What is Sutori?
Sutori is a versatile and collaborative instructional and presentation tool designed for classroom use. It serves as an alternative to traditional presentation tools like PowerPoint or Prezi, offering a more interactive and engaging way to deliver lessons and facilitate student learning.
Key Features and Functionality
Interactive Lessons and Presentations
Sutori allows teachers to create interactive lessons, known as “stories,” which can be viewed one panel at a time like a slideshow or scrolled through like a timeline. These stories can incorporate a wide range of media, including text, images, videos, and audio, making the learning experience more dynamic and engaging.
Embedding External Tools and Content
One of the standout features of Sutori is its ability to embed content and activities from other educational tools and platforms directly into the lesson. This includes tools like Quizlet, Padlet, Flipgrid, and Google Forms, eliminating the need for students to navigate multiple links and websites.
Collaboration and Student-Centered Learning
Sutori is designed to support student-centered learning, encouraging students to be actively engaged in creating and curating content. Students can collaborate on projects, share their work, and interact with each other through built-in comment and discussion features.
Assessment and Analytics
The platform includes native assessment tools, such as quizzes, matching games, and formative checks for understanding. Teachers can also access student analytics through the Sutori Unlimited program, providing insights into student performance on embedded assessments.
Templates and Resources
Sutori offers a variety of pre-designed templates for different subjects, including Social Studies, English Language Arts (ELA), art, and music. These templates are designed to help students build skills in critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity (the 4 Cs of 21st-century learning).
Accessibility and Ease of Use
The platform is user-friendly, with a high ease-of-use rating. It also prioritizes privacy and accessibility, complying with COPPA and FERPA regulations. Sutori supports unlimited class sizes and integrates seamlessly with other educational tools and services.
Customization and Organization
Teachers can customize their lessons extensively, adding headers, creating tables of contents, and embedding various types of files from Google Drive or other sources. This helps in organizing the content in a way that is easy for students to follow and navigate.
Applications in the Classroom
Sutori can be used for a wide range of educational activities, such as:
- Creating timelines for historical events or scientific experiments
- Developing multimedia projects and portfolios
- Writing biographies and learning diaries
- Conducting unit reviews and progress reports
- Facilitating online discussions and class instructions
Overall, Sutori is a powerful tool that enhances the educational experience by making lessons more interactive, collaborative, and engaging, while also supporting the development of critical skills in the 21st century.