ToonDoo is a very user friendly web based application that allows you to create cartoon strips and even cartoon books. The site is designed to encourage participants to create new strips, share their work, and discuss cartooning. What a great way to get students involved in the writing / digital story telling process. The Toon Creator is full of backgrounds, character, props, and other useful tools to aid in creating your masterpieces. I would say that the site is certainly appropriate and easy enough to use for elementary students but is entirely appropriate for older students as well. What a find :)
Google Wave (currently in preview) is a new online collaboration tool created by Google. It provides the opportunity for asynchronous and synchronous communication among users. Waves allow participants to share resources, images, videos, documents, etc in order to discuss, collaborate, etc. It's a wonderful tool and my guess is that it will only become more powerful when it is open to all and a little more polished. Even in it's current state, it's quite robiust.
"New York State Board of Regents is considering eliminating a variety of mandates-including the teaching of library and information skills in the state's middle schools. "