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Webspiration http://www.mywebspiration.com/about Webspiration is one of the best tools for gathering and organizing information that I have ever used. Webspiration allows the user to group information into any type of format that works for them. There are mapping tools, charting tools and my favorite thing about Webspiration is that with a click of the button all the information that you have used to create your mind map or chart can become a wonderfully organized outline. Webspiration allows users to be visual learners which can help them retain information. The main reason that I chose Webspiration as one of my graphic organizer websites was because Webspiration has a collaboration feature which many other sites do not. The collaboration feature is wonderful because it is always available with an internet connection, it helps keep the lines of communication open between group members and Webspiration automatically saves the work you have completed. I love the fact that I do not have to worry about losing my documents. Webspiration also lets users share their creations by posting them to a web page where they can be accessed by anyone. Webspiration is probably the best thing I have learned so far through my classes at Walden.

Xtimeline www.xtimeline.com The second website that I have chosen to share for authentic assessment activities is Xtimeline. Xtimeline is an online timeline creator that allows users to plot dates, events, plot details and other linear occurrences. Xtimeline is a great tool for authentic assessments because the students create the timeline from scratch and build on their timeline as they continue to work on it. Xtimeline also provides access to previously created timelines for research and background purposes. Xtimeline is capable of creating advanced, organized and visually advanced timelines for free. I especially appreciate the fact that Xtimeline lets members (membership is free) upload pictures to add to the timeline making them much more appealing and interesting to look at. I like Xtimeline because it helps me to observe the linear thinking process of my students. I have used Xtimeline for plot diagramming lessons as well as biography mapping. Xtimeline is a resource that I believe social studies teachers would find extremely useful and purposeful in their classrooms. I also like the physical set up of Xtimeline the tabs, categories and search engine make using this site easy for any user no matter their experience.

This site is geared to creating traditional posters in a modern way. I enjoy this site because it takes away the frustration of scissors and glue while adding awesome dimensions of videos and sound effects. From the content differentiation standpoint, Glogster can be used as a unit review, as an interactive timeline, or multimedia notes. Glogster allows the user to embed text, images, voice, sounds, and videos and share the product with an embed code or hyperlink.

Quibblo is a website that allows the user to create quizzes, surveys, polls, and stories. It is free and easy to set up. Quizzes can be shared by email or embedded into blogs, facebook, twitter, myspace, and wikis. Pre-training allows prior knowledge to move into the working memory of the individual. This stimulates essential learning by anticipating the concepts that are coming as well as accessing prior knowledge.

One type of assessment tool that can be used to archive, organize, and showcase authentic assessments is an ePortfolio. Foliospaces provides users with a space to develop a comprehensive digital portfolio. ePortfolios can be help students engage in essential and generative learning by assembling authentic products of learning and organizing them into cohesive representations of their learning. This website provides a free space for developing an ePortfolio. In addition, the website allows for the opportunity to share information with others through social networking.

This website provides a resource that describes various aspects of authentic assessment. In addition to sharing examples of authentic assessments for different content areas, the author provides flowcharts and step-by-step guidance for develop authentic assessments. Authentic assessments allow learners to demonstrate what they have learned by using concepts in applicable, relevant situations. Authentic assessments provide evidence of essential and generative learning. This website provides a combination of both general steps for developing authentic assessments as well as more detailed descriptions of the "how" and "why" behind this type of assessment strategy. The information at the website is easy to access and follow.

Brief description of what it allows you to do and how it can be used for essential or generative learning: Google sites is great because it is also a free tool that supports collaboration. I actually have to create a portfolio and it is easy to house on a site like this. It is easily accessible. It provides many user friendly functions and can adequately host or be any authentic assessment. Brief explanation of why you found this site to be better than others you found (e.g., more effective, creates better products, easier to use, and so on): Highly used and recognized by many people so familiar to audience members. Functions are straightforward and can easily share site for collaboration.

One of the best sites I've found for an overview of digital storytelling. The site is at the essential cognitive level, giving visitors an overview of key terms, tools, and concepts. The site shares several powerful examples and offers some great reflection by its author on the assessment process, including students' self-assessments. 

Short how-to video explaining how to use VoiceThread for Education. This video specifically explains how to finalize a digital story in VoiceThread, including sharing and setting publishing options.

Myplick is an easy way to upload and share presentations. It is also user friendly and affordable (most all of their membership features are free). It is a newer site, but still looks interesting.

As a former user of TimeGlider, I have experienced its usefulness as a multimedia tool for active cognitive learning. With TimeGlider, the user is able to create an interactive timeline to be designed alone or collaboratively and shared with others. This free tool allows the user to not only control how important an event is based on its size on the timeline, but it also allows the user to link events on the timeline to online videos and to upload pictures to enhance the timeline. The student may begin with an idea of the time period they are creating a timeline for, but they make the choices about what material to include in terms of how many events to include and any extras like videos or pictures. 

Timeglider is web-based timeline software for sharing history and project planning. It can be an interactive guide to users for events like workshops and can be interactive between creator and users for essential and generative purposes. Timeglider is free for limited usage, but then asks for five dollars a month for formidable teacher/student uses. This site is a fine representation of cheap visual technology that gives good visual aid and cognitive understandings of the timeline organization.

This document sharing website allows users to share a large variety of documents for free. The user just has to upload their document to their dropbox and anyone with permission to view their dropbox will have access to the document. The site provides a short tutorial on using dropbox and provides users with a free account with a large storage capacity. For more storage users can upgrade their account or get other users to sign up for a free account. This site does not offer the ability to collaborate in real time, but it supports all file formats.

Google groups provides a wide range of robust tools that are useful for essential and generative learning. Specifically, the online presentation tool mimics PowerPoint but is capable of allowing online collaboration and sharing. The presentation promotes essential learning because users can produce presentations that help to organize content. Generative learning is also possible if users provide the presentations to learners for them to markup or develop further with their own ideas. I chose this tool because it is part of a reputable site and offers a wide variety of tools.

Create online training tools and materials as well as follow-up sessions. This system facilitates sharing courses. You can upload existing presentations. Automates invites and tracks trainees' progress.

Google docs offers web-based free presentation software that handles like PowerPoint. You can create, save and present online, as well as download and share with others.