TEN TECHNOLOGY TOOLS TO USE

Adena Raub Dershowitz

AJL Yom LimmudNovember 6, 2011

Why do we need technology in Jewish education?

Kids’ culture is technology The Jewish future will change

because of technology Tech can extend contact hours

and make those hours more effective.

Tech can help students use higher order thinking skills.

Why Technology Scares Us

Change Information Overload Lack of Control New Language New Skillset Kids are Light Years Ahead.

Easing the Shift

Don’t invest too much in any one thing…except maybe the Internet

Be prepared to fail publicly Collaborate Utilize our experts: our children Make expectations clear and establish

policy. Never ever start with the technology.

Always start with the learning goal.

Today’s Tools

Are FREE or have free versions (in terms of $$)

Are all accessed via the web Are not Jewish tools, but can be applied

to Jewish content Your students know them, or can learn

how to use them easily Are the same tools that the madrichim

will be working with later!

#1 - Fakebook

What: A site that allows for the building of “Facebook-like” pages

Where: http://classtools.net/fb/home/page

How: Parsha Study, History, Film, Biography

Why: Kids know this platform already Students need to think about

interactions/cause and effect Students can insert their own personality Can be done in teams or individually

#2- ToonDoo

What: Comic Strip Generator Where: http://www.toondoo.com How: Parsha study, History, Life Cycles,

Ethics, Why:

Creative way for students to interpret a narrative (or create their own)

Format requires students to select the most important elements

Can be a one-time or ongoing project (comic book).

#3-Go Animate

What: Create your own animation Where: www.goanimate.com How: Parsha Study, History, Ethics, Life

cycles, Literature, Hebrew Why:

Can be used by the teacher or the student Students need to think critically about

characters points of view Interesting way to practice Hebrew

conversation Students will spend the time!

#4- Quizlet What: An online quiz/flashcard/game center Where: www.quizlet.com How: Hebrew letter recognition, Hebrew

vocabulary, Life cycles vocabulary, Holiday vocabulary/photos

Why: Database exists which includes some Hebrew and

Jewish content Students can create quizzes/cards for each other Can be sent to parents and students

Hebrew Typing: http://gate2home.com/Hebrew-Keyboard

#5- Jing

What: Screen capture software Where:

http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html How: Hebrew writing Why

Allows students or teachers to create tutorials to share

Gives a greater purpose to student work

#6- Glogster

What: Multimedia Presentation Tool Where: www.glogster.com How: Any research project, teacher uses

to present information, holiday breaks, family involvement

Why: Better than a book report Creative expression of knowledge and skills Can be combined with video/photo/text

creation

#7- Poll Anywhere

What: Online polling using mobile phones

Where: www.pollanywhere.com How: Sensitive topics, Create a game to

review content, Tzedekah allocation, “Text” Study

Why: Includes all students anonymously Easy for multiple choice or free response Don’t need Smartphones – just texting Can be a synchronous or asynchronous poll

#8- QR (Quick Response) Codes

What: Bar codes which can be scanned to link to web sites, video, photos, text

Where: To Generate: http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ Need a smartphone app to scan: like Scanlife

How: Scavenger hunts, Book tags, Prayer Why

Connect the physical to the virtual

#9- Epals

What: Connect with classrooms all over the world

Where: www.epals.com How: Connect with Israel, with Jewish

classrooms abroad Why:

A safe, verified way to open up the world to your students

Can use other technologies to connect to your new “sister classroom”

#10- Microsteps

What: A classroom management system and parent communication tool

Where: www.micro-steps.com How: Create a central portal for your

school. Why:

Post assignments E-bulletins to parents Post photos Spaces for clubs to meet

Find the New Tools

http://www.edgalaxy.com/ www.edutopia.com www.iste.org www.edupln.com http://www.committedsardine.com/

To Wrap Up

Only limited by your imagination Strength in Numbers Trust your educational instincts! Feel free to call for help!

Adena Raub Dershowitz 570-575-8433 araub@pelie.org

Twitter: @PELIE_Org