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Web 2.0 Tools A-P

BACKCHANNELING
5 Ways to Use Twitter to Avoid a Backchannel Disaster- from Mashable.com

7 Things You Should Know About Backchannel Communication

9 Tips for Enriching Your Presentations with Social Media- from Mashable.com

10 Observations About Backchanneling- written by David Warlick, an educator with the popular blog, 2 Cents Worth.

10 Reasons to Try Backchannel Chat

Back Noise - works with web browsers and iPhone, iPod and iPad

Backchannel in Education-Nine Uses- written by Dr. Derek Bruff, who has an interest in teaching with clickers (his blog is all about this)

Backchannel Discussion- LiveBinder

Backchanneling in Grade 1- first grade teacher's blog post includes the video below:

Backchanneling in Middle School Social Studies

Backchanneling with Elementary School Students- written by educator Silvia Tolisano, whose Langwitches blog very popular

BackNoise- create conversations on the fly

Cacoo- collaborate on online diagrams

Chatzy-have your own private chat room simply by inviting people and giving them the URL

Donut Chat- filter words, manage many rooms and embed in your web site

Edmodo- classes can have their own micro blogging network; students can communicate in real time, teachers can post assignments, questions for discussion

Google Wave-invite people into a conversation, post any links you might have, see text in real time and use many gadgets Google has.

HootCourse-  take your class conversation online

Installing a Backchannel in My Classroom This Week- from Cool Cat Teacher Vicki Davis

Joint- group chat for Twitter (my school blocks Twitter, so this one is out for us..)

Kicking it Up a Notch: Back-channels in the Classroom- from K12 Online Conference

MeetingWords- real time collaborative text collaboration

MicroMobs- "name your mob" and "create your mob"; easily create your group discussion and share info, images, links etc.

Neat Chat- very easy site to use; simply enter the nickname and click "start group"; then email URL to people you want to invite.

Notaland- online collaboration

PinDax- take notes, upload images and chat in real-time; click here to see demo

Present.ly- allows you to create a private micro-blogging network if you have the same email domain; collaborate in real time

ScribblarMulti-user whiteboard, live audio,image collaboration, text-chat and more:

Skrbl- interactive whiteboard allows you to chat, draw, write text in one spot

Today's Meet- create your room and collaborate in real time

Twiddla- online meetings; some accounts $$, one is free with limitations
Using Backchannels in the classroom
What is the Backchannel? 


BOOKMARKING ONLINE

Aboogy- Personal bookmarks combined with your choice of search engines presented in clean and simple layout

Bookmark Commando- access bookmarks from anywhere in the world; reports if links are no longer valid

Del.icio.us- social bookmarking

Diigo- allows you to bookmark and more

Evernote- does much more than just bookmarking; one of my personal favorites for organizing my life

Google Bookmarks

Historious- one-click save

iKeepBookmarks- allows you to create folders of your bookmarks; set up a page for your school with your bookmarks; see sample here

LiveBinder It- every time you find a link you want to save, instead of clicking on 'favorites' you can click on 'LiveBinder it' and save directly to an existing or new binder.

MyBookmarks- access bookmarks from anywhere

My Home Page- looks like Only2Clicks, with thumbnails of your bookmarks displayed

Only2Clicks- thumbnails serve to identify sites; organize by tabs

Pinterest- online pinboard combines personal bookmarks and more

Quick Bookmarks

SiteJot- simple online bookmark manager

StumbleUpon- bookmark your favorite sites or have StumbleUpon find new sites for you based on your preferences

Symbaloo- like Only2Clicks, this is a visual bookmarking tool

Yahoo Bookmarks- access from anyplace in the world

Xmarks- works with IE, Chrome, Firefox and Safari browsers; syncs your bookmarks

Zootool- visual bookmarking


 
COLLECTING INFORMATION
BagTheWeb
- create bags "to collect, publish, and share any content from the Web."

CintaNotes- free personal notes manager; Windows only

Evernote-save urls, grab a screenshot and more; works with smartphones and iPad.
Inslices- collect articles, web sites, videos etc. and share with others

Listhings-sticky notes online

Only2Clicks- organize your sites with various tabs, (like folders) and thumbnails

Scoop.it- create a topic and Scoop.it will proceed to find you links on the Internet which are related to your topic
Spaaze- collect and organize web sites, videos etc. in one location, a giant cork-board.

Springpad- save information on your computer and it will sync with your mobile device (Android or iPhone)

Zotero- "free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share your research sources. It lives right where you do your work—in the web browser itself."



CONCEPT MAPS (MIND MAPS)
Biggerplate- choose from a collection of mind maps for education


Bubbl.us-brainstorm and mind map online

Classroom Assessment Technique: Concept Maps- video from the Center Instructional Innovation and Assessment

Classroom Assessment Techniques: Concept Mapping- Michael Zielik shows how concept maps have helped him assess his students' understanding of the subject matter in his course.

Concept Mapping- from the Center for Teaching and Learning

Concept Maps: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words- from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Connected Mind- use with Google Chrome browser

Creaza Education- mind mapping tool is one of the tools available

Dabbleboard- interactive whiteboard

Diagrammr- very simple user interface

Edistorm- free and $$ plans; online brainstorming

Edraw Soft- "build, save, share and print arbitrary mind maps absolutely free"; download required

Exploratree- offers many "thinking guides" which you can use for creating your mind map

FolderBoy-"record ideas, collaborate on tasks and unscramble your workflow"

Free Resources for Thinking Maps

Gliffy-create flowcharts, diagrams, floor plans, technical drawings


HeadCase-import text from MS Office documents;Windows only

How to Convert Text to a Mind Map

iBrainstorm- app for the iPhone and iPad; share, use free form drawing


Inkflow- free and paid versions for the iPad


Knowcase- collaborative lists, save ideas, notes, to-dos

MAPMYself- free plan offers only 2 online maps per account

Mind42- browser-based online mind mapping

Mindmeister-mind mapping and brainstorming; available for iPhone and Android

Mindomo-collaborate-organize-share

Pinball

Poplet- "simple, smart, fun"

Quicklyst-create outlines; instant access to the Webster-Merriam dictionary, integrates with iPhone, Android and Kindle 

Realtime Board- (beta) share publicly or privately; works with Google Drive

Slatebox- create collaborative mind maps and organizational charts

SlickPlan- free flowcharts

Spiderscribe-online mind mapping and brainstorming; connects notes, files, events; PC World choice


Thinklinkr-create and share outlines

WiseMapping- create mind maps




CREATE COMICS AND ANIMATION
Aniboom-virtual animation studio


Animasher- create an animation

Animoto for Education- unlimited videos for you and your students

Be Funky- change a photo into a cartoon; other cool effects

Bubblr- create a comic strip with Flickr photos


Cartoonist- from Creaza's suite of tools

Chogger- comic can be 3-12+ frames; draw your own picture or take a live picture to use

Comicbrush- use your own drawing or photo, their library of characters, backgrounds and balloons, then add your own text.

Comic Master- create an online graphic novel

Funny Times Cartoon Playground- choose body parts to create the characters for your cartoon

GoAnimate- create animated cartoon with their backgrounds, characters, voices and effects; free version is limited to 2 minutes. Here is the link for GoAnimate for Schools.

Hero Machine- create the hero of your dreams


Kerpoof!- for younger kids

Make Beliefs Comix-dialogue can be written in English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Portuguese and Spanish; edit size of balloons, characters.

My ComicStrip

Pixton- $$, works on Mac, Windows or Linux computers; just add characters to the layout of choice and add text.

ReadWriteThink Comic Creator- for younger kids
Sketch Star- create an animation

Stage'd- digital toy for creating comics

Strip Generator-choose how many frames you want and create a black and white comic.

Super Action Comic Maker- create a 6-frame comic

Super Hero Squad- create a 1-3 frame comic with a choice of background, characters and special effects.

ToonDoo- "just a few clicks, drag and drops..."

Witty Comics-use background templates, add characters and text.

Write Comics-registration is not needed; choose a background, characters and add your own text.

Xtranormal for Education- special pricing for schools




EDMODO
7 Brilliant Ways to Use Edmodo That Will Blow.Your. Mind.- from Edmodo's site

7 Steps on How to Use the New Edmodo- videos were posted in July 2013

10 Reasons Why Edmodo is an Excellent (and Hugely Popular) Digital Learning Platform

15 Things You Can Do With Edmodo and How to Get Started- from Richard Byrne's Free Technology For Teachers

Android App for Edmodo

Class Charts is Now Available as a Free Edmodo App- chart behavior and classroom seating in this app

Edmodo Cheat Sheet- PDF file from 2010

Edmodo Digital Citizenship Poster- available in English, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Portugese and Spanish; different sizes and color or black and white

Edmodo: Extending Learning Beyond the Classroom- Livebinder

Edmodo in the Classroom

Edmodo Free Training Videos

Edmodo Infographic

Edmodo Support Page- ask a question and hopefully you will find the answer here; official Edmodo site

The Edmodo Teacher Guide- very complete 50-page PDF file

Edmodo's Official Blog- get the latest news and updates

Everything Edmodo: Symbaloo Page- links other programs and sites with Edmodo

Getting to Know Edmodo- scavenger hunt

A Handy Guide to Everything Teachers Need to Know About Edmodo

iPhone App for Edmodo

My Flipped Math class and Edmodo

Now You Can Add Educlipper to EdmodoEduclipper is the educator's Pinterest

Share ThingLink Images in Edmodo- interactive imags

Why You Should Give Edmodo a Try

FACEBOOK

20 Reasons You Should Be Using Facebook in Your Classroom

Creating a Facebook Page for Your School- written by Brad Flickinger

Facebook Guidelines- Papillion-La Vista School District

Facebook4Education Wiki- started by Michael Zimmer

Facebook in Education- Facebook's official page

Facebook Profile Template- created by Suzanne Witlow, this is a Word document

Facebook Strategies For the Classroom
Facebook Templates- choose from a list of six, including a page for JFK

Historical Figure Facebook Project- students will create a Facebook page for a historical figure; lesson plan and instructions are here.

How to Use Facebook: Video Series- eHow;  video tutorials

Tips for Teachers on Facebook- keep students from seeing things your friend are allowed to see

Using Facebook to Teach- history teacher Sara Romeyn talks about using Facebook in her classroom:

 IMAGE CONVERSION PROGRAMS

Convert My Image- supports the following:
  • PNG - Portable Network Graphic
  • JPG or JPEG
  • GIF - Graphics Interchange Format
  • TIF or TIFF - Tagged Image File Format
  • BMP - Bitmap
  • RPG
  • XPM - X Pixmap
  • PIC - PICtor
  • PDF - Adobe PDF (Portable Document Format)
  • EPS - Encapsulated PostScript
  • PS - Adobe Photoshop
IMVERTER

YouConvertIt- the list is too long to put here, but this site offers file conversions of all types; web-based program allows up to 300MB file.

Zamzar- another very long list of file conversions available (files up to 100MB)


PHOTO EDITING PROGRAMS
Amazifier
- online photo retouching, effects, stamps and seals; free


Animoto- upload your photos, video and music and Animoto makes it into a slick video. Free for 30 second videos; educational prices available for longer video.

Aviary- online photo editing plus much more

Canva Photo Editor- free online photo editor

Cellsea- draw on images,rotate, resize, fix brightness, special effects including distorting

Citrify-edit photos online using a Flash-based program

CleVR- online photo stitching software; make panoramas

Dr. Pic- basic online photo editing

FlauntR- add effects, blend world famous painting with yours, add fancy fonts and backgrounds

Fotobabble- add your voice to photos; student projects will come to life

FotoFlexer- fonts, effects, doodling, layers, retouching, distortions and advanced effects

Hornil StylePix- download the freeware and use the many editing functions 

ImageChef- customize photos and clip art

iPiccy- edit pictures with paint, text and many tools

Lunapic- supports many image and video types; 200+ effects including reflecting animation, retro color

Pixa-social photo sharing service

Panraven- online editing for photos plus lots of cool stuff

Photoscape- download for Windows only; batch editing, clone stamp, create animated GIFs

Photoshop.com- online version of the popular graphics program

Photovisi- create photo collages

Picasa- Google's photo editing; download for Windows or Mac

Picnik- cool online editor owned by Google

Pixer.us- basic online photo editing

Pixlr- online photo editing

ResizR- easy online image resize

Shape Collage- free automatic photo collage maker

Snipshot- basic adjustments are free; pro account required for most other effects

Splashup- multiple image editing, pixel-level control, and basic Photoshop-like tools. Try Splashup Light if you are a photographer and want more control. (download necessary)

SumoPaint- online interface resembles Photoshop; filters, effects, photo editing, drawing, cloning. blurring and more

Windows Live Photo Gallery- face recognition and retouching; for Windows only

Zoner Photo Studio- view, edit, manage photos; download for Windows only

PODCASTING TOOLS
Audacity- free cross-platform sound editor
Blubrry- podcast community and directory; hosting
Evoca- create and share digital voice recordings
Gabcast- record and post to your blog or website
MyPodcast.com- free podcast hosting and directory
PodBean-"407,908 PODCASTERS, 1,880,627 EPISODES, 178,593,437 DOWNLOADS AS OF TODAY."
Podomatic- create or listen to podcasts

Wavosaur Free Audio Editor

PODCASTING MICROPHONES (USB)



1. Audio-Technica AT2020- with a list price of $225.00, this cardioid mic picks up sound from in front and limits the sounds from the sides and rear. It's currently on Amazon.com for $169.00 with free shipping.










2. Blue Microphones: YETI- this retro-looking microphone offers multiple pattern selection:  cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional & stereo. It can be used in any situation, including podcasting, 
It's currently on Amazon.com for $84.95 with free shipping. (It is a #1 Best Seller on their site)









3. CAD Audio U37- studio-quality mic for vocals, instruments and podcasts. This is a cardioid mic which limits side and back sounds, concentrating on the sound from in front of the mic. The USB cable is 10 feet long. It's currently on Amazon.com for $43.03 with free shipping.











4. Rode NT-USB- package includes a pop shield, tripod desk stand, ring mount,
and storage pouch. Currently, this low-noise condenser mic has a 5-star rating (59 reviews) on Amazon.com where it is $169.00 with free shipping.













5. Zoom H2n- this mic runs on (2) AA batteries, 
Mid-Side (MS) stereo, 90° X/Y stereo, and both 2-channel and 4-channel surround. Comes with a 2GB SD card. Currently available on Amazon.com for $159.99 with free shipping.









PRESENTATION PROGRAMS

280 Slides- Beta ended on this program in December 2011; nice, simple interface

Ease- part of GNOME desktop


Google Docs Presentation- not my favorite, but it does the job 

KOffice- online open source software includes KPresenter; works on Windows, Mac and Linux.

Kizoa- free slideshow and collage maker


Libre Office Impress-the presentation part of this free office suite

NeoOffice- made for Mac computers; includes a  presentation module; download required; also available for Android smartphones.

Powtoon- "bringing awesomeness to your presentations"; use their cartoon characters to make a great presentation for you

Prezi- "make your presentations zoom"

PreZentit- "Create, share and show your presentations online"

Sliderocket- my students love the program for its ease; teachers love it because students can't lose their work because it resides on their site

ThinkFree- office suite like MS office