K-12
An web-based collaboration IWB for teachers and students. It can also be used for conferencing for other jobs. Free version- 30 day trial, but teachers can apply for a Free educational version.
Con: must pay unless you apply for educational version, which can take time.
A great overall resource for all education. you will have to do some searching and playing around for what works for specific grade levels. CNN rated this "site of the week"
Grades 3-6
A resource of free educational podcasts of science experiments as well as other subject areas for students.
Teaches can use these science podcasts as visual aids to go along with science experiments. The other aspects of the site can be used in a variety of ways but especially as a visualcompnent with concepts that go along with science and social studies contents.
3-12
Teachers and students can collarborate over a public live document. You can invite others to be apart of this experience and its all FREE, no limits.
Cons: No limits, must monitor students.
3-12
Teachers and students can create or search voicethreads. Images, videos, documents can be uploaded and students can collarborate and/or add comments to voicethreads.
Cons: must register and limited access for Free version.
Jing is a great Screencast resource. There is a free version and a pay version. Jing is easy to use and understand as well as easy to share once you are done with the creation.
Grades 3-8
This site provides free maps, photos, videos and daily news stories, as well as articles and features about animals, the environment, cultures, and other science topics.
Teachers can use this site to reinforce concepts and topics. Students can use this site to help research specific scientific topics.
Grades 3-6
An interactive website that offers students story starters to help develop ideas for writing pieces.
This site can be used by students that struggle to come up with arting prompts an ideas for writing pieces. Teachers can give these to students for free writes.
Grade level- 9-12
CC- If a student is struggling with a certain area, he or she can use the tutorial videos on the site to help review.
Overview- This site offers tons of free tutorial videos on concepts from history along with mathematics.
Cons- Not every student has access to the internet.
Grade level- 9-12
CC- A student can create their own social networking group to collaborate on a class and community project for a Project-Based Learning assignment.
Overview- A user can create their own social networking group to their liking and control how it operates. Also it is free.
Cons- Needs district and parent permission.
Grade level- 9-12
CC- After a unit on Rome, students can use the site to their own interpretation of their favorite Roman Emperor.
Overview- Students can use the free site to bring their imagination about a person, concept, or idea alive by using the design tools to create a drawing/cartoon.
Cons- Not every student has access to the internet.
Purpose of the Website: Students can get photographs from their favorite website and creatively edit the photos. This website is free. It does not require any downloads or registration. It is also available for the Android, so that would be a great way to introduce the tool in your classroom if you do not have access for the students to go to the computer lab. Students can upload a photo, apply photo or artist effects, insert frames, perform translations and reflections, etc.
Grade Level: K-12
Classroom Connection: This would be a perfect tool for the art teacher that is looking to incorporate technology into their curriculum. Using this resource, art teachers can incorporate art and math by having students select a picture and create an artistic view on that photograph, as well as incorporating translations into the piece as well.
This site would be used for lesson preparation by teachers. They're not all that fantastic however and I would caution anyone using it to review their plans carefully. Check out "Seasonal Lesson Plans" for interesting, current activities for your students. Pre K-12
K-12
Great for a class/ group collaboration in and outside of the classroom and great for personal use!
Con: District permission, public to everyone, anyone can add or delete information.
K-12
Make phone calls, video chat, can be used for classroom activities and personal use.
Con: Must register and download program, and new district permission.