A media sharing website that allows users to post pictures, auditory reflections, and videos on any subject they're interested in or asked to report on. Users can then post comments and reflections on said pictures and videos.
Use in the Classroom
This Web 2.0 tool can be useful for teachers and students in that it offers an aspect of UDL by providing an alternative response mechanism for students. Indeed, because many learners are uncomfotable talking in front of a class, or may have poor writing skills, voicethread allows them produce responses in the comfort of their home (where there is no audience) and show their level of knowledge without being hampered by their writing skills.
Examples
As a social studies teacher, one of the things I will constantly like to do, is keep my students up to date on current events. Traditionally, students have been asked to keep journals or do responses in the classroom regarding an event that interests them. However, if a student is shy or has poor writing skills, Voicethread allows them a different avenue to provide their thoughts and knowledge on a specific event/issue.
Age Restrictions ?
Students under the age of 13 must have parental permission to create an account. For grades 9-12 students, this won't be an issue.
Bubble.us
-A web 2.0 tool that allows people to create mindmaps around subjects they are trying to learn more about. One signs up for free, and then they have access to a slide which creates bubbles for them to start recording their ideas. With each bubble, one can create sub bubbles to expand upon their ideas. There is a save button at the top of the page and a share button the map can be available to the public if the creator so wishes.
Use in the Classroom (Examples)
This is a tool that is handy for both students and teachers. For teachers trying to figure out lessons plans the accessability of Bubbl.us is quite handy to just log onto and start throwing ideas and steps together. For students who are about to begin an essay or project, but don`t have many ideas of where to start, teachers can walk them through the process quicly in class to help get them started.
Age Restrictions?
There are no age restrictions to Bubbl.us as far as could be located.
Edmodo
A web 2.0 tool similar to Facebook, but created and designed specifically for students and teachers. Essentially, it offers a way for students and teachers to interact outside of the classroom and be more connected for the purposes of enhancing the learning that does goes on in the classroom.
Use in the Classroom
Students can recieve notes, polls, and assignments regarding any classroom topic. Since it's online, the nice thing is that it can reinforce the learning that has already been attempted in the classroom as well by having those notes, polls, and assignments re-addressed. Teachers can also post alerts to let students know something urgent if needed.
For teachers, the great thing about Edmodo is that it is basically a social networking site where educators all over the world can interact and share ideas. For example, if a Science teacher needs some ideas about how to teach a lesson on the vital signs of the human body, they can simply make a post asking other teachers if they have any lesson plans already made. Said teachers can then share those lesson plans with the teacher asking for them by simply uploading them under the thread in the comments section.