Videos are a great way to share information with students. They get awesome visuals and audio that otherwise may not be possible in a classroom environment. The issue as educators we run into though, is if the watchers actually understand what they have watched. Some of this issue can now be eliminated by using PlayPosit (​www.playposit.com). PlayPosit allows you to take any YouTube video and make it into an interactive response. You can ask students simple yes/no questions, multiple choice questions, free response questions, and even host a discussion right within a video! 

All the students and/or learners responses are recorded and can be graded to see how well they did. With just a few clicks you can make your own interactive video and get rocking. To see how, watch the short tutorial below or jump right in by going to www.playposit.com! 

If you want to try PlayPosit as student, check out this link to learn about the Seaweed Sheep: ​www.playposit.com/listcode/922359/e71a4a/open/anonymous

There are several resources out there to create screencasts, but few of them are as simple and neat looking as Loom!

Educators and students alike can use Loom to help highlight how to use websites, explain ideas, and just about anything you need to talk about. One of the great features of Loom is that it makes it super simple to embed yourself into the video! 

Watch the tutorial below to see how you or your students can use Loom.

Recently I came across this pretty neat math resource called Knowledgehook. The best way I can describe it is, is if Kahoot and Freckle Math (previously known as Front Row) had a software baby, this would be it. Knowledgehook allows teachers to push 'Missions' to students that they must complete. The questions look very similar to state standardized tests and provides them in a non-overwhelming amount. It also features a 'Gameshow' ability. Gameshow is a Kahoot styled activity that can be not only done in a competitive mode, but also in a collaborative mode. The collaborative mode promotes students taking their time to solving the problem and also gives them the ability to submit proof of how they solved the problem.

Knowledgehook provides content for grades 3-12, but younger or more advanced classes could take advantage of the 'Custom Content' feature to make it fit their needs. If you want to see Knowledgehook in action, please watch the tutorial below to see a overview of it's features. 

ClassroomScreen is a great classroom management resource for all grade levels and subjects. It can allow a teacher to help facilitate class discussions, redirect students who are off task, display information, and do easy exit polls of a class. It works on any device you would use, Windows, Mac, Chromebooks, iPads/iPhones, and Android devices. If you have an interactive projector you could even control it from there! Watch the video below to see how ClassroomScreen can be used in your class.

Having trouble with the embedded ThingLink? Try the Direct Link

In this edition of the Holiday Special you will find nine resources for your classroom. You can find fun games, a Smart Notebook activity, and even two Google Slides projects.

All activities, besides the Smart Notebook activity, should work without a hitch on any computer or laptop, and this includes Chromebooks!

 After my last Halloween Special, I was asked if I could do a Thanksgiving one. I was more than happy to oblige and created the Thanksgiving Special 2017 Thinglink! You can find a variety of history & research resources, Thanksgiving themed games, and even a craft.

If you have troubles viewing the Thinglink, you can also access all the resources here: https://www.gettoby.com/p/f5vl0a9cps60.

Adding a 3D modeling component to any class has been made easy with usecubes. Usecubes allows learners to create simple 3D designs that can be colored and then easily shared via a link, Google Classroom, or other popular social media websites. The interface is pretty easy to use and works on any device a student can get their hands on...even cellphones and iPads!

Watch the tutorial below to see usecubes in action.

Sometimes an educator needs a resource that is easy to use, interactive, needs no instructions, and is actually fun!

Well, Smarty Pins by Google can fit all those needs. Smarty Pins challenges students in a variety of subject areas to find important geographic locations around the world. It provides clues which students can use to find a certain location and if they choose incorrectly, it will show them the correct answer. Students are encouraged to quickly guess to earn bonus points, but allowed unlimited time to find the correct answer. 

In fact, sometimes trying to find the correct answer will cause a learner to get side-tracked reading. For example, I was challenged to find the location of Ned Kelly's last stand. Thirty minutes later I finally remembered to enter the answer into Smarty Pins.

This website also works on all devices. It can be used on Chromebooks, MacBooks, Windows, and even mobile devices like iPads and Android phones!

I am always a sucker for free curriculum resources. In fact, anytime I here free my ears are perked. Often though the free part comes with a catch. This is not true for Elementary GLOBE. Elementary GLOBE is a resource sponsored by NASA and the National Science Foundation and then further supported by NOAA and the US State Department.

Elementary GLOBE provides units on:

• Climate
• Earth Systems
• Clouds
• Soils
• Seasons
• Water
• Aerosols

Each unit provides a book, teacher guide, and student activities. The activities themselves are often priceless resources! If you want to learn more about this resource and see a brief demo of what Elementary GLOBE has to offer, watch my YouTube demo below.