EdTechWalden

Online graphic organizer tool that will also allow teachers to plan their stories, and collaborate with each other. This is a free-tool that's user-friendly and only requires participants to create an acount.

Google Docs is a wonderful platform for groups and individuals to interact and collaborate on an assignment. Private groups can edit and use this application to work on projects, spreadsheets, drawings saving information in one convenient location. In the past, I have used this while my group was on Skype, where we were able to compete an assignment within a few minutes.

RCampus is a free online course management resource which provides opportunities to develop and organize training material specific to your topic and needs. I have used this site before and it is not difficult to design each element of a course, including easy monitoring of participation, and provides student access with individual log ins.

Wiffiti is a website that is linked to mobile phones and receive texts. It can display feedback and information from a large audience.

This is a free graphic organizer tool that can be used collaboratively. It allows for simultaneous use among multiple users.

* Name of the site: About.com: Presentation Software * URL: http://presentationsoft.about.com/od/powerpointadvanced/u/beyondbasics.htm * Brief description of what it allows you to do and how it can be used for essential or generative learning: This is as site that explains how to do more that the basics in PP. I like to have a "handbook" for reference, but I really do not want it in printed form so much as I want to be able to get quick answers. This site can serve as that. * 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). It will allow me to improve my skills in multimedia presentation in PowerPoint.

Presentations * Name of the site: OpenOffice.org * URL: http://download.openoffice.org/ * Brief description of what it allows you to do and how it can be used for essential or generative learning: This application seems to be a free version of PowerPoint with some different slide templates. Anyone who has used PowerPoint would be able to use this application. It might not look so run-of-the-mill as PP. * 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). This is free. Looks easy to use for students.

* Name of the site: Virtual Understanding Environment (VUE) * URL: http://vue.tufts.edu/download/index.cfm * Brief description of what it allows you to do and how it can be used for essential or generative learning: This is a mind mapping site developed by Tuffs University that is available for the Mac. * 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): It looks like it is more adaptable that Freemind which I used before and did not like. I haven't built anything yet, but I will use it for a mind map of Web 2.0 functions.

* Name of the site: Authentic Assessment Toolbox * URL: http://jonathan.mueller.faculty.noctrl.edu/toolbox/tasks.htm * Brief description of what it allows you to do and how it can be used for essential or generative learning: This is a great site to help teachers develop an authentic assessment for their students. It will be good in the workshop I am developing on Web. 2.0 from the later days when the participants are thinking on what they will develop. * 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). This comes from a knowledgeable source and cites Grant Wiggins.

* Name of the site: Graphic Organizer Links * URL: http://www.nvo.com/ecnewletter/graphicorganizers/ * Brief description of what it allows you to do and how it can be used for essential or generative learning: This site has multiple uses for graphic organizer templates. It also seems to have been developed by Texas educators to connect education with technology. It has links to the other states as well. I intend for the teachers in my workshop to access standards for their state or region, and this site will allow that. * 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): It is so rich in graphic organizers, but it is useful in other ways as well.

The Moodle CMS will assume a central position in my workshop. One objective is to have participants learn CMS functionalities. The workshop project will require that participants set up a course on Moodle. The workshop will be delivered through my own Moodle setup. In addition to the many other features, Gradebook, for purposes of assessment, will also be highlighted. I will use my Moodle to collect participant work through the Dropbox feature, evaluate the work, and grade the projects through Gradebook.

I am amazed at the capabilities of collaboration software. The use of Elluminate, in particular, has been demonstrated in LiveChat presentations by a number of my professors. With a network such as proposed in my Smartboard entry, and with all computers equipped with webcams, the breadth of educational technology can be put on display. This is perfect for the purposes of my workshop.

The Smart Technologies website provides an abundant amount of information about Smartboards but the writer paid close attention to the Education link. The site gave basic information about different Smartboard models and how they are used in classrooms. There were videos, links and graphics used to deliver information.

Big displays in workshops and other presentations is an essential feature. Whether it's an IWB or just a big projection screen, the ability to display enlarged content for all to see is invaluable. In this manner, IWBs enrich the experience with it's interactive capabilities and robust software (Notebook 10 for SmartBoards). A little known feature of Notebook 10 is an included LinQ application that allows for the networking of 5 additional laptops that can share their screens to the SmartBoard. Oh yes it doeoess. . .

Assignment, Module 3 - Yodio.com is a free, web-based recording service where users can record from any microphone or cell phone to create a visual and audio podcast experience.  Users can synchronize their voice commentaries with photos to create media presentations and responses.  They can be shared, streamed through the Internet, or embedded in other websites and blogs.  In essence, it is an audio postcard.  Another advantage the site offers for classroom presentations is it allows you to toggle back and forth to full-screen mode.  One interesting note:  the name, Yodio, is derived from YOur auDIO.

Assignment, Module 3 - iShowU.com is a screen casting application for Mac users.  Although there is an HD version available for a nominal charge, the basic version is free.  iShowU will capture and record anything on your screen instantly.  It has a single-button record system and simple settings to allow users to control audio levels and screen size.  You can capture mouse positions, pause and resume recording, and access the video at the instant you stop recording.