class connect

Claco: United We Teach, build lessons collaboratively

September 19, 2012Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment2599 views

What it is: Claco is a new website that makes it simple to build, organize and share lessons. Your lessons can be dynamic including weblinks, embed codes, online videos, files and more. In addition to creating and uploading your own lessons, you can also search and use lessons that other teachers around the world have built. There is no better way to stretch and grow professionally than to learn from each other! Claco makes it easy to work with other educators in a collaborative environment to streamline the lesson planning process. I love the vision behind Claco, they have even created a movement called “United We Teach” that encourages educators to share and enhance each other’s resources. I learn SO much from my PLN, creating a place where this is encouraged as part of the process is fantastic!

Another feature I love about Claco: no need to download lessons, you can view and use all lessons directly from your Claco profile. That means that lessons are available from anywhere (because they are in the cloud) and can be used from computers, iPads, and smartphones…super handy!

How to integrate Claco into your curriculum: Use Claco to save yourself time. I tend to get lost in the OCEAN of amazing lesson ideas and resources on the web. I like that Claco can be a one-stop shop for resources and lessons. The ability to organize all of my findings in one easy-to-use place that can be accessed by all of my devices is also very helpful.

Aside from the time saving, Claco makes it possible to collaborate on lessons with other teachers in the building, or from anywhere in the world. Lessons can be constructed with teammates and enhanced by anyone. Lessons can also be easily shared with students, parents and colleagues.

Tips: You may recognize some features of Claco. Class Connect (which I wrote about here) has morphed into Claco. The genius behind Claco, Eric Simons who created the sites after some frustrations with his own school experience. Instead of being disenfranchised, he set out to make it better. You gotta love that!

Please leave a comment and share how you are using Claco in your classroom!

September 1, 2011Kelly Tenkely6 Comments2896 views

What it is: Class Connect offers teachers a students everything they need to work in one place. Class Connect brings social networking to the classroom, it can do everything from giving you a place to manage your files in the cloud to building a full online learning community. Files can be easily shared with a drag/drop interface. All of your files can be shared with multiple classes without having to reload them. Teachers can create and deliver interactive lectures, starting from scratch or importing existing PowerPoint files. All content can be dragged and dropped. Mini quizzes can be added for presentations that require something of students. Class Connect also enables you to build up community within your classroom by posting messages for the class, receiving student feedback and encouraging student-to-student collaboration securely. The interface for Class Connect is intuitive and easy to master with built-in video tutorials that guide you through. The learning curve here is small!

How to integrate Class Connect into the classroom: Class Connect gives your students a virtual environment for sharing and collaborating. Extend the walls of your classroom by making documents readily and easily available to students. Post assignments, reminders, “wonders” (statements/questions to make your students wonder) and class announcements. Allow your students to work together and collaborate on projects in a secure environment where they can safely learn to use and manage their online communication. Create “live lectures” where your students can continue their learning, or catch up on learning. This is great for kids who have missed days-or months- due to illness or travel.

Older students will appreciate the calendar that allows them to set up reminders as texts to their mobile phone.

Tips: Those of you who use Google Docs at school will love this feature: full integration of Google Docs! Woo hoo! Attendance and gradebook integration are on the way…stay tuned!

Please leave a comment and share how you are using Class Connect in your classroom!