CALL_IS_VSL

The Olympic Museum of Heroes is structured around fourt types of hero from different historical periods. Nice for a content-based project on the upcoming games, or generally, to give students an idea of the concept of "the hero" (literature) or how to present information through media (techno-literacy).

See Project 1 for examples of how a class of students used Animoto to discuss shopping, budget, and their daily life. Many different applications.

If you are disappointed that Ning gave up doing free web, you might find SocialGO a place to rebuild: "Whether you're a beginner or seasoned developer, build a feature-packed Social Network customized for your group on SocialGO. No software, hosting or coding required just pick your features, monetization options, support package and GO. "

There are several dozen things Big Huge Labs let you do with photos, either on the Internet, or uploaded (if you register), or linked from Flickr or FaceBook: make gifts, art posters, a movie poster, magazine cover, jigsaw, wallpaper, etc. Would be fun for student projects.

"Make your own WebQuest or Adapt a WebQuest with our "Short-cut WebQuest Authoring Tool" Lots of teachers would like to have specific resources for their curriculum requirements that would encourage higher order thinking in their students - WebQuests fit the bill perfectly. However, do most teachers have the time or skills to create a WebQuest using Website creation programmes like FrontPage or Dreamweaver or to work with HTML? Or to then have it uploaded and hosted with easy access for changes? The answer is that they don't have to! WebQuest Direct has created a simple to use Authoring Tool or template/proforma that allows you to create your own WebQuest or adapt an existing WebQuest to suit the needs of your students. You will only need to know how to type or copy and paste - it is that simple! You can readily come into the authoring tool make changes and press save! Your WebQuest will then be ready for your class to use!"

Nik Peachey explains how to create lessons using video files. Create Quick Video Task Sheets Vidinotes is an interesting site that I spotted a few weeks back. It's a great way to produce instant (almost) video worksheets to go with YouTube videos. Basically, what it does is to convert an flv video file into a number of screen shots with a space next to each screen shot for the students to take notes."

This looks like a really useful tool to help clean up sites that you want your students use frequently: just give them the adout link to use instead of the original. "Get Rid of Embarrassing Ads There's nothing worse than sending your students to or showing your students a website only to discover it is covered in embarrassing or unsuitable advertisements. Most of you who use any websites with students will probably have seen these IMVU ones which seem to appear even on very respectable websites."

"Create and embed Flickr slideshows in 3 steps." Insert your Flickr username or URL; Customize your show by selecting sets or tags; hit preview to see it and you are ready to publish.

Get learning materials, commune with colleagues, find online exercises to use with students, and connect with the MERLOT Second Life community. Great resources and connections for teachers.

A fifth-grade class (approximately 11 yrs old) wiki has examples of students e-portfolios

Tutorials include one for Beginners, tools and layers, blending, patching and healing, action hotkey creation, photo manipulation, etc. Since many schools have copies of Photoshop, this is a good place to help students explore its potential.

Describes the FoxVox plugin for Firefox. Very important tool for acessibility for handicapped students and the Blind.

"100 Ways to Teach with Twitter by K. Walsh on February 7, 2010 These resources actually provide over 110 ideas for, and examples of, using Twitter in the classroom."

What if teaching isn't just a natural talent, but can actually be learned, move by move? I am amazed that even Deans of Schools of Ed don't believe that teaching can be taught and learned. Maybe U.S. is finding something out?

Carla Arena's wonderful reflections on teaching, students, and world of education.

Simple vocabulary quizzes online free.

A Book Crowdsourced in One Week May 21-28, 2010 An interesting experiment in new media. Contributions have been selected/edited by profs at George Mason Univ in the USA.

This video is helpful for those setting up a conference or online class. WiZiQ has some great capabilities, including videoconferencing, and it's still free.

This site, The Blues Maker, as described by Nik Peachey, lets the user create his/her own blues tune, and as Nik points out, is an excellent way to improve listening skills, vocabulary, and pronunciation. The 10 steps are an excellent project to help students begin to learn more about this type of American (and now international) music.