Group items tagged

Group Members' Names (Group Number 4: Belcher, Kaufman, Knowles, Duffy) Category- Manipulatives Grade level- K-12 Topic/discipline - Math, Science, Technology, Art Tutorial information - Users can click on each manipulative and find brief instructions on the right side of the screen. For more detailed directions users can click on Instructions at the top of the screen. Possible uses- This tool could be used in math. Instructors could use this with a projector/Smartboard instead of using an overhead. This could also be used in science to graph results from experiments. There are other manipulatives too such as tessellations that could be used in teaching art. Basics - Teachers and students of all ages can interactive with various math manipulatives from different disciplines. Positives - All manipulatives that teachers might purchase for their classroom are available free on this site. All students have access to their own set of manipulatives online. Basic operations are available for free use via the website. Negatives - To gain complete access to all the features of the manipulatives, one can download the free trial and then purchase the tools for $39.95.

Group 1 (Bulfer, Sennett, Gourley, Carl) Category: Creative Art Grade level use: 3-8 Topic/discipline: Art, English, Reading, Spelling Tutorial Information: Click on "How to Play" Walks you through making a movie and picture. Tutorials, Top 10 Questions, Tips and Tricks, Kids FAQ, Teacher FAQ, Contact Us. There are also YouTube videos available. Possible uses: Create a storybook, spell a picture, make a picture, make a movie, make a card, make a story, doodle pad, make a drawing. Basic explanation: Kerpoof Studio lets a student create the above mentioned. They can also save their creations, share their creations, vote on shared scenes, create an avatar, and earn Kerpoof Koins. The Koins can be used to buy more features to use when creating things. There are more benefits if you buy a membership (1 month is $4.39, 6 months is $24.79, and 1 year is $44.79) the benefits are that you can chat with friends, create with friends, and share Kerpoof Koins. Positives: Has a separate section for teachers with lesson plans and other ideas. The website offers many creative channels for students. The registration goes through the parents email. Negatives: A solid program, but I wish it had more for older students.

Group Members: (Group 4) Belcher, Kaufman, Knowles, Duffy Category: free online private diary and personal journal Grade level: All levels Topic/discipline: Language arts, social studies, writing Tutorial information: Users clink on the help link to receive assistance. Possible uses: Journaling, reflections, summaries Basics: Students are able to compose their own personal writing entries. Entries can be kept private or students can allow others to view their entries online. Positives: Easy use, privacy, can insert images into writing entries, autosave Negatives: Information at help link is limited, many other means of journaling available

Authors: Group 2 (Hafermann, Wenzel, McKane, Getchius) Category: Online library Grade level use: All levels Topic/discipline: Social sciences, language arts, math, science, technology, history, primary sources (as tags) Tutorial Information: "Ask a Librarian" link is located at the top of the main page of the website. Once clicked, the next page is separated into 5 sections: 1) General Collections, 2)International Collections, 3) Digital Collections, 4)Special Formats and Genres, 5)Other Programs and Services Possible uses: Research projects, daily historical trivia, use of primary sources for lessons in Language Arts, Literature and Composition, and Social Studies. Basic explanation: The Library of Congress provides a vast amount of primary sources for teachers to use in the classroom. The site has five main features which can be found at the top of the main website. For example, the American Memory link provides free access to maps, audio, video, and pictures. Positives: Unlimited amount of resources to be used in the classroom. Free! Negatives: Too much information, students may not know where to begin.

Authors: Group 2 (Hafermann, Getchius, Wenzel, McKane) Category: Electronic books/Writing tools Grade level use: Grades 9+ Topic/discipline: social sciences, reading/language arts, science, technology Tutorial Information: Tutorial video on home page Possible uses: group reading, summation of books, book discussion tool - teachers can post questions about the book and students can respond, upload personal written material and have other review it, Basic explanation: This tool allows you to read books online and chat with others who are reading the same book. Positives: comments about book can be left by paragraph or page, allows for teacher to student interaction as well as student to student interaction about books, provides book discussion prompts to get started, if the book you want is not offered you can request it or you could find an electronic copy online and upload it, some books are free! Negatives: not geared towards younger age groups, you have to pay for some books, limited number of books - may not have classroom books listed in database, must create account to log in.

Authors: Group 2 (Hafermann, Getchius, Wenzel, McKane) Category: Instructional videos Grade level use: All levels Topic/discipline: Social sciences, language arts, math, science, technology Tutorial Information: Help link located at the bottom of the main web page. Possible uses: additional resource to introduce lessons or reiterate past lessons. Basic explanation: Provides teachers "cartoon" like educational/instructional videos intended for students and learning. The videos cover a wide span of subjects and levels. Positives: Vast amount of videos to choose from. Negatives: Free trial basis, but then a purchase of a subscription is needed.

Group 2: Tera Hafermann, Ruth Getchius, April Wenzel, Trish McKane Category: online poster maker Grade Level Use: all levels Topic/Discipline: reading, language arts, social studies, science, math Tutorial Information: On the homepage of the website you can choose to create a glog for free. This allows the user to play with the different features of making a glog without committing to signing up for an account. Possible Uses: Students can use this to create posters for any subject as the culminating project for a unit. Basic Explanation: Glogster is a site that allows teachers and students to create posters and lessons online. Posters contain photos, videos, links to other sites, and audio explanations. It is an interactive way to get students more involved and engaged in learning. Positives: Glogster is engaging. It is beneficial to students who struggle with reading and writing because it allows them to show what they have learned through a multimedia presentation with less writing required. Negatives: Does require an account, however a basic educator account is free.

Group 3: Sarah Vaughn & Sara Reich Category: interactive poster Grade level use: junior high, secondary Topic/discipline: any Tutorial Information: Very intuitive- a little bit of playing around and students can figure out most everything you can do with a glog Possible uses: posters for presentations, summative assignments Basic Explanation: Glogster takes the idea of the old posterboard assignment and allows students the opportunity to "paste" in pictures, add information, add video and music, include podcasts Positives: Easy to use, students enjoy presenting this "posters" Negatives: Some difficulty saving and finding glogs, students may need to convert files to add to glog

Group Name: Group 2-Tera Hafermann, Ruth Getchius, April Wenzel, Trish McKane Tool Name: Capzles Category: online timeline creator Grade Level Use: 2nd grade+ (with guidance for the younger children) Topic/Discipline: social studies, reading, science, math, language arts, just about anything where timelines or how tos can benefit someone. Tutorial Information: The site allows you to view public capzles, or photo/video timelines. In order to create a capzle, you must join the site-this is free. Once in the site, choose to create a capzle and the site walks you through the process step by step. Possible Uses: create timelines of historical events in social studies, create personal timelines of events in language arts, create a timeline of a story or novel, create a how-to timeline in science or math. Basic Explanation: This tool allows the user to upload photos, music, and videos to the site to include in a timeline. It also allows you to upload voice recordings about the photos and to blog on the photo. The user can embed a capzle on their Facebook wall. It also has an app for your iPhone. Positives: Easy to use and explain to children. Engaging. This allows students who are fearful of writing long essays to show what they know in a format that encourages creativity. Negatives: Does require you to sign up for an account, but it is free. Younger students will need a lot of help with this at first.

Authors: Group 2 (Hafermann, Getchius, Wenzel, McKane) Category: Social network for book lovers Grade level use: All levels Topic/discipline: Language Arts, Literature and Composition Tutorial Information: "Help and Questions" link located at the bottom of the page once you log into your account. Help page has a drop down box that provides several different features for the user. In addition, you can ask the "shelfari community" questions. Possible uses: Journaling, book reviews, independent reading, reader's workshop, literature circles, social networking Basic explanation: Shelfari has the same concept of facebook, where as you are social networking with friends, however, you are able to keep track of books you have read, books you want to read and books you are currently reading. Another feature is that you are able to send e-mails, or look at your friends' bookshelf to see what they are currently reading or written reviews on. Positives: User friendly, provides a visual of all book covers, appeals to the younger crowd. Negatives: Users are able to post on other user's shelves, which could present a problem if the messages are inappropriate.

Group Members: (Group 4 Belcher, Kaufman, Knowles, Duffy) Category: Social networking site for book lovers Grade level: All levels Topic/discipline: Language Arts focus with cross-curricular potential Tutorial information: There are tabs on the homepage for Shelfari discussion groups which include FAQ's and a forum for asking questions. Possible uses: Teachers and students can create virtual bookshelves, join groups and invite friends. Book suggestions can be made, discussions, and networking. Basics: Users are able to create virtual bookshelves by searching for books or get ideas on what to read next through automatic suggestions or by joining a group. Positives: Ease of navigation, free, blog, media widget for both Facebook and MySpace Negatives: interaction with strangers, potential for misuse

Authors: Group 1 (Bulfer, Sennett, Gourley, Carl) Category: interactive whiteboard Grade level use: All levels Topic/discipline: Language arts, science, social sciences, math, technology Tutorial Information: There is a video tour which explains how to use the tool. Possible uses: This tool can be used with a projector or on a whiteboard, allowing the user to create drawings and diagrams with text. It is an alternative to whiteboard software which some may find easier to use. Basic explanation: This is an online collaboration tool that is designed to be used with a whiteboard, though it is not necessary. Users can share drawings and invite others to collaborate online. Positives: Fast, easy, and flexible to use. Previously made drawings can be re-used and adapted. Negatives: There is a free plan but it costs to add other features.

Authors: Group 1 (Bulfer, Sennett, Gourley, Carl) Category: play, writing Grade level use: All levels Topic/discipline: Language arts, technology Tutorial Information: There is a demo/tutorial on the site that explains the process of creating a comic. Possible uses: Create comic strips to support learning a language, writing from different perspectives, or writing a variety of genres. Basic explanation: Users add their own text to chosen characters, objects, and frames to create a comic strip. Positives: Writing can be done in several languages. The site includes teacher resources as well as homeschool and family fun ideas. There are other comic frames and writing prompts to print. No advertisements on site. Negatives: Interactions are limited to emailing comics that are created. Choices in creating comics are limited.

Authors: Group 1 (Bulfer, Sennett, Gourley, Carl) Category: study tools Grade level use: All levels Topic/discipline: Language arts, social sciences, math, science, technology Tutorial Information: FAQ section with help and support sections as well as space to submit suggestions or comments. Possible uses: Reviewing and practicing information in any content area Basic explanation: Teachers and students can create flashcards for any subject which they can then share with others. Registering on the site also allows users to access a database of flashcards. Flashcards can be printed or used online along with accessibility through an iPod application. Positives: Teachers can create multiple accounts under one email address if students do not have their own email addresses. The flashcard database can be searched by subject, level, title, or author. Negatives: This tool is free but does solicit donations made through PayPal.

Authors: Group 1 (Bulfer, Sennett, Gourley, Carl) Category: Brainstorming/Collaboration Grade level use: All levels Topic/discipline: Social sciences, language arts, science, technology Tutorial Information: There is a link to an example mind map which shows the features of bubbl.us. A blog link is on the website but was not active. There is a help section once you begin brainstorming. Possible uses: brainstorming for writing, concept maps in science/social studies, group collaboration Basic explanation: Online brainstorming tool that lets you create colorful webs or mind maps. You can share, print, email or save your work. Positives: Easy to use, can create colorful webs that would be good to display to a class Negatives: Younger students would not be able to use it on their own but could contribute as a group.

Authors: Ruth Getchius, April Wenzel, Patricia McKane, Tera Hafermann (Group 2) Category: practice, games, lessons Discipline: English, Language Arts, Writing, grades 9-12 Tutorial information: There is no tutorial or help. The website has highlighted links and gives directions as you work through the site. Possible Uses: grammar and mechanics practice, learning grammar and mechanics rules Basics: Grammar and mechanics tutorials and practice games are set up for students or classes to work through. There are pictures, noises, and sometimes fake prizes. Positives: Engaging to students, good information on English grammar and mechanics, game format is appealing, lots and lots of content Negatives: Some of the prizes or consequences for a wrong answer are iffy on appropriateness. It is loud.

- Authors: Reglio, Saal, Costello, Stroh - Group #5 - Tool Name: Watchknow - Tool URL: http://watchknow.org - Category: Educational media site -Tags: media, science, social studies, math, language arts - Grade level use: Pre-k - high school - Topics/Discipline: free on-line educational videos - Tutorial information: Found on the homepage is a button that provides a video demonstration on usage - Possible uses: cross-curricular, small group, individual, whole class, at home - Basics: The user can either type in a topic into the search box or choose from a variety of subject areas. After narrowing the subject, the user chooses a skill, from there the user selects a video to play. -Positives: It contains over 15,000 video clips which are cross-curricular and multi-aged. The site is easy, for an adult to navigate. -Negatives: An adult is needed to edit for content and age appropriate video selections.

Authors: Group 2 (Hafermann, Wenzel, McKane, Getchius) Category: educational workspace Grade level use: All levels Topic/discipline: Social sciences, language arts, math, science, technology Tutorial Information: Video training can be found at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6021800157073904948#docid=-1853468039132361404 Possible uses: Building of web pages, organizing library, online workspace, Basic explanation: Teachers may purchase package programs that can provide online workspace for them and their students. Teachers can use these workspaces to fit into their curriculum. Students may have the opportunity to collaborate online with their peers instead of in the classroom. Positives: Provide students more opportunities to interact online with peers and their teachers when completing assignments. Librarians may use the program to organize their libraries. Interact with other classrooms. Negatives: Basic edition is free (limited). Classroom edition is $99 per year (20 x the storage). Campus Edition $799 per year (up to 1,000 users).

Group Members' Names (Group Number 4: Belcher, Kaufman, Knowles, Duffy) Category- Presentation Grade level- All Topic/discipline -All Tutorial information - Users may click on "Learn" to read about the basics of Empressr. For additional support, users may click on "Support" to find answers to frequently asked questions. Possible uses- Empressr may be used as a way for students to share their PowerPoint presentations with others. Teachers and students may view other Empressr presentations. Basics - Empressr is an online storytelling database. Users can easily create presentations on Empressr or upload a PowerPoint. These can easily be shared through email or social networking sites. Positives - Empressr does all the animations for your presentation so you do not have to spend a lot of time doing that on your own. It also allows others to view your presentation easily online so file sharing is a cinch. Negatives - Teachers should be careful using this in the classroom, since it is open to the public. It might not be a good idea to let students use the sight independently.

Group Members: (Group 4) Belcher, Kaufman, Knowles, Duffy Category: Web-based timeline creator Grade level: All levels Topic/discipline: Social studies, language arts Tutorial information: Description of how to use the timeline creator is provided on the homepage. FAQ link provided. Members have access to tutorial link. Possible uses: Creating timelines that are available to all members of a group Basics: Users are able to create and edit interactive timelines that can be manipulated with a simple drag of the mouse. Positives: Templates, easy to use drop boxes to enter data, can export timelines to a PDF file, can insert images, teacher support services, customizable privacy. Negatives: There is a one-time joiner fee of $19. Could be difficult for younger users due to required reading.

Group Members: (Group 4) Belcher, Kaufman, Knowles, Duffy Category: Evaluation of student writing samples Grade level: Middle school, high school Topic/discipline: Language arts, social studies, science Tutorial information: A "project overview" link is provided on the homepage that outlines the three main phases of the evaluation process along with important details. Possible uses: Online objective-based evaluation of student writing samples provided by other educators. Basics: Teachers submit student writing samples. Other teachers, students, and professionals read and evaluate the work. EdSteps then will publish continuums ("emerging" to "accomplished" work samples) in different skill areas.The continuums are available online for teachers, students and families to view. Positives: Provides objective-based evaluation and feedback of students' writing. Evaluations provided by a variety of individuals of various ages, specializations, and affiliations. Results are made available online to students and families. Negatives: Time - the evaluation process takes time to provide feedback.

Authors: Group 1 (Bulfer, Sennett, Gourley, Carl) Category: Book cataloging social network Grade level use: All levels Topic/discipline: Library, language arts Tutorial information: Take a tour or FAQ section Possible uses: catalog and classify books, social networking, book reviews Basic explanation: Library Thing is a social network of book lovers. People can add up to 200 books for free into their account by searching author, title, ISBN and then catalog them in different ways. Book lists can be public or private. Positives: Can connect with people who enjoy the same books, get recommendations based on favorite books or find out which books you would probably not enjoy, no advertising Negatives: Must pay a small fee for more than 200 books.