Web Based Tools Continued

Edtech teacher is a website filled with web based tools for teachers and students. These tools range from every subject to many classroom activities. Each link allows you to explore the sites and tools that are out there and available to teachers. For each of the 12 activities I have found one web based tool that I believe will help to improve this activity for teachers. The tools will give teachers more confidence and ease when it comes to expanding and building on their classroom and teaching.

Timelines- When having students or teachers create a timeline Capzles is a great tool to use. This tool allows teachers and students to present pictures and videos to make a technology based timeline. It is a way for teachers to teach and present technology to students. These timelines can be part of a project or assignment and then the students can post them on the classroom web page.

Publish Writing- For publishing writing in the classroom, Docstoc seems like an excellent tool and easy to use. This tools allows for teachers to upload an assortment of classroom projects and assignments to their school or classroom web page. The students can make their essay, PowerPoint, or timeline into a published piece of work on their classroom page. This tools seems easy to manage and would give students great pride in what they have created.

Enable a Real Time Discussion- For live chatting and communication, ChatWing sounds like a useful and easily manageable tool for the classroom. This tool allows teachers and students to have live chats with any other person who has the tool or app. Having ChatWing, allows teachers and students to have web based interactions with other classrooms and professionals. This would allow students to live chat with students across the world. I think this would be a useful and innovative tool to have in the classroom.

Evaluate Websites- Sweet Search, is an awesome and safe tool for teachers to use in the classroom. This tools has monitored and approved websites for student use. All the websites off of this site are safe for students and have been approved by fellow educators. Sweet Search would be beneficial when asking students to complete a research project and when you want to ensure they are only going to educational and professional web pages. I would definitely use this search engine in my classroom.

Connect with Other Classrooms- GlobalEdCon, is a learning tool for teachers on the world of global communication education. This tool gives teachers an abundance of information on how to connect virtually with other classrooms around the world and it also gives information about who is interested in online education communication. GlobalEdCon seems like an easy tool that provides teachers with endless amounts of information and keeps them informed on the global scale of education.

Create Portfolios- To create online portfolios and blogs, Word Press is a highly recommend tool for teachers and students to use. This tool allows students and teachers to create blogs and online portfolios in a comfortable and easy to understand manner. Students can choose from different layouts and designs and make the online portfolio their own. This gives students independence in their work and allows them to add to this site all year long, by uploading all their new work and assignments. I would use this tool in my classroom and have students have a year long portfolio with all of their work and accomplishments.

Create Books, Posters, or Newsletters- Glogster, allows students to create virtual assignments and posters. This means that they are made online with multi-media aspects embedded in them. Students can create posters that have animation, pictures, videos, and more. Glogster allows students to dive into technology and create something that is not very common. These posters can then be presented through a computer or smart board, where students can show their "out of this world" poster. I like this tool a lot because it allows students to become creative and use technology in the classroom. Students can use their imagination and think outside the box of traditional poster board and pencil.

Using Interactive Whiteboard- AWW: A Web Whiteboard, is an interactive online whiteboard. This tool can be used on computers or tablets and used anywhere. AWW, allows students to have a whiteboard at the palm of their hands. The students can write and draw using this tool. I think this would be a great tool in the classroom, especially with math lessons. Having a white board when doing word problems or long division would be helpful to students. This tool would be beneficial and help to keep the classroom clean of white board markers.

Create Maps-Huge Lab Maps, allows students and teachers to create world maps in the classroom. These maps can then be edited by focusing on specific countries and places around the world. Students can put in capitals and important spots on the map, along with streets and landmarks. The maps can then be saved and edited later on, through the unit. I think this is a neat resource to have, especially when talking about maps and specific countries.

Create Quizzes- East Test Maker, seems like a teacher's best friend. This tool allows teachers to create tests and quizzes, fast and easily. The quizzes can include true/false questions, fill in the blank questions, multiple choice questions, and short answer questions. The teacher just needs to type in the information and then the test will be created. I think this tool would save teachers a lot of time and energy. I would use this tool in my classroom, especially when deciding to give a pop quiz.

Organize Research-Educlipper, is probably one of the most useful resources for teachers. This tool allows teachers to save websites and project ideas online. It seems similar to Pinterst but with more of a teacher base. I would use this tool to save lesson plan ideas and to get ideas for activities and assignments. I think this tool would be beneficial and allow teachers to share ideas in a more visual way.

Build a PLN to Connect with Other Educators- Linked In, seems to be the most professional way to connect with fellow educators through social networking. This site holds high standards in the professional field. Teachers can connect on this site, share ideas, and message each other questions. It is a great way to communicate with other educators and virtually see the support system teachers have.