Web Tools

I admit, I spend way too much time on the Internet.  My mother has told me that I'm an information junkie; I love the "paper" trail that can be followed from web page to web page in order to explore the vast sea of knowledge I am not familiar with.  I even catch myself reading up on things I have an abundance of knowledge about already just to see if I missed even the smallest detail.  Seriously, I might have a real problem.

That all being said, I was surprised with how few of these tools I had already worked with.  Perhaps I had only worked a "general" tool that does not go as in-depth as something listed (i.e., a specific blog site versus the concept of a blog overall).  That being said, here are the 5 tools I found most interesting or intriguing (in no particular order).

ClassDojo-I could use this in the classroom I work in as a reminder for students AND as a set of evidence for their behaviors. Since I work in a classroom for students with emotional disabilities and lacking social skills, interruptions and disruptions of the class work are sadly the norm for some students instead of the exception.  While the total scores would likely not phase students (for example, telling one student he had -10 points for a class), displaying data of every interruption would prove effective in demonstrating to what extent a student disrupts the learning of others in the room (and on the flip side, demonstrate to another student how much he is actively contributing to the learning of others).

• Pro-Accountability and data.  Demonstrates concrete proof to each student how they are contributing in class.
• Con-I could see this tool being retired if a particular student took pride in having "red" items on his record.  I'm not sure of the long term effectiveness of this tool.
  

Screencast-I find this to be similar to Dropbox, except instead of having to supply a password for the account for students to access it content can be posted for students to view individually.  I especially like how in the note the teacher mentioned taking a video of checking over student papers, allowing for proofreading beyond the physical walls of the school.

• Pro-Allows individual or grouped viewing, students can interact with select content as designated by teacher.
• Con-A pay-for service.  There is certainly a great deal of available space, but depending on what content is being uploaded those 2 GB could be gone fast.

Adobe Education Exchange-Self-explanatory; a sharing of resources across all grade levels and curriculums.  Allows teachers to explore each other's work and display their best lesson ideas.

• Pro-A vast selection of resources.  If you can think of it you can probably find it.
• Con-Too vast.  It would be all to easy to skip over a lesson or resource because you are not looking close enough.  If something is not specific enough by the time you adjust it to your needs you may have been better off writing a lesson yourself.

Poll Anywhere-Allows students to answer quick polls in class.  Teachers can quickly develop polls, allowing modifications to lesson on the fly.

• Pro-Easy to set-up, instant assessment.  Can be used as a quiz or information gathering prior to a unit.
• Con-Requires the use of an electronic device.  Could lead to problems of cell phone usage in class.  Also may restrict the number of classrooms that can use this tool.

Typing Adventure-Online game used to teach typing technique.

•  Pro-Gives students a chance to practice proper typing technique outside of school.
• Con-Has no record if students are using technique or are "hunting and pecking" (like I do!)