Explore this interactive ThingLink Channel of ideas and directions for using the new ThingLink Teacher features.
Be sure to read the full posts as I continue to guest blog on the ThingLink Blog in February and March.
A ThingLink Channel for Teachers
Tag: multimedia
Build Your ThingLink Classroom
ThingLink is working hard to pack teacher accounts full of useful features for building and managing the ThingLink Classroom. I am excited to be guest blogging here in February and March to demonstrate great ways to use the new features. Let’s start from the beginning by taking a look at how teachers can create a ThingLink Classroom and add students.
>Read more on the ThingLink Blog
Create Interactive Albums with ThingLink Channels
Now teachers and students can create collections of work within the safety of their own ThingLink EDU classroom with an exciting new feature known as Channels.
ThingLink Channels provide users with the ability to organize images into embeddable interactive albums with the click of a button. Teachers and students have the flexibility to build Channels that are connected to learning goals and compliment classroom routines. Channels are a fantastic addition to ThingLink EDU, with many opportunities for use for teaching and learning.
Ways to Use ThingLink Channels
Digital Storytelling Channel
Students can make stories come alive by creating multimedia book reviews. Start with a book cover. Use SoundCloud to embed a narrated overview of the story. Embed author interviews and book trailers from YouTube. Create an original illustration and embed it through Flickr. Publish a channel of student book reviews for others to explore.With so many options, students are sure to get excited about sharing digital stories through a ThingLink Channel.
Portfolio Channel
Students can create a channel for use as an ePortfolio to organize a collection of their own work and document learning over time. Maintaining an ePortfolio requires students to take a more active role in the learning process through self-reflection, goal setting and decision making. The flexibility of ThingLink provides students with a variety of ways to demonstrate learning through flexible learning paths to meet their unique learning needs. Teachers can use ePortfolios as a tool for authentic assessment.
Vocabulary Channel
ThingLink is a tool that is well suited for digging deeper into vocabulary, a skill supported by the Common Core Standards. Students can start with a word, define it through rich multimedia tags and create a channel of terms to share and explore. Use a vocabulary channel as an interactive glossary available 24/7 for review, challenge and reteaching.
Projects Channels
Student centered projects that utilize cooperative grouping are greatly enhanced by the use of a Channel. Teachers can guide the learning and provide students with differentiated tasks by assigning each student a specific job within the the group. Students can engage in research to create their own interactive graphic to meet their specific job requirement, and the cooperative group can collaborate to assemble the images into a final project to demonstrate and share learning.
Resources Channel
The seamless integration of tech as a tool for learning is a goal that can be more easily achieved with the use of short video tech tips to demonstrate “how to use the tech”. Teachers can focus on the content instead of the technology by providing students with easy access to screencasts, or narrated videos that capture what takes place on the screen. Assemble a channel of resources and teach students to use it when needed. Be sure to point out the usefulness of the pause button for reteaching and review.
How to Create a ThingLink Channel
Start using ThingLink Channels in 3 simple steps:
- Select an image and click the Edit icon.
- Click on the Add to channel link, just above the image.
- Select a channel or Create a New Channel, then click Done.
To view and share your images as an interactive slideshow, click View as Slideshow on the left side of the screen.
ThingLink has plans to continue to improve the functionality of Channels. One improvement in the works is an option to arrange images within a channel. They are also exploring the possibility of adding other people’s images to a channel, with notification features. All of this is in the works! Suggestions from teachers are always welcome at ThingLink, so if you have an idea please share it.
Final Thoughts
ThingLink Channels are just one example of the many ways ThingLink EDU is working hard to improve the usefulness of ThingLink as a tool for teaching and learning. I am excited to be guest blogging on The ThingLink Blog in February and March to demonstrate great ways to use the new features in the classroom!
Explore a ThingLink Channel created to recap the ideas shared in this post and try Channels yourself, on ThingLink EDU.
Webinar 2/4: Using Google Docs to Construct Knowledge
Google Docs Presentation Slides is tool well-suited for use to fuel everyday student driven research because of the availability of efficient integrated research and writing tools right on the page.
Teachers can use the tool to design student driven learning experiences that require students to construct knowledge as they create, an idea supported by the Common Core State Standards. (CCSS)
Webinar Resources
Using Google Presentation Slides to Construct Knowledge
2/4 @ 4:00 PM CST
A free webinar, sponsored by Infinitec
ICE Wednesday Webinar – Teaching Above the Line
Join me and ICE as we explore
Teaching Above the Line:
Using the SAMR Model for Tech Integration
Are you looking for ways to leverage the power of technology to maximize student learning? Researchers have determined that technology integration typically moves through four specific levels: Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition (SAMR) The higher the level of an activity the greater the educational benefit.
This webinar will show how to use the SAMR model of technology integration as a guide for planning and implementing classroom learning experiences that take student learning to higher levels. Join us as we look at some traditional learning tasks, align them to the Common Core Standards, and walk them up the line to show how to transform your teaching and “Teach Above the Line.”
This live, online event will be held Wednesday, January 22, 2014, from 5:30-6:30 pm. FREE for ICE members, but you must register to receive link and instructions to access session online.
6 Ways to Use ThingLink Hashtags
ThingLink hashtags provide teachers and students with a way to easily organize ThingLink content within a safe learning environment. ThingLink hashtags are handy searchable smart phrases that can be used to accomplish some important classroom tasks.
Read more on the ThingLink Blog…
Create Custom ThingLink Icon Sets in a Couple of Clicks
ThingLink icon sets are useful, visually appealing, and easy to create in a couple of clicks! I’ve been having fun during winter break engaging in constructive play and exploring creative ways to use them.
I have uploaded 25 icon sets and used them to create an interactive professional development calendar and a set of social media buttons. I’m also working on an interactive map.
I believe the ability to create and upload custom icon sets is a major improvement for ThingLink and I’m very excited about this new feature!
Learn How to Create Multimedia Graphics with ThingLink
Explore this interactive calendar to learn more.
My Interactive PD Calendar – Created with ThingLink
I’ve been engaging in some constructive play and exploring the use of the new custom icons and slides available at ThingLink EDU.
My first slideshow is an interactive Professional Development Calendar. I believe the calendar will be able to grow with me throughout the year and I think it will be a lot of fun to use.
//www.thinglink.com/channelcard/473490904238260225
Click the side arrows to view this ThingLink_EDU Slideshow
Click the side arrows to view this ThingLink_EDU Slideshow
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2 Ways to Track Santa in 2013
This year Google has brought us a multimedia rich Santa Tracker which will use street-view technology to help us follow Santa’s big journey on Tuesday evening.
Now there is an alternative to tracking Santa through the NORAD cameras. Which will you chose?
Explore and Enjoy 2 Ways to Track Santa in 2013
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| created with ThingLink_EDU |
Cool Tools for 21st Century Learners 
