2024 Web Tools

By: Kaytlin Czeslaw

As educators, it is essential to cultivate an environment where students not only excel on an academic level but where students can also grow emotionally and socially. One effective way to achieve this is by incorporating activities that encourage students to reflect on thankfulness and appreciation. Such activites are able to have a profound impact on their overall development and help foster a positive classroom culture.

The main element of these discussion questions that stands out to me is that they allow students to share something they are thankful for and really think about what makes them feel thankful. It could be a person, an experience, or even a small moment that brings them joy and sharing so can help them connect with that aspect from outside of the classroom.

Implementing the value of thankfulness and gratitude in the classroom is crucial for many reasons, including promoting positive mental health, building empathy and compassion, strengthening the classroom community, and encouraging self-reflection.

Another aspect I really like about this activity is that it allows students to take the time to express the gratitude they feel. This alone helps students to really touch with those emotions and build a stronger relationship with what or who they are grateful for.

In conclusion, this activity centered around gratitude and thankfulness is more than just a way to fill time in the classroom; it is a powerful way for emotional and social development. By encouraging students to reflect on thankfulness and appreciation, we as educators can create a more positive and supportive classroom, which is something I strongly value.

By: Kaytlin Czeslaw

In the ever-evolving world of educational technology, various tools have since emerged to create some of the best immersive learning experiences. These technologies are not just about using gadgets; they offer a dynamic way that encourages more engagement and helps students open up new avenues for global collaboration.

Lessons with Interactive Tools

Interactive tools allow students to explore new concepts and scenarios that would otherwise be harder to access. Interactive tools provide a sense of presence and engagement that traditional methods cannot match. Some best practices for using interactive tools in the classroom include integrating with curriculum, interactive discussions, and creating your own content. These practices help complement lesson plans, help encourage students to discuss their observations and experiences, and enhance their understanding while also developing their technical skills.

Gamification of the Classroom

Gamification in the classroom takes engagement to a whole new level by incorporating game-like elements into the learning journey. Gamification can be used for things like virtual field trips, interactive simulations, and collaborative projects with students from around the world. Some of the best practices for incorporating gamification into the classroom include starting with simple applications, focusing on interaction, and facilitating global collaborations. These practices help with offering games that offer a range of quizzes that are easy to integrate into lessons, encouraging students to interact with the content, and help students gain a better understanding of global perspective.

Incorporating interactive tools and gamification into your teacher toolkit can help transform your classroom into a vibrant, inclusive, and interactive learning environment. By following these practices, educators can create a more memorable educational experience.

Teachers, students, and institutions around the world can share ideas, resources, and cultural perspectives through global collaboration in education. Most Teachers and students from different schools can collaborate on projects, share resources, and learn about other teaching methods by utilizing technology and linked platforms. In addition to improving educational quality, this cooperative method fosters inclusivity and understanding between people. Students can learn about global issues like social justice and climate change and acquire the skills necessary to address them collectively through collaborations between educational institutions, international organizations, and schools.

In addition, international cooperation eliminates obstacles based on geography and culture, fostering a common learning environment that values diversity. Students and teachers are able to create cross-border networks through collaborative research projects, international conferences, and exchange programs that are virtual. Through these exchanges, kids are developing communication, critical thinking, and cross-cultural understanding skills which can possible help them become global citizens in the future. Global collaboration prepares people to prosper in an increasingly interconnected world by prioritizing cooperation over competition and fostering a sense of solidarity and shared responsibility.

By: Kaytlin Czeslaw

Integrating something like YouTube 360 into your classroom can revolutionize a student’s educational experience. Providing students with something so immersive and interactive, it allows for enhancement and more engagement in the school. This technology tool also opens the door to global collaborations that can help provide a deeper understanding of diverse cultures and persepctives.

YouTube 360 offers a panoramic video experience that allows students to explore environments and scenarios as if they were physically there themselves. Picture this: A science class where they can explore the wonders of the ocean. The level of immersion YouTube 360 brings can make any learning experience more tangible and memorable. YouTube 360 videos an be shared and accessed on a global scale, enabling classrooms from all different parts of the world to join in on the immersive experience. This technology also helps with global collaboration by allowing joint projects and the sharing of different environments.

Incorporation of this part of technology into the classroom will not only enhance the learning experience but it will also help prepare students for a future where digital literacy and global collaboration are fundamental skills. By taking advantage of something such as YouTube 360, educators can create an environment built on inclusive learning that goes beyond traditional classroom experiences.

By: Raquel Pearsall

Youtube has many 360 videos, that take users inside areas they haven’t been, thought of, or learned about yet. You can watch videos of the Amazon rain forest to learn how beautiful it is, and why it’s important to everyone. Or you may even like the tomb explorers who go into a more historical stream via VR. VR has unlimited potentials, amazing graphics, and its an innovated way to teach in the future!

We can see a cute sloth climbing down a tree, while feeling like we’re actually there! If the user has a VR they can literally turn their neck or look up anytime they want for a almost life like true feeling.

This is a great way to give your students an insight to different cultures and areas we must focus on that need help. The Amazon for example, we must promote protection for the trees and animals even if we don’t live there!

Virtual reality which is abbreviated to (VR) is revolutionizing learning environments by offering interactive, immersive experiences that go beyond the confines of the conventional classroom. Using this in classrooms can positively advance international cooperation in a number of meaningful ways. Complex jobs like doing scientific experiments or practicing medical methods can be simulated by virtual reality. Without requiring costly physical setups, these simulations allow students all throughout the world to learn standardized skills. There are virtual classrooms all around the world, students and educators from different countries can connect with other countries to collaborate on projects, discuss global issues and even do joint lessons together.

Virtual reality in classrooms can encourage collaboration as well as the sharing of different viewpoints, both of which are essential for solving global issues. Additionally, VR can incorporate translation tools or replicate multilingual contexts, removing language barriers and fostering productive communication. These interactions can possibly foster mutual respect and cultural awareness, two qualities that are crucial for fruitful international collaborations in research, education, and other fields. Overall, Virtual reality in classrooms is a positive. It provides many ways for students to learn and be more interactive. It also provides different learning styles which could be more fun for them.

YouTube 360 has been around for about BLANK years now, with it originally being used through the lenses of a cardboard cutout assembled at home. It has come way further than the cardboard boxes it was originally intended for, however, with it now being accessible on actual VR models. With these upgrades come new possibilities, the doors are open and the possibilities must be explored.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/29/learning/lesson-plans/virtual-reality-curriculum-guide-experience-immersion-and-excursion-in-the-classroom.html#link-68214f13

Teachers can get creative, and in doing so they make their students more involved in their educations. By being present and bringing in ew alternatives they keep the classroom fresh. With the wide range of videos that can be found on the platform, there is something for every teacher In every subject.

Virtual reality is a newer tool in the classroom that allows students to explore areas they might not be able to explore. By using VR (virtual reality) it also engages students through exploration, problem-solving, and simulation.

A good tool that has virtual reality included with it is NearPod. NearPod is a website that offers lessons on a variety of different topics and keeps students engaged. They offer slideshows, videos, discussion boards, and questions.

Nearpod is good for focusing on global collaboration because it incorporates VR and has interactive lessons that will engage students more and encourage them to virtually explore the world and different cultures. Nearpod’s tools for global learning are:

• Virtual field trips – visit other countries while not leaving the comfort of the classroom or home!
• Interactive collaboration – share different perspectives across countries!
• Cultural immersion – builds empathy and cultural awareness with custom lessons!

There are many different virtual field trip options; Click here to see a great lesson on exploring China!

Virtual reality can be highly beneficial in the classroom by providing immersive, interactive learning experiences that engage students in new and dynamic ways. It allows students to explore complex concepts, environments, and historical events firsthand, enhancing understanding and retention.

Youtube 360

YouTube 360 is a feature that allows users to upload and view videos in a 360 degree format. This technology enables users to experience content, such as travel, concerts, and educational material, in a more engaging and dynamic way, as if they are physically present in the scene.

Benefits:

• prioritizes clear communication
• cultural awareness
• engage in diverse perspectives
• bridge geographical gaps
• participation
• fosters a collaborative environment

History in 360

Example:

YouTube 360 history videos can be highly beneficial in the classroom by offering students an immersive and interactive way to explore historical events, landmarks, and cultural heritage from around the world. This visual and experiential learning approach allows students to engage with history in a more impactful way, fostering deeper understanding and empathy for different cultures. YouTube 360 videos can facilitate global collaborations by connecting students from diverse countries, allowing them to explore shared historical moments and compare perspectives on events. Collaborative projects using these videos such as virtual tours or joint discussions help break down geographical barriers, promote cross cultural dialogue, and build global awareness, enhancing students’ ability to work together in a globalized world.

By: Lorraine Montero

Nearpod is a tool for teachers to create lessons that are creative and engaging for students. Whether you are in an online or in-person setting Nearpod offers tools and resources to execute lesson planning successfully. For teachers who want the free version of Nearpod this YouTube video breaks down the setup in 5 sections that include, Nearpod Setup, Content, Games and Activities, Launching a Session, and Student Reports.

How would Nearpod contribute to a successful global collaboration for teachers? Nearpod has a collaborative board designed for teachers to connect to technology with pedagogy in the classroom. Moreover, if a teacher has a vlog site with a collaborative board such as this it will allow for other teachers around the world to adopt and implement this same collaboration board in their classroom. Collaboration Board are very interactive for students and allows them to engage in assignments in creative ways and for the teacher this board can provide benefits such as:

1. Make collaborative classroom discussions part of every lesson

2.Keep feedback at the center of classroom discussions

3.Make collaborative learning visible

4.Collaborate and contribute in multiple formats

5.Build community and social emotional skills

Ultimately, I feel that Nearpod is a great way for teachers to connect globally especially in a collaborative setting. Teachers can use this technology to exchange ideas and lesson plans to use in their classrooms whether they teach in person or online. I feel that Nearpod should be used in every classroom as a way to use technology to advance learning in a fun and creative way.