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10 Reviews

1.) Xtranormal- This is a interactive website that allows students to create mini movies or scripts. I think this would be a great for teachers to create an exit ticket at the end of a lesson or class that demonstrates student knowledge on the material. I also think this would be a good way that pairs of students could work together and collaborate, use their creativity to make mini movies. I have played around with this site and I had a lot of fun with it. I can only imagine how young students would really get into there animations. 2.) Commoncraft.com- This is a great reference tool. In summary this site gives explanation and simple how-to’s shown in short videos. I think students and teacher would benefit from this if they were stuck on a topic or need a simple answer for how or why something works. If used appropriately, students could use this site as a reference. I know I have seen used this to gain knowledge on wiki’s and other web 2.0 tools. The narrator does a excellent job of keeping explanations simple but also hitting all key points. 3.) Vimeo.com- This site allows for teachers and students to create and share videos. It was quite impressive the amount of enhanced technology that was put into this site. I think students would really like using this site because it is so hands on. It would be a great way to enhance a presentation for both teachers and students. As a teacher I would really like to see what the kids would come up with for a video given a certain lesson. Again the increased interaction and hands on work would reach many different learning styles. 4.) Voicegoogle.com- This technology is awesome. Basically a teacher could set up a phone line that would be available for students to use. This could also be used as a exit ticket for students at the end of a class. The teacher could post a question and the students would call voice Google and reply their answer through voice. I think this is really neat because some students may be able to voice their thoughts better than writing them down on paper. Moreover, if a student had till midnight of that day to report it would give them a chance to really think about the question and give a thought out response. The teacher then has access to all call that were made. 5.) ReadWriteThink.org- This is a site that both teachers and students can benefit from. From the home page there are many links that would be useful to teachers, such as current news in education and resources that could enhance teaching. Also, this is a interactive web site for students where homework help can be found as well as a cartoon generator. 6.) Schooltube.com- This is a site where teachers and students can share videos online. It is also pretty cool that there are many other links to thinks like professional development for teachers. There are also things like contest where your school or class can participate in, video of the day, and you can watch other people videos that enhance learning. I like this site because it mentions many time that it is student and school friendly. Where as some of the other site may need to be closely monitored. 7.) Teachertube.com- This is a linked site from school tube.com. It if primarily for teachers to gain ideas for lesson plans and in class activities. I know that coming in as a new teacher I will be looking for good ideas and lessons that other teachers have taught and had a lot of success with. 8.) Glogster.com- This is a blog site that would allow teachers students and parents to have access to 24 hours a day. I think of it as almost a online classroom. A teacher can blog what the homework was for a particular day, and be able to respond to question or concerns from home at any hour of the day. This is such an advancement from when I was in school. I would never had imagined I could contact my teacher at 7pm and have a questioned answered by 7:10pm. That is pretty cool and just another example of how technology has lead to increased understanding in students. 9.) Learnteachtech.blogspot.com this is a similar site to blogster.com. Basically a teacher can set up a blog where student scan respond to questions from the teacher but also respond to other students blogs. I think students teaching students is one of the best ways for to learn. (for both students) Sometimes hearing a explanation from another student can make that light bulb pop on. 10.) Edmodo- This is another bolgging tool. When you go to the web site there is a link for teachers and for students. A teacher can set up a blog that only his/her students can have access to. This would provide a bit of a safety net. Again, a online learning classroom that is accessible 24 hours a day. Here, reflective question could be asked and answered which is really a great way to gage as a teacher what is being understood and maybe what needs to be reviewed again.

Overall, I have been blown away by Web 2.0. Obviously, I think these site are great because it really gives a new light on student learning and understanding. But also, I think it is amazing for teachers as well. To be able to see who is getting it and who is not before the ‘final test’ in administered is wonderful. I can see why it is so important to incorporate these tools in to teaching. Plus it is so much more FUN than a traditional lecture.