Learning Playlists

Earlier this winter I attended the ICE conference and noticed that many presenters were using a Web tool called MentorMob.  As soon as I saw it I knew that it was something that I wanted to try out.  MentorMob is a free tool that allows you to create learning playlists.  What is a learning playlist you ask...well watch the short video below.



These playlists can include articles, websites, videos, images and even quizzes.  It allows you to create a space to compile resources for students to use during a research project or for an introduction to a unit or for that matter a whole unit.  You can use the space to collect digital projects to share with family, friends or the community.  I think it is a great tool to use to create a more student centered learning environment.  Best of all they can easily be embedded into websites, blogs or learning management systems (ie. Edmodo).
I recently started a collection of resources for our third grade teachers to use in their class.  They are starting a unit on Canada and Mexico and their relationship to us.  Instead of the teachers standing in front of the class sharing information about the two countries for the next few weeks, the kids will visit the playlist, collect their own information and then create an eBook sharing what they learned.  The teachers are then freed up to facilitate as needed and teach the more difficult to understand information. Take a peek at the start of our playlist!

Create your own Playlist on MentorMob!

Text to Speech

Being a former first grade teacher I always struggled with students having the ability to read online content. I would search and search for sites that the students would not struggle reading. Many times I would pair them with buddies from higher grades to help them with their research or project. Other times I would set up our MacBook's text-to-speak option and teach the students the key combination short-cut. However, not everyone has MacBooks with that option!
I recently came across two text-to-speech extensions for the Chrome Browser,  Select and Speak and Announcify.  Both can be added to your browser toolbar in just a few seconds.

Select and Speak: highlight any text on a webpage, click the icon in your browser, and listen to the reading of the text.  Great for younger students who are just learning how to read, for struggling students or for students who just need help with a few words now and again.


Announcify: any time you're viewing a webpage you can just click on the icon in your browser and have the whole page read to you. It enlarges the text on the page and removes all sidebar content as well, making it easier to read. 

Follow the links, install the extensions and happy listening!

Running Records and iPads...

Tired of papers piling up on your desk, having trouble finding time to score your running records...?

Well, this app is for you!  

My colleague was introduced to Record of Reading in her graduate class and she was sold.  This app is an exact replica of a running record form - except it is digital!  It allows you to take a running record using your iPad (more efficient if you use a stylus) and then it scores it for you - all of the formulas are embedded within the app.  It also allows you to record the student reading, so you can replay it if needed.  Once the record is calculated you can then email it in PDF form to yourself or better yet couple this app with Evernote and organize all of your running records in one place - you can go completely paperless!    BEST OF ALL....IT'S FREE!