Adobe Express: Your New Favorite Quick and Easy Graphic Design Tool
In this lesson, we explored Adobe Express, a user-friendly graphic design tool that offers a wide range of templates and customization options for creating visual content, making it particularly beneficial for educators and students. The platform features collaborative tools, AI-driven design suggestions, and educational resources, allowing users to easily create everything from posters to logos while enhancing their creativity. Overall, Adobe Express stands out as an accessible and versatile option for anyone looking to produce engaging visual media.
Involving Parents In Digital Citizenship
The lesson emphasizes the importance of involving parents in discussions about digital citizenship to enhance online safety for students. By providing resources like parent tip sheets and quizzes, as well as hosting events focused on internet safety, teachers can facilitate meaningful conversations between parents and children about online behavior. This collaborative approach not only educates families but also strengthens their communication regarding digital challenges.
Power of Words — OLD VERSION
The lesson “Power of Words” emphasizes the impact that unkind words can have on individuals, particularly in online interactions. It introduces the S-T-O-P rule as a strategy for dealing with hurtful comments: Step away from the situation, Tell a trusted adult, Only use safe sites, and Pause before acting. The lesson encourages kindness and support in online communication, reminding participants that there are real people behind the screens who deserve respect.
ByteLearn: A Math Homework Helper That’s Not Built for Cheating?
ByteLearn is a promising free math homework helper designed for middle school students, offering personalized learning through step-by-step guidance and differentiated problem sets. Teachers can easily create assignments aligned with Common Core standards and adjust difficulty levels, while students benefit from engaging feedback and support that encourages a deeper understanding of math concepts. Although its content is currently limited, ByteLearn is a valuable resource for enhancing math practice and can complement other educational tools.
Artsonia: Give Your Art Students an Authentic Audience
Artsonia is an online platform that allows students to showcase their artwork in a virtual gallery, making it accessible to a global audience. It offers features for teachers to manage student submissions, provides educational resources for learning new art techniques, and even includes a gift shop where artwork can be turned into products, benefiting school art programs. With a focus on safety and community, Artsonia encourages young artists to share their creativity while building a personal portfolio of their artistic journey.
Involving Parents in Digital Citzenship
The lesson emphasizes the importance of involving parents in discussions about digital citizenship and online safety, using the Common Sense Media curriculum as a foundation. By providing resources, homework assignments, and workshops, teachers encourage families to engage in conversations about internet safety, ensuring that both students and parents are informed and can communicate effectively about online issues. This collaborative approach fosters a supportive environment for children as they navigate the digital world.
Understanding Fair Use in A Digital World
In this lesson on “Understanding Fair Use in a Digital World,” we explored the concept of fair use in copyright law, which allows individuals to use small portions of copyrighted works legally under specific circumstances, such as for education, criticism, or commentary. We examined examples like parodies and mashups to illustrate how transformative use can qualify as fair use, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking when determining if a use is fair. Ultimately, understanding fair use is essential for respecting others’ creative works while fostering our own creativity in the digital landscape.
StoryMaker: A Site That Actually Gives Students a Voice (And Not Just Lip Service)
The lesson introduces Story Maker, a platform developed by PBS’s Student Reporting Labs that empowers students to create media content like videos and podcasts, potentially reaching a national audience through PBS NewsHour. It provides a user-friendly interface, resources for learning journalism and media-making skills, and encourages students to explore diverse perspectives through interviews and storytelling. With support options available, Story Maker is an excellent tool for fostering media literacy and creativity in the classroom.
Struggling to Find a Research-Based and -Backed Literacy Program? Check Out ThinkCERCA
In this lesson, Chrissy and Tanner from Common Sense Education introduce ThinkCERCA, an online tool designed to enhance reading and writing skills through the CIRC framework (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning, Counter-Argument, and Audience). They highlight its alignment with Common Core standards, its applicability across various subjects, and its structured modules that support learners from grade 3 to 12. While ThinkCERCA is not free, its effectiveness and comprehensive resources make it a valuable addition to classroom learning.
Roadtrip Nation: One of the Best Sites for Career (and Life) Inspiration
The lesson introduces Road Trip Nation, an engaging program designed to help students explore various career paths through a docu-series that features interviews with professionals across the United States. It offers resources such as live events, a roadmap tool for personalized career planning, educational videos, and a five-hour course that includes skill development and professional interviews. Overall, Road Trip Nation encourages students to connect their interests with potential careers in a fun and inspiring way.