WVPT: Making School Connections

Web 2.0 applications are developing so quickly that it is almost impossible to keep up with what’s new. Have you ever come across something that looked really interesting only to forget where the application is located, what the exact name was, or the specifics of what the application does?

This is my attempt at capturing that information as I come across useful Web 2.0 tools. Check back often to see what’s new.

The Web 2.0 Pocket Dictionary (http://www.techlearning.com/showArticle.php?articleID=196604383)

Trying to keep up with all of the terminology for Web 2.0. This handy dictionary makes that task just a little bit easier– and the site provides a printable format as well.

 21 Classes (http://www.21classes.com)

If you have been thinking about adding student-created blogs to your classroom activity list, you may want to try out 21 Classes. This site allows teachers to set up as many as 50 student blogs which the teacher can monitor. Having all of the blogs in one location and enabling the teacher to set security options makes this site worthy of consideration.

FotoFlexer (www.fotoflexer.com)

This is a powerful photo editor that allows you to upload and edit a digital photo, free of charge. In addition to the usual editing tools, this application offers the user to easily do cut-outs with smart scissors, add animated shapes, and use some interesting recoloring and resizing tools. If you like to edit photos, you will be amazed by some of the features of this web application. This was a Webware 100 winner.

Voice Thread (http://voicethread.com/) 

I have been a fan of VoiceThread for some time, but I am really excited to see this new, secure version designed for K-12 educators and students. You can find an overview of the product at http://voicethread.com/share/36941/.

VoiceThread was a Webware 100 winner and allows users to upload pictures, video, word documents and spreadsheets. This online application allows you to create presentations, collaborate on documents, create digital stories, develop tutorials, and explore curriculum content. You are only limited by your imagination and creativity.

The free version allows you to create a VoiceThread, but only by paying for a subscription can you create a VoiceThread or add students.

CoverItLive (http://www.coveritlive.com/)

Have you ever wanted to have a live discussion? Would you like to create an overview or tutorial and have it posted on your blog with a minimum of effort? This application looks like the possiblilities for presenting information in a live and interactive format are unlimited. I may give it a try when I go to NECC in June.

VoiceThreads: Extending the Classroom with Multimedia Albums (http://www.edutopia.org/voicethread-interactive-multimedia-albums)

If you are interested in finding out more about how to integrate VoiceThreads into your classroom instruction, you will want to read this article.

The Worldwide Telescope (http://www.worldwidetelescope.org/whatIs/whatIsWWT.aspx)

The WorldWide Telescope (WWT) is a Web 2.0 visualization software environment that enables your computer to function as a virtual telescope—bringing together imagery from the best ground and space-based telescopes in the world for a seamless exploration of the universe. So when you don’t have access to Virginia’s Share The Skies telescope, try out this virtual telescope and take one of the guided tours.

iTalki (http://www.italki.com/

This social networking site provides resources to help anyone learn a foreign language. You can join a group, find a tutor or language partner, find and share resources, and learn from and create content on the wiki. This is a resource foreign language teachers and ESL/ELL teachers may find useful.

Information R/evolution (http://teacherlibrarian.ning.com/video/video/show?id=672799%3AVideo%3A26851

How are we accessing, creating, critiquing, storing, and sharing information? These topics are addressed in this video by Michael Wesch.

Media-rich, Collaborative Quizzes You Create Online (http://www.mystudiyo.com/)

MyStudiyo is a site that allows you to create a quiz (for free) using a variety of media and then embed the code into your blog or Web site. Create an account for free and give it a try. It might be a way to easily test understanding at the end of a class period or just to assess in a new way. You can also let your students create the quiz by adding questions if you create the quiz in collaborative mode. As the owner of the quiz, you can choose to approve all suggested additions to the quiz.

Web 2.0 Tools for the Classroom

Here is an interesting use of VoiceThread. Members of a class have selected a Web 2.0 site that they are sharing and commenting on its usefulness.

 

 School Tube  (http://www.schooltube.com/default.aspx)

SchoolTube is a site which allows educators and students to share video resources. This is a moderated site, and all content must be approved by registered teachers before it is included at the site.

Jing Project (http://www.jingproject.com/)

If you have ever wanted to capture what is on your screen or show what you are doing step-by-step, Jing is just what you are looking for. You can snap a picture of what is on your desktop, capture what you do or see, and then create a movie that you can instantly upload to a Web site or blog. There is no cost for the program right now and it comes with complimentary server space at Screencast.com. And it works on both Macs and PCs. As long as the product is in development, you will have access to both the program and server space at no cost.

BubbleShare (http://www.bubbleshare.com)

Create and share online slideshows and photo albums. This site allows you to create audio captions as well as text. This might be a great digital storytelling application to use with students. If you create a slideshow, share it by leaving a comment to tell us how to access your show!

Scrapblog (http://www.scrapblog.com)

Create multimedia scrapbooks online with this application. You can add photos, audio, and video to create a shareable scrapbook. To view a tutorial, go to http://www.scrapblog.com/tour/tour.aspx.   This application can be used for digital storytelling, to document a process or experiment, or to create a multimedia report.