THREE FOR FREE!

By the hi-impact team

Amazing edtech experts and consultants, hi-impact, begin a regular fortnightly blog where they feature 3 resources  that can have an enormous impact on teaching and learning.

KAHOOT!

Create, play and share fun learning games for any subject, for all ages, for free!

Works on: Any device with an Internet connection.

Hi-impact says: We were really early adopters of Kahoot! as we immediately saw the impact that it could have right across the curriculum. Basically, it turns anything that can connect to the Internet into a voting / feedback / quizzing response device between teacher and students. 

Children absolutely love this and it is far from gimmicky as it informs teachers about the progress being made during the lesson in real time and has the ability to export all the responses from pupils into excel as tangible evidence of progress. ​​

Teachers can set up an account for free and then make quizzes, surveys etc quickly and easily. Participants need no log in as they simply open the quiz through the browser (even on mobile devices) and get involved. Completely engaging and we have seen it used effectively in all areas of the curriculum from EYFS to 6th Form.
We also love it because it is free and the team at Kahoot! say it always will be.

Time needed to learn how to use it and get going: 20 minutes.

​What Kahoot! says about Kahoot!:
Create a fun learning game in minutes (we call these ‘kahoots’), made from a series of multiple choice questions. Add videos, images and diagrams to your questions to amplify engagement!
Social learning promotes discussion and pedagogical impact… whether players are in the same room or on the other side of the globe! After a game, encourage players to create and share their own kahoots to deepen understanding, mastery and purpose.
www.getkahoot.com (teachers go here to get started)
www.kahoot.it (children go here to play)

INCREDIBOX

Incredibox is a musical game that helps you create a mix very easily by managing a band of beatboxers.

Works on: Through your desktop internet browser for free. Paid App for iPads.

Hi-impact says: We first discovered Incredibox in 2009 so it is not exactly a new find for us but as the site has developed so significantly year on year there are always new features that keep this as a real favourite when enriching music lessons by using IT. ​

The web version needs no login / sign up and is intuitive and free (there is also an App on iTunes for £2.99).

This is so simple yet incredibly effective. By dragging different icons onto the 'beatboxers', fantastic tunes can be created that rival most of the rubbish we hear on the radio today! Children learn very quickly how music can develop and change by adding and removing sounds, lyrics, beats, instruments etc. The original version (V1) is still available on the site and is a good place to get started as this was the most basic. Newer versions are just a click away and allow composers more flexibility to manipulate their creations with volume controls, solos, mutes etc. Just have a play and you’ll love it. It is addictive though so probably best to get a coffee or a glass of wine before getting started. Before you know it you’ll be calling your colleagues ‘bro’ and wearing sunglasses indoors!

If you’re not convinced about just how far you can go with this check out the Top 50 on the Incredibox site where other users (who really do need to get out more) share some stunning examples using exactly the same tools that we can put into the hands of a 5 year old.

Time needed to learn how to use it and get going: 30 seconds.

What Incredibos says about Incredibox:
Enjoyed by music teachers, Incredibox is used in schools to introduce rhythm and music mechanisms to children. Just drag and drop icons on the different characters and start creating music! Find the right combos during the game and unlock animated bonuses that will help you improve your mix.

www.incredibox.com

ADOBE SPARK ​

Turn your ideas into impactful social graphics, web stories and animated videos—in minutes.

Works on: iPad brilliantly but also available for free through your desktop internet browser. ​

Hi-impact says: We watched this creative suite develop and evolve from Adobe Voice and Adobe Slate which were both game-changers in their own right. Now the team at Adobe have pulled everything together as ‘Adobe Spark’ and it doesn’t disappoint. As cross curricular as you can get, this suite of tools allows users to be really creative and the end result is so professional and polished you will struggle to believe that this has been made by your class and not a team of media experts.

It really is a complete multi-media experience for the children who can add their voices, photos, videos, text and filters together to create digital magazines, social graphics, animated presentations and web stories.
For teachers looking to create tutorials or ‘flip’ their classroom so that pupils are introduced to topics and concepts ahead of the lesson this a time saving and effective tool to use.
This is not a tool to use if you want the children to actually learn how to design and build digital content as it does all the work for you. However if you would rather your students were focused on the content and feeling proud of their work then this is a very fast and incredibly effective tool.
As always there are some superb examples to inspire and excite on the site. I would always let the children have a browse around these offerings and share what features they liked / disliked and why before starting with their own creations.
Time needed to learn how to use it and get going: 10 minutes.
What Adobe says about Adobe Spark:
Create in minutes - Anyone can shine. No design expertise needed.
Share instantly - Impress your friends and influence the world.
Get inspired - Ignite your storytelling with our curated designs, inspiration gallery, and blog.
www.spark.adobe.com

hi-impact are educational consultants specialising in the strategic integration of innovative technologies across all areas of the curriculum for children of all ages and abilities. For more information visit the site www.hi-impact.co.uk or contact 0151 638 6283.