Curricular Area(s): All
Core Competencies: Communication and Social Responsibility
Grade(s): K-12
Tool Access: https://www.educreations.com
Resource Description
Educreations is a type of online whiteboard that teachers and students can use and re-use without the content being deleted (erased at the end of a lesson). Using Educreations, teachers simply need to upload their lessons via any device, onto the site where students can access the lessons using a unique class code. Also, students can create and upload their own ideas onto the site. For example, students can create a video presentation instead of submitting a research paper.
This tool aids ELLs’ understanding as it allows them to connect with lessons at any time, on any laptop, computer, tablet, or phone. Students can therefore access lessons for review at home (providing they have access to technology) or on public devices such as computers at libraries. For ELLs, teachers can even ask them to watch lessons and respond with their own videos as a form of assessment to gauge understanding.
This accessibility factor provides an additional support for ELLs and non-ELLs alike to help them understand and connect with their learning, making Educreations a transformative learning tool for students who may otherwise be disengaged. It allows students to take learning beyond the classroom and “on-the-go.”
A limitation of this tool is that even though it is “free”, the “pro” version offers users much greater functionality. Also, Educreations does not allow users to edit their posts. If you save a post containing a mistake, you have to delete the post and re-create it to correct any mistakes.
