ClassTools - create interactive tools and games for Education

ClassTools is a free site that allows you to create free educational games, activities, quizzes, and more. You can host them on your own website or blog and there is no sign up required.

They also have some great templates, including Fakebook (create fake Facebook pages), Arcade game generator, QR code game generator and even have classroom timers, and a random name picker.

There are video tutorials on how to use the available tools also.

There are some great tools here for teachers to use to make some great activities for students. You could also have students use the tools to create projects for class.

NOTE: They are Flash based.

Most Read Posts from past week on Ed Tech Guy

The rocket launches went great this week and senior finals start next Tuesday. I can't believe the school year is almost over.

As we enjoy this long Memorial Day Weekend in the United States, take a moment to remember the brave men and women who have given their lives to defend our freedom.

 

Here are the most read posts from the past week: And don't forget to check the posts on Friday.They don't always have time to become the most read, but there are usually some good ones there (and of course  check out all of the articles on the site). Peruse some of the older ones also.


1. NearPod - create and share lessons on iPads in classroom - free
2. Livescribe SmartPen - 5 years of smartpen use and my review

3. 100 Ways You Should Be Using Facebook in Your Classroom

4. InstallFree Nexus - us MS Office or LibreOffice on any device through the cloud and

Update on InstallFree Nexus and Rndr - work great on a Chromebook!

5. Game On - Increasing Learning through Online Games

6. Giza 3D - great, interactive 3D recreation of the Great Pyramids

7. Google Doodle Honors Bob Moog - inventor of Moog Synthesizer

8. Rockets Project a Success! Fun day launching today




Don't forget to check out the permanent pages at the top of the site too!

I am also available to speak at your school or conference and to facilitate professional development sessions.  I will work with you and your staff to tailor a training plan that works for you.


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EngineerGuy - great videos and resources on how things work

EngineerGuy is a very cool site by Bill Hammack. He explores and explains technology and the human side of technology, in videos and radio pieces, along with some books.

He teaches at the University of Illinois, was a US Diplomat (Senior Science Adviser at the Department of State), and has received awards for his work.

The videos and radio shows have explored nanotechnology, smart phones, mood rings, new inventions, light bulbs, smoke detectors, the accelerometer in a smart phone and much more. The videos are well done, explain the technology in an easy to understand way, and are very interesting.

The videos are a great way to learn about technology and different topics, as well as to share with your students. The videos can be viewed on his site (they are hosted on YouTube) and you can also listen to his radio shows and read different white papers he has written.

I will be using some of the videos as introductions to topics or to get my students engaged and excited about some topics.


Check it out: http://www.engineerguy.com/


More great STEM Resources.

Chalkable - educational apps and classroom management system

Chalkable is a site that lists the best education apps in one place and lets you buy it through the Chalkable site. You can search apps by keyword, or browse by categories like Math, Science, History and more.



It is also a learning platform, providing a calendar, messaging, grade book, and attendance for teachers and students to use.



Teacher and Administrator versions are in Beta and free. The student version is in beta, is $10 per year, and includes $5 towards apps.

It could be a nice way to have classroom management system and apps all in one place.


Related:

EDU 2.0 - free course management system for schools

5 Great course management resources for educators

it's learning Course Management System

OpenClass - Pearson and Google combine to make free LMS

Learnboost online planner/gradebook announces new admin features

Binder Clips - lots of great uses for these little guys

I love binder clips. They are a great resource for organizing paper. But, since I've gone very close to paperless, I have tons of them around with nothing to use them on. Or so I thought.

Lifehacker is one of my favorite sites. They have tips, tricks, information, news and more on pretty much everything. They also have tons of ideas on how to use binder clips. 

You can use binder clips as photo display stands or note stands.

You can use binder clips as emergency cuff links, hold toothpaste, mount a smartphone, organize cables and wires, as pen holders, and other fun uses. 

I use them to hold and organize cables all the time. Clip the binder clip to a table or desk and use the handles to hold the cables in place. 

And they have some other great uses for them too.

As more and more people go paperless, we are going to have more and more orphaned binder clips. Lets give them homes and uses.

What other ways to you use binder clips?

Related:

Some more tips for going paperless

Tools to go Paperless (in school and at home)

Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program - should be taught to all students

The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program is a program from the NRA (National Rifle Association) that teaches children in Pre-K through 3rd grade four important steps to take if they find a gun. It's a simple, easy to remember format:

If you see a gun: STOP! Don't Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult. 

It was recently in the news when a young child who had been taught the program found a gun and followed the program.

I am a member of the NRA and I own a firearm. I have been shooting since I was a Boy Scout. I believe in the 2nd Amendment. I also believe in enforcing gun laws and firearm safety. I don't have any children, but my pistol is safely secured at home and I follow all safety rules.

Unfortunately, not everyone in this world follows gun safety rules and there are many illegal guns in our world. As educators, we should be teaching our students more than our curriculum and content and teach them important life skills and safety information.

Anyone can teach the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program and is easily integrated into school curriculum. There are materials available, including workbooks, videos, instructor guides and more. There is a nominal fee for the program, but schools can apply for grant funding for it. It was developed in cooperation with firearms experts and educators.

The purpose of the Eddie Eagle Program isn't to teach whether guns are good or bad, but rather to promote the protection and safety of children. The program makes no value judgments about firearms, and no firearms are ever used in the program. Like swimming pools, electrical outlets, matchbooks and household poison, they're treated simply as a fact of everyday life. With firearms found in about half of all American households, it's a stance that makes sense.Eddie Eagle is never shown touching a firearm, and he does not promote firearm ownership or use. The program prohibits the use of Eddie Eagle mascots anywhere that guns are present. The Eddie Eagle Program has no agenda other than accident prevention -- ensuring that children stay safe should they encounter a gun. The program never mentions the NRA. Nor does it encourage children to buy guns or to become NRA members. The NRA does not receive any appropriations from Congress, nor is it a trade organization. It is not affiliated with any firearm or ammunition manufacturers or with any businesses that deal in guns and ammunition.

eduClipper - clip anything, share everything

eduClipper is a new app coming from EduTecher Adam Bellow. eduClipper is in sign up mode now and promises to provide a way to clip anything from the web and then share it with anyone.

Knowing Adam, this will be a great resource for educators and students.

Sign up to be notified when it's ready to go.

Related:

EduTecher - explore and share educational web tools