Web 2.0 Tools for Web Design

I am conducting a workshop on web design using free, web 2.0 tools this week at the ETC.  We are focusing on tools that can be used with students in the project-based learning competition, PROMOTE.  You can learn more about PROMOTE here, and view winning Web sites from last year's competition. 

It's helpful to start by teaching students about properly evaluating Web sites.  Eduplace has a simple tutorial.  Kathy Schrock also has several great resources on this topic.

What does "modern web design" mean?  This is a great explanation of common modern (2.0) design elements:  Web 2.0 How To Design and Style Guide.

View other award-winning web designs at the Webby Awards Web site.

Free Web site builders:
Webstarts
Wix
Weebly
DoodleKit
Moonfruit
Yola
Wordpress
Google Sites
EZWeb123

New Mimio Software

Have you downloaded the new Mimio 7.01 software?  You can download the latest version here.

Need a User Guide to help you get started?  You can find that here. 

(It's only available for Windows users now.  The Mac update will be available later this Fall!)

Which Founder are you Like?

September 17 is Constitution Day!  The National Constitution Center has a fun Interactive that lets your students determine which Founding Father they are most like.  Great activity for your Interactive Whiteboards!

Don't Forget about Thinkfinity

Great Back to School links to Interactives and other Technology Activities at Verizon Thinkfinity!  Scroll down to select your grade level.

ATTENTION Promethean ActiVote or ActivExpression Users

For all of you Promethean product users out there, they have announced a new partnership with BrainPop.  There is a new BrainPop "tab" that will appear in your software to use seamlessly with your Promethean ActiVotes or ActivExpressions!  Your students will be able to take BrainPop quizzes with their remotes.  Of course, you will have to have a subscription to BrainPop, or just take advantage of the free videos and quizzes.

Get more information and the download instructions HERE.

Discover Discovery Education

Have you spent some time lately @ Discovery Education's Web site?

I'm sure you are all familiar with the wonderful educational videos offered through Discovery Streaming.  But, do you know what else is available through their site?

One really neat area on Discovery Education is the Writing Prompts Builder.  Access thousands of writing prompts submitted by other DE users or create your own using images or videos from DE's library.

This is an example of a writing prompt posted by a DE User:

These are also a great way to teach character education topics.

You can access the Writing Prompt area on DE by visiting http://www.discoveryeducation.com/ and login.  (If you have not ever created an account, you will need your school's passcode--see your media specialist or email me!)  You should see the Writing Prompt Builder under My Builder Tools once you login.  There is even a pdf QuickStart Guide to help you get started!

WatchKnow

Originally posted in November 2009, but stumbled across WatchKnow again today, and wanted to share this site again.  It is worthy of a re-post!


As I've written, I will continue to use this blog to post new ideas and tips that I stumble upon.  The latest neat site that I heard about this week is a clearinghouse for educational videos.  The site has organized any educational videos from anywhere on the web (YouTube, TeacherTube, etc...) by subject.  They are rated by other educators using the site.  If you find an educational video that you deem worthy, you can submit it to be included on WatchKnow.


Check it out:
http://www.watchknow.com/


If you have problems with the site being blocked, we've discussed before resources for downloading streaming videos to .flv files to save and bring back to school via a flash drive or attach to an email to yourself.  Sites for this are:
http://www.keepvid.com/
http://www.vixy.com/


OR if you've downloaded the latest version of RealPlayer, it will automatically put a little control bar in the top right corner of a video you are viewing that allows you to download the clip.  Once you've downloaded it, you can open your RealPlayer library, right click on the video file, and change the file's location to your flash drive or desktop to attach to email.

Time for the Magic Wands!

Time sure does fly when you're having fun, huh?

It's time to find those magic wands and get those classrooms ready for the upcoming year!

Now is the perfect time to begin a teacher website!  A teacher website is a great way to stay in touch with your parents and community, and it is a helpful way to keep yourself organized!  There are several great ideas you can incorporate into a teacher website:

• A calendar to summarize classroom events
• A "student spotlight" area to give recognition to students
• An extra resources area for those students who like to go deeper
• An area for website links that you use often in your classroom or that students can access at home

Teacher websites have never been easier to set up, and there are plenty of FREE ones out there!  Sometimes school districts provide teachers with a webpage as part of their school's website.  But, these may be hard to work with.  You can always just post a link on that page to your new teacher website that you create!

These are just a few of the many sites where you can create a free teacher website:

Scholastic Teacher Home Page Builder
EducatorPages
ClassNotes Online
Classtown

Please let me help if you have questions! And, I'd love to see your pages you create or have already had set up!  Send me the link!

And, check out this really cute back to school bulletin board idea!

Jennifer Smith
Chattahoochee-Flint RESA ETC
jsmith@chattflint.org
(800) 541-9442

Need something to do on the last day of school?

Stretching to keep your students occupied for the last day or two of school?  Let them make a to-do list for the summer!  Maybe a list of books to read while they're out?

My to-do list for the summer:

Character Counts!

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend a podcasting workshop with Tony Vincent.  It is always fun to hear Tony speak. He is an excellent presenter.  Tony has been at the forefront of podcasting since it started becoming popular in schools a few years ago.  He has worked with a school that creates "Character Counts" podcasts.  Click here, and listen to a few.  Then, have your students create their own "Character Counts" podcasts!  Tony's website gives you lots of information on podcasting!  Or, contact us, and we'll come and teach a podcasting workshop at your school!

Smithsonian's History Explorer

The Smithsonian History Explorer has awesome interactives for your social studies and history classrooms!  Great for use on interactive whiteboards or on your computers!

The What??

Have you checked the Porta Portal lately?  I know.....the WHAT?  Yes, the Porta Portal!

I've added several links recently, ranging from ipod touch's in the classroom to project based learning through web design.

Check it out and bookmark it!

http://guest.portaportal.com/jsmith0404