3. Tool 1:
• http://www.livebinders.com
• Description: Literally a “3 – ring binder for the web”
which allows you to collect websites, photos,
documents, etc. into an easy to navigate “binder”.
• Usage in the Classroom:
– Collect websites for students to use during the
computer center (especially great for younger
students)
– Allow students to create a LiveBinder to collect
information for projects
– Create digital portfolios for students
– Create a customized “virtual textbook”
For my “Live Binder” for this presentation:
•Go to http://www.livebinders.com
•Search “msedtech26” (choose “Authors” from the drop down)
4. Pros:
• Free
• Easy to use
• Works on any
computer with internet
connection
• Binders can be shared
• Can be public or
private
Cons:
• Must install a
“bookmarklet”
• Runs on pop-ups
• Must have internet
access
• No customized links
for sharing
LiveBinders
5. Tool 2:
• http://www.readkiddoread.com
• Description: Categorized book lists that can
help you foster a love for reading in your
classroom by suggesting books for students.
• Usage in the Classroom:
– Find books for students based on their
favorite hobbies, toys, movies, etc.
– Use author interviews to help introduce
books
– Use the provided lesson plans to help you
teach with popular children’s books
6. Pros:
• Free
• Easy to use (for
teachers and older
students)
• Web-based (so it
works on any
computer)
• Lots of great
resources
Cons:
• Internet connection
required
• Not user-friendly for
younger students
ReadKiddoRead
7. Tool 3:
• http://www.netsmartz.org
• Description: A website that teaches students
about internet safety in a “kid-friendly” way
• Usage in the Classroom:
– Share videos at the beginning of the year to
introduce the importance of internet safety to your
students
– Print internet safety posters to hang in your
classroom
– Students can play the games the throughout the year
to reinforce safety skills
– Share the site with parents so that students can play
at homeFor more internet safety sites:
http://ilearntechnology.com/?p=2941
8. Pros:
• Free
• Kid-friendly
• Easy to use
• Web-based
• Lots of great
resources
• Different sections for
different age groups
Cons:
• Internet connection
required
Netsmartz
9. Tool 4:
• http://www.skype.com
• Description: A software application that allows
users to make free voice and video calls over the
internet.
• Usage in the Classroom:
– Video chat with other students across the state,
country, or even world.
– Chat with favorite authors
http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/
– Collaborate with other teachers
– Correspond with students outside the classroom
For more ideas:
http://www.teachingdegree.org/2009/06/30/50-awesome-ways-
to-use-skype-in-the-classroom/
10. Pros:
• Free (from computer
to computer)
• Easy to use
• Works on any
computer with internet
connection
• Works on any
operating system
Cons:
• Fee to make calls to
phones
• Software must be
downloaded
• Must have internet
access
• Users need
microphone and/or
web cam
Skype
11. Tool 5:
• http://www.google.com/intl/en/options/
• Description: A suite of software applications that
can increase productivity, creativity, and
collaboration amongst students and teachers.
• Usage in the Classroom:
– Students can use Google Docs to create and
collaborate on documents.
– Teachers can collect, read, and organize blogs
by other educators in Google Reader
– Use Google Forms to create quizzes, check-in
questions, polls, etc
For more ideas and resources:
http://www.google.com/educators/tools.html
12. Pros:
• Free
• Easy to use (for older
students/teachers)
• Web-based
• Great collection of
tools
• Encourages creativity
and collaboration
• Accessed from the
same login
Cons:
• Not as “kid-friendly” for
younger students
• Takes some time to
learn
• Must have internet
access
• Google account
required
• Simultaneous editing
can cause items to be
overwritten
Google
13. Tool 6:
• http://www.sharendipity.com/
• Description: A web-based creativity suite where
anyone can build and deploy engaging and
interactive web applications.
• Usage in the Classroom:
– You can create games for your students based
on their interests and needs.
– Students can create their own games for
themselves or others
– Use the already created games as part of your
computer center or as a whole-class activity on
the interactive whiteboard
14. Pros:
• Free
• Customizable
• Web-based
• Tutorials provided for
easy setup
• Builder is user-friendly
(for older
students/teachers)
Cons:
• Builder is not as “kid-
friendly” for younger
students
• Takes some time to
learn
• Must have internet
access
Sharendipity
15. Tool 7:
• http://www.field-guides.com/vft/index.htm
• Description: A site that not only has virtual field
trips for a variety of subjects and ages, but also has
software that allows teachers to create their own
virtual field trips.
• Usage in the Classroom:
– Use the provided virtual field trips to “visit” and
experience places they might not normally get to
visit.
– Use the software to create your own virtual field trip
– Allow students to design their own virtual field trip
using the software
For other virtual field trip options:
http://www.simplek12.com/virtualfieldtrips
16. Pros:
• Free (to use the
already created field
trips)
• Field trips are well-
made
• Sorted by age and
subject
• Free trial for builder
software
Cons:
• There is a fee to
download the full
version of the software
($25 for single-
computer license)
• Must have internet
access
Tramline
17. Tool 8:
• http://www.learning.com/easytech/
• Description: A full interactive technology literacy
curriculum that teaches students technology skills
while practicing skills from the core subjects.
• Usage in the Classroom:
– Students can practice technology skills while
reinforcing skills from math, reading, science, and
social studies
– Allows students to work at their own pace and
provides scores for each of the exercises so you can
see how they are doing.
18. Pros:
• Web-based
• Self-paced lessons
• Sorted by age and
subject
• Age appropriate
activities
• Integrated into core
subjects
• Appropriate for
students in K-8
Cons:
• It is not free ($15 per
student)
• Must have internet
access
Learning.com EasyTech
Curriculum
19. Tool 9:
• http://www.brainpop.com
• Description: A group of educational websites with
hundreds of short Flash-based movies and
activities for students in grades K-12 covering a
variety of subjects.
• Usage in the Classroom:
– You can show the videos and do the activities as a
class using an interactive whiteboard.
– Students can view the videos and do the activities
as a computer center
– You can use the accompanying lesson plans to help
you plan your lessons using the BrainPop resources.
– Use BrainPopESL to help English Language
Learners work on their vocabulary
20. Pros:
• Web-based
• Age appropriate
movies and activities
• Sorted by age and
subject
• Separate site for
younger learners
(BrainPop Jr. for K-3)
• Integrated into core
subjects
Cons:
• It is not free (but there
are free trials)
• Must have internet
access
• Must have Flash
installed
Brain Pop/Brain Pop Jr.
21. Tool 10:
• http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/teach.jsp
• Description: A site that has NUMEROUS
resources for teachers and students such as lesson
plans, printables, articles, educational videos,
interactive whiteboard lessons, computer games,
book wizards, interactive e-books, and even a
classroom webpage builder.
• Usage in the Classroom:
– You can show the videos and do the activities as a
class using an interactive whiteboard.
– Students can view the videos and do the activities
as a computer center
– You can use the accompanying lesson plans and
resources to help you plan lessons.
22. Pros:
• Web-based
• Age appropriate
activities
• Sorted by age and
subject
• Integrated into core
subjects
• Research-based
resources for teachers
• Most of the content is
free
Cons:
• Some content requires
paid subscription
• Must have internet
access
• Site can be a bit
overwhelming so it
takes some time to
learn all of the
resources
Scholastic
23. How do I find MORE tools to
use in the classroom?
Through a PLN (Personal
Learning Network)
24. Setting up a PLN Using
Twitter and Delicious
• Twitter – A micro-blogging tool that can be used to
share and receive information and resources
http://www.twitter.com
• Delicious – A “social-bookmarking” site that allows
you to collect favorite websites, tag them, add
notes, and access them from any computer.
http://www.delicious.com
These two tools can help you develop a PLN:
• Receive ideas, tips, and tricks from people you
follow on Twitter.
• Collect your newly found resources and ideas with
your delicious account.
25. How does this
work?
Let me show you
MY PLN
(where I found most of the
tools presented today)
26. Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN
1. Go to http://www.twitter.com
2. Click on “Sign Up”
27. Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN
3. Fill in your information. Be sure to
choose a professional user name
since other educators will be
seeing this.
28. Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN
4. Login to your newly created
account using your user name and
password.
29. Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN
5. Type
http://www.twitter.com/msedtech to
navigate to my Twitter page
30. Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN
6. Click the
follow button
to follow me
OR Browse through
the people I follow
and decide which
ones you would like
to follow.
31. Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN
7. Keep expanding your network
Use Twitter’s
Suggestions
OR Follow friends your
friends follow
32. Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN
8. Organize your resources
9. Go to www.delicious.com
10. Click “Join Now”
33. Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN
11. Login using your Yahoo ID (if you
have one). If not, click “Sign Up”
and fill out your information.
34. Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN
11. Once you’re logged in, you can
add people to your network.
Suggestions:
• UATIM – UA’s Technology in Motion
• Mes285 – Me
• StevenAnderson – An EdTech
35. Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN
12. ON YOUR PERSONAL COMPUTER,
install your preferred buttons/bookmarklets
by clicking on “Tools” at the bottom of any
page and following the instructions listed for
your browser.
36. Steps to Setting Up YOUR PLN
12. Gather and organize your resources
37. “Education is not the
filling of a pail, but the
lighting of a fire.”
-William Butler Yeats
