Technology Tips: Flubaroo & Google Forms

I love spending some downtime on Pinterest, you often find some amazing ideas.  I recently came across using Google Forms  & the add on "Flubaroo" to grade work.  

Now I don't often give worksheets/quizzes to give to students, but I will give one every once in a while to assess and/or document progress.  (Unfortunately, our system focuses a lot on data.)

Why waste time on grading multiple choice work when you can a script to do that for you?  

I came across this idea through this Tech with Jen post & she has a great tutorial for how to set up Flubaroo!  Check out her post and video, I found it very helpful.

Here's a video featured on their website:

Add your technology tip!

An InLinkz Link-up

Tech Tip: Showbie App

Showbie App

I was in as a Relief Teacher for a Year 6 class today and I came across a new app that I found quite beneficial! It's called Showbie, and you could easily scan a page, upload it to your classroom, and give the code to students and they would complete the "worksheet" on their iPad and instantly turn it in.

The Benefits

1.) It's FREE! Yay!
2.) Less paper copies needed! (Great for those you only get a certain amount.)
3.) Less chance for students to lose papers.
4.) Easy grading/documentation for anything (data meetings, student portfolio, etc.)
5.) Students can easily write and erase without extra materials.

This is such a great tool, especially if you have a device set for your classroom.  I'm seeing more and more schools using iPads/devices in the classroom.  This is such a great eco-friendly substitute to all those papers!  Watch the quick informational video:

My Review

After seeing this in action, I'm definitely saving this as something to add to my classroom! Helpful for both the teacher and students.

Have you used this or something similar in your class?

Virtual Dice

I've used dice with so many games & activities in the classroom, not just for math.  However, I had an abundance of 6-sided dice and limited multi-sided dice.  I came across Virtual Dice and it's been a great way to get some dice customized for your class.  I definitely used this with whole group games.

You have the choice of 6, 8, 10, and 12 sided dice.  You can also customize the faces of your dice with up to 5 characters.  (Great for my class with differentiate instruction when some of my students mastered basic multiplication facts easily.)

This is great for reading as well!  I used the 8 sided dice with story elements and used it in small groups.  We focused on: characters - protagonist, characters - antagonist, setting - time, setting - place, plot, problem, solution, and What If...  During What If... I would ask questions from the story that to students would answer if we changed something.

Some more Virtual Dice Websites:

• http://dice.virtuworld.net (Similar to previous site, but with visible ads.)
• http://www.roll-dice-online.com (Lots of choices!)
• http://www.random.org/dice (Roll a number of 6 sided dice randomly.)
• http://www.curriculumbits.com/prodimages/details/maths/mat0005.html (Game like, also includes positive and negative numbers.)

Do you use dice in your class?  Share your ideas!

Utilizing a Class Website

One thing that has changed tremendously since I was in school is the use of technology!  I was part of the generation that was introduced to computers and got to spend time once a week in the computer lab with limited educational games. Not the case these days!

Click to visit my Class Website!

My previous school was undergoing a transition to incorporate more technology in the classroom.  We got smart boards, projectors, media stations, an additional computer lab, and another student computer in each classroom.  With more computers being available, and WiFi available for my class devices, I decided to create a class website to utilize in the classroom.

My Vision

My goal was to create a website for the students to use in class and at home.  I wanted them to have interactive games and activities to reinforce skills taught in class.  The students would use computer cards they got from our Treasure Box when they finished their work early and get the chance to play these games in class.  I encouraged them to use the website at home, especially when they didn't feel comfortable with specific skills.