shWeb2ToolReview

My Web 2.0 Tool Review:

1. To see Casa Notes [|click here] Casa Notes is a tool to find quick note templates. Some note templates that would be useful in the classroom include: a table for students to check off their homework, a template for parent-teacher conferences, or a simple thank you award. It is a good tool, since it saves the teacher time spent making common templates, the templates are available in both English and Spanish, and notes can be customized by inserting students' names. However, there are only ten templates available, which limits what you can choose from when making a note. A lot of the templates seem more appropriate for elementary or middle school students, because the layouts are basic and include "Well done" and "Thank you" awards.

2. To see ToonDoo [|click here] ToonDoo is a tool where you can create cartoons by choosing your own background, characters, and text for characters' thoughts or statements. It could be used in the classroom by having students create their own cartoon that relates to the unit or lesson you are teaching. The tool allows for a lot of creativity, which is great! Students can choose their own themes and convey their own messages. Also, the tool even lets you choose famous people or landmarks. ToonDoo seems appropriate for older elementary, middle school, and high school students. Students could create a simple layout with simple messages, or they could create a more complicated layout with complex messages depending on what unit or level you are teaching.

3. To see Jeopardy Labs [|click here] Jeopardy Labs is a tool used to create jeopardy templates quickly and easily. It could be used to review before a test, or review a previous day's lesson. Moreover, it gets kids engaged in a fun activity with their peers. I think it is useful because you can browse through other people's jeopardy templates and use them, or you can create your own questions and answers. Also, the game keeps score and hides boxes as they are completed. This tool seems appropriate for older elementary, middle school, and high school students. A wide age range can be used, since you can make the questions and answers easy, medium, or difficult.

4, To see XtraNormal [|click here] XtraNormal is a tool where you can create your own videos by choosing sets, characters, and background music. It is really interesting because you can type in text and the character will say what you type. It could be used in class by having students share what they learned about a unit. For instance, the characters could have a dialogue about a war students studied or about a book students read. Furthermore, I was able to put my conversation in Spanish, even though there was not a Spanish language option. It is a great way to get students to construct their own viewpoints, opinions, and interpretations in an imaginative manner. I think it is appropriate for middle school or high school students, because interpreting classroom ideas and writing dialogues would be easier for older students to compose.

5. To see QuizStar [|click here] QuizStar is a tool where you can make quizzes such as: multiple choice, true/false, and short answer. It could be used in the classroom to test students' understanding of a lesson or unit, and the tool grades and analyzes answers, which is valuable. I believe it to be advantageous, because the quiz will show you which questions students miss the most. If all the students miss the same question, maybe the material was not covered adequately or maybe the question was worded unclearly, and that is helpful feedback for any teacher. Another feature of QuizStar I really like is you can have questions given to each student in a random order, and this will prevent students from cheating. Elementary, Middle School, and High School students could use QuizStar, because you can choose the difficulty of the questions.

6. To see TechCrunch [|click here] TechCrunch shares many technology ideas. It would be helpful in the classroom, because it discusses new technological advances and provides opinions and reviews about them. For instance, this week the website looks at resharing, reblogging, and retweeting to share with others information you might find useful or interesting. You could use a tool like reblogging in order to share content with coworkers or staff at your school. I think the information at this website centers around technology that would support teachers and the general public.

7. To see Voki [|click here] Voki is a unique tool that allows you to create your own avatar, in other words, a cartoon character, which talks. I like this website since you can have the avatar talk in your own words, and attach them to a blog, e-mail, or profile. Students would really enjoy using this in the classroom, because they can customize how their avatar looks, their voice, and their background. You could use this in the classroom if you wanted students to answer a question orally to see if they are comprehending the material discussed in class, and it would be effective for students to produce a skit or dialogue that is relevant to a topic discussed in class. I think older elementary, middle school, and high school students could use voki to create avatars, and the complexity of their speaking assignment would be adapted for their grade level.

8. To see Animoto [|click here] Animoto is a great tool because you can make a quick 30-second video that includes music, text, and photos with your own personal touch. It would be helpful if a class had to share some photos and a few sentences about a topic, and they chose animoto instead of a slideshow, a poster, or just to accompany a project as a visual aid. The animoto video is very simple to learn, and I believe older elementary, middle, and high school students could all compose a video, although they may range from simple to advanced.

9. To see PuzzleMaker [|click here] Puzzlemaker is a website that offers free puzzles, ranging from crossword puzzles to math squares. It could be used as an informal assessment when learning vocabulary to fill in a crossword puzzle, or a maze would be great for teaching students directions in a foreign language. This tool would be appropriate for all students, as long as they have spent time learning the basic vocabulary, math, or terms before completing the activity.

10. To see SurveyMonkey [|click here] SurveyMonkey is a quick way to get feedback through building free online surveys. I have taken several of these surveys at jobs, and I think they could be helpful for anyone who wants to conduct research or receive thoughts and opinions. It could be used in the classroom as a way to have students share their concerns, questions, likes, and dislikes after a unit or trimester. The fact that the website can make responses anonymous creates a comfortable environment for students or participants to give their honest feedback. It would be appropriate for all students, but the questions have to be worded appropriately for the age level taking the survey.