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Online Tools and Apps

App Vetting: It’s Time To Take Control of Your App Requests

by Dr. Barbara Nesbitt
written by Dr. Barbara Nesbitt

Ask any K-12 district technology professional about their app vetting process, and you’ll likely be hit with an exasperated sigh, followed by frustrated grumblings like, “What process?” or “Oh, you mean the process that nobody follows?”

There are many challenges around app vetting, but the two I hear most often are:

  1. Setting up the process—Deciding who to involve and what to look for in your evaluation.
  1. Ensuring adoption—Making sure teachers and staff know about, understand, and follow the process.

If left unchecked, these challenges have serious implications for student data security, budgets, classroom learning, and parental trust. With districts using an average of 2,700+ digital tools every year–a number that continues to grow–the need for a streamlined app vetting process is more urgent than ever.

How to Get App Vetting Off the Ground

So, how do you get started? I frequently talk with K-12 technology leaders about the issues around app vetting and here are steps they consistently say are key to setting up, (and getting people to follow) a proper process:

Get Buy In (Not Easy, But Necessary) 

Step one is getting your school system leaders to understand the importance of app vetting. Start by clearly outlining the risks of not having a process and the benefits of establishing one.

Risks of Not Having an App Vetting Process

  • Apps that don’t meet curriculum needs
  • No way to track app requests against available budget dollars
  • No clear guidelines to fall back on when declining an app request
  • Risks to student and staff data due to using non-compliant apps
  • Interoperability issues 
  • Failure to meet district, state, or federal cybersecurity requirements

Benefits of an App Vetting Process

  • Apps that align with curriculum goals 
  • Checks and balances for cybersecurity and data security
  • Clear guidelines for declining app requests
  • Clear expectations for purchasing and using apps
  • Interoperability is verified, so your new and existing apps work together

Many schools create a committee that includes representatives from curriculum, data security, budget owners, and even parents. In a recent article, Libbi Nelson, CITE’s director of resource and service programs, shared a great 10-step rubric for creating an app-vetting team.

Make Your Purchasing Team Part of the Process

Ensure your purchasing department verifies that software purchases have received approval before processing purchase orders. This helps catch unapproved purchases, whether due to oversight or an attempt to bypass the process.

Require Vendors to Sign Data Privacy Agreements

Many schools now adopt a “no signed data-privacy agreement, no purchase” policy. The risks of unvetted apps are too high. Without a signed agreement the implications to your district, as well as students and staff, are costly in terms of money and privacy.

Make Your Process Known, Transparent, and Easy to Track

Once you’ve established your app vetting process, make it widely known and easy to follow. Transparency is key to ensuring adoption.

Luckily, ClassLink has a new AppTrack tool (available Summer 2025) that can help with this step (and many others).

AppTrack lives inside the ClassLink LaunchPad (which is where students and staff go to access all their apps anyway). 

With AppTrack, you set up the approval steps and assign tasks that align with your app vetting process. Teachers and staff request apps (through one easy-to-find place): ClassLink Launchpad. Once a request is added, everyone can see if and when the app is approved. Every step is visible and trackable, so all your decisions are informed, secure, and accountable.

At just $0.25 per user, per year it’s an affordable way to set up an accessible, transparent, and easy to follow app vetting process.

Buddy Denman, Technology Director at Splendora ISD, recently learned about AppTrack and had this to say; “We’ve been sitting down for the last three or four months trying to come up with the best app approval process, and then AppTrack was announced this morning! It’s just awesome and more than we could have really hoped for, so I’m super excited for that.”

Final Thoughts

App vetting isn’t just nice to have—it’s a must-have. With the right process, districts can improve cybersecurity, ensure budget efficiency, and enhance learning outcomes. Whether you’re just starting or refining your approach, the key is to make app vetting structured, transparent, and enforceable.

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Online Tools and Apps

Padlet’s AI Tools Supercharge Digital Collaboration

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

Creating engaging digital spaces where students can work well together can be hard. Recently, I was impressed to discover Padlet’s AI Tools, new features designed to assist teachers. And, there’s an exciting new addition introduced at the end, the Padlet Teaching Assistant (TA). Let’s jump in.

What Are Padlet’s AI Features & How Do They Work?

Padlet has introduced several AI-powered capabilities. These are designed to make its collaborative platform even better. One feature is “Magic Padlet.” Given a brief description of what you need, it relies on generative AI to create an entire board. If you aren’t sure what you need, you can use one of several “AI Recipes.” These can make it easier to make content for different, specific, and educational purposes.

I recently used the AI Recipes feature to create a jigsaw activity for a mock literature class. I simply selected “Class Activity Creator,” entered a subject (American Literature) and topic (The Great Gatsby themes), and specified the desired grade level (see image below).

Within seconds, Padlet’s AI generated a complete board structure with logical organization, discussion prompts, sample starter posts, and suggested resources.


(View it online)

What impressed me most was how customizable everything remained. After the AI generated the initial board, I could easily modify any element to better suit specific class needs.

Practical Applications

The AI capabilities in Padlet extend beyond basic board creation:

  • Lesson planning with the AI Lesson Plan generator that creates learning objectives, materials lists, and assessments
  • Creating historical timelines or geographical explorations with AI-powered map features
  • Generating reading lists on specific topics with accompanying discussion questions
  • Using the “I can’t draw” feature to help students create visuals for projects
  • Utilizing AI-generated text-to-speech in over 40 languages
  • Automatically generating captions for uploaded videos

Even more helpful? The features to schedule automations, like having a board automatically freeze or unfreeze at specific times (see Automations under the three dots in the sidebar). This makes it perfect for timed activities or assignments with deadlines. What’s more, you can have Padlet assign grades in the gradebook, too.

My Experience Using Padlet’s AI Tools

One interesting use is a Jigsaw Learning Board. You can see one quick board for capturing expert findings and reflections below.

I’ve also used Magic Padlet to quickly create lesson plan boards. You can ask the AI built into Padlet for assistance, providing minimal information:

This makes it easier than starting from scratch and you will see several ideas for your lesson. I may or may not use all of these ideas but they are a way to “prime the pump:”

Introducing Padlet Teaching Assistant (TA)

You can get a look at the Padlet TA online (still in beta at the time this blog entry was written). Not only does Padlet TA enable you to connect to Google Drive, but use a variety of sources to create boards. Those sources could include:

  • YouTube video
  • Links
  • Google Drive
  • Text you paste in

The Padlet TA is pretty generic at the moment, but you can see the potential possible:

Some of my favorite tools in Padlet TA include:

  • AI Image Generator – You will love being able to quickly access Padlet’s image generator.
  • Name Picker – Need to pick a student name for an activity? This is sure to be a fun alternative.
  • Smart Groups – Create groups quickly from your class roster.
  • Short Link – Get a Teach.link/yourTitleHere for those long links
  • QR Code generator – Make a QR code

The other tools, such as lesson plan, presentation, multiple choice quiz, and rubric are also worth exploring. Padlet’s done a great job making these tools so easily accessible via the PadletTA page. Get a quick tour via the animated GIF at the end of this blog entry.

Looking Ahead

Padlet continues to develop its AI capabilities. I’ve found Padlet’s AI tools to be game-changers for my work with learners. The learning curve is low, and the benefits are substantial.

Have you tried any of Padlet’s AI features yet? What has been your experience? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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Online Tools and Apps

A Flippity Spreadsheet Superhero: Revolutionizing Education with Free, Interactive Tools

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

I am such a huge fan of Steve from www.flippity.net. Let me tell you, this guy is an absolute superhero in my book! I cannot believe how he wields his Flippity spreadsheet knowledge like a superpower when it comes to creating tools for educators? It’s mind-blowing!

Steve’s ability to transform ordinary spreadsheets into a treasure trove of interactive educational resources is nothing short of magical. From flashcards to quiz shows, progress indicators to random name pickers, he’s got it all covered. And the best part? It’s all free and incredibly easy to use!

As a Director of Professional Development, I’ve seen countless tech tools come and go, but Flippity stands out from the crowd. Steve’s dedication to empowering teachers with user-friendly, versatile tools is truly inspiring. He’s constantly updating and adding new features, always with educators’ needs in mind. His two latest tools are the Flippity Group Game (think the New York Times Connections) and Flippity Video Game. 

Flippity Group Game

Game icons labeled in blue.

The Flippity Group Game is a word puzzle that challenges players to categorize 16 words into four distinct groups of four, each connected by a common theme. If you are familiar with the New York Times Connections game – this is the puzzle maker for this game. Due note in the NYT Connections you are allowed to make only four wrong guesses and the game is forfeited, but in Flippity you can make over 20 mistakes. (I gave up making wrong guesses at 21.)  Each group is assigned a color which is revealed when you choose the four words correctly.

A few more details on exactly how this group game  works:

Each category is defined by a unique connection between its four words. These connections can be diverse and creative, including:

  • Shared characteristics (e.g., animals with black and white coloring)
  • Linguistic features (e.g.,similar phonetic qualities, spelling patterns)
  • Semantic relationships (e.g., synonyms)
  • Cultural references (related to movies, books, music, etc.)
  • Wordplay  (anagrams, homophones, palindromes)

I also wrote a blog on the benefits of using this type of word puzzle in classroom. 

Flippity Group Game Directions

The steps are quick and easy.

  1. Enter four items in four categories (you have a limit of about 16 characters)
  2. Click the generate button
  3. Bookmark and save the link to re-use the Group Game. 

Here are two examples of the Flippity Group game I have created:

Halloween
Thanksgiving

Flippity Video Game

Steve provides the demo and the instructions to make your own game. I’m not a gamer, so please drop a comment as I would love to hear how you would use this video game in your classroom.  I bet your idea will be a spark for the rest of us. Just like the other Flippity tools there are four main steps to use this resource:

  1. Modify a Google spreadsheet template.
  2. Enter your content
  3. Publish the spreadsheet
  4. Save the link and share out. 

If you haven’t checked out Flippity yet, you’re missing out on a game-changer for your classroom. Trust me, once you start using Steve’s creations, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without them. It’s like having a secret weapon in your teaching arsenal!

So here’s a shoutout to Steve, the unsung hero of educational technology. Your Flippity spreadsheet superpowers are making waves in classrooms across the globe!

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Good TeachingOnline Tools and Apps

Outline Classroom Discussions with Kialo Edu

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

Great conversations almost always result in learning. And when students have structure and know how to engage in academic chats, they learn more. Research shows classroom discussions have a positive impact on student long-term information retention. What digital tools can you use to scaffold those learning conversations? In this blog entry, you will explore a free online platform, Kailo Edu, and gain access to the TCEA PROTECT Rubric for Safeguarding Student Data Privacy.

Screenshot by author of Kialo Edu
Screenshot by author of Kialo Edu

Introducing Kialo Edu

Kialo Edu changes how teachers run classroom discussions. This free online platform supports student debate and critical thinking. Here’s how teachers can use Kialo Edu to improve learning:

Starting from a central thesis, students add pros and cons, engaging with each other’s arguments to build an interactive map of the entire discussion.

Source: Kialo Edu website

There are a variety of teacher tools available to you as the teacher. Those include:

  • Small group mode that makes dividing class into groups easier, giving you access to each groups discussions
  • Anonymous participation that replaces names with colorful animal avatars
  • Tasks that set clear objectives and track student progress
  • Grading and feedback that includes formative and summative assessments

These are only four of the available management tools available to teachers. Other benefits include topic libraries, the ability to start and stop chats. What’s more, Kialo integrates with Google Classroom, Moodle, and supports LTI integration with Canvas and Blackboard.

More Students Speak Up

Kialo Edu has the potential to get more students involved in classroom discussions. In many classrooms, few students speak often. With Kialo Edu, everyone can join in at once. The technology takes the hard work out of managing the conversation. To do that, it offers three modes:

  • Anonymous Mode: Students share ideas without fear. Shy students participate more.
  • Text-Based Format: Students write thoughts at their own speed. This cuts down on speaking anxiety. This would have been my favorite approach when growing up in school.
  • Quick Input: No waiting for turns. All students can share ideas right away.

Let’s take a look at an example vignette (fictional) to get an idea of how it might work.

Class Example: A vignette:
Ms. Johnson saw few students talk in social studies. She tried Kialo Edu. Suddenly, almost every student had something to say. “The platform gave my quiet students a voice,” she said. “Everyone had an opinion about the topics.”

Screenshot by author of Kialo Edu
Screenshot by author of Kialo Edu

See Arguments Clearly

Kialo Edu shows debates in a visual way. This helps students grasp complex ideas more easily.

  • Central Topic: Start with one main question or statement.
  • For and Against: Students learn to see both sides.
  • Linked Ideas: Students can build on each other’s thoughts.

How to Use It:

  1. Pick a debate topic from your lessons.
  2. Ask students to add reasons for or against the topic.
  3. Have students respond to each other’s points.
  4. Use the visual map to find strong arguments and weak logic.

Learn Anytime, Anywhere

Kialo Edu fits modern teaching styles. It’s flexible and easy to use.

  • Always Available: Students can join discussions outside class.
  • Prep for Class: Use Kialo for homework before in-class talks.
  • Saved Work: All student input is kept. Teachers can review it later.

Activity Idea: Getting Ready for a Class Discussion

What to DoHow It WorksTeacher’s JobStudent’s JobWhat Students Learn
Pre-Discussion KialoStudents share first thoughts on a topicSet up the Kialo and give guiding questionsAdd ideas, reply to others, vote on good pointsForm initial views and find areas to research more

Write Better Arguments

Kialo Edu helps with essay planning and debate skills.

  • Build Arguments: Students learn to back up claims with facts.
  • Consider Opposites: Students think about views different from their own.
  • Plan Essays: Use the debate map to outline writing.

Teacher Tip: “My students use Kialo to draft essays. It helps them organize ideas and think of counterarguments,” says Mr. Thompson, a high school English teacher.

Works with Other Tech

Kialo Edu fits in with tools you already use.

  • Connects to Learning Systems: Works with Google Classroom, Canvas, and Moodle.
  • Small Groups: Split classes into smaller debate teams (coming soon).
  • Grading Tools: Easily check student work and give feedback.

Kialo Edu boosts critical thinking and class talks. It helps students learn key skills for today’s world. Try it in your class to make learning more engaging and effective.

Account Set Up

As the teacher, you can login using one of the options available:

Screenshot by author of Kialo Edu
Screenshot by author of Kialo Edu

Kialo Edu also offers single-sign-on (SSO) with Google, Microsoft, or Clever. This makes it quite versatile in terms of using it with staff and students, no extra passwords to remember.

TCEA PROTECT Rubric

It can be difficult to ascertain the quality of terms of service, as well as privacy policies for K-12 facing education solution providers. To assist, use TCEA’s PROTECT rubric (view full size | get a copy) to evaluate services like Kialo EDU.

TCEA PROTECT Rubric generated by author with AI Assistance
TCEA PROTECT Rubric generated by author with AI Assistance

To score the Kialo Edu, both its terms of service and privacy policy were analyzed with PROTECT. You can read the Terms of Service, as well as Kialo Edu’s Privacy policy online. Another document of interest is the Data Security and Privacy page, which for some reason, is separate and buried in their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document. Here are how they scored (where 14 is the maximum amount of possible points):

  • Kialo’s Privacy Policy scored 12 out of 14. The Privacy Policy is comprehensive. It addresses most of the criteria outlined in the rubric. Notable points include parental rights, transparency, and consent.
  • Kialo’s TOS scored 7 out of 14. The Terms of Service, while covering some aspects, lacks detail in several key areas, especially regarding opt-out options and specific security measures. To improve their overall score, Kialo Edu could enhance their Terms of Service to more explicitly address the rubric criteria, particularly in areas of parental rights, opt-out options, and security specifics.
  • Data Security and Privacy scored 13 out of 14. This is a great score. Clarification is needed in terms of Opt-Out Options of the rubric. Kialo Edu does not state specifically what options to opt-out there are.

Overall, Kialo Edu does quite well on the TCEA PROTECT rubric scoring. Since this analysis was done by AI, your mileage may vary. You will, of course, want to make your own determination in consideration of your region’s laws and policies.

Kialo Edu’s TCEA PROTECT Score

On January 9, 2025, Kialo Edu requested a holistic re-evaluation of their Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, asking their Privacy Plan be included. All three documents were submitted in ONE file. The resulting score was 12 out of 14. The analysis and recommendations for improvement appear below:

  • Strengths:
    • Comprehensive compliance with FERPA, COPPA, and GDPR.
    • Clear policies for data retention, deletion, and parental/institutional control.
    • Strong security measures, including encryption and ISO certification.
  • Areas for Improvement:
    • Expand opt-out options to include all analytics, even anonymized data collection.
    • Improve communication on subcontractor changes to ensure user awareness.

My suggestion to Kialo Edu and other businesses is to simplify their policy documents to specifically address key areas for improvement. And, perhaps, put them all in one place.

Online Debates Made Easy

Kialo Edu offers a powerful classroom discussion tool at no cost to schools. It’s integrated features, teacher tools, and SSO account management offer strong incentives for use. Give it a try.

Resources

  1. Kialo Edu Guide: Official user manual (K-12, Higher Education)
  2. Kialo Edu Blog: Teaching tips, updates (K-12, Higher Education)
  3. ProCon.org: Debate topic source (K-12, Higher Education, Other)
  4. [Purdue Online Writing Lab](https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/establishing_arguments/index.html): Argument writing guide (Higher Education, Other)
  5. ReadWriteThink: Lesson plan resource (K-12)
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Example 2D drawing and 3D transformation using Doodle3D Transform
Online Tools and Apps

Doodle3D Transform Activity Ideas for Elementary STEM

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

I just stumbled up on this gem of a free resource! Elementary educators, if you are  looking for a fun and engaging way to integrate STEM concepts into your curriculum, then look no further than Doodle3D Transform, a free and open-source web application that makes 3D design accessible for students of all ages.

What is Doodle3D Transform?

Developed by a passionate team in 2015-2017 with the backing of over 1,600 Kickstarter supporters, Doodle3D Transform allows students to create 3D objects from simple 2D sketches. This opens a world of possibilities for STEM exploration, igniting creativity and critical thinking in young minds. 

How does Doodle3D Transform work?

The beauty of Doodle3D Transform is that it doesn’t require a 3D printer! Students can design and explore 3D concepts directly within the web app, making it a perfect tool for introducing 3D design and fostering spatial reasoning skills. The best part? Doodle3D Transform is completely free and operates under an MIT License, meaning it can be used in any educational setting, fostering innovation and exploration within your classroom!

Doodle3D Transform Tools

To help get you started, the software has two main sides which function together but perform separately. On the left side is where you do the creating. The right side turns your creations into 3D objects. To help you understand this tool, here are the three main sets of tools labeled to get you up and exploring.

Doodle3D Platform with Labeled Tools
Main Tools in Doodle3D Transform
Doodle3D Main Drawing toolbar labeled
Drawing Tools
Doodle3D Transform Select Tools labeled
Select Tools (pop-up after selecting an object)

Check out this short video covering the Doodle3 Transform basics. Also, the Doodle3D YouTube Channel has 48 videos you can explore! The videos are in Dutch, but you can turn on captions in other languages.

Let’s take a look at some Doodle 3D Transform STEM-themed activities for elementary school classrooms.

Lower Elementary (Grades K-2):

Example Shape Monster created in Doodle3d Transform
Peggy’s example of Shape Monster
  • Shape Monsters: Students can draw basic 2D shapes like circles, squares, and triangles, then convert them into 3D shapes in Doodle 3D Transform. Encourage them to add features and turn these shapes into silly monsters! This activity reinforces basic shapes and spatial reasoning while introducing 3D design concepts.
  • Animal Homes: After learning about different animal habitats, students can draw 2D shapes representing these homes (e.g., a circle for a bird’s nest, a rectangle for a dog house). In Doodle 3D Transform, they can manipulate these shapes to create 3D models of the animal homes, sparking creativity and imagination.
  • Playgrounds in 3D: Have students brainstorm and draw 2D shapes representing playground equipment like slides, swings, or seesaws. Using Doodle 3D Transform, they can convert these shapes into 3D models and then combine them to design a dream playground! This activity encourages creativity, spatial planning, and basic engineering principles.

Upper Elementary (Grades 3-5):

Solar System project example in Doodle3D Transform
Peggy’s rudimentary start to the solar system.
  • 3D Shapes Exploration: Students can draw various 2D shapes like cubes, pyramids, cones, and cylinders. After transforming them into 3D objects in Doodle 3D Transform, challenge them to identify the shapes’ properties (faces, edges, vertices) and explore how manipulating the 2D shapes affects the resulting 3D object. This activity reinforces 3D geometry concepts in a fun and interactive way.
  • Design a Bridge: After learning about bridge design principles, students can work in pairs to draw 2D shapes representing different bridge types (beam, suspension, arch). In Doodle 3D Transform, they can transform these shapes into 3D models, considering factors like support and stability. This activity encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and introduces basic engineering concepts.
  • Solar System Models: Challenge students to research the planets in our solar system and their relative sizes. Then, have them draw 2D circles representing each planet and use Doodle 3D Transform to convert them into 3D spheres. Students can arrange and size the 3D planets according to their research, creating a mini solar system model. This activity reinforces scientific knowledge, scale, and spatial reasoning.

I sure hope Doodle3D Transform makes a splash in your classroom. I would love to see your students’ creations. Make my day and send me a sample of your student’s work! My email address is preimers@tcea.org.

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Make Connections Games for the Classroom
Content AreasContent CreationOnline Tools and Apps

Make Connections Games for the Classroom

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

Have you ever been addicted to a game and wanted to include it in your teacher toolbox? Well, Connections is my current game addiction. Hopefully, by now you have played this game! It’s the second most popular game from the New York Times. Are you wondering if Connections holds hidden educational potential? Well, the answer is: YES! And it can certainly engage your students. If you’re intrigued by the idea, or even if the concept is new to you, explore this one-stop shop for Connections as a versatile tool for the classroom. 

What is Connections?

NYT connections is a game where you put words into categories!
The Original from the New York Times

The granddaddy of all the Connections games started with the New York Times and the author is Wyna Liu. In this game, you organize 16 words into four categories of four words each. Each group is linked by a common theme. For example, you might choose the words cow, zebra, dalmatian, and panda. In this case, the connection might be “Animals that are black and white.” Words can be connected by anything, from starting letters to rhyming words to words that mean the same thing and more. There are usually some tricky words sprinkled in to throw you off. For the NYT Connections game, you are allowed to make only four wrong guesses before the game is forfeited. Each group is assigned a color which is revealed when you choose the four words correctly.

  • Yellow – Easiest and usually straightforward
  • Green – not immediately obvious
  • Blue – Increased level of complexity but not as difficult as purple
  • Purple – Tricky

Of course, all these descriptions are upended because success also depends on your ability to: 

  • identify patterns
  • visual acuity
  • logical reasoning
  • strong vocabulary
  • life experiences

You might wonder why I included life experiences on the list. The best way to explain this is to give you a few examples:

  1. If you could easily group “stick, jack, marble, and domino” together, you just might be a baby boomer, as these are parts of classic kids’ games.
  1. If “lab, peke, pit, and pom” stick together like glue in your brain, you probably are a dog lover, as these four informally identify dog breeds.
  1. Grouping “common, future, ice cube, and q-tip” together likely means you love rap music. 

How can Connections benefit students?

Connections can be used in the classroom for students to practice an array of skills. Here are some ideas for the types of skills and concepts students can practice with this game:

Grammar and Mechanics:

  • Verbs: Identify past tense verbs and specific verb conjugations.
  • Nouns: Recognize different noun types (common, proper, singular, plural) or categorize nouns based on theme.
  • Adjectives: Match synonyms or antonyms. Or match adjectives based on a specific theme (e.g., colors describing clothes, emotions describing people, ways to describe taste, etc.) or keep it general.
  • Prepositions: Identify prepositions or match prepositions to their corresponding spatial relationships (e.g., above, below, behind).
  • Pronouns: Teach different pronoun types (subject, object, possessive) or match pronouns to their antecedents.
  • Prefixes or compound words: Words can be grouped by syllables. Compound words, or even words with the same root, can be identified. The sky is the limit!

Vocabulary Development:

  • Synonyms and Antonyms: Find synonyms or antonyms for given words, helping students understand shades of meaning.
  • Word Families: Build vocabulary by identifying words with the same root or base word.
  • Figurative Language: Introduce concepts like similes, metaphors, or personification, matching examples to their definitions.
  • Category: To build vocabulary, students can match words based on similar categories, such as shapes, colors, animals, professions, places (objects found at school, for example), and more.

Science and Social Studies:

  • General Knowledge: Connect concepts from different topics, such as animals, plants, weather, history, geography, and government.
  • Scientific Classification: Design puzzles where students connect terms based on scientific classification systems (e.g., kingdom, phylum, class, order, etc.).
  • Historical Events: Make connections between historical figures, events, or dates.

Thinking Skills:

  • Logic and Deduction: Create connections following a specific logical pattern or sequence. For example, the connection could be the number of letters in words, which vowels they each have, etc.
  • Critical Thinking: Design puzzles that require analysis and reasoning to find connections between seemingly unrelated concepts.
  • Problem-solving: Encourage creative thinking to find solutions and make connections within the game’s framework.

Now that you have some ideas for using connections with content, let’s explore some exciting digital resources.

Connections Resources for Teachers

1. Connections+ 

If you are late to the party and want to play the past NYT Connections, you should definitely visit Connections+. The website houses every game created starting with #1 on June 12, 2023. It is important to note that Connections+ is not affiliated in any way with the New York Times. This site is the ultimate site for Connections fans! It has three important pieces: the NYT Archives, Community, and Create, which allows you to create your own game.

Connections+ is a website with a community, archived connections games, and creation tool. Create classroom Connections games!

Yes, as if having the whole archive isn’t fabulous enough, you can create your own games in a flash. Just click on the pink create button. Enter a game name, the author name, the four category descriptions, and the four clues. You can make the game private or add your game to the Community. 

2. Custom Connections

Custom connections gives you the opportunity to custom build connections games for your classroom.
Screenshot by Emily Horn | Custom Connections Home Page

Custom Connections was created by Claire Wang. This is a very straightforward Connections game-maker site. You can title your game, and the colors match the official New York Times version. For each category, you will enter a title and the four items. At the bottom, you copy the game link to share with others. Bonus – if you make a mistake, you can update, and the link will still work. 

3. Swellgarfo’s Create a Puzzle

Swellgarfo offers a free and simple connections creation tool.
Screenshot by Emily Horn | Swellgarfo’s Connections Home Page

Swellgarfo.com offers a convenient online tool to craft personalized puzzles inspired by the New York Times daily Connections game. It offers the same basic setup as Custom Connections. 

4. Flippity- Coming soon!

I also contacted Steve at Flippity.com. He has this feature on his Flippity to-do list. He let me know he is looking forward to the summer release of a connections-like puzzle maker!

5. Ready-to-Use Classroom Connections Games

I have started to make Connections games for the classroom! You can access my connections games on Canva or on the Connections+ Community page.

Peggy Reimers of TCEA has made classroom Connection games in Canva and Connections+.
Access Peggy’s Connections Games in Canva | Access Peggy’s Connections Games on Connections+ 

NOTE: Connections in Canva is not a digital game that automatically sorts the words into the proper categories; you must write the words on paper, arrange them into groups manually, and reference the answer key. 

The New York Times Connections game may have started as a delightful distraction, but its potential for learning is undeniable! This versatile tool can spark critical thinking, vocabulary development, and even historical and scientific exploration in your classroom. Whether you’re crafting your own puzzles or using the wealth of online resources, Connections offers a fun and engaging way to challenge your students and ignite those crucial “aha!” moments.

So, the next time you find yourself captivated by a game, take a moment to consider its educational potential.  With a little creativity, you can transform playtime into a powerful learning experience for your students.  And if you or the teachers create your very own Connections game, send the link my way. I would love to try and solve it. Happy connecting!

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Online Tools and Apps

Five Free Crossword Puzzle Makers

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

TCEA has you covered when it comes to wheel spinners, coin flippers, virtual dice, and so many other virtual resources. And now, here comes our lineup of free crossword puzzle makers. Crossword puzzles offer a format that can reinforce and expand vocabulary, test student knowledge, and encourage critical thinking and problem solving in a fun way. So if you’re looking to use this clever word game in the classroom, keep reading.

The History of the Crossword Puzzle

First, a little bit of history. The first known crossword puzzle dates back 111 years. The game was created by journalist Arthur Wynne and was published in the New York World newspaper on December 21, 1913. Wynne’s game was called “Word-Cross.” The puzzle required readers to fill in a diamond-shaped puzzle with interconnected words. 

Now, searching the internet, I found that the popular New York Times Crossword is solved by 0.5 to 1.5 million people on a regular basis. Exact numbers are not available publicly. If you are like me, and the NYT puzzle is a bit daunting, try the free Mini Crossword. This puzzle has me hooked just like Connections, and now, I have to play both every day. 

Let’s take a look at a few free options for crossword puzzle makers you can use to create crosswords for your students.  

1. Crossword Labs

Example of MLK Day in Crossword Labs crossword puzzle maker.
Screenshot by the author of an author-created crossword puzzle.

Crossword Labs is a crossword puzzle maker that touts three words: free, fast, and easy. The site has no ads or watermarks. First, you create the puzzle title. Then, you work on building the crossword puzzle with the answer, spaces, and clues (one per line.) A free account permits you to print out a PDF of the crossword, and you can share the URL to have students solve the puzzle online. Out of all the sites I researched, this was the only one where you could solve a puzzle online for free. Just know that if you are using the free account, your only choice for the privacy setting is public. 

If you create a member account, which is $9.95 for a lifetime membership, you can have a hidden or private link for online crosswords. Additionally, there are one million+ premade crosswords available for your use. Once you are a member, you can also share, edit, and obtain the answers to all those puzzles.

2. Discovery Education

An example of the MLK Day crossword puzzle using Discovery Education.
Screenshot by the author of an author-created crossword puzzle.

Discovery Education calls its crossword puzzle maker “Criss-Cross.” Their tool has three easy steps: enter a title, enter your words and clues, and check the box if you want instructions to appear below the puzzle. The big bonus here is the Discovery Education website has ALL these additional puzzle makers for free:

  • Word search
  • Double puzzle
  • Fallen phrase
  • Math square
  • Mazes
  • Letter tiles
  • Cryptogram
  • Number blocks
  • Hidden message

3. Crossword Spin

Screenshot by the author of an author-created crossword puzzle.

I really like the layout of the CrosswordSpin crossword puzzle maker. All you have to do is enter information for the title and the word and clue list. This puzzle maker also includes options for font size and style, grid size, and layout settings for the clues. Another nice feature is when you download or print your puzzle, two pages are printed: the puzzle and the answers.

4. Flippity

The MLK Day crossword using Flippity.com's crossword puzzle maker.
Screenshot by the author of an author-created crossword puzzle.

Flippity is an online platform that provides various educational tools for teachers. It also provides a crossword puzzle maker. The website uses a Google Spreadsheet template which is what you will modify to make your puzzle. If you are new to Flippity, make sure you check out the demo before heading to the four-step instructions and making your crossword puzzle. Due note the Flippity crossword is designed to be printed and not played online. 

5. The Teacher’s Corner

Pre-made MLK Day crossword puzzle from The Teacher's Corner crossword puzzle maker.
Screenshot by the author: MLK Crossword Puzzle

The Teacher’s Corner has a nice crossword puzzle maker. They call their crosswords “printable worksheets.” A free account allows a selection of fonts, adding an image, and coloring the cells and background of your puzzles. Just like all the other crossword makers, you enter a title, instructions, and your word and clue list. Free users are limited to 20 characters for words and 125 for clues. Premium members get a bump to 35 characters for words and 250 for clues. They also have tons of premade word and clue sets. Be aware the website does have quite a few popup ads. Several subscription plans are available.

Whether you choose the straightforward Crossword Labs, the versatile Discovery Education tools, the visually appealing CrosswordSpin, the Google Spreadsheet-based Flippity.net, or the customizable options from The Teacher’s Corner, incorporating crossword puzzles in your classroom can reinforce vocabulary, test knowledge, and foster critical thinking in an enjoyable way. And if I missed a crossword puzzle maker that rocks your world, drop a comment and let me know!

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13 Firefox Extensions & Sites You May Not Know
Online Tools and Apps

13 Firefox Extensions and Sites You May Not Know

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin

Did you know that Firefox offers a host of security features and is a viable alternative to the Chrome browser? If you’ve not used Firefox, it might be worth giving it a try. Let’s explore a wealth of extensions for Firefox that I use every day. And maybe you can, too.

These extensions also work with Google Chrome! If you are on a Chromebook, use the Chrome Web Store to find them. Some extensions also work on the Mac Safari browser. The websites presented work on all devices!

Firefox Extensions to Try

LightShot. Need to annotate a screenshot and add boxes, arrows, and text in different colors? Then this is the extension for you. Available as an app on Windows and Mac, it also works for Firefox and Chrome browsers. A cool feature? Reverse or similar image search for any image you capture.

Lightshot Firefox extension makes screenshots easy.
Screenshot by Emily Horn: LightShot Home Page

Fireshot. If you need to save a scrolling, page-long screen capture as a PDF or image, this is the extension to use. It’s available for free with great features, but lifetime licensing expands what’s available.

ClearURLs. Do you despise those tracking elements that get added to website addresses? ClearURLs removes pesky tracking codes from Google Sites and Amazon links, making them easier to share.

Custom Scrollbars. If you wish the scrollbars on your browser were easier to see and access, this is a great option. The Custom Scrollbars extension allows you to pick colors for customization. Try it out!

FeedBro. If you want a fast, free RSS reader for skimming blogs and news, including TCEA’s TechNotes blog, FeedBro is the tool for you. This fantastic RSS feed reader allows you to subscribe to blogs and content with RSS feeds.

Feedbro
Screenshot by Emily Horn: Nodetics, FeedBro Page

Video Download Helper. Want to get a video from a webpage or site? This extension makes doing that as easy as a click. Go to the site, click the extension, see what videos are available, and choose the one you want.

Tree Style Tab. Do you wish you could run your browser tabs down the side of your screen instead of across the top? Or group them so you can collapse similar tabs into easy-to-manage sets? This extension can do this for you!

SimpleLogin. Avoid spam when you sign up for a newsletter or service. Instead of providing your actual email address, give them an email alias. SimpleLogin makes this process easy for you.

Create alias emails with Simple Login
Screenshot by Emily Horn: Simple Login Home Page

Must-Visit Websites

Reverse Image Search. This site provides a quick way to do a reverse image search. That way, you can help your students, staff, our yourself avoid copyright violations and properly credit images.

Reverse image search lets you get to the source of images.
Screenshot by Emily Horn: Reverse Image Search Home Page

Free Videos via Pexels. Did you know Pexels offers more than free images? They offer videos you can use and edit, all without attribution. You can also give author credit (not required) using the provided citation information.

Calligraphr. Transform your handwriting into an actual font. My handwriting is terrible, and this is an excellent alternative. I suggest giving it a go.

Change your handwriting into font with caligrapher
Screenshot by Emily Horn: Calligraphr Home Page

Jotti Virus Scan. Not sure if that file on a student or staff’s flash drive is safe from malware or viruses? Use Jotti to scan it before you share it. It works great for browser-based devices, too. Whew, I’m feeling safer already!

FilePizza. Need a quick way to share files with someone else? FilePizza can make it happen. Upload a file, share the link, and the file is auto-magically transferred. You also get a QR code! Of course, encrypt the file if the data is sensitive.

Example of file sharing with File Pizza
Screenshot by the author: File Pizza Example File

I hope you’ve enjoyed this roundup of versatile extensions and sites! Were there any you’ll be trying out? Have any suggestions to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below.

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Flashcard Factory in 5 Easy Steps
Content AreasOnline Tools and Apps

An Intro to Pear Deck’s Flashcard Factory

by Destiny Wagner
written by Destiny Wagner

What if I told you there was one tech tool that supports key skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, and metacognition, all while having fun? Allow me to introduce to you Pear Deck’s Flashcard Factory! Let’s explore how Pear Deck’s game-based approach to vocabulary with Flashcard Factory can revolutionize the learning experience, making it fun, meaningful, and effective.

PearDeck Flashcard Factory Landing Page
Screenshot by Emily Horn: Flashcard Factory, Home Page

What is Flashcard Factory?

Students team up and cooperate to produce spirited and captivating flashcards. By working together, they depict and explain the terms, transforming vocabulary learning into a lively and collaborative endeavor. Gamification has been proven to increase motivation and engagement. Flashcard Factory’s interactive and gamified approach transforms the traditional classroom into an exciting place of exploration and discovery, making it a powerful tool for educators. Please note that both the teacher and students must log in with a Google or Microsoft account to play Flashcard Factory. 

PearDeck's Flashcard Factory Login
Screenshot by Emily Horn: Pear Deck, Teacher Login

Pre-Pear Flashcard Factory Learning in Five Easy Steps 

1. LAUNCH

After logging into your Pear Deck account as a teacher, click Flashcard Factory. Create your vocabulary list by entering your own terms and definitions or by pasting your list from somewhere else. Once your terms are ready, start the game.

Example Vocabulary List in Flashcard Factory
Screenshot by Destiny Wagner

2. CLOCK IN

Students join the Flashcard Factory game by going to joinpd.com and entering the code on the screen. Once everyone has joined, the teacher clicks Clock In. Students are grouped into Day Shift and Night Shift, where they will be asked to submit example sentences, definitions, or illustrations of the terms. 

Clock-in, Day and Night Shift, and Foreman Letter examples
Screenshots by Destiny Wagner

3. PRODUCTION PHASE

This is where the magic happens. Students draw illustrations and write examples for the terms or give their own definitions of the terms in Flashcard Factory. When they are done with each card, they “ship it” and submit their answers for approval. They are assigned a new term, and the process repeats.

Example of the production phase in Flashcard Factory.
Screenshot by Destiny Wagner

4. QUALITY CONTROL

The teacher (and the students, if you choose to include them in the evaluation process) get final approval for the set of Flashcard Factory flashcards. The students’ screens are frozen during this phase, so they can focus on the Projector View. Review the cards one by one and choose the ones you want for the final study set. Click the Accept (green check) or Reject (red X) buttons. 

Example of rejected definition in Flashcard Factory quality control.
Example of accepted definition in Flashcard Factory quality control.
Screenshots by Destiny Wagner

5. SHIPPING 

Once you’ve moved to this phase, the teacher can choose whether to print the flashcard set or export it to Gimkit to play fun games

Example shipping phase in Flashcard Factory.
Exporting vocabulary set to Gimkit.
Screenshots by Destiny Wagner

Here is a great six-minute overview and explanation of Flashcard Factory:

Flashcard Factory with Stacy Yung | Pear Deck on YouTube

Skills Learned in the Process

Pear Deck’s Flashcard Factory enhances student engagement and nurtures essential skills such as critical thinking and metacognition. Since it’s designed for collaboration, students work in teams to create flashcards, promoting cooperative learning and communication skills. 

Developing critical thinking skills especially comes into play if you choose to involve the students in the Quality Control phase of Flashcard Factory. The peer review process encourages students to critically evaluate each other’s work, reinforcing the material and improving their critical thinking abilities. Constructive criticism and learning from peers create a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Metacognition, or the ability to think about one’s thinking, is a skill that can greatly enhance a student’s learning journey. Flashcard Factory encourages students to self-assess. They must reflect on their understanding of the material, which helps them recognize their strengths and areas that need improvement.

Learning Can Be a Pear-adise of Growth!

When students are actively involved in their learning process and given opportunities to collaborate, think critically, and assess their own progress, they feel empowered. An empowered student is more likely to be an enthusiastic and motivated learner, driving success both in and out of the classroom. Try Pear Deck’s Flashcard Factory in your classroom and watch your students thrive in a fun, engaging, and empowering educational journey.

Resources:

Don’t miss the chance to see Destiny at TCEA 2024! She will be presenting in six sessions on everything from Wakelet and Pear Deck to Mindfulness and Digital Portfolios. Pricing increases on January 13, so hurry and register to get discounted pricing on the educator event of the year in Austin, Texas!

Save Your Spot!

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Content AreasOnline Tools and Apps

Use FigJam for Fun and Engaging Activities in Any Classroom

by Mesha Daniel
written by Mesha Daniel

“Student engagement” has become the catchphrase ever since students were at home, partaking in online learning. Yes, this phrase is a very important piece of learning, but what does it really mean? When students are fully engrossed in a lesson, they are truly engaged. But how do we get them there? How do we plan for this? Learning shouldn’t be “sit and get.”  Learning should be doing. Let’s take a look at one tool that will get students collaborating and learning by doing in no time: FigJam!

What is FigJam?

Google Slides and Nearpod both have some great attributes and activities to get kids thinking, speaking, and learning, but many times, the activities that Nearpod or Slides have to offer don’t lend themselves completely to our youngest learners. How can these students take part in a more rigorous lesson while still feeling completely engaged in the learning? One way to engage young students is by using FigJam. FigJam is an online collaborative whiteboard tool that can be used by learners of any age for a variety of activities and learning goals. Let’s dive into some FigJam activities that we can use while learning a little bit about the different tools it has to offer!

The FigJam Tool Menu

Here is the tool menu in FigJam and, as you can see, it has quite a few tools for teachers and students to use.

Labeled FigJam Tool Menu
Screenshot by the author: Vertical FigJam tool menu with labels added by the author

The Marker

Let’s start with the marker, and explore some cool ways our students can use it! So what does the marker do? Well, for starters, it will allow students to free draw. When the marker is selected, the user will be able to choose the marker width, as well as the marker color. There are only two sizes for the marker width, but as you can see, you can choose one of the preset colors, or you can customize the color to your liking!

FigJam Marker menu and options
Screenshot by the author: FigJam marker tools and options

Using the marker tool, students can label parts of an object. Here, we have a shark. The student was able to label the parts using the vocabulary words that were learned during the lesson. FigJams can become interactive science journals in this way!

Shark with parts labeled using an online interactive whiteboard.
Screenshot by the author: Student labeling activity in FigJam

Adding and Customizing Sections

How did the image get placed into this FigJam project so that students could label it but not delete it?  It is quite easy!  FigJam does not have backgrounds for you to choose from, so you will have to upload your own images to your projects.  My suggestion? Break up your project into sections, which will make it easier to download or copy.  First, start by clicking the Section button.

FigJam Tool Menu: Sections
Screenshot by the author: Horizontal FigJam tool menu with the section button pointed out in a green frame.

You can make the section as large or small as you would like, but if you are adding images, you want to ensure the size of your section is large enough for the image to fit inside.  Once you get your section as you like it, you can rename the section. I will rename each section using my students’ names.

Sections in FigJam can be named and resized.
Screenshot by the author: FigJam Section with sizing and naming customization pointed out in a green frame.

Adding an Image

Now that the section is ready, I can add an image to it. I click on the plus sign on the right-hand side of the FigJam menu, click  More, and choose Media.

Insert and image in FigJam by click on More Options in the tool menu.
Screenshot by the author: Horizontal FigJam menu with More option pointed out in a green frame.
Insert media in FigJam through the More Options menu.
Screenshot by the author: Showing the Media option on the More menu in a green frame.

This will allow you to upload media files from your computer. You can upload images, videos, or even GIFS. However, only one GIF will be animated in each section. Once I insert my image into a section, I can resize it to my liking. Then, I’m ready to lock it so students cannot move it.

Locking Images in FigJam

To lock an image, click on the Quick Actions menu in the top left corner of your project. Select Object, and then click Lock/Unlock selection.

Lock an image in FigJam
Screenshot by the author: Quick Actions Menu in FigJam

Once the section is locked, students will not be able to move it, which will make it easier for them to annotate in FigJam. You can add images of lined paper for handwriting practice, thinking map templates, and even graph paper! You can use just about any image that you search for, just be mindful of copyright.

Interactive whiteboard handwriting activity
Screenshot by the author: Example of lined paper for handwriting practice in FigJam
FigJam can be used for a variety of interactive activities in any subject or grade level.
Screenshot by the author: Example of math practice activity in FigJam

The Textbox Tool

The textbox tool in the FigJam tool menu allows teachers and students to add typed text to the project. The text tool can be used to create engaging activities for students in many different ways! Take a look at this section. With just a few sentences about what we are studying in science, a teacher can turn a lesson on parts of speech into a much more engaging, and meaningful one. Students are now learning about sharks and nouns!

Example science and grammar activity about sharks.
Screenshot by the author: FigJam activity bridging science and grammar.

FigJam Sticky Notes

Sticky notes can be easily found in the FigJam tool menu. They can be added for providing feedback, giving quick, eye-catching directions, and other student communication. Students could also use them to deliver information. The sticky notes come in several colors, and the text type and size can be adjusted. 

Customize sticky notes in FigJam.
Screenshot by the author: Sticky Note customization menu in FigJam.

There are also options for adding bold, strikethrough, and links. Yes, that’s right, you can add links! The size of the note can be customized, and they can be moved anywhere on the project canvas. There is even an option to hide or show who wrote the note.

Sticky note sorting activity.
Screenshot by the author: Example of a Sticky Note activity in FigJam.
Completed sticky note sorting activity.
Screenshot by the author: Example of a Sticky Note activity in FigJam.

Spotlight Me

A really neat feature that can assist when students are not in the same room, or if they are in the same room and you want to show them something on their screens, is Spotlight Me. If you have many students inside your FigJam project, you can turn on the spotlight so that students can “follow” your every move. This allows the teacher to model a lesson effectively without the need for a document camera. Simply click on your profile picture in the top left corner of the FigJam, and click the Spotlight Me button. Students will then be able to “follow” and watch what you do on your screen on their own screen.

Use Spotlight Me in FigJam to have students follow what you're doing on their screens.
Screenshot by the author: Spotlight me in FigJam.

If you have signed up for an educator account and been approved (it’s free!), you will also be able to use your microphone to narrate your way through the lesson!

Additional FigJam Features

There are many other features in FigJam that are available from the tool menu, such as adding tables, stamps, and stickers. There is also a timer and a music player that will play for anyone in the project and a fun voting app. These tools are great for getting students engaged and creative when responding to questions or tasks within the FigJam.

Add stickers, polls, votes, and stamps.

Sharing and Exporting from FigJam

So, how do you share this amazing tool with others? Click on the Share button in the top right corner of your FigJam project and you have many options. You can choose to share the entire project or you can share specific sections. The choice is yours!

FigJam Sharing Options
Screenshot by the author: FigJam sharing options.

Students and teachers also have the ability to export the FigJam project. All projects can be exported as PNG, JPG, PDF, or CSV file types, and you will have the choice of exporting the entire project or just a section. Using the export tool, students can app smash with document or presentation applications to create an even more amazing learning opportunity!

FigJam Exporting Options
Screenshot by the author: FigJam export options.

We have only covered the tip of the iceberg of FigJam! Sign up for a free Educator account and get started using the amazing tools and templates in this easy-to-use application.

Featured Image: Screenshot by Emily Horn: FigJam’s Templates for the Classroom pop-up

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