ECETECH

Jooners is a free Web site focused on communication and collaboration between schools and parents. Its e-mail and scheduling Web site allows parents to have immediate online access to school-wide information, such as calendars, events, after-school programs and field trip information. Parents and teachers can arrange sign-up lists for any event that needs parental support, such as book fairs or PTA fundraisers, and coordinate classroom volunteers.

HotChalk is a collaborative tool for teachers, parents and students. Teachers can access a free learning management system and curriculum tools. Also available is the ability to interact with students and parents regarding assignments and grades. Free resources include a learning management system, lesson plans, curriculum tools and forums to discuss topics with other teachers. Most resources on this website are free but some of the more advance and global setting are not (hotchalk.com)

Edublog is an online technology tool that was created by educators, intended for educational professionals. This tool is commonly used by teachers of all grades (preschool, k-12, college). Edublog is a free blogging tool that allows you to communicate in several different ways; this type of blogging has several features that are appealing to educators and students.

Site for creating artwork and images ideally for children ages 3 to 12. Anyone can access and download the application for free from the website (tuxpaint.org). The application has special features to engage children, including sound effects when tools are selected and used, and a cartoon displayed in the corner to give help and hints. The drawing tools that are available for children to use are paint brush, rubber stamp, line tool, shape tool, text tool, special effects (magic) tools, eraser, and undo. Also, teachers and children can easily open, save, and print creations.This program could be used in an early childhood setting to help children work on fine motor skills by using the mouse on the computer. It can also foster creativity because the children are allowed to create whatever they want, however they want, and there is no limit on the amount of pictures that can be created. I would use this program in centers in the early childhood setting so that children could get equal opportunity and assistance, if needed.

basic description of how the term web 2.0 originated!

List and examples of many different types of technology that young children could use to create, communicate, and share and organize their learning. All examples have links to the actual tools used to create them.

Good lists of technology tools for use by all kinds of educators. Includes many free tools for educators.