Activity+IV

Web 2.0 - just the beginning Team C

The additional Web 2.0 tools that I have chosen to investigate are Prezi, Capzles, Sketchup, Doink, and Swivel.


 * Doink -- This site will be fantastic to use with the art teachers in our district. I watched two short little tutorials and was able to create an animation in a matter of minutes.
 * Sketchup -- Sketchup requires the installation of the program. Once the program is installed users can create 3D shapes/items/buildings/ and load them into the Google Earth browser. I think the educational applications are endless. This program can used in math, art, social studies, to name just a few of the applications.
 * Swivel -- I've recommended that our district data coordinator take a look at this site. I think it might be a choice to gather information for students doing research or possibly during a math or science course dealing with data. I'm having a hard time thinking of a direct application.
 * Prezi and Capzles--I'm having a hard time accessing these sites. I'm not sure if it is my version of Safari or my wireless router. I intend to switch to another computer and test those two sites. I guess that's the beauty of using web-based tools!

I had a great time playing with these tools. Twitter - I went on and was able to see the reaction and different comments about the protests in Iran and then Michael Jackson. I am not sure that this would be kid friendly, but definitely good for me.

You Tube - I actually showed my students the Susan Boyle tape at school. It was great to see their reaction. Personally I used it to figure out how to change the bag on my vacuum.

Prezi - I need to play with this some more. I think kids would love it.

Dig - Voting is always fun, but not sure if this would make sense for kids.

Wordle and Pixton - These would be great for my junior high struggling readers. I had one student this year who arrived in October as a 7'th grader and knew only a few sight words. He loved to create songs, rap songs. I think he would love to see his music in Wordle. I can also see all of my 7'th and 8'th grade students, who read at a primary level, creating on Pixton.

I, too enjoyed looking through all of these tools. I started with You Tube due to it being so popular with my students. I have several students who I allow to use this program as a reward when their work is completed. Delicious was also one of my previews. I feel that this was a good source to access tech usage in a variety of teaching situations but I would encourage classroom teachers to look at it. Classroom doesn't really apply to my settings in that I work with small groups, and most of our interaction is verbal. Wordle was my favorite and I know that I will use it the most, particularly with vocabulary skills. I also looked at several photo tools, but it's difficult to determine which is better - Flicker or Picasa. I didn't go into great depth to see significant differences.