Evaluating Web 2.0 Sites for School Use
VoiceThread is a web 2.0 tool that allows users to create a multimedia slide show that can contain images, documents, and/or videos. It can be shared with others. Its pretty cool that you can leave comments five different ways. Age appropriateness was given a four because my fourth graders can ask their parents or/and guardian for permission to use. The cost was given a two due to the expenses. Originally, I thought I had a free account through the Pennsylvania PAIU network, but I don’t. According to the rubric, I gave the user friendliness a three because it focused on the main page. After watching the tutorials and creating an example of my own, I still need time to learn how to make the web 2.0 tool useful for my students. My district and our IU 13 is pushing teachers to incorporate the web tool into our instruction. I plan on trying it out on my summer tutoring kids before I use this in my classroom.
Gloster Edu is an interactive visual program, which allows users to create a poster. A glog holds multimedia elements including: text, audio, video, images, graphics, drawings, and data. Under Glogster-Edu, I can create a group for my classroom under my account. It’s free as long as I keep my students under fifty students. If I need to add more students, it will cost me two dollars per student. To me, it seems that there was a lot of clutter on the main page. Even though I gave it a three, reading the clutter on what other teachers wrote about Gloster-EDu was insightful. It received another three in the category of higher-order learning. I think my students would push each other more in all higher-order thinking not the web tool. When my students would view each other’s work, the next time they may strive to use higher-order thinking skills. One thing that was not included in our rubric was how many options the kids have under each of the categories such as graphics, wall, and text. It was pretty simple adding an image, video, and sound. Another feature that I liked is that it will ask you to save or publish when you are leaving the site. Overall, I look forward to adding this to my lessons next year in fourth grade.
3. Animoto
This web 2.0 tool allows users to create incredible slideshow using photos, video clips, music, and more. It reminded me of iMovie. Many worthwhile companies are affiliated on the main page of Animoto. Since we were to view the web 2.0 tool for school use, it scored the lowest on the rubric that was provided. The tool scored a one for age appropriateness due to my students being under the age of thirteen. I can create and share it with my students, but they could not create their own slideshow. Under the educational account, I have six months of free use. After that time, I am able to renew my account but that seems silly to me. The main page is clutter free. There is no collaboration on this site, but you are able to share your slideshow to multiple sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. I do see myself using this web 2.0 tool for personal use such as a slideshow of my soon to be niece.
I emailed Animoto asking them if they could create a teacher account similar to Glogster-Edu. I asked if it would it be possible to create “room” or area for a classroom group so students could collaborate and share their work since my students are unable to share via Facebook due to age appropriateness.
Three Human Filters:
The three human filters that I choose all work in my school district. I am able to collaborate with them face to face, a tech request through our district portal, or email.
My first human filter that I choose is Dr. Joyce Good. She is my elementary technology coordinator. If I need anything, Joyce is always there to help. She is simple amazing. She takes the time to work with me. Her ability to share her ideas are incredible. I enjoy learning technology from her.
My second human filter would be the Director of Technology for Warwick School District, Mrs. Doreen Packer. Currently she is in charge of filtering all of the questionable emails that come across. Plus she oversees all elementary tech requests that come across the district portal. If Joyce is not available, Doreen would be next in line. She has a close connection to our elementary building since she used to teach elementary and her son is in my building.
Last but not least would be my building computer lab assistant. Deb Gochnauer is available most of the school day. She is able to assist us before and during school hours. If she is unable to answer my questions, she will discover the answer for me.
