Hello, EducationalResource.org users!
Welcome to the first EducationalResource.org Newsletter!
Before getting into what’s new, I want to explain why you’re receiving this email. When you originally registered for EducationalResource.org, I did not have a newsletter option available. Because of that, existing users have been added to the newsletter list automatically.
Please don’t feel bad about unsubscribing! If you don't want these emails, feel free to unsubscribe. I promise I won't be offended.
For those who stay subscribed, I plan to send just one newsletter each month. I don't want to fill your inbox. The monthly newsletter will simply let you know about new tools, improvements, bug fixes, and other changes I've made to EducationalResource.org.
And there have been quite a few changes lately!
🎨 EduCanvas Just Got Much More Powerful
One of the biggest improvements has been to EduCanvas.
Premium users can now access all premium apps directly from inside EduCanvas by clicking the EduTools button. This makes EduCanvas a central place for accessing the classroom tools you use most often.
Even better, EduCanvas tools can now be used on top of other windows.
For example, you could have your Silent Monitor displayed over a PowerPoint presentation while you're teaching. Or you could place a timer off to the side while displaying a website for your class.
The idea is simple: instead of having to constantly switch between your classroom tools and whatever you're teaching from, your EduCanvas tools can stay right where you need them.
👥 Better Student Groups
I've also fixed an issue with adding students to EduCanvas.
You can now assign students an academic level or ranking. When you use the Group Maker, EduCanvas can use those rankings to create groups that are more evenly balanced.
That should make the Group Maker much more useful when you want mixed-ability groups instead of completely random groups.
📚 Major Upgrade to the AI Reading Worksheet Generator
The AI Reading Worksheet Generator has received several fixes and improvements.
It can now create reading materials for grades 1–6, and I've worked on several glitches that were causing problems with the generator.
I've also upgraded the AI behind it, so it should do a better job creating age-appropriate passages and questions.
There are also several new ways to use what it creates. You can now:
- Export reading passages as PDF
- Export them as HTML
- Have students read the passage online
- Let students complete the quiz online and have it self-grade
This means the same generator can be used for a traditional printed worksheet or as a completely digital reading activity.
🤖 New for Premium Users: AI Blurt!
I've added a new premium tool called AI Blurt.
AI Blurt uses artificial intelligence to generate Blurt-style review games. After the AI creates the game, you can edit the questions and answers yourself, so you're still in control of what your students see.
Questions can also have multiple clues that are revealed one at a time. Students can try to figure out the answer from the first clue or wait for more information.
I've also built several different games around Blurt. Teams can either blurt out their answers or silently write their answers, depending on how you'd like to run the activity.
The current game options include:
🎲 Game Board — Teams roll dice and move around a game board.
😈 The Unfair Game — Correct answers don't always mean predictable results!
⭕ Tic-Tac-Toe — Teams earn opportunities to place their X or O.
🔴 Connect 4 — Correct answers help teams work toward four in a row.
This is one of the tools I'm especially excited about because the AI can do much of the work of creating the review activity while the teacher still gets to customize the final game.
🏆 New Tournament Bracket Maker
I've also added a Tournament Bracket Maker.
I originally had classroom games such as King of the Row in mind, but you can use the tournament maker for just about anything you want.
It supports several tournament formats, including single elimination, double elimination, and round robin, along with additional tournament styles.
You can create tournaments using teams or use individual student names directly from your class list.
So whether you're organizing a classroom competition, review game, math challenge, or just something fun, EduCanvas can build the tournament for you.
🚧 And I'm Not Finished!
EducationalResource.org is something I continue to work on and improve. Many of these changes have come from actually thinking about how these tools can work in a real classroom—not just how they look on a computer screen.
I'll continue fixing problems, improving existing tools, and adding new resources.
Next month, I'll send another short update letting you know what's changed.
In the meantime, if you find something that isn't working correctly or have an idea for a tool that would make your classroom life easier, I'd love to hear about it.
Thank you for using EducationalResource.org and for giving some of the tools I've created a place in your classroom.
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Brian Weir
EducationalResource.org
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