BP14_2009113_ClassTools.net_Media_Asset2

www.ClassTools.net

BP13_2009113_Researching_Blogging _about Web2.0_Tools

ClassTools.net's tag line states that it is a fantastic way of building cutting-edge technology into the curriculum. I think the use of the words 'cutting-edge' may be reaching a bit, but I agree that it is a fantastically simple and effective way of incorporating technology into the curriculum. It is easily customized and enables you to save to your storage device, embed the code in your blog or wiki site or provides a standalone address for you to use on your website.

On its home page, there are three screen flows that get teach you how to use the program. They are simple and to the point. In addition, the FAQs are right below and answer any other questions that you may have about the site, including licensing. Furthermore, there are many examples found on the home page and you can even search by subject or game design. Did I mention there is nothing to sign up for? How cool is that?

ClassTools.net may just be my favorite Web 2.0 tool for review and reinforcement thus far due to its simplicity with impacting results. I created a review of parts of speech and vocabulary words for my students and actually found myself trying to get the next level and the next and the next. I can definitely see my students doing the same and by spending time with the content, their knowledge will increase. It is a great tool with wonderful possibilities and I plan on utilizing it on a regular basis. I am even thinking about how to utilize it as a tool by which my students can create products either for study or presentation.

Do yourself a favor and check this tool out…sometimes the simplest tool creates the best outcome.

www.classtools.net

BP12_2009113_Peer_Comment5

sunday, november 8, 2009

BP5_20090811_Media_Asset_Video

BP11_2009113_Peer_Comment4

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009

BP7_2009112_Reflective_Medial_Assest_Dabbleboard

BP10_2009113_Peer_Comment3

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009

BP8_2009112_Web 2.0 Tool_Woopid

As I searched for Web 2.0 tools for my “toolbox” and tutorials on how to use them I ran across a site dedicated to providing free software video tutorials. There are many different sites on the web that provide free training such as You Tube, Teacher Tube and Google Video. Lynda is the fee based video tutorial subscription included with our Full Sail program. I access Lynda as often as time permits me to do so. Since it is a paid subscription I am taking advantage of the opportunity while it lasts but I wanted to locate some additional school appropriate tutorial sites that are free. Woopid is one of the sites I found. The tutorials posted are easily accessed and upload quickly. The Lynda tutorials are much more detailed and longer in length and consequently need considerable more time to buffer. Woopid's tutorials are quick “snapshots” of various pieces of software and can be used to answer basic questions quickly.

As far as tools in the classroom go, Woopid provides a less distracting possibility for video training than Google and You Tube. Both Google and YouTube provide opportunities for locating off topic videos that sideline the original intent and make it more difficult to remain on task. Many schools have blocked such sites because of the potential risks. Joyce Valenza, Phd., a teacher-librarian at Springfield Township High School, a technology writer, and a doctoral candidate in the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program at UNT’s School of Library and Information Science states, “sure, lots of it is seedy and inappropriate. But so much of its content is legitimately important for education, for media and information fluency…” (Valenza, November 7, 2007). Fortunately, my school has not blocked You Tube but I need to monitor my student’s online activity continually. Woopid provides a worry free alternative.

http://www.woopid.com/

Valenza, J. (2007, November 7). Never ending search. School library journal. Retreived November 7, 2009 from
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blogger/2694.html

BP9_2009113_Peer_Comment2

BP11_20091102_Prezi.com_Web_2.0_#2

Prezi.com is a great tool for creating exciting and impressive presentations. I have traditionally used PowerPoint to create my presentations for my students during note taking and for parents during parent teacher conferences. Since I have discovered Prezi.com, I am hooked on creating something more.

There are three membership options. The one I chose was free of charge. For what I need the site for, the free version is all that I need.

The prezi web 2.0 tool allows you to create moving presentations that will impress anyone. You are able to choose from several background designs and templates. Almost similar to PowerPoint, but the animation is cleverer.

There is a tutorial available, which helps you, construct your first presentation, the tutorial is strongly recommended. There are tutorials for learning the prezi interface, a tutorial which gives ideas for creating a good prezi, and there is even a full prezi manual available for those who prefer to read through and learn how to use the site. There are also several prezi examples to help give you ideas towards creating your own presentation.

Once you learn the basics through the tutorials, you are then prompted on to the creation section. Creating the prezi is half of the fun. It can become time consuming and I suggest that you have all of your information at hand to help creating your presentation. There is even a GREAT web 2.0 presentation as an example: Web 2.0 in the Classroom.

Once you have completed your presentation, you have several more options. You make keep your presentation private or you can make your presentation public. I believe there are more options that these two but with paid memberships. There is another good presentation listed under the examples: How can we measure Teaching. I was at first a little intimidated by this web 2.0 tool but now I want to use it for every thing. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Prezi.com. (2009). Prezi-the zooming presentation editor. Retrieved on November 3, 2009 from http://prezi.com/

BP8_2009112_Peer_Comment

Comment on Lorri Reinhart's blogpost

Saturday, november 7, 2009

BP7_2009112_Web 2.0_Wordle

I was delighted to run across the post card Web.20 website since we use to send positive reinforcement postcards to our most improved students, student of the months, or for special occasion. Due to budget constraints those times are long gone with this technology I can now design, create, format and send postcards as necessary. I can even send personal post cards for holidays. There are levels ranging from free to costlier categories. Apparently I just need a receiver’s e-mail address and I am good to go!

Hold on…I just tried to download a postcard for y’all and it turned out that it was an application to download. My excitement has turned to frustration they shouldn’t be advertising this as Web 2.0 since you can’t share this; perhaps I am doing it wrong. I am moving on to Wordle.

I stumbled on to Wordle tonight, knowing we were going to be working on it later on in the month. Apparently FSO has been using this with some of their graphical elements in many media assets throughout the last few months. I always wondered how they did it! This is probably the friendliest tool that I have examined so far, aside from Keynote. I am very excited about it. I value this interface as it allows me to explore different languages, fonts, colors, backgrounds, layouts, and settings until I am satisfied. I appreciate the ability to alphabetize and change my word count. Also, there is the opportunity to look at other creations via the gallery and contact the innovator of Wordle. I am not a graphic artist but adore adding visual elements to linguistic learning; this simple user interface will help my students and me accomplish this.

http://www.wordle.net/