Blog Post 10_2009103_EduTools_ClassTools

Classtools.net is a great tool for learners to learn material in a fun and interactive way. The site is: http://classtools.net/ and it has seventeen templates to choose from. I like the game generator the best. You create the content for the games and the same content can be utilized in other different games. This is a great activity especially when you have different types of learners. I know my son would love the games that shoot or has cannon balls firing at objects. The activities were fun and engaging I wanted to keep going to see if I could hit all the targets. I could definitely use this in my class, especially if I want my students to learn definitions or certain musical facts.

Another tool I like was the Random Name Picker too. I tend to call on the same students to answer a question during class. This way when you type in their names in the program, the Random Name Picker will choose the students for you. Instead of inputing names, you can input word and have a student define the word. You can be creative when using this tool.

There are other mapping tools you can use in the classroom such as the Venn Diagram, Fishbone Diagram and others. There are some templates that all you need to do is type your content information. The students can see visually how the content connects with one another like some of the diagrams. There is a built in timer called countdown timer, so if you are playing a game the students know how much time they have to answer a question.

Another tool, Lights out, is good for scavenger hunts.

There is a good visual graph called Burger where you can show students how to write essays. For example the top bun is the introduction the bottom is the conclusion and the meat in the burger is the main content. You can add the lettuce, cheese, and tomato for supporting details or a different section. If I wanted to adapt this program to illustrate the parts of a musical composition, the top bun could represent the introduction, the burger could represent the main subject, and the cheese could represent the transition to a different section of the music. The tomato or lettuce could represent modulation to a different key. By adding another patty of meat you represent the recapitulation. The bottom bun could represent the coda. You could have a very interesting sandwich when you relate it to music.

The only problem I saw in this particular tool is I wasn’t able to add more patties to illustrate the complexities in music. But I can use this for the basic concept in music.

There is a list of the templates to choose from: Game Generator, CannonBall fun, Random Name Picker, Countdown timer, Post-it, Dustbin, Target, Fishbone, Burger, Timeline, Living Graph, Venn, Jigsaw, Diamond, Priority chart, Lights Out, Source Analyzer, Learning Cycle.