I found this rubric linked to the article Lisa K. recently shared. That article addresses finding and using good mentors as well as authentic audiences. I can't wait to see where we go with this.
If you haven't already seen this 2001 video, it's worth the 7 minutes. It's really about a PBL Elementary School in VA. I think it helps me wrap my mind around the role of the teacher in these class projects. Questioning is key!
Here are directions for setting up your blogs and allowing students to keep last year's work. This will enable us to use KidBlog as a multi-year digital portfolio! Yeah!
If you are using Google Chrome, this is a great extension to add. It allows you to both do a screen capture and/or a screencasting (capture in video mode what you are doing on your computer when on Google Chrome).
I love the idea of keyboarding instruction at second grade and beyond, and I am REALLY glad I get to work at a school that values authentic learning rather than test taking.
Lisa - This might be a good chart to use if students create proposals for their own interest based learning topics like we read about from Birmingham Covington School's Thinkering classes.
Scroll down to the second image. I like the way the apps are arranged to interface with the phases of inquiry from the teacher's and student's points of view.
I would suggest picking one or two in each category - it is not about using all the different apps, but in finding the ones that work for you for your purpose.