Getting started couldn't be easier with Smore. Once you've chosen to make your first flyer you'll follow the directions that will highlight the features and steps to take. Adding features on the flyer is as simple as pushing the plus sign between each section that will appear when the mouse cursor is dragged over that area. An editing menu allows for changes in the appearance of each section, font type, background and font colors, as well as the ability to insert links, video, audio, text and pictures.
The pedagogical uses for this tool are applicable to both teacher and student. Students are able to use this software to create presentations in a unique writing format. For example, if the class was learning about landforms, one group might make a flyer for Yellowstone Park, showing pictures of the different types of landforms, their locations, and features that make them the types of landforms they are. Another group may create a poster that teaches about water and how it's movement over time can shape the earth to make different types of landforms. Teachers can use Smore in a number of different ways. Smore can be used to create teaching presentations or models for high quality--and lower quality--work. Moreover, since there are no paper copies, Smore fliers can be edited to show new information and can be saved for use later.
To begin using Smore, just go to https://www.smore.com and create an account. It is free to get started, but usage is limited for free members. Only 200 emails can be sent a month with the free plan, and that may not be sufficient for high school teachers that have several classes they wish to use Smore for communication. In addition, some features, like choosing a custom background, are not available to free members.
For those that do wish to pay for Smore, the pricing plans are shown below:
Teachers that are looking for new ways to share class information in a paper friendly format will definitely want to give a Smore a serious look. With the vast majority of families having and using email to communicate, it is easier than ever for teachers to create mailing lists and electronically send their newsletters and other information. Also, as new information becomes known, items can be added or subtracted and resent without the extra hassle of copies and paper costs.
(Click on the link above for descriptions of the following standards this tool can address.)
Creativity and innovation (a, b)
Communication and collaboration (a, b, c, d)
Research and information fluency (b, d)
Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making (b, c)
Digital citizenship (a, b, c, d)
Technology operations and concepts (a, b, c, d)
(Click on the link above for descriptions of the following standards this tool can address.)
Facilitate and Inspire student learning and creativity (a, b, c,d)
Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments (a, b, c)
Model digital age work and learning (a, b, c, d)
Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility (a, b, c)
Engage in professional growth and leadership (a, b)Sources:
At the bottom of this post is a Smore I made as part of an assignment on sharing a technology tool that can be used in education:
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