Tool # 5

I visited Delicious and Diigo. In Delicious, I located two sites: Writing Fun and BookRix. Writing Fun dealt with using graphic organizers in the writing process. It had examples of different genres. This can be a site to visit to review different genres now that TAKS writing will change. BookRix allows for students digitaly publish books and have others critique the writing. It is free. All students have to do is upload their work and share it with others. This would be a way to have students revise their writing based on the comments of the reader. Check it out for yourself!
BookRix link:
http://www.bookrix.com/
Writing Fun link:
http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/jeather/writingfun/writingfun.html

Dingo seems to have many applications for the educational organization that would be perfect on several levels. For teachers, it offers the ability to link to, or create a PLN (Personal Learning Network) by reviewing articles or sites and posting thoughts/opinions on the site iteself! Then allowing them to bookmark the site and share it with others who would have the ability to add their thoughts/opinions on the article/site. Great opportunity for ongoing professional development! Now take that same concept and visualize it occuring with our students working on a research paper! Whether it's an individual research paper or a group research project, imagine a school filled with students who are working collaboratively with others, sythesizing the information and making notes online, saving those sites, and then taking information from several sites and evaluating it before putting it all together! And all of this with the ability to have peers or teachers giving them online feedback! One of the sites that I found through Dingo was a YouTube site by wittcowittco. I think you'll enjoy everything that he has to offer!

Here is the hot link for Pod Cast 1 what, why, how:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwGPKm2VZEI

Tool # 4

Imagine the possibilities! Google Docs seems like the perfect application we can use for our newsletter. Everyone can contribute their articles using Google Docs. It will eliminate numerous documents floating all over. Perhaps, even students, can add to the newsletter using this application. As for Google Reader, the greater application with this is that we can subscribe to various sites and get updates in one spot. Subscribing to feeds of interest minimizes the time spent looking for information at numerous sites when researching a particular topic, for example. I am thinking this will be helpful when our students write research papers.

Tool # 2

I find that the essence of Personal Learning Networks is to create reservoirs of knowledge, thoughts and insights that people that visit and "dip out" a cup of ideas to connect with via conversations. It is as easy as finding our own teachers online, based on common interest and needs, and participating by posting our own point of view. Of course, we have to maintain a way of responding appropriately, depending on the site. Teaching students the different registers of communication is vital. Students need to know also about etiquette. We need to listen to what is being commented and engage in a way that generates ggod communication and learning.

Here are the sites that I chose to follow by adding them into my RSS:
http://rebecabarron.blogspot.com
http://hbebulletin.blogspot.com
http://uwrite4us.blogspot.com
http://teachininflipflops.blogspot.com
http://fabulousfourthgradeteacher.blogspot.com

Tool # 3

Wordle unleashes creativity from students. This is great for students that need the visual mode of leaning. It is great to highlight vocabulary and concepts. Manipulating the font, color and placement of words allows for visualizing words over and over, thus creating mental images that will aid in the retention of targeted words and concepts.

Glogster also is an interactive tool that involves multimedia. Students can use sound, images, videos and music that pop up with the touch of the cursor. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS MOVE FROM THE TRADITIONAL POSTER BOARD. Glogster, like Voki, delivers a stronger message than a simple text through the use of graphics and sound than a simple text void of liveliness.
Check out my link to see a simple glogster for reader's response.

http://rghollibrook.edu.glogster.com/Making Connections/

Bookr can be for the review of concepts in the core areas of science, social studies and math as it incorporates literacy skills. All of these tools allows for individuality and nurtures creativity in students when completing any school assignment.

Tool #1

The need for networking and connectivity is becoming more and more a part in the lives of 21st century students. Information and techniques linked with our technological world are accessible at our finger tips. Teachers will find that they no longer are the holders of all information. Incorporating this new way of teaching will pave the way for teachers to become facilitators in the teaching and learning process. The video viewed at the onset of this 11 Tools learning mentions just a few of the avenues students can take in searching and sharing in our constantly changing information world.
Going through the process of setting up the blog was intense. But, once set up, it was nice to see your own personalized space to post reflections and views. Now, setting the Voki was more exciting. It was a chance to be creative. However, the choices of voice and character features was not as varied as I wished.