Get creative with technology

Interviewing for my first job I remember one of the questions being, “How do you plan on integrating technology into your classroom?” 
Now, twelve years ago we said things like using the SMART board, listening to books online, finding content on the internet to enhance our lessons, or having students do research on the computer. We viewed technology completely differently than we view it today. In fact, just two years ago until now the use of technology in education has taken on a whole different meaning. Let’s stop and think for a minute about how all of us had to go on a HUGE learning curve when moving to online teaching. We had to learn new programs like Google Classroom and Schoology all while we were trying to teach our students to use the tech and learn the content. Both Kara and I follow a pretty helpful rule when using technology in our classrooms. If the content is new the technology is not. If the technology is new the content is not. This allows students to focus on one thing or the other without becoming completely overwhelmed trying to learn two major things at once. 
    Since our primary use of technology has changed to a platform to learn content instead of a way to showcase our learning, we need to remember to still incorporate ways for students to see the use of technology in different ways and to be able to be creative. It doesn’t matter if you are still teaching completely online, hybrid, or you are face to face in the classroom, integrating technology in a creative way can help students not only understand content, but be able to show their strengths and their creativity. We have come up with a list of different apps and ways to use technology with your students.

PicCollage: This app has endless possibilities and is a great one to start with because it is very user friendly and did I mention it is FREE

• Have students create a collage and label the content
• Use it as a green screen for a writing piece by putting them in the place they are writing about. 
• All About Me collage to start off the new school year
• Goals for the year with words and pictures
  

Book Creator: This app is a great way to start small and build up. This app is also FREE for one book or you can pay to be able to create more books at the same time.

• Create a science journal and have students document their learning by using pictures, words, and even videos. 
• Keep a morning journal book. Students can add pictures to their writing. 
• Present a research project by incorporating nonfiction features. ​

Clips: This is a friendly way to create a quick movie presentation, you can even add music!​

• Poetry Unit: Students compile their favorite poems, video themself reading their own written poem, and then add pictures and transitions to make it a movie. 
  
• Any Research Project
  
• How to math concept: Be the teacher by creating a movie on how to do a math concept
  
• Tell a Story: Make your narrative story into a video with pictures, videos, subtitles, and music
  

ChatterPix: Make any picture come to life and talk​

• Animal Research: take a picture of the animal and record facts
• History: Make a famous historical person share their story or highlights about their life
  
• All About Me: Take a selfie and share your favorite things

Animoto: Interactive app that provides a great way to present information​

• Research projects
  
• Science experiences
  
• Math Concepts
  
• Writing process
  

Draw and Tell or SuperHero Comic Book Maker: These are great apps for a primary classroom made by Duck Duck Moose. Students can draw, add stickers, and manipulate while recording.

• Show understanding of plot
  
• Characters and setting to tell a short story
  
• Show understanding of a math concept like adding/subtracting three digit numbers
  
• Verbally tell their own narrative story before putting it down on paper. ​
  

G Suite for Education: Whether you are waiting to create a slides presentation, use drawing for math, or write a document with hyperlinks these apps are great for incorporating creativity into your classroom with technology. These are some of our favorites from the G Suite.

• Google Slides
  
• Google Docs
  
• Google Drawing
  
• Google Jamboard
  

Sock Puppet: Remember as a kid taking socks and turning them into puppets? Well this is the digital version. It has a voice changing and the kids love it!

• Students debate with each other on a topic supporting with facts
  
• Tell a story
  
• Collaborate with a peer and create a plot
  
• Explain steps to a process
  
• Talk about historical events
  

Notes/Voice Memos: These apps are a great resource at any grade level. They come standard on an iPad and they’re FREE! A few of the ideas we have are geared more for the older grades, but could be modified for the younger grades as well.

• Taking notes for class - could insert pics and voice 
  
• Use to create podcast for certain unit or project 
  
• Daily Journals
  

Do Ink: This app is fantastic if you are needing a green screen. This one does cost money but it's worth it! ​

GarageBand: Give students the ability to be creative with music. 

Two teachers for teachers,
Megan and Kara