Thing 14: Discovering Web 2.0 Tools

I had fun with this post! I love discovering new applications that will be not problem getting out students to use. One thing I've noticed about using more technology in the classroom is that there's almost instant engagement. Technology is intuitive and, once instructions are given, they can take the assignment and run with it.

I spent the majority of my time playing around with Weebly. This is a very simple website builder that creates impressive products. As I've mentioned previously, I had all of my students create online learning portfolios last year using Google sites. I enjoyed this and intended to use them again. However, I'm really impressed with this site and am considering having my students set up Weebly sites. The biggest advantage is that you can create a page that serves as a blog. I'd been debating whether I wanted to stick with the Google sites or switch to a blog. I felt that having work in two different places might become confusing or overwhelming. Now that it can be streamlined in one place, it seems almost too good to be true.

I also enjoyed the Blabberize and ToonDoo sites. The demo on the Blabberize home page is too funny! I think my teenagers would be very into that. I could have them record a well-planned summary or even narrate a piece of fiction or poem they have written. ToonDoo could be used for sequencing and summery building as well. I have used Wordle in the past, and the students have loved it!