/2024

    Corgi and Hour of Code!

    Hey, educators! Episode 199 has a few fun tools that will help supercharge your classroom toolkit! This week, we are highlighting Corgi! It does have cute pup for a logo, but really it is here to help you co-organize your learning. Developed by CAST, the Universal Design for Learning experts, Corgi is about to become your new best friend in educational technology. Corgi is an innovative tool from CAST designed to support Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in the classroom. Takeaways: The Corgi tool from CAST is designed to support Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. Corgi helps educators create personalized graphic organizers to facilitate student learning effectively. Hour of Code is celebrated annually to promote computer science education and engagement in schools. Teachers can utilize Corgi's features to provide accessibility options for diverse student needs. Interactive guides within Corgi allow students to engage with content through various formats. The podcast emphasizes the importance of integrating technology tools like Corgi into lesson plans. Links referenced in this episode: corgi2.cast.orghour of code Mentioned in this episode: Education Podcast Network Tech Tools for Teachers is part of the Education Podcast Network. https://www.edupodcastnetwork.com/ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    19 min
  5. 11/04/2024

    Clusive: Elevating Reading Accessibility

    This week, we dive into Clusive, an innovative reading tool designed with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles in mind. Clusive is an inclusive platform that provides personalized reading resources tailored to the needs of all students, making it easier for educators to support diverse learners in their classrooms. The tool offers a variety of settings for text size, font styles, and background colors, ensuring accessibility for students with different learning needs. Additionally, Clusive allows teachers to track student progress and engagement while providing a wealth of reading materials that can be leveled according to individual abilities. Join us as we explore how Clusive can transform reading experiences for students and streamline lesson planning for teachers. Elevate Reading Accessibility with Clusive: Your All-in-One UDL Reading Platform Takeaways: The Clusive platform provides a wealth of resources designed to meet diverse student needs. Teachers can easily track student progress and engagement through the Clusive dashboard features. Clusive allows for customizable reading experiences by adjusting text size, font, and background color. The tool supports inclusivity by offering various reading levels and text adaptations. Students can reflect on their reading experiences through emotional responses after each article. Clusive is free to use, making it accessible for teachers and students alike. Links referenced in this episode: clusive.cast.org Mentioned in this episode: Education Podcast Network Tech Tools for Teachers is part of the Education Podcast Network. https://www.edupodcastnetwork.com/ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

    17 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The Tech Tools for Teachers Podcast is hosted by Shanna Martin, an instructional and technology coach focused on helping you find and understand free educational technology tools that you can use in your classroom. Free resources are available at smartinwi.com. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

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