Thursday, August 28, 2014

Tech Thursday: Graphite.org- A Teacher's Best Friend





Technology Thursday is a weekly linky dedicated to all things technology related. Share reviews of websites or apps you've tried, tech tips that make your {teaching or personal} life easier, and helpful tutorials. Our hope is that this linky provides a place for teachers to share and learn new ways to use technology and engage students!

Be a rule follower!
Rule #1: You must include the image above and a link to our linky somewhere in your blog post.
Rule #2: Follow the Rule of Three...visit the two blogs who link up before you and the one immediately after you and leave some love on their pages!
Rule #3: This linky is not intended for product promotion. You may include products you've created in your posts, but they should not be the sole focus of the post. {Exception...freebies...because everybody loves a good freebie!}


I found a new website!  I am so excited!  My friend, Lora, always moans just a little when I tell her this.  Probably because I say it a lot.  I am always on the hunt for some site that will help connect my students to our content in an exciting way.  

Well, I hit the MOTHER LOAD, baby! 

Eureka! I haven't found gold; I've found Graphite!  Graphite.org that is.

Don't have much time to search for new apps, games, and websites for your budding Einsteins? 

Found a website but not sure if it is worthy of your time and effort?  

Wondering if a certain .com is going to keep your students' attention?  

Have no fear.... Graphite.org is here!

Graphite is a free website designed specifically for teachers.  It's purpose is to make life a little easier on us teachers by providing a central location for digital learning and helping us make the best choices about which of these tech tools to use in our classrooms.  Graphite is a guide to help build a community of teachers that are sharing what they have learned and experienced with digital learning.


Graphite.org reviews apps, games, and websites.  Each is reviewed by a panel of leading educators which give the technology a "learning rating".  Then the item under review receives a "teacher rating" based on what the "little folk" or, you and me, think.

Teachers can filter searches by type of tech (game, app, or website), grade, price, and Common Core standard.



Here is the coolest part.  You can create a free account and save your favorites to digital bulletin boards called "boards".  No more searching!

If you want to get involved, you can leave your feedback on the apps, games, and websites that you and your students have used in the classroom.  These teacher reviews are called "field notes". Reading the field notes from other teachers will give you a good grasp of what the tool will do or not do.

I found Graphite really easy to use and very user friendly.  (Ha!  This is like my "field note" on the website Graphite!)  Graphite even has video how-to's on anything you might want to know about the site.  These are located in the Teacher Center.



I am hooked!  Graphite.org will now be the FIRST place I go when looking for new sites to use in the classroom!

Let me know what you think!



2 comments:

  1. This is an awesome site! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fabulous site! I've just stumbled upon your Technology Thursday tips after linking up with your Sunday Scoop linky. I'll have to link up with you in the future for technology tips. :) Thanks for sharing.
    Literacy Loving Gals

    ReplyDelete

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