Actively Learn

Actively Learn is an online e-reader that allows students to interact with text in a unique way. Teachers can upload texts from PDF files and websites and insert questions, comments, and multimedia. Students can work through the text at their own pace, get help when they need it, and share their ideas with other students. Watch the video below to take a quick walk-through of the site.

Pros

·         It’s 100% FREE!

·         The kids love it.

·         Kids can see and respond to other peoples’ posts.

·         Inserting videos and pictures is super easy and adds a lot to the text.

·         You can assign different texts to different classes. If you wanted small groups you could easily create “classes” with just a portion of your students. (Just your AIG students, one literature circle group, etc.)

·         Kids can sign up easily using their ACS Google accounts and a class code or link. If they use Chrome and log into their Google account, they are automatically logged in to Actively Learn. I use a couple different websites with my kids that they have to sign up for, and this one is BY FAR the simplest.

Cons

·         Uploading a file can sometimes be tricky. Some PDFs don’t load or look right. Sometimes links, comments, or captions on websites end up included in the text. Occasionally I’ve had to upload a text multiple times in a few different ways before it really worked right.

·         Once you upload a file, there is no way to edit the text or things like the title.

·         The site can be a little buggy at times. It occasionally freezes up or doesn’t load. Refreshing the page usually fixes it.

·         There are no alerts or anything to let kids know they haven’t finished an assignment. 

Submitted by guest blogger,

Carlie Abercrombie

7th Grade ELA Teacher at North Asheboro Middle