Web 2.0 Tools for the Classroom
A significant challenge for teachers utilizing Web 2.0 resources is reviewing the Terms of Service for a website to determine if students are permitted to use a web resource. I always appreciate when I locate a resource that requires no account. Terms of service can change, so don't assume that something that was permitted in a previous year is automatically good to go this year!
Here are items to consider before embarking upon a lesson based on Web tools:
Mr. G's Blog Posting about Under 13 Web Resources
Copyright-friendly sources for images:
Discovery Education account? Login, click on Advanced Search and search for images.
http://www.pics4learning.com/
Project Rubrics: Students will create more meaningful projects if a thorough rubric is provided in advance. Remember not to judge projects on purely superficial or visual elements, but to also include measurement standards that address the content of the project itself. Kathy Schrock has bookmarked many samples of project rubrics here: http://www.schrockguide.net/assessment-and-rubrics.html
The +1 email trick. If email addresses are required to create student accounts and you have students who are under the age of 13, you can use a tool within gmail to provide unique email addresses. Take your gmail address (GAFE or personal if your school does not use GAFE) and add a +1, +2, +3, +4 etc at the end of your normal email address. The website you are registering student accounts to will treat the email addresses as unique, and any confirmation emails will come through to your regular gmail account. So if your normal gmail address is: [email protected] your +1 address would become: [email protected]. For the second student you would use [email protected].
Here are items to consider before embarking upon a lesson based on Web tools:
- Is an account required? Teacher/Student?
- School filters? Login as student to test access!
- Is there a cost?
- Site Terms of Service?
- Parent Permissions: images, work, names. Campus/District AUP
- Platform (PC or Mac?)
- Browser? Which will work best?
- Recording tools/microphones needed
- New tool? Younger students? Consider collaborative groups to cut down on initial troubleshooting until all have learned basics of the site!
Mr. G's Blog Posting about Under 13 Web Resources
Copyright-friendly sources for images:
Discovery Education account? Login, click on Advanced Search and search for images.
http://www.pics4learning.com/
Project Rubrics: Students will create more meaningful projects if a thorough rubric is provided in advance. Remember not to judge projects on purely superficial or visual elements, but to also include measurement standards that address the content of the project itself. Kathy Schrock has bookmarked many samples of project rubrics here: http://www.schrockguide.net/assessment-and-rubrics.html
The +1 email trick. If email addresses are required to create student accounts and you have students who are under the age of 13, you can use a tool within gmail to provide unique email addresses. Take your gmail address (GAFE or personal if your school does not use GAFE) and add a +1, +2, +3, +4 etc at the end of your normal email address. The website you are registering student accounts to will treat the email addresses as unique, and any confirmation emails will come through to your regular gmail account. So if your normal gmail address is: [email protected] your +1 address would become: [email protected]. For the second student you would use [email protected].
Symbaloo (edu)edu.symbaloo.com
Symbaloo for Web Tools in the K-5 Classroom: http://edu.symbaloo.com/mix/webtoolsk-5classroom Word Cloudswww.tagxedo.com
www.wordle.net I prefer Tagxedo to Wordle because you can create clouds in shapes and save images much easier. However, Tagxedo requires the ability to install the Microsoft Silverlight Plugin, so be sure to test before use with students! Tagxedo no longer works with Google Chrome, try Safari, Firefox or Internet Explorer browsers. Tagxedo Directions Big Huge LabsWide variety of projects available at this site including:
Be sure to register as an educator in order to have access to the site with no advertisements! You can then create free accounts for your students to allow them the ability to access the site advertisement free, save and return to projects. Time length that projects will be saved is not guaranteed. Photo Editing - Pixlr Express
Audio Recordinghttp://vocaroo.com Vocaroo will provide a link, embed code, QR code OR you can download a sound file!
http://online-voice-recorder.com/ VoiceThread Book Writing - StoryBird
Today's MeetReadWriteThinkThe Read Write Think website has a tremendous variety of interactive projects. They are also beginning to publish apps for iPads and tablets based on some of their more popular tools.
EdmodoDiscussion boards, closed environment where student accounts are linked to specific teacher groups. Quizzes, polling, small groups, parent accounts all available. Edmodo Apps and Snapshot tool provides Reading & Math assessment items for grades 3+.
WeeblyFree and easy-to-use teacher and student website creator. Drag and drop and ability to embed content from other web 2.0 tools.
NCES Create a GraphFantastic graph creation website that works on computers and iPads.
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Tools for Formative AssessmentPlickers http://www.plickers.com/ A tool to survey or obtain data from students. Teachers will need either a smart phone or iPad with the Plickers App. Students will use paper cards to respond. Go here to read more: http://www.plickers.com/help
Kahoot. Kahoot is a quiz tool that will require each student to have a device (smart phone, iPad, tablet, Chromebook, laptop or computer) to participate. Fun and engaging, Kahoot has an extensive library of teacher-created quizzes that are accessible and customizable. Teachers: http://getkahoot.com/ Students: http://kahoot.it/ Padlet - http://padlet.com allows teachers to collect responses from individuals or teams. Padlet is a website that works on computers, mobile devices and iPads. Graphic OrganizersBubbl.us https://bubbl.us/ No account needed to Print, Export as JPEG or PNG
Gliffy http://www.gliffy.com Free account - 5 files, no Google integration, no collaboration http://goo.gl/aU5LU or http://goo.gl/GniKAP or http://goo.gl/5N2Y27 Import PDFs into SMART or Promethean File/Import (not option on a Mac). If you have iPads select the desired graphic organizer and Open in any app that can edit or annotate over PDF files (such as Paper Port Notes). Fodey - Newspaper Clipping GeneratorBasic tool creates a downloadable .jpeg (picture) file. Other tools include animated pictures that can be embedded on webpages.
Timeline - by Readwritethink
Videos
Slide Shows
Quizlet Flashcards & GamesSearch for user susanfreeves. Other samples: http://quizlet.com/21666254/poetry-literary-devices-flash-cards/
Community workers with pictures: http:// quizlet.com/22501355/community-workers-flash-cards/ What do you notice about the picture of the police officer in this deck? National Library of Virtual Manipulatives (Math)Since the virtual manipulatives require Java, sometimes you will need to test on multiple browsers or update plug ins. Try Firefox or Safari and be sure to allow for permissions for Java to run (sometimes will ask multiple times).
Manipulatives are organized by grade and mathematical strand and include complete lesson plans. |
Tech Tools and Tips - Learn 421
Looking for even more? Surf over to the Tech Tools & Tips page at Learn421.net for even more ideas of sites and Web 2.0 resources.
Why Web 2.0 Tools?
Web 2.0 tools can allow student to meet many level's of Bloom's Taxonomy. Look at the illustration below to see the many verbs involved at each level of Bloom's and how we are reaching various levels of Bloom's taxonomy based on what tool we utilize. This image is from: http://simontechtools.wikispaces.com/Bloom's+Digital+Taxonomy