Web 2.0: Tools in the Classroom
What to use and How to use it
Table of Contents
Assign-A-Day 3
Lab Out Loud 5
Exploratree 7
Assign-A-Day
Assign-A-Day is an online calendar monitored and edited by teachers in order ot unify the teacher and his or her students. The tool is free and it allows students to utilize an option to be notified by their teacher of important dates an deadlines that are coming up. Furthermore, assignments can be added by the teacher for the students to view.
Assign-A-Day gives teachers a unique and innovative way to connect with their students after school. Teachers can update students on assignments that are coming up or due in real time. Here's an example of how it can be used.
Many teachers, especially at the elementary level, struggle with keeping their students informed and organized as well as informing their parents about upcoming events. Assign-A-Day breaks down this barrier as teachers can even connect directly with parents via the online calendar.
Assign-A-Day is great for all ages and can be found at http://assignaday.4teachers.org
Lab Out Loud
Lab Out Loud is a podcast series by two science teachers/experts. On this podcast, Dale Basler and Brian Bartel discuss science experiments, science news, and science education for viewers of essentially any age. Lab Out Loud acts as a way for science teachers and students to connect directly to the world of science by hearing opinions by multiple science teachers, experts, and scientists.
Lab Out Loud is a fun and intriguing way for both science teachers and students, as well as anyone else who may be curious, to get linked to resources and information in the field of science. Podcasts are free on iTunes and can be previewed here.
For students, it offers a new way to learn about science rather than reading it from a textbook. Furthermore, students are able to hear from scientists, experts, and researchers in multiple fields in order to learn even more in depth in any area of interest. Teachers can assign different podcasts to listen to that pertain to topics of concern in the classroom, or simply can be used as a way to look deeper into a subject. Biweekly podcasts can be heard at http://laboutloud.com
Exploratree
Exploratree is an online mind-mapping tool, free to users, where a wide library of mind-map templates can be utilized by anyone. These mind-maps, or "thinking guides", allow for users to organize their thoughts or to present ideas in a coordinated fashion.
Often, students struggle with organizing their ideas in preparation of essays and other projects. Some teachers have formed their own mind-maps that they print out and hand to each student to help them. However, using an application like Exploratree, teachers can not only offer students a mode of organization but also multiple templates to work with. Where one student might prefer a flow chart, another might prefer a Venn diagram. Exploratree offers an extensive library of pre-made mind-maps that can be utilized and edited for the benefit of both the teacher and the students. Here's an example of a possible assignment for students to complete using Exploratree.
Furthermore, students can also use this in preparation of other projects, or even as a presentation tool. For students who may be spatially or visually gifted, seeing all ideas and topics in relation to each other may help with an overall understanding of the subject. Exploratree can be accessed through http://www.exploratree.org.uk