Actively Learn

My students read and interact with text on a daily basis.  It is so important and valuable for them to collaborate, think critically, and communicate through and about the text that they read.  I have currently been using a web-based application called Actively Learn and I LOVE it!

Teacher:

• creates assignments that can include short answer or multiple choice questions to check for understanding
• add images, links, or videos to the assignment
• can upload articles or stories from PDFs, Google Docs, or a website link
• can use the many assignments that are already in Actively Learn
• easily grade and comment on responses 

Students:

• read in chunks
• define words within the program itself
• highlight and annotate 
• respond to other student's annotations

I have used it in class along with groups discussion.

I have assigned it for HW and have been amazed with their thoughts and discussions with each other.

I have place student writing (not named) in as an assignment and asked students to analyze the writing and improve it looking at different writing techniques.

If you haven't used it, I believe it would be worth your time to explore.  It is very user friendly and one more tool to help students interact with text and others!

InstaWiki

I totally stole this idea from @Catlin_Tucker and it worked beautifully.  In groups they were relased out into the wild of the outdoors to take a picture and then create a caption using sensory details and figurative language.  Then they had to assign a hashtag.  They loved it!  I loved to see their creativity break through.   Here is one groups:

This is what I love about technology.  This activity took 15 minutes and students produced something creative and full of depth!