Web Based Tools Part 1

So this week I tried out 3 tools: Wordle, Voice Thread, and Animoto.

Wordle- I have seen Wordle but have not used it before. It seems easy enough but my computer was having a really tough time downloading Java so that I could use Wordle. I got it to work eventually. This would be a great way for students to express themselves or to use vocabulary words creatively to show what the students are learning. I tried to put in a quote but I didn't like the way it looked in Wordle. It seemed too hard to read and figure out. The Wordle I made is all words that are about school. It was my first attempt and I didn't think it was that bad!

 Wordle


Voice Thread- I used Voice Thread a little bit in another class. What I really like about this is that it doesn't necessarily have to use your voice. Personally, I always feel weird and uncomfortable recording myself so I like how I can use comments or my voice. I like the doodle option, but I feel that some students could be immature with this feature and use it inappropriately. I like how many people can comment on this. It can be open to the whole class or even the whole school. People can share ideas or ask questions anytime they want. The only downside is it can be hard to input YouTube Videos. They have to be saved to your computer first.  I tried to make a Voice Thread on the Iroquois Confederacy.   


Voice Thread

Animoto- Animoto is a nice way to make a 30 second or less video. It always stinks that if you want a longer video or more options you have to pay for it. But either way it is still really easy to use. It would be a great way to show what the students are working on in the classroom. The video can show a project or a lesson from beginning to end. It can also be a video on a field trip, presentation, or solely on student work. It could be broader and show what the whole school is up too. Animoto can easily be done by students as well. The students can take pictures of their best work and showcase it with Animoto or can take pictures of their work and show it from beginning to end. This way the student picks the pictures instead of the teacher. I dedicated this Animoto to my dogs because I felt like doing something non-educational for fun.      


Animoto Video


In the end I think that all of these tools have a place in the classroom. They can be used to show off a classroom or a student's creativity. What is nice about these tools is that they are all free and that they can be used by students in the classroom and at home. Students can learn how to be responsible online with pictures and videos. Another thing is that web tools do not have to look educational to be educational. They can still be professional and useful in the classroom. It is important to show students what professional and appropriate web sites look like. These tools are a great way to start showing students what professional sites look like and how to use them, which is an important skill for them to have down the road.