More Web Tools!

I was given more web tools to explore this week. I like many of these tools because I really can see them being used in a classroom.There are some sites that as soon as I opened them I just closed them immediately. I don't know why but after looking at a homepage of a site you can get a sense of what it is like and if you even want to continue using it. The sites that I found interesting I am going to sign up for a play around with some more. I might not continue using them but they are worth checking out further.

I don't mind usernames or passwords, but it gets tiresome opening a webpage and knowing you cannot do more unless you get a username and a password.  I understand that usernames and passwords are important, especially when using sites like ePals or sites to make an online portfolio, book, magazine, story, or blog. There is a time and place for them.With logging in it makes it easier for projects to be saved and in some cases like journal entries, long papers, or assignments that take up a lot of time this is a good feature to have. The downside is the time it takes to make sure the software is downloaded and everyone knows their log in information. Sometimes it is easier to use a program that does not require a log in.

I guess I sometimes lean towards the sites that are quick, easy, and do not require a log in. For example, the ReadWriteThink timeline is great to use if students need to make a quick timeline in class.

Another thing that I was thinking about is how it is great to have all these tools and sites to use, but how many usernames and passwords can one person memorize? It got kind of tiresome looking at all the sites and seeing how they all require a log in. My notebook of usernames and passwords could possibly get bigger!

I like sites like Google Docs where there are many tools that can be done with one username and password. Document creation, blogging, publishing, map creation and editing, and chat rooms are all possibilities. I am a Google fan in general. Many searches are done on Google and Google Timeline and the Google Customized Search Engine are all great tools for students to learn.

I love the sites that help teachers make rubrics and quizzes. Sometimes it is easy to use these types of sites instead of making one on your own. The formatting may look better for what you are creating. Also, many of the audio tools to record and edit audio I have used before and work well.

I've tried to use Twitter to try and reach out with other teachers but you have to keep up with it. I am going to look more into Classroom 2.0 and see if I like that better instead of Twitter. I would love to connect with more educators and share my ideas.

Overall there are so many tools that if I said something about all of them this entry would be pages long. It still amazes the that there are so many different sites and programs to use. I liked how this site organized them all. I'm definitely bookmarking this page for future use!