Best Web 2.0 Tools
Transforming Teaching With Web 2.0
Tech Tip: Shrink JPEG Images
Web 2.0: The Machine is Us/ing Us
Michael Wesch at Kansas State University has created a captivating and thought-provoking four-minute YouTube video which shows how Web 2.0 goes above and beyond the Web as we know it, with a strong emphasis on user interactivity through blogs, wikis, and other collaborative tools.
A Day in the Life of Web 2.0
David Warlick describes how Web 2.0 can have a huge impact on teaching and learning throughout a typical school day.
Back to School With the Class of Web 2.0 – Part 1
Brian Benzinger describes the best Web 2.0 tools for a variety of classroom uses, including note-taking, gradebooks, math, media sharing, and bibliography creation. See also Part 2 (Web-based office applications) and Part 3 (case studies of how Web 2.0 can impact teaching and learning.)
Tech Tip – Shrink JPEG Images Quickly With ResizR
Often images from digital cameras end up too large for their intended purpose. This can be a problem when sending photos via email or placing them on Web pages. Here’s a quick and free way to shrink those images without expensive image editing software:
1. Go to the ResizR Website.
2. Click on the Local tab and then the Browse button to locate the saved image that you wish to resize (or you may click on the From Web tab to paste the URL of a Web image instead.)
3. Next, use the Image Width slider bar to select the desired image width in pixels.
4. Click on the Image Rotation link if you’d like to rotate the image.
5. Next, click on the gray ResizR button to start the resizing process. In a matter of seconds, you will have a resized version of your original image.
Announcement
Reading Teacher Certification Courses
Apply soon for summer. Financial aid is available if you are taking two reading courses.
What Our Students Are Saying…
About the Developmental Reading online course:
"I am thoroughly impressed with UW-Stout and your ability to deliver a rigorous, thought-provoking, useful curriculum online."
~ Grade 4 Team Leader; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
"This course more than met my expectations. Dr. Heitz is clearly an expert in this field, and I could feel her enthusiasm for the reading field through her feedback… I gained so much valuable knowledge to help my students!"
~ Social Studies Teacher; Rhinelander, Wisconsin
"I liked that it was practical, and I can take what I learned and use it in my class this year. I found the main textbook very useful as well as the other texts. I learned specific reading comprehension strategies for both fiction and non-fiction that I can definitely use!"
~ Grade 4 teacher; Surrey, United Kingdom
Call University of Wisconsin-Stout Online Professional Development (715) 642-0209 if you have questions. UW-Stout is an "international-student- friendly" program.
Labels: Web 2.0
Best Webinars for Teachers
Today’s Topic:
Best Webinars for Teachers
Tech Tip: Selecting a Blogging Service
- How are Webinars making it possible to participate in interactive professional development with top education experts without leaving home?
- Which Webinars offer the best professional growth opportunities for teachers?
EdTechConnect is a series of free webinars sponsored by Discovery Education to help teachers integrate technology into the classroom. With a telephone and an Internet- connected computer, you are connected to experts who will answer your questions. Past webinars have featured Alan November, Kathy Schrock, Hall Davidson, Steve Dembo and Joe Brennan.
Learning Times
Learning Times hosts numerous live interactive events and meetings exploring themes of interest to teachers. Some of the previous topics archived on the site include: The Invisible Web, with UW-Stout online instructor Dennis O’Connor, and Creating a CD Portfolio, featuring UW-Stout online instructor Susan Manning. Susan also hosts a regular podcast with Dan Balzer on Learning Times: The Green Room.
Scholastic Online: Readabout
Scholastic presents a new monthly Webinar series featuring the leading experts in reading comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and motivation. The March webinar will feature Phyllis C. Hunter on “Strategies for Developing a Love of Learning For All Kids”.
Tech Tip – Selecting a Blogging Service
A big part of setting up a blog is the selection of a blogging service. That decision will hinge on factors such as: ease of use, intended audience, restricted membership needs, cost, and preferred server hosting. Below is a comparison of three widely-used online blogging services.
Blogger
A free service affiliated with Google; one can restrict blog posting and viewing to members only; user-friendly interface; can publish to Blogger’s server or your preferred server; online help area, can choose WSYIWYG or HTML interfaces for composing postings; free Blogger for Word software to publish from Microsoft Word.
Class Blogmeister
David Warlick’s “school-sheltered” system is explicitly designed with teachers and students in mind; teachers can evaluate, comment on, and publish students' articles in a controlled environment.
Gaggle.Net
Gaggle Blogs provide a safe way for students and educators to interact online with people around the world. The blogs filter out inappropriate words and phrases, and all links and images are scanned for inappropriate content. If any rules are violated, the offending blog entry will be blocked and sent to an administrator email address.
Free Teacher Resource
The 21st Century Information Fluency Project provides excellent resources for helping students learn to use digital information effectively, efficiently, and ethically. Included on this site are interactive Micro Modules as well as tips for students to become more savvy Internet searchers. UW-Stout online instructor Dennis O’Connor serves as the online professional development specialist of the four-member Fluency Project’s team.
What Our Students Are Saying…
About the Web Design for Educators (Beginning) and the Intermediate Web Design online courses:
“I have taken several online classes; this class was superior. The organization was phenomenal and everything was step-by-step. Your feedback was positive, and you set an excellent tone of support for your students. I have recommended your class to several of my colleagues."
~ Teacher, Camp Zama, Japan
"I am very happy I took this course! I understand templates, CSS sheets, anchors, layouts, etc. And what a prize Fireworks has turned out to be! I love using it, and I know I wouldn't have tried it without taking this class."
~ Director of Library Services Willard City Schools, Ohio
“I have been thoroughly impressed with the format, organization, presentation, and relevance of the course content. The hours have felt well-spent, the feedback from Jim has been swift and thoughtful, and the pace conducive to people with full-time lives to conduct.”
~Middle School Counselor, Madison, Wisconsin
Call University of Wisconsin-Stout Online Professional Development (715) 642-0209 if you have questions. UW-Stout is an "international-student- friendly" program.
Incorporating iPods and Handheld Devices
Today’s Topic:
Incorporating iPods and Handheld Devices
Tech Tip: Create Easy and Attractive Newsletters With LetterPop!
- How are iPods and other handheld learning devices energizing teaching and learning?
- What are some examples of effective integration of mobile learning tools?
- Where can educators find high-quality podcasts to use with students?
Handheld Devices Make Inroads in the Classroom
The Glencoe/McGraw-Hill staff describes the advantages, benefits and uses of personal digital assistants (PDAs) in the classroom, and gives examples of innovative K-12 projects.
Elementary School Students Become Podcasting Pros
The Apple Education staff describes how third/fourth grade teacher Bob Sprankle ‘s students enthusiastically produce their own podcasts and strengthen reading, writing and research skills.
Learning in Hand: Find Podcasts
Educator Tony Vincent has compiled a list of the best podcast directories for educators to use with students and for professional development.
Integrating MP3 Players in the Classroom
Brad Niessen lists 23 creative ideas for using MP3 players: including creating audio study guides, practicing guided reading and assessing students’ reading skills. The site also includes a podcast with more details about educational uses of MP3 players.
Podcast Rubric
UW-Stout instructor Ann Bell has created a succinct rubric which evaluates seven aspects of podcasts: introduction, content, delivery, interview, graphic and music enhancements, technical production, and group/partner work.
Tech Tip – Create Easy and Attractive Newsletters With LetterPop!
It’s now easy to create free, professional-looking newsletters with attractive graphics and fancy fonts using LetterPop! online. Choose from 24 drag-and-drop template designs and add your own text and photos (free registration required). Just click in the box under Start Here to name and create a sample newsletter. You may email your completed newsletter or print it from the Website.
What Our Students Are Saying...
About the online course Learning Applications for the iPod® and Handheld Computers:
What was the most meaningful and useful to you about this course…
“This was the best on-line class I have taken. The instructor gave positive feedback on the lessons and the class discussions were always pertinent. The creation of the audio podcast was most relevant to me. I found this is something I will be able to use right away with my students."
~Elementary School Information Specialist - DoDDS Schools at RAF Alconbury, United Kingdom
“…I think my confidence level in working with this type of technology has increased ten-fold. I also feel that the format of posting was invaluable, due to the incredible resources of the class. You did a marvelous job of organizing a class that kept our interest and made us want to exceed our own expectations. My perception of the use of digital media has changed drastically. My students will greatly benefit, because I now am enthusiastic and excited about using this technology, and I will try new things, which in turn will increase their enthusiasm and motivation.”
~Kindergarten and High School Drama Teacher from Wisconsin
“I really enjoyed the mix of students from all over the world--what a great opportunity to hear about what else is going on outside the US. We are often so isolated, even though we have the greatest communications systems!"
~ CESA Program Director - Green Bay, Wisconsin
Call University of Wisconsin-Stout Online Professional Development
(715) 642-0209 if you have questions. UW-Stout is an "international-student- friendly" program.
Labels: iPods, Podcasting, Rubrics, Tech Tips