About the Guests at the Ed Tech Conference:
- Tisha Poncio: Representative from Wakelet, an educational platform that helps students develop 21st-century writing skills through tech integration and authentic assessment.
- Tom Towns: Representative from Book Creator, a platform that makes writing accessible for students of all learning styles and levels through audiovisual tools and app integrations.
Podcast Summary: Episode 039 Ed Tech Conference Tools to Try
I attended the Georgia Ed Tech Conference and interviewed representatives from Wakelet and Book Creator about their platforms’ impact on 21st-century writing skills in the classroom.
Tisha Poncio discusses how Wakelet aligns with the World Economic Forum’s top skills for 2025, emphasizing the importance of writing, literacy, communication, and digital citizenship skills. She highlights Wakelet’s ability to empower students, promote collaboration, and facilitate authentic assessment.
Tom Towns explains how Book Creator makes writing accessible for students by offering various modes of expression, such as audiovisual tools and multilingual support. He also discusses the platform’s app integrations, including Canva and Google Drive, and teases an upcoming feature that will make it easier for teachers to share books with students.
Key Takeaways:
- Wakelet addresses the top skills for the future, including writing, literacy, communication, and digital citizenship.
- Wakelet empowers students, promotes collaboration, and facilitates authentic assessment.
- Book Creator makes writing accessible for students of all learning styles and levels.
- Book Creator offers app integrations with Canva, Google Drive, and other tools.
- Book Creator will soon introduce a feature that simplifies book sharing between teachers and students.
Show Quotes:
- “Wakelet is going to teach your students not only how to use tech for good, but it’s going to give them the opportunity to own the learning.” – Tisha Poncio, Wakelet
- “Book Creator gives that opportunity to make writing accessible for people of all learning styles and levels.” – Tom Towns, Book Creator
- “It doesn’t have to be just written work. You’ve got students of various learning impairments, and similarly for students of different backgrounds, it works in 120 different languages.” – Tom Towns, Book Creator
Wakelet: Empowering Students and Fostering Authentic Assessment
Tisha Poncio from Wakelet sheds light on the alignment between their platform and the 21st century writing skills. She highlights the research conducted by the World Economic Forum, which identifies writing skills, literacy skills, communication skills, and social media influence as crucial skills for 2025. Poncio emphasizes that Wakelet addresses all these skills by teaching students how to use technology for good and empowering them to take ownership of their learning.
One of the key benefits of Wakelet is its ability to facilitate authentic assessment. Poncio explains that traditional test scores are not the sole criteria for success in the real world. Students are evaluated based on their skills and key performance indicators (KPIs) in their careers.
Wakelet equips teachers with the tools to implement authentic assessment and enables students to showcase their unique skills and strengths. Poncio also mentions the Student Ambassador Program, which fosters creativity, communication, critical thinking, and curation skills while helping students build their portfolios.
Book Creator: Making Writing Accessible and Engaging
Tom Towns from Book Creator highlights the platform’s ability to make writing accessible for students of all learning styles and levels. He emphasizes that writing doesn’t have to be limited to traditional written work.
Book Creator allows students to express themselves through audiovisual means, such as recording their thoughts or dictating their ideas. Additionally, Book Creator supports over 120 languages, making it inclusive for students from diverse backgrounds and cultures, including English language learners.
Towns also discusses the integration of various apps into Book Creator, such as Canva and Google Drive, which enhance the platform’s capabilities. Canva, a popular design tool, enables students to create visually appealing book covers and add creative elements to their books.
Book Creator also offers graphic organizer templates, saving teachers time and allowing them to focus on content rather than design. The platform’s 3D models and read-aloud feature further enhance the writing experience for students.
The Power of Collaboration and Student Empowerment
Both Wakelet and Book Creator emphasize the importance of collaboration and student empowerment in the writing process. Wakelet enables students to collaborate and brainstorm ideas, fostering critical thinking and creativity. Students can add videos, gifs, and content from other platforms like Flip and Canva to their Wakelet boards, making the writing experience more engaging and interactive.
Book Creator takes collaboration to the next level by allowing students to work together on the same book, even if they are using different devices. This feature promotes meaningful collaboration and encourages students to share their ideas and perspectives. The platform’s user-friendly interface and intuitive navigation make it accessible to students of all ages, enabling them to take ownership of their writing and showcase their creativity.
Implications and Future Outlook
The insights shared by Wakelet and Book Creator have significant implications for 21st century writing instruction. These platforms provide teachers with the tools to foster essential skills such as communication, critical thinking, and creativity. By integrating technology into the writing process, students are better prepared for the demands of the modern world, where digital literacy and effective communication are paramount.
The ability to collaborate and work together on projects not only enhances students’ writing skills but also cultivates important social and emotional skills. Collaboration fosters teamwork, empathy, and respect for diverse perspectives, preparing students for success in a globalized society.
Looking ahead, the future of 21st century writing skills lies in the continued development and integration of innovative technologies. As technology evolves, platforms like Wakelet and Book Creator will continue to adapt and provide educators with new tools and features to enhance the writing experience. The key is to embrace these advancements and leverage them to create engaging and meaningful writing opportunities for students.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Wakelet and Book Creator exemplify the power of technology in unlocking 21st century writing skills. These platforms empower students, foster collaboration, and provide teachers with the tools to implement authentic assessment.
By incorporating these innovative tools into the classroom, educators can make writing fun, purposeful, and relevant to students’ lives. As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of education, it is crucial to embrace technology and leverage its potential to transform the way we teach and learn writing.
So, why wait? Explore Wakelet and Book Creator, and embark on a journey to unlock the full potential of 21st century writing skills in your classroom.
