Weebly!
Check it out at http://www.weebly.com
Saturday, November 21, 2009
bp13_20091115_Web2.0Response to Kim Heumann
tuesday, november 10, 2009
bp6_2009112Web2.0
When looking through Web 2.0 tools, I find it challenging to find something that is educational and appropriate for my kindergartners. Since they come in all different ability levels it is sometimes difficult to find a site that can meet the needs of the lowest to the highest student abilities. Having readers, pre-readers and non-readers presents a challenge when finding an activity that all students can do.
Raylit.com is a fantastic site that addresses the educational needs of all levels of students. Raylit is geared for parents and children however would be great for a struggling student or ELL student. It offers over 750 games, videos and topics.
Topics include analytical skills involving matching, sequencing, colors, and shapes.
English language activities include upper and lower case letter recognition, sounds, blends, sight words, rhyming words, pre-reading skills, and comprehension.
Math activities include number recognition, counting skills, comparison of numbers, more and less, basic addition and subtraction, and writing numbers.
There is a section on general knowledge and science with video clips about animals and insects, marine life, plants and flowers, seasons. It covers places such as beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes, rivers and deserts. It has videos about professions such as firefighters, doctors, astronaut, and police officers.
As I think of the uses of this program in my classroom, I see the endless possibilities with students who have limited English. It uses the child’s name, and has a plethora of pre-reading and math activities. During my reading group time, it would be a great activity for an ELL student who is not quite ready for an actual reading lesson.
Posted by kimheumann at 9:05 AM
Shontalemarie said...
Kim,
This sounds like something I can use in my 2nd grade class as well. I have some students still in the primer and pre-primer stages that could really benefit. Thanks for sharing. I can't wait to try it out with them also during our reading group time : )
November 21, 2009 4:49 PM
bp12_20091115_Web2.0Response to Carrie Kleber
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2009
BP9_2009112_Web 2.0 Xtranormal
Xtranormal
There are so many Web 2.0 tools and applications available, it can be overwhelming finding tools that will work in the classroom. However, after sifting through the numerous Web 2.0 choices, I discovered an application I am excited to use in my classroom.
Xtranormal is a text to video program that can help students think critically about writing. Basically, the program allows the user to type a script for one or two people, and then the site animates the text. When the program starts it allows the user to choose the number of characters in the movie (one or two), the way the characters will look, and the setting of the movie. After the basics have been chosen, the user can then go on to type the script, choose camera angles, change character voices, and determine different types of animation for the film.
The educational benefits of this program are far reaching. Xtranormal forces the user to think about the script they are writing. What is the purpose of the movie? Who will be viewing the final product? How will the users know they have accomplished their goal for the film? These are questions I would hope my students would think about when they are writing.
Other educational benefits of Xtranormal could extend beyond Language Arts. Social Studies teachers might use the program to have students explain a famous historical figure. Math teachers could have students create a film that explains how to solve a specific math problem. Science teachers could use the program to have students explain different types of rocks. The possibilities are endless.
Shontalemarie said...
Carrie,
What a neat Web. 20 tool. I think I could use this in my 2nd grade classroom with my higher level students. I really think this tool could be an awesome asset. Can't wait to try it out and share with my colleagues. Thank you for sharing!
November 21, 2009 4:38 PM
bp11_20091115_Web2.0Response to Dedra Thornton
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2009
BP14_2009113_Web 2.0 Tool_Comic Strip Creator
I have spent countless hours scouring the Internet for Web 2.0 tools.The Emergent Technologies in a Collaborative Culture (ETC) course requires researching and blogging about Web 2.0 tools but my motivation for locating excellent tools goes beyond the requirements of this course. My Action Research project draws upon Web 2.0 tools and the introduction of several of them to my students. Additionally, having extra tools in the teacher’s toolkit is a good thing. I have had a lot of fun researching, experimenting with and evaluating these tools.
I have always been intrigued by comic books. Growing up, my older brothers had quite the collection of Superman, Batman and the Archies. I wanted to find some type of a comic strip layout tool I could introduce to my classes. I teach Video Graphics and I am looking for small interesting projects that include a writing component. A short comic strip about school life just might be something the students are interested in.
In researching the Web I found several different comic strip tools. Most were not free so that caused me to move in another direction. I did find one that I think meets the needs of this particular project. It is called Comic Strip Creator. It is available as a free download but works only with Windows. Since there is only one Mac computer in my entire school (a loaner from Apple), this will not be a problem. After downloading the program I could not get it to work. I sent the company an email and they responded the next day saying I needed to “turn off” any anti virus software installed on the computer. It installed like a dream after I did this.
1 COMMENTS:
Shontalemarie said...
Hey Dedra,
This seems like a really cool Web 2.0 tool. I can't wait to try it with my second graders. I have some that find reading a little taxing. I think that changing the media from books to comics on their reading level could help encourage them in their reading and their attitude towads it. Thanks so much for sharing!
NOVEMBER 21, 2009 4:25 PM
Comic Strip Creator is great. I laid out this comic strip in about 3 minutes. In addition to downloading the program, there is also a download for clip art and backgrounds. I used both of them in this example. And finally, a word to the wise… be careful when searching for the site. The correct url is listed below. Changing the .org to .com may “strip” you of all rights as a teacher!
http://www.comicstripcreator.org/
bp10_20091115_Web2.0tools_Weebly
Weeblyhttp://www.weebly.com
Weebly is a Web 2.0 tool that allows you to create a FREE, yes I said FREE website! Weebly is fully equipped with common editing tools and options such as uploading pictures, videos, blogs, and more. You can choose from a host of eye-catching templates including business, educational, fun, colorful, and more. Weebly will host your website for free by allowing you to create an available name for your page and adding the suffix weebly.com OR you can create a personalized domain and register it through Weebly for a rate discounted from a leading online host site. Some other features available through this site include hosting with no restrictions, professional designs, variety of media content elements, blogging features, no advertising, and the option to convert your free account to a paid account where you can publish to your own domain.
Weebly is a powerful tool for classroom use because I could use it to create pages with curriculum material for my students to explore for practice at home or at school. The site could include links to other pages, games, videos, pictures, and more. The site could be used as a type of classroom newsletter. Instead of printing a newsletter, you could refer parents and others to the class website. It could be a way of keeping parents and administrators informed as well as displaying student work and activities going on in the classroom. Because the it is free to host your site, teachers everywhere could use this tool without using personal or school allotted funds. This would be exciting news to any teacher I know! The other great plus for educators, is that this free site doesn’t host advertising unless you choose it as an option. When working with children, this is a very important feature.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
bp8_2009118_Web2.0tools_Ekoloko
What if there was a site where kids could go to learn about ecology and the environment on their own terms while hanging out with friends in a risk free virtual environment? Well, that place exists... it's called EKOLOKO! Go to this URL http://play.ekoloko.com/ekoloko/index.html to find immediately engaging music, characters, and information all geared toward social responsibility concerning Earth and people.
The first think you’ll need to do when you enter the site, is click the “English” button in the lower right hand corner. This will allow you to navigate the index screen. Fun music will be playing, but if you prefer, you can use the mute option. Selecting the “About” option will take you to a brief overview of the site including the YouTube video you see here. “News will give you real-life updated news concerning the Ekoloko community and organizations such as the Teva Organization and Disney Magazine. Through this site, families have a way of becoming part of an organization that encourages “green” responsibility and service/outreach support for kid-friendly causes around the world. Click the “Parents” tab to find helpful information such as the definition of a virtual world, methods of communication used on the site, info on what types of things kids will do and participate in, Internet safety, and more! As a safety measure, Ekoloko works to meet strict internet safety standards to keep kids safe by including features such as “live moderators” available for kids to call upon in the event that an inappropriate behavior should arise.
You’re almost ready! Select “Play”, “New User” and you’re teleported to a room where you can choose and personalize your avatar (on a simple and age-appropriate basis). Once your avatar is ready, you’re led through a sign-up process that includes basic information like first name, password, email address, and birth date. You cannot sign up on the site without a parent’s email address. Once your information has been submitted, an email is sent to your parent’s email address where the process can be confirmed and completed. Three cheers for Ekoloko! You are to be commended on your efforts toward ecological responsibility and your devotion to safety for kids on your Internet site! Check it out, everyone!
The first think you’ll need to do when you enter the site, is click the “English” button in the lower right hand corner. This will allow you to navigate the index screen. Fun music will be playing, but if you prefer, you can use the mute option. Selecting the “About” option will take you to a brief overview of the site including the YouTube video you see here. “News will give you real-life updated news concerning the Ekoloko community and organizations such as the Teva Organization and Disney Magazine. Through this site, families have a way of becoming part of an organization that encourages “green” responsibility and service/outreach support for kid-friendly causes around the world. Click the “Parents” tab to find helpful information such as the definition of a virtual world, methods of communication used on the site, info on what types of things kids will do and participate in, Internet safety, and more! As a safety measure, Ekoloko works to meet strict internet safety standards to keep kids safe by including features such as “live moderators” available for kids to call upon in the event that an inappropriate behavior should arise.
You’re almost ready! Select “Play”, “New User” and you’re teleported to a room where you can choose and personalize your avatar (on a simple and age-appropriate basis). Once your avatar is ready, you’re led through a sign-up process that includes basic information like first name, password, email address, and birth date. You cannot sign up on the site without a parent’s email address. Once your information has been submitted, an email is sent to your parent’s email address where the process can be confirmed and completed. Three cheers for Ekoloko! You are to be commended on your efforts toward ecological responsibility and your devotion to safety for kids on your Internet site! Check it out, everyone!
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