Teaching a CTE course, we have access to a lot of technology however, there is still a lot of untapped potential resources out there waiting to be discovered. ​As you continue to read, I have compiled a list of five tech resources that will help enhance your classroom environment. I have summarized what each site is about and listed the pros and cons for it and how I used it.
Here are 5 Digital Resources to Elevate Your Classroom:
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Are you ready to transform your classroom into an interactive learning environment? Introducing Jeopardy Labs, the ultimate tool for educators looking to engage students through fun and competitive learning!
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MagicSchool.ai is an online platform that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to assist teachers in creating lesson plans, generating educational materials, designing assessments, and performing other administrative tasks, aiming to streamline the teaching process by automating time-consuming aspects of lesson preparation; essentially acting as a "co-pilot" for educators across various grade levels.
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Have you ever needed to know the color code for a website or photo? Let Color Picker help you find the right HEX or RGB code to match what you're looking for. It'll pull the correct hexadecimal color code every time. Bonus: You can add a Chrome extension, too.
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Are you looking to ignite creativity in your classroom and enhance your students' storytelling skills? Introducing StoryboardThat, the premier online tool for creating visually stunning storyboards and comics that make learning engaging and fun!
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The Teach-nology Bingo Generator is a versatile platform that enables teachers to design unique bingo cards filled with words, phrases, or concepts relevant to their curriculum. Perfect for review sessions, vocabulary building, or classroom games, this tool transforms learning into an enjoyable experience!
Exploring Digital Resources
1
Jeopardy Labs
Why ask boring review questions about your content when you can elevate it and play it Jeopardy style? Make sure to have prizes. The students will thank you.
​Jeopardy Labs allows you to create a customized game template for your class review. You are able to customize it to your specific needs. After you have input your categories, questions, and answers into the box fields, students can select the question they want to answer. To see the correct answer, just press the spacebar to reveal the answer. Then assign points to the corresponding team.​
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If you're pressed for time and want to find one already created, there is a search feature. Just type in your keyword and pick a premade game that has been created.​
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I have started using this with my video game design classes when it's time to review for our unit exams and they love it. It is a lot more fun and interactive than just asking questions and waiting for answers.
Synopsis
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​Engaging Format: Jeopardy Labs creates a fun and interactive way to review material, making learning enjoyable for students.
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Customizable: Teachers can easily create their own game boards tailored to specific subjects or topics, allowing for personalized learning experiences.
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Team Collaboration: The game promotes teamwork and collaboration among students as they work together to answer questions.
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Accessible: Jeopardy Labs is web-based, meaning it can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, making it convenient for classroom use.
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Easy to Use: The platform is user-friendly, allowing teachers to set up games quickly without needing extensive technical skills.
Pros:
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​Limited Features: While it offers basic game functionality, it may lack advanced features found in other educational technology tools.
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Internet Dependency: Since it is a web-based tool, a stable internet connection is required, which may not always be available in every classroom.
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Time-Consuming Setup: Creating a custom Jeopardy game can take time, especially if a teacher wants to include a large number of questions or categories.
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Distraction Potential: Some students may become more focused on the game aspect rather than the educational content, leading to potential distractions.
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Question Quality: The effectiveness of the game depends on the quality and relevance of the questions created by the teacher, which requires thoughtful preparation.
Cons:
References:
Johnson, T. (2014) Jeopardy Labs. Jeopardy Labs Online. https://jeopardylabs.com/
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​Van Gemert, L. (Gifted Guru). (2019, February 11). How to Use Jeopardylabs.com. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPXqVLyyZgM
References:
2
MagicSchool.ai
Teacher View
Student View
MagicSchool.ai is an innovative platform tailored for educators, offering a comprehensive suite of over 60 specialized tools designed to enhance teaching and learning experiences. By leveraging artificial intelligence, MagicSchool.ai provides educators with resources that streamline lesson planning, create engaging materials, and support personalized learning for students. The user-friendly interface allows teachers to easily navigate through various tools, ensuring they can quickly find what they need to meet their classroom objectives.
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One of the standout features of MagicSchool.ai is its ability to customize resources according to specific teaching needs, promoting adaptability in diverse educational settings. The platform fosters collaboration among educators, enabling them to share resources, ideas, and best practices, thus building a supportive community of teaching professionals.
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However, educators may face a learning curve as they familiarize themselves with the multitude of tools available. Additionally, while the AI-driven support can save time, users must remain vigilant about the accuracy and quality of generated content. There may also be subscription costs associated with accessing premium features, which can be a consideration for individual teachers or institutions.
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Overall, MagicSchool.ai aims to empower educators by providing them with the tools they need to create dynamic and effective learning environments, ultimately enhancing student engagement and success.
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I have been very hesitant to use AI. However, I did play around and explore some of the features within the program. I am genuinely surprised at how easy it is to use. I really liked the feedback I got in the chatbot section. I plan to use it some more and take some of my lesson plans and revamp them utilizing the lesson plan generator.
Synopsis
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Wide Range of Tools: MagicSchool.ai offers over 60 tools designed specifically for educators, making it easy to find resources for various teaching needs.
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AI Assistance: The platform utilizes AI to help educators save time and streamline their work, from lesson planning to resource creation.
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User-Friendly Interface: The platform is designed to be intuitive, allowing educators to easily navigate and access the tools they need.
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Customization: Many tools can be tailored to fit specific classroom needs, allowing for personalized learning experiences.
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Collaboration: Educators can share resources and collaborate with others on the platform, fostering a sense of community.
Pros:
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Learning Curve: Some educators may find the variety of tools overwhelming and may need time to learn how to use them effectively.
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Dependence on Technology: Relying heavily on AI tools may lead to a decrease in traditional teaching methods and human interaction.
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Potential for Inaccuracy: As with any AI platform, there is a chance of generating inaccurate information or resources, so users must review outputs carefully.
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Subscription Costs: Depending on the features available, there may be costs associated with using the platform that some educators or institutions might find prohibitive.
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Limited Offline Access: If the platform requires internet access, educators may face challenges in areas with poor connectivity.
Cons:
References:
Khan, A. (2023, March). MagicSchool.ai. MagicSchool.ai. https://www.magicschool.ai/
​MagicSchool. AI. (2025, January 6). MagicSchool AI Magic Minute: Custom Tools - Writing Feedback Tool.
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYxBCsEAiOE
3
Color Picker
The Color Picker tool is neat and allows you to select any color on a website or photo. Once you upload a photo to their page the color, you move your mouse (which becomes the cross-hair) to select any color within that image.
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If you need a palette of all the colors in the photo, the color picker can also select those. The image on the right with the truck has several blues, whites, blacks, and browns. The color palette will pull those shades/ hues and give you more options.
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One of the other biggest features on the site is if you are needing to get the HEX code or the RGB code, to match for on another site/ webpage, once you select the color, it will give the information needed.
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If you need complementary, triadic, analogous, monochromatic, or tetradic colors, the site will help you find matching colors with what you selected and give you those features, too. (See photo on the right.)
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If going to this website makes you a little hesitant, there is a Chrome extension you can add that is similar and will use the same concept.
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Color has meaning behind it. This tool will enhance the user's lessons when trying to reinforce a message or be subliminal.
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​ I have used the Chrome extension. I did use it to color-match the green on my site for an AI photo I was trying to create.
Synopsis
Examples of more color options that go with my color palette.
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User-Friendly Interface: The color picker tools have intuitive designs that make them easy to use, even for those without design experience.
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Variety of Color Formats: They typically provide colors in multiple formats (HEX, RGB, HSL, etc.), which is useful for different applications.
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Accessibility: Being online, you can access these tools from anywhere with an internet connection.
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No Installation Required: You don’t need to download any software, which can save storage space on your device.
Pros:
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​Internet Dependence: You need an internet connection to use the tool, which may not be ideal in all situations.
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Limited Features: Some online tools may lack advanced features found in professional software.
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Privacy Concerns: Depending on the website's privacy policy, there may be concerns about how your data (like color choices) is used.
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Dependence on Image Quality: The accuracy of color extraction can be affected by the quality of the uploaded image. Low-resolution images may yield less precise results.
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No Built-in Editing Tools: Users cannot edit images directly on the platform, limiting functionality for those who may want to make quick adjustments.
Cons:
References:
Color Picker (n.d.). Image Color Picker. Color Picker Online. https://imagecolorpicker.com/
Larison, S. (2023, June 17). Chrome Web Store. Chrome Web Store. https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/colorpick
eyedropper/ohcpnigalekghcmgcdcenkpelffpdolg?hl=en​​​
4
StoryboardThat
StoryboardThat is an innovative educational tool that allows educators and students to create visually engaging storyboards and comic strips. This platform promotes creativity and storytelling skills by providing a user-friendly interface with customizable characters, scenes, and dialogue options. Educators can use StoryboardThat to enhance lesson plans, facilitate project-based learning, and assess student understanding through visual representation. The tool supports various subjects, including language arts, history, and science, making it a versatile resource for classrooms. Additionally, it fosters collaboration among students, encourages critical thinking, and caters to different learning styles. With its rich features and supportive environment, StoryboardThat is a valuable asset for enhancing classroom engagement and creativity.
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I had students work with a partner to create a storyboard over a topic of their choice. Students would create three scenes minimum. They could use any background images built into the system, the people etc. It needs to be school-appropriate. They would need to have 2 rows and 5 columns total. When they finished making the story, they were to take a screenshot with the snipping tool and upload it to google classroom.
Synopsis
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User-Friendly Interface: StoryboardThat offers an intuitive design that makes it easy for both educators and students to create storyboards without extensive training.
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Customization Options: The platform provides a wide range of characters, scenes, and props, allowing users to create personalized and engaging storyboards.
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Enhances Creativity: By allowing students to express their ideas visually, StoryboardThat fosters creativity and imagination in learning.
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Supports Various Subjects: It can be used across different subjects, making it a versatile tool for educators in any discipline.
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Collaboration Opportunities: Students can work together on projects, promoting teamwork and collaborative skills.
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Visual Learning: Storyboards help visual learners grasp concepts more effectively by breaking down information into manageable parts.
Pros:
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Limited Free Features: The free version has limitations on the number of storyboards and features, which may restrict usage for some educators.
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Internet Dependency: Since it is an online tool, a stable internet connection is necessary, which may be a barrier in some educational settings.
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Learning Curve for Advanced Features: While basic features are easy to use, some advanced options may require additional training or time to master.
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Print Limitations: Printing storyboards may not always produce high-quality results, which could be an issue for presentations.
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Cost for Premium Features: Accessing the full range of features requires a subscription, which may not be feasible for all schools or budgets.
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Potential Distraction: The abundance of customization options might distract some students from the primary learning objectives.
Cons:
References:
5
Teach-nology Bingo Generator
The Teach-nology 5x5 Bingo Card is an educational tool designed to enhance classroom engagement and learning through a fun and interactive game format. The card consists of a 5x5 grid filled with words, phrases, or concepts related to a specific subject or lesson, allowing teachers to customize the content to their curriculum needs.
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I created bingo cards to review for one of our unit tests. I came up with several different board options and passed them out with dry-erase markers. I called out questions, and students had to find the correct answer on the board and mark it.
Synopsis
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Customizable Content: Easily create bingo cards that align with your specific teaching goals. Add your own words or choose from a range of subjects to meet the needs of your students.
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Engaging Learning Experience: Make lessons interactive and fun! Bingo games encourage participation, helping students to stay focused and motivated while learning.
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Versatile Use Cases: Ideal for any subject area, whether it’s vocabulary review in language arts, key terms in science, or historical figures in social studies. The possibilities are endless!
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Easy to Use: The user-friendly interface simplifies the card creation process, allowing you to generate bingo cards in just a few clicks—no design skills needed!
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Printable and Shareable: Once you’ve created your bingo cards, you can easily print them or share them digitally with your students for remote learning or in-class activities.
Pros:
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Limited Advanced Features: The tool may lack advanced customization options or game variations that some educators might desire, such as different bingo formats.
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Dependence on Internet Access: Requires internet access to use the generator, which may be a limitation in certain educational settings or for students without reliable connectivity.
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Potential for Repetitiveness: If used frequently, bingo games might become repetitive for students, leading to decreased engagement over time.
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Preparation Time: While the generator is user-friendly, teachers still need to invest time in creating customized cards for each lesson or topic.
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No Built-in Scoring System: The tool does not provide an integrated scoring system, meaning educators will need to manage that aspect manually during games.
Cons:
References:
Technology, Inc. (2000, April.). Teachnology. 5x5 BIngo Card Maker. https://www.teach-
nology.com/web_tools/materials/bingo/5/