Feed readers
are probably the most important digital tool for today's learner because they
make sifting through the amazing amount of content added to the Internet
easy. Also known as aggregators, feed readers are free tools that can
automatically check nearly any website for new content dozens of times a
day---saving ridiculous amounts of time and customizing learning experiences for
anyone.
Imagine
never having to go hunting for new information from your favorite sources
again. Learning goes from a frustrating search through thousands of
marginal links written by questionable characters to quickly browsing the
thoughts of writers that you trust, respect and enjoy.
Feed readers can
quickly and easily support blogging in the classroom, allowing teachers to
provide students with ready access to age-appropriate sites of interest that are
connected to the curriculum. By collecting sites in advance and organizing
them with a feed reader, teachers can make accessing information manageable for
their students.
Here are several
examples of feed readers in action:
Used specifically as
a part of one classroom project, this feed list contains information related to
global warming that students can use as a starting point for individual
research.
While there are literally dozens of different feed reader
programs to choose from (Bloglines andGoogle Reader are two
biggies), Pageflakes is a favorite of
many educators because it has a visual layout that is easy to read and
interesting to look at. It is also free and web-based. That
means that users can check accounts from any computer with an Internet
connection. Finally, Pageflakes makes it quick and easy to add new
websites to a growing feed list—and to get rid of any websites that users are no
longer interested in.
What's even
better: Pageflakes has been developinga teacher version of their tooljust for us that includes an online grade tracker,
a task list and a built in writing tutor. As Pageflakes works to perfect
its teacher product, this might become one of the first kid-friendly feed
readers on the market. Teacher Pageflakes users can actually blog and create a
discussion forum directly in their feed reader---making an all-in-one digital
home for students.
For more
information about the teacher version of Pageflakes, check out this
review:
Diigo is much more than a simple web annotation or social bookmarking tool. It is an online research and collaborative research tool that integrates tags, digital highlights, interactive sticky notes, captured snapshots, and group-based collaboration, allowing a whole new process of online information management, learning, and teaching in the 21st Century.
My Network
is a new Diigo social features that adds to the product's strength. My Network
creates a "content-centric social network," in which people are connected by
what they clip, tag, and highlight. Users will be able to collaborate
with other users based not on who is a friend to whom, but rather by who is
interested in what. My network delivers web content specifically tailored to a
user interests and shows users with similar interest. Participation in a larger
network is made possible with its community features that connects users with
people with common interests; thus, building global communities around topics
and knowledge, tags, and sites.
Digest of Internet Information, Groups and Other Stuff (Diigo) is a powerful free social bookmarking website with annotating capabilities.
Diigo is much more than a simple web annotation or social bookmarking tool. It is an online research and collaborative research tool that integrates tags, digital highlights, interactive sticky notes, captured snapshots, and group-based collaboration, allowing a whole new process of online information management, learning, and teaching in the 21st Century.
SuperTeacherTools.com is dedicated to providing technology tools for teaching that are quick and easy to download, learn, and start using in your classroom.
In the site, you will find a variety of review games, classroom management software, and other miscellaneous tools for educators.
Themes, creator of tools to help users create awesome websites, has an amazing opportunity for Educators. The good people at ithemes offers an iThemes Education Program designed to assist Educators, Schools and Students to quality web design tools and training.
Video chat with up to two other people for free at the same time with this great downloadable tool. You can same files and embed a video chat into a website.
http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/ICT+&+Web+Tools
This is an amazing tool which allows you to edit almost any webpage, including adding your own content and deleting what you don't want, while retaining active links and the page's functions. Really useful for editing graphic heavy sites on a slow network or removing links to unsuitable content.
http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/ICT+%26+Web+Tools
Possible the quickest and easiest way to create a simple, text-based website. Great for giving quick instructions to pupils, and colleague or a supply teacher.
http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/ICT+%26+Web+Tools
Augmentation/Apply: Using a simple yet powerful tool for visualization like GeoGebra, students explore the concepts covered in the resources described in 1., and solve related standard problems. The scope and number of the problems is not governed by what is available in the “back of the book,” but rather driven by the evolution of student understanding, as measured by suitable formative assessment processes.
Substitution/Remember: Students use ebooks and other Open Education Resources to acquire basic knowledge about statistical tools and procedures.
2. Substitution/Understand: At the same time, they begin a process of gathering information online describing applications of these statistical tools to an area of interest to them, using simple bookmark aggregation services (e.g., Diigo, Delicious) to collect and tag these resources, relating them to the knowledge gained in 1.
new options for converting a wikispace, now called a basic wiki, into an editable website. Can publish a classroom wiki once work is completed to a website to share with a wider audience. Looks like it has lots of potential for classroom teachers.
Create your own flashcards or use already-made ones. Can use definitions (or words) already stored on the site. Share with others. Useful for ESL students.
Quizlet is the largest flash cards and study games website with over 5 million free sets of flashcards covering every possible subject. It's the best place to play educational games, memorize vocabulary and study online.
This is a comprehensive flash card study aid site. Make your flashcards to study anything. Add pictures, text and it supports a range of non-alphabetical languages like Chinese and Japanese. You can choose to learn, spell things, test yourself or play games with the information. Browse thousands of sets made by other users without signing in. A free account is required to make your own flashcards.
http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/ICT+%26+Web+Tools
Martin Burrett on 11 Oct 11A easy to use website builder. Embed images, audio, video and widgets until its just right. http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/ICT+%26+Web+Tools
