Software Tools in the Classroom

Materials Generators

• Materials generators help teacher and students produce instructional materials on paper and online (Roblyer p. 141). This resource is helpful for students and teachers. Google web designer is a helpful tool for animations https://www.google.com/webdesigner/.

• I would use the puzzle generator in my Social Science class http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/CrissCrossSetupForm.asp. This software allows students to enjoy their assignments while still learning.

Data Collections & Analysis Tools

• This tool helps teachers collect and organize information to provide feedback and support decision making (Roblyer p. 141). One great surveying tool is Survey Monkey https://www.surveymonkey.com/
• I will use the PowerSchool software tool in my classroom with the teachers, administrators, and parents to allow them to keep track with the students progress https://www.powerschool.com/.

Testing and Grading Tools

• Testing and grading tools allow collection and tracking of assessment information to measure student progress (Roblyer p. 142). Examples of some software program are electronic gradebook and test generators. GradeCam is a great tool to use for grading https://gradecam.com/.
• The software I will use in my classroom is Zipgrade https://www.zipgrade.com/. This software allows me to grade students test from my mobile device.

Graphic Tools

• Graphic tools allows teachers and students to create graphs and other visual data (Roblyer p. 142). Using the tool Tagul is a great way to make your word into art https://tagul.com/.
• I will use Canva in my classroom https://www.canva.com/. This software  creates graphs, posters, flyers and many other creative documents. I can use this software to send home important information to parents.

Planning and Organizing Tools

• Planning and organizing tools help organize ideas for writing and discussion; help organize, plan, and schedule activities (Roblyer p. 142). A great tool for planning projects is Thought Plan https://thoughtplan.com/.
• Tools that help teachers develop and document their descriptions of lessons are sometimes called lesson makers or lesson planners (Roblyer p.161). I will definitely use the Lesson Planning Software, My Lesson Planner, in my classroom to help cut down time with written planning. This link will get you started to a simple, easy, and more organized lesson planning https://www.mylessonplanner.com/.

Research and Reference Tools

• Research and reference tools include digital versions of encyclopedias, atlases and mapping tools, and dictionaries and thesauruses (Roblyer p. 162) Here is a tool for a government class http://www.loc.gov/rr/.
•  I am open to using different research and reference tools in my classroom. One software I am will try is Zotero. Zotero is the only research tool that automatically senses content in your web browser, allowing you to add it to your personal library with a single click https://www.zotero.org/.

Content-Area Tools

• Content-area tools support tasks specific to content areas such as technology education, music, reading, science, math, social studies, and foreign languages (Roblyer p.142). A great tool for language translation is google translator  https://translate.google.com/.
• In my Social Science class i would use the tool Epals http://www.epals.com/#/connections. This will allow my students to interact with students their age across the country. I can monitor their use and also set a age limit.