This site has a 30 second blurb on many topics that we teach from the money supply to Henri Matisse from the space station to the properties of chemicals.
Qwiki allows users to learn more about a variety of topics through multimedia and storytelling. Users can also contribute content to make Qwiki even better.
Qwiki instantly makes a 1 minute educational movie on any topic. A must try resource! Works by typing in a search term. Great for visual/auditory learners... and teachers. http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/ICT+&+Web+Tools
Nancy: You need a phased attack. Phase one involves marshaling the technologies you do have handy to create communication with parents. Use Twitter for homework updates, essential questions about reading assignments, a "writer's tip of the day" etc. This is what I call a "tier 1" communication. This technology gives few details, but provides parents talking points during dinner conversation with their kids. Then use your website to add the major details, evaluation rubrics, blogging, etc. What I like to provide are "desktop" videos that capture you using or modeling Web 2.0 technologies, and their potential in the classroom. Post these on your website and say something like, "Blocked here at [your school] but you can perhaps use these tools at home..." When parents start to see the same text appear over and over as a caption or comment in your video, they just might get angry enough to go to the superintendent, or the IT "integration specialist" and say, "Enough! Give this teacher the tools she needs!" We're fighting this battle everywhere. Educators are being treated like children who don't have a clue. Keep fighting the good fight and good luck!
Description: Wallwisher is an online post-it board. It can be used for making announcements or for posting polling questions. No user registration is required. Works like a notice board. You can choose the level of control; who can view, who can post, and authorize all posts before they go "live". Visit my wall to post your thoughts about this Web 2.0 tool. You can link your sticky notes to videos, images, and websites. http://wallwisher.com/wall/greatwebtool
Description: Wallwisher is an online post-it board. It can be used for making announcements or for posting polling questions. No user registration is required. Works like a notice board. You can choose the level of control; who can view, who can post, and authorize all posts before they go "live". Visit my wall to post your thoughts about this Web 2.0 tool. You can link your sticky notes to videos, images, and websites. http://wallwisher.com/wall/greatwebtool
Tried to search for an ePortfolio platform for some time now..... sadly, can't fond one that's catered to University students. Anyone know of a good one? e.g. Open platform (web accessible? able to store Google docs) and not proprietary.
Kevin - have you looked at Myportfolio? It uses an Open source software engine (Mahara) and the web-based option gives you a free account with 100 student accounts to try it out, but the annual subscription rates are very reasonable, as well you can install your own instance of Mahara on a Linux server and run it in-house if you wish.
This is a superb site which allows you to make video of a drawing with audio. Combine this with a whiteboard and you can record a lesson quickly and easily and embed it on your site.
http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/ICT+%26+Web+Tools
iHigh.com provides schools, colleges and other youth related organizations with free web tools and video streaming that connect sports and activities to the premier Global Youth Network. "
A beautifully made Twitter-like social network for schools that supports photos, videos, files and embed html. The site also has a blog feature, calendar and many other fab features. You can set your class to private or public.
http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/ICT+%26+Web+Tools
A Twitter-like social network study group platform. Post comments, upload and share files, use the collaborative whiteboard and text and video chat to help users study together when apart.
http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/ICT+%26+Web+Tools
A superb site where you can crop YouTube & other online videos, add audio messages and quiz questions which provide individual assessment feedback to check understanding of your students.
http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/ICT+%26+Web+Tools
Amazing source of history through video clips - the educational tools that accompany many of these clips is great as starting point for really worthwhile discussions.