A+Rainbow+of+Web+Apps

C. A RAINBOW OF WEB APPS
There are lots of Web 2.0 applications. I am not going to try to list them all, but I do want to list those that are reliable and proven for transforming 21st Century teaching. Many I have posted in my blog at [|21centuryedtech]. For those I will provide a link that explains the application more. Remember that using the internet with students requires two way interaction. __For this reason, keep in mind that any site should be researched before using at your school. Please check with District AUP, administration, and the Web Site’s Terms of Use/Agreement. At the same time, teach your students proper digital safety and citizenship.__ Enjoy discovering a world of Web 2.0! – Mike


 * Word Clouds**


 * Wordle ** - I have long heard of Word Webbing, Words Diagrams, Word Art, but how about a Word Cloud? By now you may be either familiar with a Word Cloud, have Googled the Weather Channel to get a better idea, or maybe have taken a look out your window to see if there really is such a thing. The concept of a Word Cloud maintains that “If a picture paints a thousand words, then what can a thousand words paint?” The answer of course is a Word Cloud… which is a picture containing many words. There are several Word Cloud Generators out there… the best know being Wordle. My favorite two Word Cloud Generatos include Wordle and Tagxedo. You can read about both of these along with seven other Word Cloud Generators in the posts below. I also include advanced and creative ways to use Wordle and Tagxedo along with 108 ways to use Word Clouds in your classroom. Want more Word Cloud Generators? Try ABC Ya, Wordsift , or You Are Your Words Remember that students should not put personal information into any Word Cloud. Enjoy the posts… but remember to come back and read the rest! There is more creativity to come!
 * 12 Valuable Wordle Tips You Must Read…Word Clouds in Education Series: Part 1
 * 108 Ways to Use Word Clouds in the Classroom…Word Clouds in Education Series: Part 2
 * 9 Amazing Word Cloud Generators For The Classroom …Word Clouds in Education Series: Part 3
 * Tagxedo: Amazing Word Cloud Generator And 101 Ways To Use It… Word Clouds in Education Series: Pt 4
 * Tagul ** - I found this when Wordle had temporarily gone off line. I needed a back up and it is a good one. It actually had some pretty cool options in making the word clouds, some not available in Wordle. Take a look to find the other Word Cloud Generators. I included a list of alternatives in this 21centuryedtech Post for more information

T**agxedo** - Is fast becoming my favorite word cloud generator. I discovered this one after getting an email from the creator of the program asking me if I would help spread the word. You can read about my finding in this blog posting. I like all the features in Tagxedo and am waiting for some changes that will make it even better.


 * Collaboration Sites** - Remember when using collaborative sites that one should not put out personal info. Others still may see!


 * Padlet ** - Internet board that allows collaboration. It does not require a user account but will ask for creator's email in order to set up an account. People who use the wall will not need to furnish email. When using the notes appear as small stickies that are limited to 160 characters, perfect for those using text off of a cell phone. The creator of the wall can also moderate by setting up the wall creating an approval process before the post is put on the wall. A great feature for classroom use. There is a vast amount of ideas Padlet can be used for such as personal note taking, to-do lists, brainstorming, feedback collection, thoughts for special occasions, compare and contrast, feedback from twitter, in fact anything that might need input from a lot of people, You can set a wall to be private and only you can see or add notes to the wall.

**CoSketch’s** An amazing multi-user online whiteboard tool designed to give you the ability to quickly visualize and share your ideas as images. Anything you paint will show up for all other users in real time. Invite collaborators to join you in your artistic effort! Need to archive the collaborative effort? Just click once to save a sketch as an image for embedding on forums, blogs, or other digital files. Best of all, there is no registration needed. Like the name implies, users can collaborate using different draw and shape tools. The originator can pick from several backgrounds, upload a picture as a background, or use maps found in Google Maps as the background. In fact, the integration with a live Google Map may just be one of CoSketch’s most innovative features. Imagine the teaching possibilities as backgrounds can be integrated with text and drawings. This clever collaborative tool also includes a chat window so all users can chat as they sketch, type, and use various shapes and stamps! Check out my 21centuryedtech Post for more information.


 * TitanPad ** Its collaboration the easy way. All that is needed is a visit the site and a press of a button called Create Public Pad. After this quick process, a new public pad is created for the user. The user then shares the URL for the pad with others. What ever is typed from where ever, is displayed on the page in real time. There is even a chat window! This is a great tool for those that need to bring up a quick collaboration tool on the fly. It is useful in the classroom for students to communicate point of need help in Project Based Learning, collaborate as a group, keep teacher aware of group progress, communicate beyond walls, and interview authors and experts. It allows teachers to collaborate on text documents, keep meeting notes, and draft plans. Check out my 21centuryedtech Post.


 * Feedback Tools**

**Answer Garden** - Sometimes you may wish to just ask a question and let your students give their creative answer. Answer Garden allows you to do this on the web. You can show the interaction on a website, print the results, or even put the results into a Word Cloud for the class to analyze! Remind students to not put personal answers to any questions in the Answer Garden. Answer Garden may explain it all best.


 * A minimalistic feedback tool. Use it as a tool for online brainstorming or embed it on website.
 * Has many different users: site admins, bloggers, teachers, creative teams, brainstormers and more!
 * Avoid long rants of commenting users and keep the expression lost in polls. Instant overview of the results.

**Socrative** -A smart student response system that empowers teachers to engage their classrooms through a series of educational exercises and games via smartphones, laptops, and tablets. Take a moment to ** [|Watch the video] or [|Learn more] .**

**Quizstar** - (also runs on iPad) Great way to allow for some formative assessment in PBL

**Survey Monkey** - (also runs on iPad) Students can take and make surveys as part of their PBL experience.


 * Poll Everywhere ** - (also runs on iPad) Tool allows for instant feedback results from any kind of device. In this workshop use you cell phone to answer the Poll in the picture below. No cell phone then take the poll with polling link .. Want to view the results... then check out this link.


 * Cel.ly ** - (also runs on iPad) This tool allows you to poll a class and so much more. Read about the educational uses and instructions.


 * Google Forms ** - (also runs on iPad) Allows students or teachers to gather information. Ability to study data in a spreadsheet is a strength.


 * Movies and Animations**


 * Animoto ** - It’s free and it only takes a few minutes. Animoto automatically produces beautifully orchestrated, completely unique video pieces from your photos, video clips and music. Fast, free and shockingly easy. For classroom use Animotto delivers its pay service for free, although be sure to read the Terms of Service . There are certain procedures that must be followed. Animotto is recommended by Discovery Education, Scholastic, School Library Journal, and even NASA. Check out the awesome “We The People Video” on the education site. One great feature is you can turn your computer off, as it renders, and then come back to the finished product.


 * PhotoPeach ** - This multimedia application allows users to create some amazing still picture slideshows with awesome affects. There is even a quiz feature that teachers might be interested in. While PhotoPeach is free, it does have a subscription education account with added features that are set up for school and classroom use. Here is a tutorial that explains more. This may be just the creative tool to promote some real digital storytelling.

**Voki** - Creativity runs freely with this free service that allows you to [|create] personalized speaking avatars and use them on your blog, profile, and in email messages. You may want to start with my Blog Post entitled “ Voki Creates Ad Free Site For Education… Plus 20 Ways To Use Talking Avatars. That’s right… I give you 20 ways to use talking avatars with your students.


 * Audio**

**VoiceThread** - A great program that not only records audio but allows multiple users to leave voice or text messages. Set up a sight, post a picture, and tell an audio story. There are a lot of great uses for voice thread in education and there is an education version that does have a cost. The ed version claims to be simple, powerful and safe, Ed.VoiceThread is a place for creating and collaborating on digital stories and documentaries, practicing and documenting language skills, exploring geography and culture, solving math problems, or simply finding and honing student voices

**iPadio** - I think iPadio should be included for several reason, including their invention of the term “phlog” which stands for a phone blog. It seems that moire and more students have cell phones. The application iPadio allows teacher to create a voice blog using their cell phone and save it as a mp3 file. I think that using a phlog for students could help make some creative lessons happen. You may wish to check out these blogs informing teachers various Uses of iPadio in Education. Explore what iPadio has to say about their product’s possibilities for Mobile Learning and Formative Assessment. Last, I could not find a Terms Of Use including any age ruling for iPadio ( based in the UK). I did however find this excellent blog post that may give some guidance, although does not answer the age question.


 * Screen Recording Applications**


 * Jing -** This program stands out as being one of the easiest to use and most reliable. It can be used for making software tutorials and student creations. It captures the screen in front of you, following the mouse paths and clicks, along with allowing audio to be recorded. Watch this video to see just how it works! There are versions for both the Mac and Windows.


 * Screen-casto-matic ** - Much like Jing plus some great editing features. One-click screen capture recording on Windows or Mac computers with no install for FREE!


 * Literacy plus - Blogs, Wikis, and Glogs**


 * Glogster ** - The slogan suggests, “Creative Learning… Express It With A Glog”. It’s like a big poster where students can put a wide variety of multimedia items for others to view. There is even an educational version, which is where the link sends you .Glogster EDU claims to be your original educational resource for innovative and interactive learning. Glogster EDU was conceived to imaginatively, productively, and collaboratively respond to the dynamic educational landscape and exceed the needs of today’s educators and learners. Educators from all over the world are integrating Glogster EDU’s resourceful platform to make traditional learning more dynamic, more interactive, and more in tune with learners today. There is a free version that just might fit into your needs. Check out this 27 page educational manual for use in education. You may also wish to view over 90 tutorial and informational videos and take the Glogster Tour to get an even better idea.

**Kidblog** – Imagine a blog hosting service that built for classroom teachers and their students. Contemplate a service that is designed specifically for teachers who want to provide each student with his or her own unique blog. Think about a blog site that allows teachers to monitor and control all publishing activity within the classroom blogging community and does not require student email accounts. Reflect on a blog development team led by a facilitator who has 19 years of combined web development and classroom teaching experience. If this pondering of thoughts appeals to your left brain, while freeing all the possibilities that your right brain generates for classroom engaging and creative activities, then a visit to Kidblog is essential! You can even learn how your students can create portfolios. Take a look at the Blog and take a moment to learn more about why you should investigate Kidblog. Feel free to read a post I created for a review of Kidblog.


 * Classchatter ** - Another free blog site devoted to education with security features that are useful to the classroom. This site is definitely worth a visit with some added features that just might pump up the creativity in your classroom. You may wish to learn more about Classchatter on this page that also contains an informative video. Check out the Facts Page and explore the Help Area . Perhaps a little Classchatter will turn up your students’ writing creativity.

**Wikispace For Education** - First, a wiki is a space on the Web where teachers and students share work and ideas, pictures and links, videos and media — and anything else one can think of. Wikispaces is special because they give you a visual editor and a wide selection of other tools to make sharing all kinds of content as easy for students as it is for their teachers. Wikispaces can be that special place where student write both individually and collaboratively. Best of all, it is Wikispaces claims to be a free, private, and secure space for classrooms. You may wish to watch some short video tours. Make sure you read all the info on the Wikispaces Education page. You will find some great ideas to bring creativity to your digital classroom.


 * Weebly ** – We have discussed blogs and wikis, and now it is time to explore webpage creation. Weebly is a free web creation site that will excite your students as they publish for a global audience. It has an amazingly friendly interface that your student will understand in less then one class period. While the set up and interface are simple, the results are amazing! Take a look at some of the awesome features . Be sure to visit the Weebly Blog for some great information and tutorials. While Weebly is free, there is an optional Pro account that can help with classroom management. You may find that the small price is well worth it.


 * Wikipedia ** – While you have probably visited Wikipedia countless times you may have never signed up and joined. By becoming a member you can now join a whole new world. I could spend a series of post on the possibilities that open up. Instead, I wish to point out that you may wish to conduct a class project that involves creating a Wikipedia article for the world to see, edit, and comment on. Perhaps it could involve something not yet in Wikipedia that your students have an interest in. Many times this could include something of local interest. After becoming a member you will want to visit Wikipedia… Your First Article from the Help Menu. You can now begin your learning and publishing experience. Be sure to read Terms of Service and work within the guidelines of your District AUP. I have included two student published articles that I was able to locate.


 * [|http://] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_the_River
 * [|http://] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleventh_Grade_Burns

**ePubBud** – While there are quite a few services that allow your students to create and publish their own ebooks I happen to favor ePubBud. My reasoning includes that the organization is nonprofit and totally free. There are some other awesome sites that will allow you to have children publish books… in hopes that they are then sold to parents. While this can also be very engaging and exciting to students, I am going to advocate free… plus one other important point. I also like the way that ePubBud allows the teacher to create a classroom with pre-made student accounts that do not require email or personal information. After reading The Terms of Use teachers still may consider getting parent permission. Consult your AUP and read the terms. There is an excellent help area to get you started. Once you set up an account as a teacher, go to the Group Tab to set up your classes. I have included a wonderful blog post that will help you get started. Learn more from the below videos: Creat Account … Planning a Book … Placing an Image … Upload a Book … Upload Video … Add Weblink … Browse For Book

**Meet Me At The Corner** – Welcome to a wonderful site that encourages students to create a video about something that interests them. Met Me At The Corner started as a Virtual Field Trips for Kids, and is now a dynamic, interactive site, which encourages individual expression and participation through video submissions from children worldwide. Through these video pod casts a community of children is created learning the art of self-expression and storytelling through video. The site allows students to also view videos that include some great learning activities. Checkout the Recent Episodes, Big Apple Book Club, and Video Podcasting Lessons. It is important that a great podcast begins with a creative pen!


 * Storybird ** – The site states, “Artful Stories… That’s Us”. Storybird unite artists and writers in the pursuit of the narrative truth, however frivolous, and celebrate community and culture, knowing that both are intertwined and fuel student passion and imagination. Storybird reverses visual storytelling by starting with the image and “unlocking” the story inside. Students have the opportunity to explore artists, get inspired, and write. Students create accounts with permission ( Read Terms ) and then choose pictures they like. From these pictures they create their own story! It really is pretty cool and creative! You may wish to check out some featured stories and authors . There are all kinds of categories and Storybird can be used through out K12. You may even wish to follow the Storybird Blog . Here is a link that shows how to sign up for an individual, a class, and even kids under 13 years of age. Take a moment to also read the guidelines … a great lesson in digital citizenship!


 * Search Engines**

**Google** - I include Google even though everyone is already aware of it because I want to point another area of the Wiki out that has some great information on Google, I call it the Googal in Google. Learn search techniques and things about Google you may have never known!


 * Twurdy ** - I include this search engine because of its readability index. It gives a color code for returned web pages that are keyed to reading difficulty. It also gives a reading score for each page. I have included a post from my 21centuryedtech Blog.

**SweetSearch** - It is more then a search engine. It is a search engine for students! All sources that it returns have been approved by experts in the educational and content fields. It also has a lot of other features which I include in the 21centuryedtech Blog Post.

[|**WolframAlpha**] - Not your typical search engine. This is a computational search engine that is a plus for any STEM educator. It is easy to use and its ability to find data is just plain fun!


 * Educational Emphasis**

**Intel Thinking Tools** – Explore my past series of articles based on Intel Thinking Tools, an amazing set of free tools from Intel. The three tools I will be highlight are are just a small set of what Intel offers for free: Free: Visual Ranking Thinking Tool… Powerful Student Collaboration!, Free: Seeing Reason Tool…High Order Thinking, Mapping, And Collaboration! , Free: Showing Evidence Tool… Collaboratively Construct, Evaluate, And Defend!

**ReadWriteThink Interactives** - Engage your students in online literacy learning with these interactive tools that help them accomplish a variety of goals—from organizing their thoughts to learning about language—all while having fun.

**Classtools,net** - With an abundance of tools, teachers cAN easily customize these tools and use them in any subject area. If that is not enough, how about the ability to embed your newly made instructional resource on your own classroom website, wiki, or blog? Any educator will also like the fact that students have no need to log in or sign up for an account… and neither do teach. Read more at my 21centuryedtech Blog.

**Museum Box** - This site provides the tools for students to build up an argument or description of an event, person or historical period by placing items in a virtual box. What items, for example, would one put in a box to describe the life of a famous historical figure, or a past historical occupation; or a historical event or concept.? Students can display anything from a text file to a movie. Museum Boxes can also be viewed and commented by other online viewers. You may wish to look at some example boxes that were recently submitted or perhaps view several exemplary boxes to inspire. Read from the teacher resource page, including the option to create single sign on.

**Precenden Timeline Creator** – This tool is pretty cool because it allows more then just dates and info. You can get creative by including multiple layers and web links. It also have the ability for teachers to create an account that they share with students. That education site is the active link that I have shared. Please read you school AUP.


 * Thinking Sites**

**Diffen** - A great tool to compare almost anything. Can bring about some great discussions. Here is a comparison of animal and plant cells. Or perhaps you wish to compare Mitt Romney with Barack Obama. How about art and science? Notice you can even improve the chart. Great way to have students compare and contrast.

**Solvr** - Have a problem to solve. Work it out as a group by posting the URL of the problem and have others contribute. Take a look at how it works at this link. Explore how collaboration can help us all solve a problem.

**Akinator** - Go ahead and give it a try with a partner. If you want to try 20 questions then check here.


 * Critical Thinking Puzzles ** - An excellent site to get the brain sparking. Work in groups or on your own. Make sure you check out the large archive of past problems!


 * Management**

**The Differentiator** - Great tool for making a lesson considering Bloom's

**Scrumy** - Great tool to manage a group on their project from start to finish. Example

**PrintFriendly** - Great information on a site you like... turn it in to a clean PDF file you can post or print. \


 * ClassDojo ** - Great class management tool that can be used in PBL.

**QR Code Reader** - Create a Qr code for easy scanning by students.

**RubriStar** - An amazing sites to create, store, share, and remix all kinds of rubrics.

**Rcampus** - Countless rubrics that can be remixed... or start from scratch.


 * YouTube ** - Find a great video for an entry event that really puts the focus on that driving question. You might want to check out You Tube Edu.

**Keepvid** - Is that perfect video to help create inquiry or engagement with the diving question blocked? Check out this great video conversion tool.