Online+Productivity+and+Collaboration

=Web 2.0 Tools for Teachers and Students=

The art and science of teaching is complex, but nearly all experts agree to be an effective teacher one must include techniques and strategies that engage the learner through the use of various [|active learning stategies]. The Web tools presented in this list are intended to facilitate the critical component of creating engaged teaching and learning environments by utilizing tools that allow teachers and students to create, publish and collaborate inside and outside the classroom.

[|Google for Educators] Google has developed a suite of free tools with educators and students in mind. Be sure to checkout Docs and Spreadsheets, Notebook, Page Creator, Google Earth and SketchUp. Both Google Earth and SketchUp require a software download that is installed on your local hard drive. Docs and Spreadsheets are totally Web-based programs that make it easy to create, upload, share, collaborate and store documents on the Web making them accessible anywhere you have access to the Internet. Page Creator is a easy to use Web page creation tool. Notebook allows you to collect and store information and images as you browse the Web. [|Zoho] Zoho is a suite of free virtual office tools, including online word processing, spreadsheet, multimedia presentation application, notebook, planner and more. Supported formats: doc, xls, ppt, odt, rtf, sxw, sxc, sxi, pps. [|see Zoho wiki example] [|ThinkFree] A suite of free virtual office tools, including online word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software. ThinkFree Office is a Microsoft® Office compatible application suite comprised of word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation graphics software-all usable online and off.
 * Virtual Office Tools**

[|mind42.com] A collaborative browser-based online mind mapping tool. [|see example] [|Gliffy] Gliffy is a free Web-based tool for creating and sharing graphic organizers. Not nearly as powerful as Inspiration, but it provides a viable means for students to create graphic organizers that can be shared and accessed via the Internet. [|see example] [|skrbl] Skrbl is a whiteboard/clipboard, Web-based application. It can be used as a “shared session” where you collaborate with students or colleagues or it can be your own private whiteboard for saving notes, diagrams, etc. [|see as shared board example] [|see as Web page example]#
 * Graphic Organizers**

[|GCast] GCast is from the same geniuses who came up with GarageBand. With Gcast, you can upload a finished Podcast in the form of an .mp3 or better yet, you can record your Podcast right over your phone – toll free. Additionally, if you’re looking for “Podcast safe” music to include in your program without the worry of copyright-infringement, GarageBand.com is integrated so you can choose from that service. [|Listen to an example]. [|Podomatic] PodOmatic specializes in the creation of sophisticated tools and services that enable anyone to easily find, create, distribute, promote and listen to both audio and video podcasts. [|Listen to an example] [|PodBean] Create audio or video podcasts along with your own Weblog. See example at http://vhuffman.podbean.com/ Free podcast hosting and publishing. [|MyPodcast] Podcast hosting solution offering unlimited storage, bandwidth, and free templates for your podcasts. [|Listen to a music example] [|Castpost] Free hosting for audio and video clips. [|HeyCast] A tool to create video podcasts. Essentially, HeyCast creates RSS feeds from any existing video files on the web. It doesn’t provide hosting or sharing features.
 * Podcasting Hosting and Publishing**

[|21Classes] Create a virtual classroom and BlogPortal. [|EduSpaces] EduSpaces is a social network set up for those interested in all aspects of Education. [|EduBlogs] [|Blogmeister] WikiSpaces create simple web pages that groups, friends, and families can edit together. [|PBwiki] [|Zoho Wiki]
 * Blogs and Wikis**

[|xtimeline] Create and publish your own or access timelines created by others. Multimedia capabilities support image, sound and video uploads. Author controls rights for sharing and collaborating with others. See example [|Anne Frank] [|VoiceThreads] VoiceThreads allows you to upload pictures, create voice-overs or type in in text to tell the story behind the picture. Authors of voice threads may publish their voice thread to the Web and may also allow others to add their own voice or written comments. [|View this voice thread to learn more]. Download the [|VoiceThreads User Guide] for classroom use. [|YackPack] YackPack is an Internet service that allows you to talk live or to record your voice and share the recording with a private group online. Grade student work, giving quality feedback. [|See how you can do this!] Give assignments for oral practice in foreign language learning as well as speaking and presentation skills. [|MyNoteit] Upload Word and OpenOffice documents, images of scanned notes and audio notes. Use our WYSIWYG editor to easily take, edit and store your notes, to-do-lists and calendar events online. Share your notes and collaborate with others. [|Slideshare] SlideShare is a free service for sharing presentations and slideshows. You can upload your PowerPoint and OpenOffice presentations, tag them, embed them into your blog or website, browse others' presentations, and comment on individual slides. [|BookmarkAll] Manage, access and share your bookmarks, on the Web from any computer anywhere, anytime. [|See example]. [|iKeepBookmarks] Create, manage, access and share your bookmarks, on the Web from any computer anywhere, anytime. [|See iKeepBookmarks example] [|Your draft] Your draft is an online WYSIWYG editor allowing you to publish your draft documents. You can share these as view only, allow others to edit the documents or keep them totally private. [|See example]
 * Miscellaneous Tools**

[|http://www.addaform.com]/ [|See example] http://www.surveymonkey.com/home.asp
 * Online Forms and Surveys**

http://planner.zoho.com/jsp/home.jsp [|http://www.wallnote.com]/ http://www.backpackit.com/ http://www.orchestratehq.com/
 * Online Personal Organizers**

[|ALTEC] ALTEC provides a number of free online productivity tools for teachers. RubiStar [|Guided Practice] PBL Checklist [|Guided Practice]. [|Filamentality] Filamentality is a free online tool for creating internet based activities to support, or supplement your course content. There are five different activity formats from providing resource lists (Hotlists) to higher level learning activities, such as, WebQuests. Filamentality guides you through the creation process and the site provides user guides that you may download. You may also search the Filamentality library for resources created by other teachers. [|Education Press] Create free educational worksheets such as flashcards, game boards, and quizzes to print directly from your browser. [|Discovery School Teaching Tools] Worksheet Generator [|Guided Practice] Puzzle Maker [|Guided Practice]
 * Not Web 2.0...but still really cool!!!**