Who (or what) is it?

Here’s an interesting slide template from Slidesmania for use with either SEL (getting to know your students) or for other definitions.  Here’s a silent video on how to use the Slides- Edit theme (no longer called master) to make your changes. 

Games versus Gamification

Two terms that I hear tossed about- but are they really different?  Check out this article by Hubert Ham to help identify these concepts.  There are also links to resources.

A Google Slides gameboard (with dice)

OK, they are not real dice - but this gameboard Google Slides from Alice Keeler would be perfect for virtual and hybrid learning.  From her colorful board (with game pieces) to the Dice and her quick tutorial on using the Slide Master as an editing tool- this is worth your time.  Please see the blog post (with directions and video) here.

String of pearls

I have to admit, when I saw this reference to an improv game (that could be adapted for online school), my first thought was “isn't this a song?” Guess that’s what happens when you listen to Glenn Miller, have been in a high school band, or watch old movies!  But this String of Pearls is an interactive storytelling exercise.  Please click here to see the video.  And if you need a little Glenn Miller, click here!

The Z-A game

While I think I watch a fair amount of BBC produced television, I will admit
I wasn’t familiar with the game show Z-A.  In this game, words are revealed
(the letters start from Z and end at A, hence the title). There is a clip on the
ClassTools site if you want to see how it is played. Now ClassTools has a
way to create your own!

Not only does your team want to be the first to guess the words- there’s
also the connection.  What do they have in common or which is the odd
word out? Here’s a link to a sample I created. This are all made in
Classtools.net.  You can save and edit later and share with url or
embed code.  Here’s the complete write up from TeachersFirst.

Sweeter than sugar

SugarCane is a site that allows you to create online games:

• Matching
• Associating (think flash cards)
• Typing
• Ordering
• Categorizing

But rather than type in the content for each different game, you can create a data set and then use that data set to create a variety of games.  All your games are public (and you can search by title). And to make things even easier, you can share via Google classroom! Don’t want to make your own game? Check out some of their samples.

For the complete description, please see the TeachersFirst blog post here.

Nature Games

This morning I read an interesting post from Richard Byrne (Free Technology for Teachers) with some interesting games from NOAA (titled Games Planet Arcade) (there are weather and nature games).  These are both topics I often see in the elementary schools.

Make your own sorting game!

Dustbin is a new game from ClassTools.  Create up to  four categories (themes) and then items. You can then play the game, save it as a web page or embed it in a website.  Click here to play the sample I created.  It does track your time (and will not allow you to place an item in the wrong can).  This might be a fun sorting project (reminded me of a BrainPOP game Sortify).

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.