Web+2.0+Websites



Below you will find links and brief descriptions of the Web 2.0 applications that can be easily incorporated into lesson to enhance learning.

[|Wallwisher] is basically an online message board maker– kind of reminds me of the message boards we all had hanging on our dorm doors at college, except this is virtual and no special markers needed! One of the nice features of [|Wallwisher] is that there is no registration needed and once you create a board all that is needed is for members to click, write and post- very simple, very intuitive, very fun! Once you create your message board you are given the URL for that board to share with people who you want to invite to comment on your board. Just remember you are only allowed 160 characters when typing a response on the sticky note and 10 characters to change the name on the sticky note from annonymous to your name. I should also mention that in addition to writing a response, participants can also add videos, pictures and music to a post. It is suggested that you create an account to have easy access to all of Walls. **Click** **here** **to view the WallWisher I embedded on this wiki for you to respond to.**

[|Blabberize]-a fun way to give an image a voice!! Find a picture and add your narration. **Click here** **to see how I used Blabberize to post a wiki assignment.**

[|Wordle]- generates “word clouds” from text that you provide. The images you create with Wordle are yours to use however you like. You can print them out, or save them to the Wordle gallery. You will need to take a Print Screen of the Wordle to save as an image. The more you type a word, the more prevelant it will appear in you Wordle image. To string words together you must use the tilde symbol (~) in between each word with NO space. So if you are writing the words George Washington on your Wordle and you want them to appear togther, you would need to type it like this: George~Washington. **Click**here**** **to view some additional Wordle resources. Click[| here] to view a "how to" video on creating a Wordle.**

[|ABCya Word Cloud]- another word cloud generator. It will not allow you to connect words together and does not make words larger if typed multiple times. It WILL allow you to save your image as a Jpeg! This site also has some very nice, interactive activities and games for grade K-5. Scroll down the page to see those links. Click [|here] to navigate to that page.

[|Vocabulary] is the "sister" website to [|Spelling City] that is a fun educational website dedicated to helping build reading, phonics, or English language skills. It offers FREE Online Word Games which are specifically designed to build vocabulary skills and to motivate students to learn through fun practice in spelling, phonics, and vocabulary. Many of these activities work very well on the SMARTBoard as they are interactive!

[|PicLits-] a creative writing site that matches beautiful images with carefully selected keywords in order to inspire you. The object is to put the right words in the right place and the right order to capture the essence, story, and meaning of the picture. You will need to register for an account to save the PicLits you create. you can create a classroom account and use that account simultaneously with students. When saved to your account the PicLit can be edited at a later time. **Click** **here** **to view a Google Slide Presentation with the PicLits created by Mrs. Zima's class.**

[|Animoto for Education]- a site where teachers and students can create compelling and impressive digital content quickly and easily. It is very intuitive and easy to use, in no time students have digital videos that they created! This is also an amazing place for you, the teacher, to create a video that will bring your lessons to life. All videos are completely private. The only way someone can watch a video is if they are directed to that video's specific URL, or if that video is posted to another website. Also, no one will be able to contact your students via Animoto. Teacher's can apply for an All Access Pass, allowing for full feature videos for themselves and their students (without it only 30 second videos can be created). This pass will be valid for 6 months. You will then have to renew it. Students will need an email address to register. Animoto suggests that "dummy emails" be created for students under the age of 13. **Click** **here** **for an example.**

[|Big Huge Labs/Trading Cards]- create a trading card to display knowledge-- explain, describe, synthesize, etc. a topic. Students need to really think about the information they are going to write since there is a limited amount of words that will be able to write. This can be very challenging for some students! No account required, but there is no save feature so students must start and finish the project. Allows you to print (right click on trading card) or you can take a screen capture and save as a Jpeg. Suggested that you have a picture file created before beginning the project for students to access. **Click** **here** **to see an example of how the Elementary LMS used this application to highlight the Massachusetts Children's Book Awards on her wiki page.**

[|Fodey Newspaper Generator]- allows a student to create a newspaper like headline clipping for projects. It's free, quick and very easy. You don't need to register or part with an email address so it's a low risk site to get students using. Students enjoy seeing their words come to life on a newspaper page! Having a different and fun format for students to use when writing can be very motivating. There are several ways to incorporate the Newspaper generator to engage students in learning. Don't forget there is not a "save" option so you need to start and finish the project before navigating away from the page. Download the image with the link at the bottom of the generated clipping or take a screenshot of the completed clipping. There is a limit on the amount of words it will accept. When on this page don't forget to check out some of the other generators. **Click** **here** **to see how you can use some of these features on wikis.**

[|Storybird]- a service that uses collaborative storytelling that alllows you to create your own book by writing your own text and inserting pictures. You have the option of sharing your Storybird privately or publicly on the network. The final story can be watched on screen, embedded in your wiki or shared through a worldwide library. The site indicates that Storybirds will soon be able to be printed. When you create your account you will be bale to save your favorite Storybirds and collaborate with others when creating your book. One classroom account can be created to use simultaneously with several students. **Click** **here** **to view a page a created with two embedded Storybirds!**

[|PikiKids]- you need to register, but it's free. You do need an email address. Allows you several options when creating your comic. You can choose from a variety of layouts (cells) and add text bubbles. You can upload photos from your files or search on Flickr. It has a preview option. You can save your work and designate it to be private or public. Students can view public comics. You can create a classroom account for students to work simultaneously.

[|Make Beliefs Comix]- No registration required. Students can simply begin creating a comic strip. It does offer limited cell options and a very good selection of characters. You can change the emotions of each character. You can not upload photos. You can not save so you need to begin and finish in the same session. You can print or email your comic. There is a link for ideas on writing prompts. It will accept text in different languages.

[|Glogster Education]- a Glog is an online multimedia poster made with text, images, videos, photos, graphics, music and more. Glogster is a very innovative way to express your thoughts and ideas- kind of like creating a poster with pizzaz! It allows you to add graphics, text, video, links, sound, etc. Just really, really cooooooooooooooooool! Students do not need an email account. Once the teacher registers at Glogster EDU all the user names and passwords are sent to the teacher's email address. A teacher can get up to 100 student accounts with the initial registration. Once you set up a virtual classroom your students will only be able to see the Glogs created within your group and can only communicate with the members of the established school group. As a teacher you can apply for the education account and recieve 100 students accounts. **Click** **here** **to see the Glog I created as a demonstration for this class.**

[|Voice Thread]- "A VoiceThread is an online media album that can hold essentially any type of media (images, documents and videos) and allows people to make comments in 5 different ways -- using voice (with a microphone or telephone), text, audio file, or video (with a webcam) -- and share them with anyone they wish. A VoiceThread allows group conversations to be collected and shared in one place, from anywhere in the world." There is a $10 one time registration fee for individual users and a $60 fee for classroom account for up to 100 student accounts. [|Voice Thread Tutorial]- click on the link to view the tutorial.

[|Fotobabble]- a free, very easy application that allows you to upload an image, record your voice and share! There is a 60 second maximum record time. Fotobabbles can be easily embedded. Create an account (requires email) to save and embed your creations. You can create a classroom account and have students work simultaneously. You will need a microphone and speakers.

[|Myths & Legends Story Creator]- offers a completely free, extremely visual, incredibly simple, multi-media rich digital storytelling development environment that is perfect for students of all ages. Its intuitive user interface is packed with features. Although it is geared specifically for British myths and legends in terms of content, it could EASILY be used for MANY different subjects. Their Teachers Resources section is organized for specific myths and legends but you will quickly see applications for your classroom and curriculum. If you register your school you will have the ability to manage class logins and review and approve student work. Brilliant!
 * Click** [|**here**] **if you want to view some stories created by 5th graders at Vets Park as a project to explain the Six Simple Machines and 4th graders to explain the different elements of weather. FYI- Scroll to the middle of the page and if Veterans Park School is not listed in the drop done menu you will need to select that option.**

[|Build Your Wild Self]- Use this free site to add different animal parts to create a new "wild self." No registration or logins are required. Enter a name, choose boy or girl, and create your "real self then use the body part options from a variety of other animals to create your Wild Self! View the names of the animals as you mouse over each part. When done, click finish and view what is "wild about you." When you click on "I'm Done" it will generate paragraphs describing the body parts of the animals chosen. A species name is also generated for your creation. Other options include: Send it to a friend by entering a name and email address, add as a desktop background, save as an image or print your wild self.

[|Delicious]- a social bookmarking website that allows you to store and share your favorite websites, blogs, newslines, etc. in a central location. The great thing about Delicious is that you can access it from any computer, anywhere that you have an Internet connection- YEAH!!!! No more storing all of your favorites on one computer and forgetting what you bookmarked-- did I say YEAH!!! You can organize your bookmarks by tagging them. Easy, convenient and very, very efficient! You can network with other people to share your bookmarks and see their bookmarks.

Wikispaces- a group of web pages with “edit” buttons on them. You can collaborate with anyone you choose on your wikispace. Use your wikispace to post homework assignments, facilitate a classroom project, collaborate with an international classroom, communicate with parents or other teachers, or provide a wiki for classroom discussion and feedback. There are several privacy setting options. As an educator you can apply for a free Plus Educators Account. **Click** [|**here**] **for that information.**

[|Voki.com]- create your own speaking Voki- lots of fun! If you want to embed the Voki in your wiki here are the instructions: on the Voki page click on the Embed button and select Wordpress from the drop down menu >select the size you want (I typically keep it set to large) > click on the Get Code button >copy that code and head over to your wiki page--- navigate to the page where you want to add the Voki >select the Widget option (the TV icon) > go down to other HTML and when that text box appears paste the code there > the gray media box will appear> click save and the Voki should appear on your page.

[|PhotoPeach.com]- create a fun slide show in minutes. This applications also allows you to create a quiz on specific slides- really cool! Here are the instructions to create a quiz: create your slide show> click on the edit caption button>select the slide you want to add the quiz to>complete the text boxes> designate the correct answer>continue process until complete. **Click** **here** **to see an example.**

[|Google Docs]- create, collaborate and share your documents online. It also allows you to quickly create a Goole quiz! Check out the Google pageson this wiki for examples.


 * Additional Websites **

[|**Thinkfinity**], which is suppported by the Verizon foundation, is a marvelous place to visit for a plethora of free educational resources in all subjects and grade levels. I have discovered several interactive websites to use with the SMARTBoard by utilizing the search engine on the educator’s page.

[|Into The Book-] the most incredible reading website and K-4 reading comprehension resource. It focuses on eight research-based strategies: Using Prior Knowldge, Making Connections, Questioning, Visualizing, Inferring, Summarizing and Synthesizing.

[|Free Rice] a non-profit website run by the United Nations World Food Program. Our partner is the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University. For each answer you get correct 10 grains of rice are donated through the World Foor Programme to help end hunger in the world. There are subjects to chose from.

[|Lemons for Literacy]- this webiste is an initiative by by Reading Horizons to "cure literacy". For each answer you get right, they will donate money that goes toward literacy materials for a person in need.

[|Save the Words]-a site sponsored by the Oxford Dictionary that displays "lost" words or words that have been removed from the dictionary for nonuse. A fun way to learn and use new words.

[|Grammar Ninja]- a fun online game to review parts of speech- 3 separate levels.

[|Rubistar]- a free tool to help teachers create quality rubrics. It also houses several pre-made rubrics for you to use.

[|Scholastic]- a variety of wonderful resources in all subjects and grade levels.

[|Spelling City]- this is a wonderful FREE online spelling website that allows teachers to create and generate spelling lists and makes teaching spelling exciting. SpellingCity provides students a simple online way to take a practice spelling test. In addition it offers a variety of reinforcing games and activities. It also allows you to customize your spelling definitions/word usage and print both final test results and worksheets. There is a premium feature that includes a grade keeping option. A year membership for up to $30 students is $49.99.

[|Vocabulary] is the "sister" website to [|Spelling City] that is a fun educational website dedicated to helping build reading, phonics, or English language skills. It offers FREE Online Word Games which are specifically designed to build vocabulary skills and to motivate students to learn through fun practice in spelling, phonics, and vocabulary. Many of these activities work very well on the SMARTBoard as they are interactive!

The Ludlow Public School District is not responsible for any information that may be accessed once the user has left this wiki, including external web page content as well as material accessed via links from external web pages.