Digital+tools+for+teachers


 * Instructional Technology Tools and Resources**


 * //This is an annotated list of Web 2.0 tools and resources compiled by the Friday Institute.//**

[|www.wordle.net]
 * Wordle** enables you to create artwork from words, its wondrous properties also allow you to identify key words within a written passage and analyze content. There are unexpected ways to make use of word clouds, classroom teachers already have stepped out in front by identifying all kinds of applications for the classroom that encompass everything from assessment to test review to storytelling.

[|www.**scrapblog**.com/]
 * Scrapblog** allows you to create a scrapbook using your own photos, audio, videos, and text. Scrapblog is very user friendly and would be great in the classroom because it will be simple for the kids to use and it is free!

http://maps.google.com/
 * Google Maps** allow students to create and personalize maps. Basic functions include adding multiple placemarks, and descriptive text to a map. Images/photographs can be added to any map, but the photos must be online (Flickr). Students may place hyperlinks in the descriptive text boxes to link the map to additional information/web sites if so desired.

http://voicethread.com
 * VoiceThread** is an online media album where users can upload media, in the form of images, documents, and videos. These different types of media can be uploaded into different slides, where users can make comments in different ways. This is the low-tech approach for podcasts or videos. There are LITERALLY unlimited applications for this tool as a learning tool, teaching tool and collaborative tool.


 * Trailfire** is a Web tool that allows users to save a series of Web pages about some topic. The pages can be annotated with notes or questions, and the trail link can be shared with other users or students for their perusal. This is an easy way for teachers and students to cull a cohesive set of resources about some topic much like you would do for a Webquest activity. http://trailfire.com/

Integrate websites into your presentations. If you plan to show one or more web-pages during a presentation, create a trail ahead of time. All you have to do is click the next button. Facilitate classroom web exploration. If you have a class where you want your students to explore a list of websites, create a trail for easy navigation. More importantly, it creates an easy to access archive of the websites. Bonus: students can add their own comments to the pages on the trail and continue adding to this resource after the class and even after the course. Assess a web exploration activity. If you plan a class activity where students must explore and find information on the internet, have them document the path they followed to find the information. Use the text notes to have students annotate what they found and/or reflections on method. Bonus: Demonstrating and reflecting on how to find good information on the web is valuable information to learn, discuss and share. Creating Web Quests for students. Many teachers may want to create web quests to use with their class as a learning activity. Trailfire is an extremely easy way to create the navigation component of a web quest. Student-created Web Quests. Many teachers also want to have their student create their own web quests. Students will find it easy and intuitive to use Trailfire as a central component of their web quest.

A next-generation website that houses videos, games and activities connected to English/Language Arts and US History/Government content. Students and learners of all levels can interact with content via games, challenges, interactive activities, and quizzes all while being connected to a community of friends and learners engaged in discussions around academics, current events and important issues. http://www.icue.com/ http://www.icue.com/portal/site/iCue/welcomepage
 * ICUE**

Engage your students by having them travel to different locations in works of literature on GoogleEarth. Peruse GoogleLitTrips and see how you can use it with the next work of literature that you teach. http://www.googlelittrips.org/
 * GoogleLitTrips**

Create colorful mind maps online Share and work with friends Embed your mind map in your blog or website Email and print your mind map Save your mind map as an image http://bubbl.us/
 * Bubbl.us** is a simple and free web application that lets you brainstorm online. You can:

http://www.mindmeister.com/home/about
 * MindMeister** brings the concept of mind mapping to the web, using its facilities for real-time collaboration to allow truly global brainstorming sessions. Users can create, manage and share mind maps online and access them anytime, from anywhere. In brainstorming mode, fellow MindMeisters from around the world (or just in different rooms) can simultaneously work on the same mind map and see each other's changes as they happen.

http://www.skrbl.com/
 * Skrbl** is a simple and easy online multi user whiteboard. Sketch, text, share files, upload pictures all in one common shared space. There are no new tools to learn, nothing to download, nothing to install. Brainstorm on the whiteboard to start thinking together, everyone sees the same screen; everybody gets on the same page. There are also team resources for online collaboration. Share resources with your team, co browse the web, annotate shared documents, video phone, Skype calls and share resources. 'Team-skrbl' is the next best thing to being in the same room.

http://www.gliffy.com/
 * Gliffy** is an online tool to create and share diagrams online. With Gliffy online diagram software, you can easily create professional-looking flowcharts, diagrams, floor plans, technical drawings, and more. Our online diagram editor makes it easier than ever to create great looking drawings.

http://www.wiziq.com/
 * WiZiQ** is a web learning platform that connects students and teachers all around the world. WiZiQ not only facilitates the connection between learners and teachers around the globe but it also provides a channel of communication between them. Learners and teachers can connect through our state-of-the-art virtual classroom equipped with live audio, video, whiteboard and text chat elements. It’s free to join.

http://www.writeboard.com/
 * Writeboard** is a site which allows students to create and share web-based text documents. Writeboard can be accessed from any computer with a web connection. Sharing writeboards is easy — simply enter someone's email address and they'll get an invitation with a link to view and edit the writeboard. Every time you save an edit, a new version is created and linked in the sidebar. This allows you to write without fear of deleting something, overwriting something, or losing a better version of the document from last week. Writeboard would be a very useful tool for individual or class writing projects. Teachers can correct students work online and learners can collaborate online to produce a joint piece of writing.

http://penzu.com/pad
 * Penzu** is a free web-based private journal and diary. According to the Penzu, studies have shown that keeping a journal can not only boost your “working memory” but your grades too. One of the best things about Penzu is that it's incredibly easy to use. Whatever you write is saved automatically and you can insert images if you like. You can keep your entries private or share them with others. Penzu can easily be used for class writing projects or students can access the program for keeping their own personal notes (accessible from any computer).

http://m.flickr.com/#/home
 * Flickr** is an image and video hosting website web services suite, and online community platform. In addition to being a popular Web site for users to share personal photographs, the service is widely used by bloggers as a photo repository.

http://animoto.com/
 * Animoto** is a web application that produces videos from user-selected photos and music. It analyzes the provided photos and music, automatically generating a trailer-like video. Animoto’s engine analyzes users' photos and music and takes into consideration music's genre, rhythm, and tempo to generate a video.

HYPERLINK "http://www.glogster.com"www.glogster.com
 * Glogster** an exciting poster-creation tool that provides a platform for students to combine text, images, video, and audio to create an interactive, Web-based poster masterpiece. It introduces students to 3-D communication skills, requiring them to merge the left and right sides of the brain as they seek to communicate and evaluate both information and meaning. The visual, audio, and textual capacity of Glogster not only will appeal to digital learners, it has the potential to support the visual literacy skills that are becoming essential skill sets for 21st century learners.