Group items tagged

Group 2: Wenzel, Gretchius, McKane, & Hafermann Tool Name: SuperKids URL: http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/ Category: Online educational tools Tags: Worksheets, iPhone apps., games Grade Level Use: K-12 Topic/discipline: Reading, vocabulary, music, math, language arts Tutorial Information: This site has all of the navigation information located on the left side. There is a link to about Superkids and contact us. Possible Uses: Use fun educational games in class. Use the PSAT and SAT flashcards for test reviews. This site can also be used from home for student practice. Basics: Superkids allows teachers and students to access practice assignments and educational games for almost every subject area. The site also reviews and rates educational software. There are articles on important educational issues listed on the site. The site also has PSAT and SAT review information. It has iPhone apps that can be downloaded for use on the go. Positives: Easy to use and easy to navigate through. The site uses games to create a more interesting learning environment for the student. Negatives: There are not that many games or tools to use so the site may only be able to be used for so long before a student has played all the games in a particular subject area. Also, there is no way for the teacher to grade the work the student does on the computer.

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.

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)Tim Sennett, Bulfer, Carl, Gourley Category: publish games and lesson plans Grade level use: all levels, but mostly jr. high and high school Topic/discipline: math and some science Tutorial information: links to many websites in math, and many games using math lessons. Possible uses: To introduce or review a topic or lesson in math through the use of games and activities. Basic explanation: A student, parent, or teacher can use this site to find lessons in math for better understanding. This can be done with games, puzzles, or activities. The student or teacher can also create their own game or activity and post on this site. Positives: Some games are good for reviewing lessons. Negative: Many games are difficult to use and don't have much mathematical concepts. Hard to relate to specific math topics.

Group 2-Tera Hafermann, Ruth Getchius, April Wenzel, Trish McKane Category: online educational games Grade Level Use: K-8 Topic/Discipline: reading, math, science Tutorial Information: Since this is a site of online educational games, the tutorials come when you select a game. Possible Uses: This site could be used as a way to review math facts. It can also be used to engage students in science projects. Used in correlation with other sites, students can read the online books or comics and respond to them using Prezi or Capzles. Basic Explanation: Funbrain is a site that has games students can play to practice reading and math skills. It also has a blog for students. Positives: The site is engaging for students who like to play video and online games. Negatives: The site itself is rather busy and may make it difficult for students to find what they are looking for. It is also just limited to blogging and game playing.

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.

Group 1 (Bulfer, Sennett, Gourley, Carl) Category: Presentation Grade level use: 9-12 Topic/discipline: Could be used in multiple disciplines. Tutorial Information: Watch a tutorial and a solutions section. Possible uses: Create a dynamic presentation that can be shared and commented online. Basic explanation: Offers creative tools to make unique presentations that can then be sent out to be viewed and reviewed. There is a free 30-day trial, but I did read that it is free for teachers. Positives: Offers more creative ways to present information. Negatives: It costs money. It is geared more towards teachers.

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: Ruth Getchius, April Wenzel, Particia McKane, Tera Hafermann (Group 2) Category: practice, games Discipline: most school subjects are represented, grade 7-12 Tutorial information: tutorial center, frequently asked questions, and help options all available at bottom of the page. When clicking on the tutorial, there are many categories available, with quality answers and help. Possible Uses: lesson review, practice games, student competitions Basics: database of educational games organized by subject and then content of game Positives: Engaging to students, many choices, games are involved, have to spell correctly, a lot of free content that does not involve log in Negatives: Some things you must log in and create and account to do

Authors: (Group 1)Tim Sennett, Bulfer, Carl, Gourley Category: tutoring website Grade level use: junior high, high school Topic/discipline: math Tutorial information: help students find videos and games to review class lessons Possible uses: If a student needs more practice on a topic or lesson, they can watch a tutorial video or do practice problems at their own pace. Basic explanation: The tutorials, video, and lessons can be demonstrated by a math teacher and a shown paper, or through games. Positives: Many times will show lessons at a slower pace for the student. Has math from Algebra to Calculus. Negative: The tutoring questions sent in by the student will take about a half a day, at times, to get a response.