Eclectic Technology

If you are looking for some great tools that will provide inspiration for learners to write stories check out this post by Richard Byrne. He provides ten tools that you may find useful.

The first section has two tools that help learners create collages, Canva,  PicCollage (Android and iPad app), and  PicMonkey (browser based). He also suggests using ThingLink as a tool for learners to enhance their collage (and links to a tutorial).

The second section looks at "threading images into stories." Thematic allows you to upload images and display up to twenty in a story with one line of text for each image. Storehouse is a free iPad app that allows you to use images and video and arrange them with a line of text above or below the image or video clip. Adobe Slate is a free iPad app that also allows you to create stories and has more features than Storehouse.

The final section looks at creating picture books and suggest My Storybook (web based), Picture Book Maker (web based) and Little Story Creator (free iPad app).

Each of these tools is described in more detail in the post. As this school year draws to a close your class might enjoy using one of these tools to create a story about what they have learned this year.

Change the way your learners create book reports by using your iPads! This post provides 22 suggestions on how learners may demonstrate their knowledge. The post state that "For each of the assignments students will need to make sure that their piece of work shows that:

* They have read the book

* Thought deeply and reflected on the book

* Have understood the assignment

Each suggestions also lists the app or apps that would be needed. A few of the suggestions include (quoting from the post):

* If a journey was involved, draw a map with explanatory notes of significant places. (Google Earth, Notability, Showme)

* Design and make the fronRecord a video interview with a character from your book. Ask at least ten questions that will give the character the opportunity to discuss his/her thoughts and feelings about his/her role in the story. (Reel director,  iMovie) 

Many more great ideas are found in this post!