Resources and Then Some …
Supporting Reading, Writing and Math
Presentation Resources and More
AI in Education
UPDATES PENDING May 2025
AI and Literacy
Supporting Multilingual students with AI
Brisk
https://www.briskteaching.com/
Happy Scribe
Transcription & Subtitles
AI and Inclusive Education
Assistive technology is AI’s next billion-person market
https://www.axios.com/2024/01/12/ai-assistive-technology-accessibility
AI ADVISORY BOARDS: Giving Students and Teachers a Voice
These boards could bring together students, administrators, and experts in AI to brainstorm new ideas and solutions for improving the educational experience. AI advisory boards can help to increase student engagement, improve communication between students and administrators, foster innovation, and prepare students for the future.
https://aiadvisoryboards.wordpress.com/
AI and Education
Advancing education with AI – Google
https://edu.google.com/intl/ALL_au/why-google/ai-for-education/
First NSW generative AI classroom assistant
https://www.educationreview.com.au/2024/02/first-nsw-ai-classroom-assistant/
NSW schools trial new purpose-built AI tool for students
Australian Framework for Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Schools
Human-Centered AI-Guidance for K-12 Public School
https://aiadvisoryboards.wordpress.com/2024/01/21/human-centered-ai-guidance-for-k-12-public-school/
Leon Furze blog – great AI in education resources
A Repository of AI tools and other stuff for teachers from Dan Fitzpatrick – The AI Educator
Tom Barrett – Promptcraft
https://edte.ch/blog/?v=3a1ed7090bfa
AI Tools
Gemini
ChatGPT 3.5
Poe
This AI chatbot aggregator allows you to access a wide range of AI chatbots in a single hub and even create some of your own
Diffit
Assists teachers in creating differentiated activities within the classroom by allowing them to convert any content to different reading levels, making it accessible to a wider range of students.
Prompt Resources
GenAI Chatbot Prompt Library for Educators
https://www.aiforeducation.io/prompt-library-all-prompts
AI Images and Video
Google Bard can now generate images – Tom Barrett
Creating images in Gemini
https://blog.google/technology/ai/google-imagen-2/
Gemini image generation got it wrong.
https://blog.google/products/gemini/gemini-image-generation-issue
OpenAI
Sora is an AI model that can create realistic and imaginative scenes from text instructions
AI Avatar image generator
HeyGen
AI-powered video creation
Books / Research
“Practical AI strategies – Engaging with Generative Ai in Education” by Leon Furze
“The AI Classroom: The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education (The Hitchhiker’s Guide for Educators Series Book 1)” by Dan Fitzpatrick , Amanda Fox, et al.
Should I cite the AI tool that I used? *** by Dr. Kristin Terrill, Iowa State University
https://academicinsightlab.org/blog/should-ai-tools-be-cited-or-acknowledged
Reading
The ability to access text via text to speech technology on a computer or mobile device may seem simple enough, but for some students the combination of text appearing on a screen together with the device speaking that text aloud can be truly transformative. Students who may benefit from text to speech technology include students with low vision and who are blind, students who are not reading in their first language, students struggling with reading, and students with cognitive load challenges.
Where can you find out more about text to speech:
For all OS – Read&Write https://www.texthelp.com/en-au/products/read-write/read-write-for-education/
Mac OS — Text to Speech: www.apple.com/accessibility/osx
Windows – Microsoft Learning Tools – Immersive Reader
Mac iOS — Speak Selection and Speak Screen www.apple.com/au/accessibility/ios
Android — Text to Speech www.androidcentral.com/latest-google-text-speech-update-enables-high-quality-voices-us-and-uk-english
Kindle Fire Accessibility
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000632481
How to get started with Google Text-to-Speech
http://www.greenbot.com/article/2105862/how-to-get-started-with-google-text-to-speech.html
For dyslexic students, are smart phones easier to read than books?
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/smart-phones-beat-paper-best-device-reading/
Images enhance comprehension
http://2010vislitproject.pbworks.com/f/hibbingpicture.pdf
Struggling readers benefit greatly from illustrations provided in the text.
http://www.decd.sa.gov.au/northernadelaide/files/links/4_VisualisingBooklet.pdf
The Problem with Reading Informational Texts
https://www.theconfidentteacher.com/2022/01/the-problem-with-reading-informational-texts/
Ebook Readers on devices other than an iPad:
Calibre – support for Mac, Linux and Windows
FBReader – support for Mac and Windows, plus Android/iOS apps
Firefox EPUBReader Add-On – Expansion for the Firefox internet browser on Mac and Windows
Readium – ebook reader for Chrome
Text to Speech
Teachers can install a trial of Read&Write, and then sign up to get a free Premium Teacher Subscription. See the following link for more details:
Chrome Extensions
Reading Fluency and Comprehension
Reading fluency
http://www.ldonline.org/article/6354/
The following has a chart of reading speed
http://www.turboread.com/interpretation.htm
If you are reading at below 100 wpm you are reading at a pre grade 2 level.
References:
Chang, A. (2010). The Effect of a Timed Reading Activity on EFL Learners: Speed, Comprehension, and Perceptions. Reading in a Foreign Language, 22(2), 284-303.
Research in L1 reading shows that in silent reading a normal reader reads at approximately 250 to 300 wpm (Carver,1990; Rayner,1998).
Nation, P. (2009). Reading faster. International Journal of English Studies, 9(2).
It has also been found that reading speeds of less than 100 wpm can negatively affect comprehension.
Shimono, T. R. (2018). L2 reading fluency progression using timed reading and repeated oral reading. Reading in a Foreign Language, 30(1), 152.
Comprehension
Images to support understanding
Free stock photos and clipart
All Good Days (via an Instagram sharing project)
Using Pictures in the ESL Classroom
Remove Image Background – www.remove.bg
Text Complexity
Text Analysis
A Reading Level Comparison Chart from the British Columbia Ministry of Education that I like to use.
The following links also give similar comparison charts, but they are not as finely grained when comparing PMB to Lexile Levels as the one from British Columbia.
https://education.scholastic.ca/category/GR_CHART
https://vlc.ucdsb.ca/levelledreading
Microsoft Word – Readability Statistics
Text Reduction
Shorten & Translate by Text United
Reading websites
OCR
Snapverter
Google Drive provides OCR capabilities
http://googleresearch.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/paper-to-digital-in-200-languages.html
Cognitive Load
Cognitive load resources
http://www.learningscientists.org/blog/2017/12/10/weekly-digest-89
Teachers often ask youngsters to learn in ways that exceed even adult-sized attention spans
5 Ways to Reduce Cognitive Load in eLearning
http://elearningindustry.com/5-ways-to-reduce-cognitive-load-in-elearning
Peter Doolittle: How your “working memory” makes sense of the world
Working memory at school poster from @JamesEdPsych and a collaboration of speech and language & occupational therapists, educational psychologists and several hundred teachers co-producing in networks across @NAllianceScot
https://bumps2bairns.com/working-memory-at-school/
Reduce clutter and simplify
Chrome Extensions
Relax
Managing Extensions & Apps
Simplify access
QR Codes
Managing Distractions
Graphic Organisers
Websites
bitly URL shortener
Writing and Research Skills
Google Accessibility – Docs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLRAstwCdXw
Digital exams pass student test
http://www.inglewoodhs.school.nz/DataStore/Pages/PAGE_773/Docs/Documents/SCN_0002.pdf
The 4Ss of Note Taking With Technology
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/the-4ss-of-note-taking-beth-holland
Picting, not Writing, is the Literacy of Today’s Youth
https://thejournal.com/articles/2017/05/08/picting-not-writing.aspx
Use Google Scholar to Support Student Research
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2015/05/use-google-scholar-to-support-student.html#.VXjQEBOqqkp
How to Make Students Care About Writing
https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2018/08/making-students-care-about-writing/567044/
The best scaffolded writing frames for students
Research
Read&Write collect highlights
Google Scholar extension
Citation
Video notetaking
Google Scholar search
Simple Wikipedia website
Writing
Read&Write word prediction
Voice Typing – Voice Commands
Speech Recognition Google doc add on
WriQ is a measure which is used to assess the numerical quality of writing
Revision
Word clouds
5 Word Cloud Tools for Chromebooks
Video / Screencasting / Gif generation
All-in-One Screen Capture and Recording app
Turn Any YouTube Video Into A GIF By Just Adding “GIF” To The URL
Kapwing: A Simple, Online Editor for Videos, Images, and GIFs
Video
Mathematics and STEM
Greg’s posts:
Literacy the real barrier to STEM uptake
Education Today – Feb 2021
Can educational technologies help to reverse Australia’s maths slump?
The Educator – April 2021
How should schools tackle the maths slump?
The Educator – June 2021
Teaching Math with Google Apps: 50 G Suite Activities – Alice Keeler
Maths Tips from EdTechTeam
“We offer mathematics in an enjoyable and easy-to-learn manner, because we believe that mathematics is fun”
Mathtrain.TV is a free, educational “kids teaching kids” project from Mr. Marcos & his Students at Lincoln Middle School in Santa Monica, CA. Khan Academy alternative by kids!
Lots of video resources here via Rushton Hurley’s Next Vista for Learning website
Video lessons and resources across for maths. All the videos are downloadable too!
Over 10,000 Free Math Videos. Helpful math videos covering topics from Basic Mathematics through to Calculus.
Tips for Teachers: Setting up Your Students for Mathematical Success
References
Early math skills predict later academic success
Early STEM exposure is key for the future of the workforce
Lack of math education negatively affects adolescent brain and cognitive development
The state of STEM education told through 18 stats
Why Are Students With Disabilities So Invisible in STEM Education?
Diversity in STEM: What is it, why does it matter, and how do we increase it?
Personalised learning and learner agency
Universal Design for Learning
Designing for Universal Success
Kathleen McClaskey’s personalised learning website.
Chris Watkins provides valuable insights, and resources and research, into learning centred classrooms and personalised learning
Rethink Your Grading Practices
Why Student Creation is the Hardest/Best Form of Assessment
The students who measure high tend to always measure high. And the students who don’t measure up tend to experience disappointment over and over
Digital content
The Power of Feedback – Hattie & Timperley
New ways to comment on Microsoft files (and more) in Google Drive
FeedBackSheet Google Doc Add-ons
Practice Reading Aloud in Read&Write for Google
Video / Screencasting / Gif generation
All-in-One Screen Capture and Recording app
Turn Any YouTube Video Into A GIF By Just Adding “GIF” To The URL
Annotating web pages
8 Ways to Annotate Readings, Websites and Online Articles with Examples
General Resources
Here is a Google doc on copyright. Please note that this is not to be taken as definitive. Always seek advice from your own department / institution. http://bit.ly/1hRp9W6
What is better, dependence upon technology or dependence upon a teacher, when you are a struggling learner? A great perspective from Karen Janowski
http://teachingeverystudent.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/dependence.html
Universal Design for Learning
Designing for Universal Success
Ana Ooka’s List: 25 Best Sites for High School English Teachers
Skim reading is the new normal. The effect on society is profound – Maryanne Wolf
From Tony Vincent’s excellent blog, Learning in Hand. Transform a Google doc or Google slides into a shareable link into a Preview, Copy, Template, or PDF link.
Accessibility
Google Accessibility
http://www.google.com.au/accessibility/
Chrome & Assistive Technology (AT)
https://sites.google.com/site/gchromeat/home/chrome-and-assistive-technology
Google Accessibility – Docs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLRAstwCdXw
Google AT Toolbox
https://sites.google.com/site/gchromeat/
Vimium – provides keyboard shortcuts for navigation and control in Chrome
Fun
Bibliography and Research
Alloway, T. P., & Alloway, R. G. (2015). Understanding working memory. 2nd Edition. SAGE.
Bailey, F., & Pransky, K. (2014). Memory at Work in the Classroom: Strategies to Help Underachieving Students: Strategies to Help Underachieving Students. ASCD.
Barton, M. L., & Heidema, C. (2002). Teaching reading in mathematics. Aurora, CO: Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning.
Barton, M. L., Heidema, C., & Jordan, D. (2002). Teaching Reading in Mathematics and Science. Educational leadership, 60(3), 24-28.
Edyburn, D. L. (2006). Failure Is Not an Option: Collecting, Reviewing, and Acting on Evidence for Using Technology to Enhance Academic Performance. Learning & Leading with Technology, 34(1), 20-23. PDF
Garwood, J. D., Brunsting, N. C., & Fox, L. C. (2014). Improving Reading Comprehension and Fluency Outcomes for Adolescents With Emotional-Behavioral Disorders Recent Research Synthesized. Remedial and Special Education, 35(3), 181-194.
Gauthier, G., Hill, P., McQuillan, J., Spiegel, A., & Diamond, J. (2017). The Potential Scientist’s Dilemma: How the Masculine Framing of Science Shapes Friendships and Science Job Aspirations. Social Sciences, 6(1), 14. doi:10.3390/socsci6010014
Gillespie, A., & Graham, S. (2014). A meta-analysis of writing interventions for students with learning disabilities. Exceptional Children, 80(4), 454-473.
Hasbrouck, J., & Tindal, G. A. (2006). Oral reading fluency norms: A valuable assessment tool for reading teachers. The Reading Teacher, 59(7), 636-644. PDF
Hattie, J. (2020). Visible Learning Effect Sizes When Schools Are Closed: What Matters and What Does Not. https://corwin-connect.com/2020/04/visible-learning-effect-sizes-when-schools-are-closed-what-matters-and-what-does-not/
Hattie, J., & Timperley, H. (2007). The power of feedback. Review of educational research, 77(1), 81-112. PDF
Hattie, J., & Yates, G. C. (2013). Visible learning and the science of how we learn. Routledge.
Kenney, J. M. (2005). Literacy Strategies for Improving Mathematics Instruction. ASCD.
Martin, N., & Conatser, T. (2017). Designing for Universal Success. Greater Faculties: A Review of Teaching and Learning, 1(1), 6. PDF
John O’Sullivan UDL Technology: Technology for Universal Design for Learning and Special Education
The Sir Jim Rose Review Identifying and Teaching Children and Young People with Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties (2009)
https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/_arc_SOP/Page7/DCSF-00659-2009
Shelle Assistive Technology Tools for Learning Differences, ADHD, and Executive Function Challenges
What it takes for English Learners to Succeed
Wood, S. G., Moxley, J. H., Tighe, E. L., & Wagner, R. K. (2018). Does use of text-to-speech and related read-aloud tools improve reading comprehension for students with reading disabilities? A meta-analysis. Journal of learning disabilities, 51(1), 73-84.
Writing Interventions for High School Students With Disabilities: A Review of Single-Case Design Studies http://rse.sagepub.com/content/35/6/344.full.pdf+html