Tool #5: Producing with Web 2.0 Tools

Tool #5: Producing with Web 2.0 Tools

I created a biology wordle to use as a set for the first day of school. The students can ask questions about the different topics in the wordle that we will learn that year. Students can use http://www.makebeliefscomix.com to create a visual for studying vocabulary terms or concepts.  Here is an example.  Students could also use wordle as they review for a test.

Tool #4: Moving Up to the Clouds

Tool #4: Moving Up to the Clouds

1. I created a document with information on apps in biology and shared it with others to view and edit.
2. I created a multiple choice form for others to answer related to the 11 tools.
3. Students can send homework assignments via google docs. During the school year, a teacher could survey the kids for information for a variety of purposes.

Tool #3: Finding Online Video and Image Resources

Tool #3:  Finding Online Video and Image Resources

1. I found that YouTube, PBS, and Discovery Education have some useful biology materials that I already use in my classroom.  YouTube is easy to embed into a blog.  
2. I added a video clip on natural selection research.  This is relevant to what my students are studying right now.  Here is a link to an interesting video clip on whales from the PBS site.
3. Educators are protected as long as they publish to a secure location and are using the materials for educational (nonprofit) purposes.  Teachers cannot publish copyrighted material to a class website, which is open to the public.  It must be password protected.  Copyrighted materials can be used for instructional purposes.
4. Dropbox allows users to access files from IPads, Iphones, and home computers, which is useful when you need frequent access to work files for lessons.  Both Dropbox and GoogleDocs are locations where students can leave assignments and view important class documents. 

Tool #1: Getting Started - Creating a Blog

Getting started was the hardest part. Setting up my blog was easy. The videos on the 11 tools website were helpful. Creating the avatar, which resembles our dog Bisou, was fun and easy also. I didn't realize before this that you can use avatars from Voki without creating an account.