Web Tools

These are links to some of the best Web 2.0 tools voted on by some of the leading educational technologists specialists.  I have them saved under my personal bookmarks.

Twitter Resources for Educators


22 Web App Tools for Writers and Editors


Best Educational Wikis of 2011


50 Useful Blogging Tools for Teachers


Teachers Favored Web 2.0 Tools


Discovery Education Web 2.0 Tools


101 Web 2.0 Teaching Tools


Edudemic: 100 Best Web 2.0 Tools


Cool Tools for Schools Wikispaces

The Assignment;
Then, create three categories and elaborate on the value of the tools referenced. Describe each tool explaining its use, associated cost and how the tool would implemented in a learning environment. Document the items in your blog.

Category 1:  Converting Tools
If you work in public schools like I do, there are more times than not when you have to convert files so you can access them under the super protected servers.  Converting Tools are what you need.  Each teacher needs to keep two or three converting tools that so you can convert files into a format that is easily accessible at school.  Usually, these converting tools are not available at the school, so you may have to convert the files at home and then save them where you can access them at school.

Google Drive does a number of conversions already.  This is one of the reasons I push Google Apps with students over others.  It will already convert Word documents to PDF or vice versa.  At one time, public schools blocked YouTube videos for safety violations.  I have had to convert several YouTube videos into mp4 formats and save these mp4 formats on my hard drive for instructional purposes.  I have used Zamzar if the file was not too big.  Many of the sites are free if the file is not too large.  If you are converting large files, then you will be required to pay a service fee.  Google Apps are free, but again, you have to watch the size of the file.  Most recently, I have converted a large PDF to a smaller PDF.  These are really cool!



Category 2:  Video Tools
I am just getting into Video Tools for instructional purposes.  I have frequently used YouTube videos to extend content, but now I am attempting to make my own.  Most of my videos are created with Apps from the iTunes store like Explain Everything ($2.99) or Educreations (free).  I am not smooth in making my videos, but I figured the more I do it, the better I will become.  Many video tools cost a small fee.  Animoto is free but only for a few videos with limited use.  If you want access to the large variety, you will have to pay $5.00 a month.  Sometimes I will subscribe to resources for a short period of time to allow students an opportunity to use the resource to fulfill projects and assignments.  I almost always use a gift card or credit card to avoid any problems.  I also try to save and download the project or assignment for my personal reference.  The key with video tools is finding the tool to support your purpose and desire.  


Category 3:  Quiz and Poll Tools
Need a quick assessment so you can hang data on your wall for the looming administrators?  Use some of these quiz and poll tools to help.  I love many of these tools because they are PAPERLESS!  This means you won't have to collect paper, look at paper, find paper, copy paper.  These tools can be used with cell phones and computers.  I also love many of these tools because they will dis-aggregate the data for your and put the data into pretty charts and graphs.  My final reason for loving these tools is that many of them save the data in the cloud or on a server, so you get to download the data when you like.  I am using more and more of these types of resources the longer I teach.  I would also recommend teachers to look into apps like Quickkey and GradeCam!