How I Use It
I use PebbleGo in my classroom for whole group teaching, individual student learning and during literacy centers. It is very easy for a student to navigate and learn how to use. I teach kindergarten and my students pick it up quickly and love it! It is very engaging and appeals to all learning types. You can choose topics "databases" such as science, social studies, dinosaurs, animals and biographies. The text has audio so it acts like an electronic book reading you facts about the topic you choose. In addition to text and audio the website includes videos on the topics and graphics. I use it in whole group to teach about a variety of new topics. It uses simple language with large font and information that kids can easily understand. My students have used it for individual writing projects before, specifically on animals. It is very easy to research topics and each topic has headings for specific facts. For example, when my students research animals they can click on a specific heading to find out what food it eats, habitat information, life cycle etc. It really is an amazing website to teach research skills at an early age. It also builds on literacy skills, and I have never had a student that didn't love going to PebbleGo during computer time.
My Take
Overall, I love PebbleGo as a teaching tool. It is used in my classroom on a daily basis whether it be in whole group, or during individual student computer time/literacy centers. I like that the students can get on the site themselves and easily navigate through it without assistance. They build a foundation for research skills and gain knowledge in a variety of topics. It aligns with my social studies and science curriculum, and allows for independent student learning. My school has a large population of English Language Learners, and I have found this site helpful for building language and early literacy skills. I like that it also appeals to a variety of learning types, by including text, audio, video and graphics. It is another way for students to learn content and be engaged, rather than just listening to me deliver information.
