Tuesday, February 28, 2017

10 Ways to Use Socrative Student Response

Socrative is a very simple and versatile student response tool.  It allows you to ask questions (open-ended, multiple choice, true false) and get answers from students using any device - without a student account needed.  You can do whole class activities or self-paced activities students can do independently.  If you'd like to see more details about Socrative, feel free to check out this resource document.  It includes some nice tutorials on how to use this product.  *Just so you know, there is a new paid version of this product, but the free version will give you plenty of functionality.

Socrative is a tool every teacher should have in their digital toolbox.  I highly encourage you to give it a try.  To get your creative thoughts churning, here are some ideas of how you can use Socrative in the classroom:

  • Before a unit begins to gauge prior knowledge
  • Before a big test to review and check progress
  • A self-paced activity where students can work on their own, or with partners/small groups, to answer questions, write or evaluate statements, build arguments, etc.
  • Writing skill practice - have students write a few lines or a paragraph showing a particular skill.  Have students vote anonymously on which was best.  Discuss why it was best.  Another prompt, another vote, another discussion, etc.  This hones their skill as they go.  
  • Suggesting topics, events, ideas, class party ideas, snack choices, etc.  The class can then vote - no muss, no fuss, no counting hands or small slips of paper.
  • Homework assignment - you can leave the room open for multiple days.
  • Study guide - leave it open and allow students to repeat the activity as many times as needed.
  • Daily/Weekly Reading Quiz
  • Quick prompt - (question to answer, prompt to respond to, math problem, etc.) no pre-planning required.  Simply give the problem or prompt verbally or on the board, or they can answer one that is on a worksheet or in a textbook.  
  • Exit ticket

There are so many more ways to engage your students with Socrative, but these should get you started!

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Google Chrome: Save Space on Your Bookmarks Bar

You can't have too many bookmarks.  If you look carefully, most bookmark icons are highly identifiable.  Capitalize on that and save a ton of space on your Bookmarks Bar.


Here is a little .gif that shows the process.


Helping teachers incorporate technology, one tech tip at a time.