Authors: (Group 1)Sennett , Bulfer, Carl, Gourley
Category: blog
Grade level use: all levels
Topic/discipline: all classes
Tutorial information: Help teachers and parents stay connected and promote their childs education.
Possible uses: networking, journals, blogs
Basic explanation: Give some ideas and discussion topics to help the teacher and parent work together to better the students education. Discuss how the teacher should instruct each level of student.
Positives: It has some good ideas for the teacher to better handle and improve parent involvement in the classroom.
Negatives: None. It is a good site for discussion about the classroom atmosphere itself instead of what lessons are taught.
Authors: (Group 1)Tim Sennett, Bulfer, Carl, Gourley
Category: teacher forums and activity links
Grade level use: all levels
Topic/discipline: science
Tutorial information: Help link science teachers together to find classroom and field trip activities.
Possible uses: Find and share classroom activities as well as staying current on upcoming conference and meeting.
Basic explanation: A science teacher could use this site to find different presentations and conferences that they could use to aid in their classroom material. Other website links are also given to connect to other classroom activities.
Positives: The state conferences and presentations are provided for teachers as well as websites for classroom activities.
Negatives: Many of the connecting websites are not useful for classroom activities and are more for the teacher and conferences
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.
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.
Authors:(Group 1) Sennett, Bulfer, Carl, Gourley
Category: blog
Grade level use: all levels
Topic/discipline: math and technology
Tutorial information: find books, topics, lesson plans for teaching math; blogs for connecting with other math teachers
Possible uses: finding a creative lesson plan for a given math topic
Basic explanation: A math teacher can connect with other teachers, or their ideas put on this website, to use in their classroom.
Positives: Easily move throughout the website to find information.
Negatives: There is a lot of information on this website. You need to be specific on the topics you want to use.
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: language learning, social networking
Grade level use: All levels
Topic/discipline: foreign language
Tutorial Information: Help section with numerous FAQs for each area of the site
Possible uses: practice conversation in language students are learning or in students' native languages
Basic explanation: My Happy Planet's purpose is to bring cultures together. Users can choose to chat with a native speaker or a 'study buddy'. They can communicate through text, voice, video, or messages.
Positives: The site has privacy controls. It also contains a blog.
Negatives: It would be difficult to monitor all students' conversations for appropriateness.
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.