Tool |
Purpose |
Access to Tool |
Learner Benefits |
Student Device |
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Padlet | “makes thinking visible”
For anonymous idea sharing or brainstorming Students add their ideas and it shows up on main screen Teacher can address points without singling students out |
Free sign up online
Teacher can include link or QR code on BB |
Great way to engage shy students (anonymous)
Great for early in the semester A way for learners to bring up issues or grievances that they may otherwise be unwilling to do |
Phone or computer |
Kahoot (Kahoot.it for students to play) |
Multiple Choice quiz game
Great for studying before a test Use as a pre/post test (see what learners know at the start of class and how they improve by the end of class – have them record their score so they can see the improvement) |
Free sign up online, students don’t need to sign up, just enter game code | Great tool for students to use on their own to study as well – include kahoot link on BB
Awesome way to engage the whole class Have students create multiple choice study questions that teacher adds to kahoot game Include some of the game questions on test, if possible |
Phone or computer |
Poll everywhere | Use for in-class polling
GC has advanced subscription to this, just need to sign up There are CTL workshops and drop in sessions for help on how to use |
Advanced version available as Georgian faculty – ask CTL | Good way to get a ‘temperature’ of students on certain issues
Can illuminate similarities and differences among classmates Good for creating a democratic voice on certain things in the class |
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Quizlet | Study tool. You can create flash cards and the application will create games to quiz you.
Teacher creates a ‘Class Set’ and sends link to students to join class Only works with clear, short answer questions (Q: “What is A?” A: “B”) Now has Quizlet Live! An in-class study game that is AWESOME! (Need to be in person for Quizlet Live) |
Free online sign up.
Students need account as well. Easiest for students to access when teacher puts link to class set on BB |
Sets students up with a study tool they can use on their own
Helps to teach study skills for students who don’t know where to start Excellent for very busy students – many study the cards and play the games on their break at work or on the bus Students can create their own sets as well (a tool and skill that they use after the class is finished) Have students create study questions that teacher adds to class set Include some of the Quizlet questions on test, if possible “The best questions will appear on the test” |
Phone or computer, easier on a touch screen for matching game |
Nearpod | You can create your whole presentation/class here.
PowerPoint slides can be added easily to the application, polling tools within Nearpod. Students go to webpage and type in password (given by teacher). For synchronous learning, teacher controls the advancement of the slides. Also available as an asynchronous tool. Students can access if teacher makes available. Other tools within Nearpod include drawing tools, quizzes (students see their own results of quiz), polling and now a ‘padlet’ type tool for sharing ideas anonymously (teacher turns off visibility of names but can turn it back on later to see student posts and scores) Teachers can go back to see results of student tests or submissions |
Free online sign-up, students use near-code to get into class | Good for an option for students who cannot attend class synchronously (busy working/family life)
Students can quietly participate and teacher can assess contributions Allows for a number of types of assessments or contributions (draw this idea, quiz, open ended) Good for ‘mixing it up’ if student interest in usual style of class is waning |
Computer (can be done on phone) |
Visuwords | Visual dictionary
Shows links to other words (synonyms, roots, antonyms, etc.) Great thesaurus and dictionary Great for classes with a lot of new language to learn |
Free online, no sign up | Helps learners who benefit from visual presentations of ideas
Great resource for assignments Good for bonus activities Students can use this tool for future studying |
Computer is best, but phone works too |
Classhook | Site full of relevant short video clips for examples when teaching
Look up based on topic (eg – classical conditioning or biology) Takes some sifting to be sure content is age-appropriate |
Teacher signs up for free version & will get emailed ‘clips of the week’ etc. | Keeps interest in content
Breaks up the lesson Offers visual/video examples of concept being taught, often from relevant pop culture sources (eg – Modern Family, Big Bang Theory) |
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Flipgrid | A forum for students to post short videos (30 secs to 5 min) on a topic teacher assigns
Good alternative to written reflections Good for UDL as alternative for students who do better with speaking their thoughts Students can put an emoji over their face or ‘pixelate’ their face if they are uncomfortable with showing their face |
Free online sign up.
Students need account as well. |
Great way for students to ‘meet’ other students virtually
Great way for students who perform better orally to shine Can be easier for students when the workload is getting heavy |
Phone or computer |
Teaching & Learning Tools within Blackboard | ||||
Discussion Board | Teacher creates Disc. Board with question students need to answer in threads below.
Visible to the entire class. Students can comment on other posts. Good for sharing thoughts on a video or podcast (that are not too personal) with the entire class. Good for dividing an article or chapter and having students post summary to Disc. Board Good for low stakes marks |
Incl. in BB Shell | Allows some engagement between students through commenting on posts that they connect with
Learners learn from each other, gain different perspectives |
Computer |
Journals | Better for use between teacher & student (private), though you can do Group Journals where all members of the group can see journals
Better for longer, more reflective pieces |
Incl. in BB Shell | Good for relationship building between teacher and student
Allows for a ‘direct line’ between teacher and student, the teacher can respond to the journal directly |
Computer |
Wikis | Groups can collaborate and contribute
Teacher can track contributions as well Good for remote group work |
Incl. in BB Shell | Allows learners to work together remotely while still maintaining autonomy over their own work (it is visible who contributed what)
Good for students who may be nervous about collaborating (still fairly independent) |
Computer |
Blogs | All members of group can contribute; whole class can see (like a journal but for all to see)
Can be used for larger projects (full term projects with installments throughout) |
Incl. in BB Shell | Learners learn from each other, gain different perspectives
Can be an alternative to a video or oral presentation for students who struggle with significant anxiety |
Computer |
Centre for Teaching and Learning | ||||
Learning Technologies | A direct link to CTL’s vast collection of ed. tech. supports |
Resource Name |
Description |
Specific Examples |
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Out in the Open CBC Podcast |
Examines issues that society often finds difficult to discuss |
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Frontburner CBC Podcast |
A daily Canadian podcast that examines an issue at the forefront of world or Canadian events |
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Unreserved CBCPodcast |
“Unreserved is the radio space for Indigenous community, culture, and conversation.” | |
The Doc Project CBCPodcast |
A random collection of short, well produced radio documentaries |
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The Munk Debates (Video Documentaries) The Munk Debates (Audio Only) |
Both podcast and video documentary form. Takes major issues and frames it as a formal debate with “be it resolved that…” and a pro and con side. |
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Ear Hustle | “The daily realities of life inside prison shared by those living it, and stories from the outside, post-incarceration” |
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CBC ‘Docs’ | A wide range of documentary series, including documentary collections on specific topics | |
CBC ‘Docs’ COLLECTION |
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CBC ‘Docs’ COLLECTION |
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CBC ‘Docs’ COLLECTION |
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The Nature of Things | Hundreds of episodes on a variety of scientific, social, nutritional and psychological topics |
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CBC Docs POV | Point of view documentaries on a range of topics from a personal perspective |
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The Passionate Eye | “The Passionate Eye is a curated playlist of thought-provoking documentaries based on news and current affairs topics. As Canada’s longest-running showcase for international documentaries, it offers viewers a selection of the world’s best and most newsworthy political and social issue documentaries.” |
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Japan, Chile, Canada: I am a product of many worlds | Short doc. |
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Ru-Tsu | Short doc. |
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Fridge Wars | Television show looking at what is in the fridges of Canadian families |
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Marketplace | Television show about business and consumers in Canada |
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CBC Gem | A CBC streaming site that one can create an account for and view hundreds of movies and docs. | |
CBC News | Includes articles, opinion pieces, documentaries, podcasts relevant to Canadians |
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