Here are five of my favourite online resources that I’ve discovered recently:

1) inudge (shared by Jill Summers) – This is a music generator that has simple controls and is really easy to use. You just use your mouse to draw on a 16×16 grid to make short loops of audio. There are options to have up to eight tracks (with different instruments) as well as the ability to adjust the volume and audio pan. Any music that is created can be shared and embedded. Here is one of the most popular tracks on the site at the moment:

2) Pixlr-o-matic (shared by Simon Haughton) – This fun tool lets you add a variety of effects to your photos. It has a really simple interface and you can preview the effects immediately and compare which ones you prefer. There are options to use photos from a web cam and upload pictures from your computer, so don’t forget your e-safety rules when deciding which photos to use

3) Well Done – Show Mr. Mitchell - This is a wonderful blog, set up by David Mitchell, as a way of sharing the wonderful things that the children at his school do. When children come to see him, he posts photos and audio comments to publish the children’s achievements on the blog instantly. It’s a great concept and it’s very easy to set up. Watch this video to see how David’s blog works:

Click here to view the embedded video.

4) Triptico (shared by Dai Barnes) – This free software currently offer 19 fantastic tools which are great for interactive whiteboard users. The tools include count-down timers, stopwatches, random pupil pickers, magnetic words, scoreboards and more. The program is updated regularly with new features and I highly recommend it!

5) ICT Planning – Ian Addison has created this great guide to ICT for teachers. It has sections for lots of different types of ICT, with information, web links and suggested resources within each section. There are also references to expected levels that children should reach at different age / year groups.

Have you discovered any new resources recently?

Simon Haughton has set up a number of collaborative documents which are building into very useful resources. The first is a collection of ideas for creative curriculum topics which are perfect for schools who are planning for the next academic year.

http://bit.ly/curriculumtopics

The second is a list of  activities that children can try online during their summer breaks.

http://bit.ly/onlinesummeractivities

Take a look at the lists and add some of your own ideas too!

Here are details of two new teaching resource sites that I’ve discovered recently, both aimed at primary teachers:

PlanBee is a resource website aimed at providing primary school teachers with all they need to create exciting, relevant and inspiring lesson plans. Becky Waters, creator of PlanBee, says that the aim of the site is to “take the sting out of planning”. Joining the site is free, but there is a charge to download some of the lesson plans and resources.

www.planbee.com

Twinkl is a new online resource centre for foundation and Key Stage 1 teachers. It offers ‘bright resources for bright teachers’ and everything is free to download and use. There is also a ‘suggest a resource’ section which allows teachers to suggest things that they would like to see on the site.

www.twinkl.co.uk

What are your favourite teaching resource sites?

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