Today’s tech snack can be found at the following url:
http://www.triptico.co.uk/home
Now, unlike other tools that I have shared with you, these tools are not part of an interactive website. Rather, these tools have to be installed on your computer and then you can use them. So in short, these tools are an app.
When you open the app, you will see the layout page. There are two layouts you can pick. (matter of preference which one you use-doesn't affect any of the tools or how they work)
There are multiple tools available when you download the app. The majority of the tools are free, but some are designated as plus tools. Those tools that are plus tools require a subscription to use and a subscription is a paid service. For today’s blog entry, I am going to focus on the free tools you can use with this app.
Here are the free tools that are available:
· Word Magnets
· Order Sorter
· Class Sorter
· Think Link
· Flip Timer
· Hour glass
· Circle Timer
· Student Group
· Flip Selector
· Pin Board
· Text Spinner
· Sliding Scores
· Score Tapper
· Find Ten
· What’s the Question?
Okay, since there are a lot of tools, I’ve broken them up in a table, with video tutorials for most on how to use them. Video tutorials are short(no longer than 3 minutes long, with most under 2 minutes).
Tool
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What does it do?
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Word Magnets
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This tool lets you create virtual word magnet boards. You choose the words you want to use and the kind of board you want to use. Then once you make your board, save it and use it in class with your lcd projector or interactive white board.
To view a video tutorial on how this tool works, click on the link below:
**Note: When you enter words, make sure they are typed left to right from a word document. If you press enter after each word, you may get a few word magnets grouped together. See below for example of how words should look when you put them in word magnets:
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Order Sorter
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This tool lets you create boards for sorting items. You type in the words or events you want in and then click and drag them to put them in the correct order. You can save the board as a text file that you can open up and use again.
Video tutorial:
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Class counter
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This is a simple polling tool. What you do is you type in a question and then pick the number of options students will have. For example, if you wanted to see what was the most popular favorite color in the class, you would type in the question what is your favorite color and provide answers for the question.(blue, red, etc) Then you simply tap the box with the answers the students give. Each time you tap the answer box, you get the number of votes for that answer and a pie graph that changes instantly as you tap boxes. Polls can’t be saved unless you have a subscription.
Video tutorial:
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Think Link
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This is a hexagon linking tools. You can add hexagons to a board. Each hexagon represents an idea. You can link hexagons together, change their color and add extra information. Students can then move and connect hexagons together as they relate using the lcd projector or interactive whiteboard. You can save the board and information as a text file for later use.
Video tutorial:
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Flip timer
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This is just a simple flip timer you can use to help students know how much time they have left for an activity.
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Hour glass
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Another timer. This one is an hour glass. Pick the number of minutes and the virtual sand drops down by each minute. See image below for example:
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Circle timer
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Another timer: This one is a circle. Pick the minute increments then click start. See image below for example:
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Student group
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This is a random group creator. You can create a list of students in your class and save it as a text file. Then you can load your list the day of the group activity. Before the tool picks the groups randomly, you have to click on any student who is absent so they will not be included in the group selection. Then select the number of groups you want. The creator will then place students in random groups. You can also select students at random(once they are in a group) to be called on or serve as group leaders.
Video tutorial:
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Flip Selector
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This is a random name selector. It is set up as a flip chart. You type in the list of students(which you can save as a text file) and then it selects a name at random.
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Pin Board
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This is a random point board. You click and a virtual ball comes down a virtual pin board and lands on a point value for classroom games. You can pick the point value.
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Text Spinner
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This is a virtual spinner. You need to add at least 6 labels but you can have as many labels as you want for your spinner. You can also save the spinners as text files for later use. Great for classroom games.
Video tutorial:
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Sliding Scores
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This is a virtual score board for classroom games. You can pick the number of teams, team names and team colors. You slide the cursor up to add points, and down to deduct points.
Video tutorial:
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Score tapper
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Another score board tool. This one you tab(click) to add the score. You can pick the point values. You can only add points.
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Find ten
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This tool allows you to create a quick response game. You pose a question and students have to pick the correct answers. Right answers show up as yellow, wrong answers as red. You can choose how many correct or wrong selections you have for each game. You can save the boards as a text file for later use.
Video tutorial:
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What’s the question?
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This tool is like a mini jeopardy game. You are given 12 cards. You type in the question and the answer. Students have to figure out what the question is based on the answer. You can save as a text file for later use.
Video tutorial:
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Wow! This tech snack is like the ultimate appetizer platter! Who needs a full meal now? Happy snacking!