Technology in the classroom constantly changes and so are the classroom tech tools that we use every day with our students.

I am a technology junky! At any given time you will find a collection of iPads, laptops, iPhones, smart T.V.s, e-readers, you name it. If you haven't read Goodnight iPad by Ann Droyd, you really should. This may very well have taken place in my house. ;) If you aren't sold on the importance of integrating technology in the classroom or have doubts, this video is an absolute MUST!! This video is one of the most powerful videos that I have watched lately. This year I was fortunate to receive Chromebooks for all of my students. Receiving these Chromebooks and feeling the pressure (mostly self-induced) to use them often and effectively was, and still is, overwhelming. To keep my sanity in check, I decided to start small. By starting small, I saved my sanity and also my students'. Whether you have one, two, three or many technology devices available for your students, start small!! To get you started or to simply get your creative technology juices flowing, I have a list of 10 simple ways to integrate technology into the classroom, and they are all free. These tools and resources are great for the classroom that is 1:1 with technology, or the classroom that has only one iPad or tablet. Do you only have one device? Create a center that focuses on the use of technology. 1. Listen/Watch digital stories. There are many free websites available where students can go, choose a book, and listen to the story. Zing and Storyonline are a perfect start! 2. Have students begin with a little research. Provide them with a topic and have them gather 3-5 facts. Here, on Upper Elementary Snapshots, we have a list of child-safe search engines that you can find HERE. 3. Create a Google form for students to choose their lunch choice for the day. 4. Practice math skills on IXL. IXL is a paid subscription, but students can practice for free until they have reached the daily problem limit. 5. Create a Kahoot to review for an upcoming test. They are a hoot and students LOVE them! 6. Have students visit Wonderopolis, read the wonder of the day, and reflect in their writing journal. 7. Create a classroom blog using Google's free Blogger. Post an open-ended reading question for students to comment. 8. For Social Studies, use KidsGeo.com to practice their geography skills. 9. If you are familiar with QR codes, create a question of the day and require students to check their answer by scanning the code. 10. Can students ever get enough practice with basic math facts?!?! XtraMath is a perfect free solution! Remember to start slow! Focus on one area of your choice. Allow students to become comfortable with using the tool and allow yourself to become comfortable implementing it. Once you and your students are comfortable, think about adding a new focus. Taking baby steps with ultimately lead to success! Teaching With Simplicity Pinterest Facebook Instagram Teachers Pay Teachers

Explore how AI is transforming education, from personalized learning to automated tasks, revolutionizing EdTech and shaping the future of the industry.

Podcasts in the classroom are so fun and engaging! Have you jumped on the podcast train yet?! I have a great system for using podcasts in the classroom...

Here are some user-friendly, innovative ways that even non-techie teachers can integrate technology in the classroom.

Using MoveNote in the Classroom to record presentations. GAFE integration. Technology in the Classroom

Howdy! I am Mr. Greg from The Kindergarten Smorgasboard. My real name is Greg Smedley-Warren. I have been teaching for 11 years. I spent a year teaching fifth grade, two years in second grade and am now in my 9th year in Kindergarten. Kindergarten is my passion and my calling but honestly, that wasn’t how it started. When I was moved to Kindergarten (not voluntarily!) I called my mommy and cried. But on the first day, I fell in love and knew that Kindergarten is where I belonged. I have remained in Kindergarten ever since. I plan to never leave the classroom as the kids are what drive me to continue my growth as a teacher and person.

Learn how you can get started with using green screen technology in your classroom. Lots of low budget options, apps, and software are shared!

Need a way to engage your students and motivate them to learn. Use try using games to woo them into learning by incorporating technology in the classroom.

Read about easy tools for removing backgrounds from images to 'shrink' your students that can be used to show off STEM projects and integrated across the curriculum on any device. Hi everyone! My name is Candace and I am a K-5 Technology Teacher in South Carolina. I am very passionate about “all things tech” and love to search and explore trending tech tools so I can create activities that can be easily integrated into any classroom. Recently, I have been focusing my attention on green screen activities to find quick ways to remove backgrounds from images/videos. I think the biggest

This past year, I had the AWESOME privilege of having a cart of thirty Ipads to share with my third grade team. #teacherdreamcometrue Let’s be honest for a moment: In the beginning, I was completely intimidated by them… Although I was more than familiar with the technology on a personal level, I NEVER dreamed […]

Not so long ago, the internet and the use of technology in education were discussed as things of the future. Education professionals would often question the possibility and accessibility of…

SAMR is a framework developed by education researcher Dr. Ruben R. Puentedura that outlines best practices for implementing technology into the classroom. The SAMR model specifically focuses on fo…

Need a way to engage your students and motivate them to learn. Use try using games to woo them into learning by incorporating technology in the classroom.

Come learn about my FAVORITE technology tools for digital communication and collaboration with elementary students. Use these tools with Chromebooks, laptops, computers and some can even be used with iPads. Global learning is making its way into the classroom and we need to make sure our students are prepared so they can make the most of these authentic learning experiences!

I love using QR codes to make my task cards more exciting and interesting. They are so easy to make and even easier to use.

Integrating technology in the math classroom can go far beyond substitution, digital worksheets, and simple quizzes. In this blog post and episode, my guest, Craig Klement, will share 10 ways to use technology in the math classroom. You will learn about free tools, templates, and lesson ideas you can use across grade levels.

Want students to express ideas and collaborate digitally with each other? This post goes over how to use padlet for collaborating digitally

My Favorite Creation Apps for the Elementary Classroom

Green Screen can be used in any classroom. All you need is a few simple things to get started. This post includes everything you need to know about getting

Find out how ChatGPT technology can assist teachers and save time on lesson planning, report cards, activity creation, and more!

5 Techie Ideas for Lesson Closure. Technology in the Classroom

Integrating iPads into the classroom is a learning curve - whether you are a seasoned pro adjusting to the new iOS update or brand new to using iPads in the classroom. Here are some common mistakes teachers make when integrating iPads and how to fix them! We all make mistakes when using technology This post is not meant to be judgey! Even the best techie teacher started somewhere and most likely made one of these 8 common mistakes when integrating iPads into the classroom. I think I made all eight during the same lesson when I first started to integrate

Do you have an interactive whiteboard? Then, you will love these 10 ways to use your interactive whiteboard in the classroom.

A basic scavenger hunt to kick off the school year and get your students up and out of their seats and investigating your classroom and the resources you have available. Includes: -Student Handout -Teacher Key -Classroom Placards to hide around the room -Innovative technology integration ideas.

Last week, I wrote about building relationships with teachers to help deepen technology integration. The post was inspired by a talk I gave to a group of technology integration specialists and technology directors in Ohio. […]

I've been using the Notebook software for several years and have become somewhat of a go-to person on my staff for newer users. There are many ways to make

Yesterday's Newsletter is Today's Classroom Podcast Ever thought about producing a classroom podcast? When I was a kid we had a class newsletter and it was so much fun to write and put it

As I continue with my #TechologyTidbits, I thought I would share with you my “go-to” app. Once the kids have been exposed to it—you can use it with practically any standard. I am at a 1:1 school, and Popplet is used from Kinder-5th grade. So keep an open mind as you see the different activities for this app. HOW TO USE IT: Here are some ideas for using Popplet in the classroom…there are TONS more ideas! I hope this sparks some new technology integration in your classroom! If you have used Popplet before, what activities have you had your kids complete? If you haven’t used Popplet, what do you think your first activity will be? Get APPY & Check out more apps by clicking the link below! Check out more tech ideas by clicking the button below! Related PostsTwo for Tuesday! Word Work Citing Evidence!Wordless Wednesday: My Favorite Pens!Organize your Weekly HandoutshgBooks Teachers Love: JuneUsing Google Slides with Nearpod as a FREE silver userFrontloading Summary in Fiction Texts

Effective ideas for building vocabulary with technology in the classroom whether you are 1:1 or have access to Chromebooks, laptopstops, computers or iPads. Students will use different tech tools in creative and meaningful ways that will help develop and enhance their lexicon.

This is a list of my Google digital activities that can be used in the elementary classroom. Disperse to your students via Google Classroom, Google Drive Shared Folder, your Learning Platform, etc..

Even the best laid plans and routines can sometimes result in a student showing unexpected or problematic behavior. This sometimes becomes amplified when using technology as there are additional concerns with online safety and the equipment itself. Here are some classroom management tips for using iPads and for dealing with negative or unexpected student behavior when integrating technology. This was almost included on my 8 Mistakes Teachers Make When Integrating iPads (and how to stop making them) list, but I felt a separate post was warranted for this tip because it is such a HUGE mistake. Classroom management tip when

A well planned outdoor classroom that is integrated into the school community will become an important part of your school and can be used for every subject, in every season. Any outdoor classroom will need to suit the grounds and needs of your school, meaning it is entirely up to you what style you go for!

Are you wishing you had a classroom assistant? Now you can with an Amazon Echo in the classroom! Here are 10 ways to use it in your classroom!

A favourite classroom read aloud and two tech activities to go with it!

Stop scrolling aimlessly! Instead check out these 10 legitimate and educational ways teachers and students can use Instagram in the classroom.

Credit: The 3AM Teacher, Zip-ah-dee-doo-dah Designs, KG Fonts, Hello Fonts It's no secret that I use my iPad ALL the time in my classroom. Some teachers are REALLY lucky and they have a cart of iPads or a class set. I only have one Wi-Fi iPad (my personal iPad) to use with my kiddos but we make it work! Before we begin let me say that I am lucky to have a Smartboard and projector in my classroom. I bought this handy little gadget to hook my iPad up to the Smartboard which helps ALOT to make the iPad more accessible to all students. This is a VGA adapter for the iPad, you can get it from the Apple website or at Best Buy. Now that we're hooked up, here are 10 of my favorite apps/activities using my iPad that benefit all the kids in my classroom. 1. iBooks This is a free app to download from the iTunes. Any read aloud book I read this year (Magic Tree House, etc.) I downloaded it from iBooks. To help with cost, I asked for iTunes gift cards for my birthday, Christmas and as a wish item for my classroom. When we read the book aloud, I would hook up to the projector so my kiddos could see the books much better than if I just held it for them. Sometimes my kiddos would read along on the Smartboard or have a specific set of questions they were working on while we read it aloud. I found that my kiddos were so much more engaged when I projected books onto the Smartboard. 2. mClass Assessment My district uses the mClass 3D Reading assessment (which also includes Diebels Next) as the K-3 reading assessment for our kiddos. I originally used a mini-laptop and a Bamboo tablet before I found out that I could use my iPad! This quickly became the only way to assess since it was so much easier! Sometimes I use a stylus when assessing but you could use your finger just as easily. (Note: my school also has Wi-Fi which makes it easy to sync, if you do not have Wi-Fi at your school you can sync when you take it home to your personal Wi-Fi or whenever you are in a Wi-Fi range) HERE are the directions to get the mClass button on your iPad. 3. Storia I have talked many times of my love for Scholastic Book Clubs, well the Storia app has added to that love. I send home Scholastic Book Clubs every month and my kiddos order books. I can spend my points to get FREE e-books using the Storia app, which I then project onto the Smartboard and read aloud to my class. They also offer some books with audio. 4. Class Dojo About halfway through the year my kids grow a little tired of all the incentives I offer for good behavior. Around January I set up Class Dojo for a new, fresh approach. Now that Class Dojo is available as a FREE app it has gotten even better! The best part of this app is that I can I project my class dojo page on the Smartboard and then open the app on my iPad. While I am sitting with my iPad and teaching small group (which is usually the time that is most difficult for classroom management) I can give Dojo points by clicking on my iPad and it shows up on the Smartboard! I don't have to say anything, I just teach my small group, do a quick scan of the rest of my kids working on centers and give a few points (or take a few points) as needed. As soon as my kids hear the "ding" of points being given it becomes super quiet! It also has an option to pick a random student, no more popsicle sticks! If I need to call on a student, I open Class Dojo and pick at random! 5. Brain Pop Jr. App We LOVE some Brain Pop Jr. in my class!! Usually I just project the website using my computer but sometimes I want to watch a video while teaching small group. I teach small group reading and math instruction everyday so I spend a lot of time at my horseshoe table. (Note: you must have a subscription to access all the brain pop videos, but there is also a FREE Brain pop video of the week you can watch each week if you don't have a subscription). 6. Small Group Instruction I use my iPad ALOT in small group. I play short videos from Grammar Jammers, read short stories from iBooks/Storia or use skill specific apps depending on my kiddos needs. So, how do we do this without disrupting ALL the other kids who are working independently and want to see what's on the iPad?? We plug in headphones using this fancy splitter! I have heard of some teachers requiring students to bring a pair of headphones to school like any other school supply at the beginning of the year so that they have headphones ready to go when using a headphone splitter. I bought headphones from Dollar Tree so I would have enough to use, they aren't the most durable but they get the job done! 7. Tap Roulette App This is the simplest app but it is AMAZING! Do you ever have an argument in your classroom that you don't want to solve?? Well this app will solve it for you! Have whichever kids are arguing put one of their fingers on the iPad and you click "Pick Finger". The iPad will flash and then pick one of the fingers, solving the argument by random selection! If you need to solve a simple problem (who was there first?? who should get the first pick?? who gets the red crayon first?? ) then this app is a lifesaver! 8. Pandora Radio My kiddos LOVE listening to music! Sometimes we dance to pop music, play freeze dance, play musical numbers/words/operations and other times we write while listening to soothing classical music. I plug my computer speakers into my headphone jack on the iPad, we choose a kid friendly station and we are good to go! Pandora has it all! (Note: Wi-Fi is needed to access Pandora) 9. Mad Libs This is another app that I project to practice our parts of speech as a whole group or for just a fun brain break. This is a great review of the different parts of speech. There are many FREE stories and also ones you can buy. I usually move around the room and choose different students to fill in each blank. They always find the final story to be hilarious : ) 10. QR Codes I found myself incorporating QR codes into more and more activities last year. My kids were fascinated with them. QR codes are SUPER easy to make using THIS website. And I usually make QR codes with answers or hidden riddles for different centers/activities around the room. I don't let the kids walk around with my iPad scanning them because I know kids sometimes drop things and I would be so sad if my iPad dropped on the floor and broke. These FREE QR codes were fun to use for test prep and then I used these QR codes in HERE to countdown the last 10 days of school! The countdown codes were a big hit at the end of the year. I also have some ideas for them in the upcoming school year! And that's how we do it folks! I hope I have given you a few new ideas for how to use 1 iPad in your classroom of many!

Today’s show is a little bit different y’all. I spent some time with 10 educators talking about 10 awesome ways to use Flipgrid in your classroom [LIVE from ISTE] at the Flipgrid booth. You won’t want to miss the big updates Flipgrid announced at ISTE that Adam “Short-Shorts” Goldberg shares! The educators that stood up to speak shared some amazing tips on how to get the most out of Flipgrid in your classroom. From using it to encourage collaboration on projects, creating global classrooms, and giving students a way to practice giving feedback, the tips were fantastic and unbelievably actionable.

Lack of respect, abominable working conditions, and more.

Virtual Collaboration Board Web 2.0 tool: Using BoardThing in the classroom. This tool is great for 1:1 settings and even Chromebooks!

Come check out these easy to use tools elementary students can utilize to create timelines. Great for history and social studies projects! A free timeline template in Google Slides is provided in this post.