Pre-Training
Name of site: SchoolTube
URL: www.schooltube.com
Description: Videos can be found on various topics. This can be used for prior knowledge and introduce the topic.
Brief explanation of why this site is better than other found: There are many videos on numerous topics that can provide an introduction to a new topic. The videos appeared to be of a better quality than on some of the other sites.

Name of site: Read the words
URL: www.readthewords.com
Description: The site converts text to speech. Recordings can be turned into MP3 files and imbedded into a wiki or website.
Explanation of why this site is better than other found: Having the MP3 option to where the learners can listen to the information again at a later time would be beneficial.

Graphic Organizer:
Name of site: NovaMind - Mind Mapping Software
URL: www.novamind.com/mind-mapping
Description: Easy and quick organization of thoughts for presentations. Ideas can easily be communicated to the learner.
Brief explanation of why this site is better than other found: The site was easy to navigate. There were many examples of already made mind maps to see what could be easily created with NovaMind.

Name of site: Bubble.us
URL: www.bubble.us
Description: A quick way to create a mind map. The mind map can quickly be made into a jpeg or png image and then be able to save for a presentation.
Explanation of why this site is better than other found: This site is free where many of the other sites found only offered a short free trial. The site was very easy to navigate and create graphic organizers.

Presentation:
Name of site: Go Animate
URL: http://goanimate.com
Description: Create animated videos with recorded dialog.
Brief explanation of why this site is better than other found: The site was easy to navigate and create videos.

Name of site: SlideShare
URL: www.slideshare.net
Description: A document, Powerpoint presentation, or video can be created and then shared through slidesshare.net.
Explanation of why this site is better than other found: The site is easy to use and offers a free account with the ability to upgrade if needed. Files can easily be uploaded and shared.

Authentic Assessment Activity:
Name of site: Rubrics4Teachers
URL: www.rubrics4teachers.com
Description: This site provides easy to use rubrics for teachers.
Brief explanation of why this site is better than other found: There are premade rubrics for many different grade levels and subject areas. There are also blank rubrics that can be made for what it is needed for.

Name of site: ePortfolio Mash Up with Google Apps
URL: http://electronicportfolios.com/google/
Description: This page provides a guide of what Google Apps can do to help create teacher and student portfolios.
Explanation of why this site is better than other found: There were many sites that discussed teacher and student portfolios, however this site described many benefits of Google Apps and how the various Apps connected to one another.

The three web sites that I selected that include multimedia artifacts for active learning:

1. Slideshare.net

Slideshare is a cognitive activity. This website is a learner-centered activity. The website uses multimedia learning as knowledge construction (Mayer, p. 17, 2009). Students construct a slide presentation to show what they have learned or what they want to present. It creates a connection for the students and allows them to be engaged with their learning.

2. Tenmarks.com

Slideshare is a behavioral activity. The website is a learner-centered activity. The website uses response strengthening (Mayer, p. 15, 2009). Students can watch short videos about various objectives that are assigned by the teacher. The students are then tested over the material. The students are praised for correct answers. If they have trouble they can receive hints to help them get the answer. Students receive awards for completed activities at a certain level. This activity helps with using dual channels and active processing.

3. Brainpopjr.com

Brainpopjr is a behavioral activity. This website is a learner-centered activity. The website used response strengthening (Mayer, p. 15, 2009) and information acquisition (Mayer, p. 16, 2009). Students watch short animated videos on various educational topics. When the videos are completed the students can take a test about what they have learned. If the students use the online test then when they answer the questions they immediately know if they got the correct answer or not. If not they are given a choice to change it. This activity allows for dual channels and active processing of material.