Group items tagged

A free online notebook where you can keep notes, create documents with groups, share up to 2GB of files and collaborate with groups using a wiki.

Register for free as a teacher or have students register to create quizzes on this website to use in the classroom or online.

This is a tutorial based webiste that provides students preparation for the SAT.

Blog author Steve Wheeler summarizes several writings on connectivism in this blog post. He highlights the connectivist idea that learning occurs outside the individual via social networks and PLNs. He also points to the shift in knowledge acquisition from one of "knowing information (aka memorization)" to "knowing how to locate information." He suggests it's vital that students learn to develop their own networks and personalized learning tools.

I enjoyed the quote from Siemens where he says that students need to find a method to develop their own learning tools, environment, and communities to store their knowledge. As educators, it is more important for us to guide students to find the information they require. Then coach them as to how they can store and display the knowledge they have acquired.

I found his "nutshell" comment about how connectivism argues it's more important to know where to find knowledge than it is to internalise it to be very helpful.

Original lesson plans developed by Thirteen Ed Online "Master Teachers". These Web-based Science activities use the rich resources of Thirteen/WNET New York and the Internet.

David Weinberger ("Cluetrain Manifesto") was one of the recommended authors for further reading on Communities of Practice. The central premise of this book is that the digital era fundamentally changed how we store and reference information. In a physical storage based world, an book or article can only be filed in a single way. Digital materials can be filed in unlimited ways and thus enable a greater degree of connections to be made. The next generation of web search technology "semantic search" will tap into this.

EducationCity is the leading provider of e-learning resources for schools and families in the UK. Interactive whiteboard resources are supported by fun and engaging online games, offering comprehensive, curriculum-based educational activities for use both in school and at home.

This site helps users create awesome timelines based off a Google Sheet template. The timelines can then be embedded on websites or linked for people to view.

DoInk allows you to easily create vector-based Flash-style animations.

A web-based word processesor that allows people to work together in real time, which is great for collaborative projects. Has a cool timeslider feature so you can watch your document as it changed over time which is great for teaching revision.

Diagramming software for creating flowcharts and more.

Makes all kinds of diagrams neatly and easily

Gliffy.com is a web-based diagram editor. Create and share flowcharts, network diagrams, floor plans, user interface designs and other drawings online. Great for students to make graphic organizers before writing.

PrimaryWall is a web-based sticky note tool designed for schools that allows pupils and teachers to work together in real-time.

Research regarding the benefits of being a member of a community of practice. While the information seems a bit forced (the communities of practice used for the study were exclusively face-to-face communities), the benefits of being a member of a community of practice still seem valid. According to the study, they are (1) autonomy and freedom to think beyond, (2) sources to ideas, (3) sounding board, (4) intellectual discussion, (5) like-mindedness, (6) alternative perspective and cross-pollination of ideas, (7) overcoming intellectual isolation, (8) move towards collaborative research, (9) response to research pressure, (10) synergy and leverage, (11) time and energy saving, (12) an informal ground for learning and training, (13) fostering of tangible returns, (14) driving research, (15) opportunities to met, (16) networking, information sharing and updates, (17) support and guidance, (18) sense of belonging, (19) identity, and (20) intrinsic fulfillment. As the article is about higher education, there are certainly some benefits that are more specific to their context, but I think the findings of the article are still valid.

The earliest recorded use of the concept of personal learning environments is by Goldstein and Miller in 1976. The next mention arises in 1998 when the first version of Future Learning Environment, a web-based learning environment designed to support learner and group centered work that concentrates on creating and developing expressions of knowledge, is mentioned. After that, the PLN begins to take off and becomes a common term.

I really like this article. Gives so many examples of free collaboration/sharing tools in the classroom. I appreciated the use of not only social media sites, but so many interactive sites that include collaboration tools - Even game-based learning ideas. Thanks for sharing! Matt

I have to try more of these tools out. It's great that this resource is found and can help our learners stay connected and that we have these kinds of resources to allow them to digitally create and collaborate on projects, and ideas.

What a fabulous find! I will definitely be taking a closer look at some of these! Nice job finding this incredible resource.

A site of lesson plans and activities that are really amazing. It says that a subscription is required but some activities can be accessed without one. Based in the UK.

A LibGuide from the James C. Kirkpatrick Library at the University of Central Missouri. Provides a ton of resources about various aspects of gaming in education, including the important of play, digital learning, game-based learning, gamification, and subject area examples.