Technology Splash is a quick look at my favorite Web 2.0 Tools for today's classroom. Each tool has links to either the webpage itself or to quick "how to" videos to introduce the tool. Let's "dive in" and explore some of these great tools for the 21st Century classroom.
Why use Web 2.0 Tools?
The use of Web 2.0 Tools to support instruction is vital. How we use these tools is going to make a critical difference in how we measure our students success and how they are supported to meet 21st century skill sets. As we talk about Web 2.0 tools, one point I want to stress is that we need to remember that it’s not about the specific tools themselves that we use with students, but why, and when the tool is needed. Ideally there also needs to be a culture within the school that values technology use in the classroom.
Web 2.0 tools allow us to offer dynamic tools that can be accessed using only a web browser or an app.
Using Web 2.0 tools will move your classroom into the 21st Century of digital skills. Students in this digital age thrive on collaboration and engagement which makes its use in the classroom an important learning tool.
The use of Web 2.0 Tools to support instruction is vital. How we use these tools is going to make a critical difference in how we measure our students success and how they are supported to meet 21st century skill sets. As we talk about Web 2.0 tools, one point I want to stress is that we need to remember that it’s not about the specific tools themselves that we use with students, but why, and when the tool is needed. Ideally there also needs to be a culture within the school that values technology use in the classroom.
Web 2.0 tools allow us to offer dynamic tools that can be accessed using only a web browser or an app.
Using Web 2.0 tools will move your classroom into the 21st Century of digital skills. Students in this digital age thrive on collaboration and engagement which makes its use in the classroom an important learning tool.
Examples of 20th Century Education
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21st Century Education
Select Methods, Media, and Materials to Inspire!
Presentation Tools
Office Sway
Sway is a presentation web app part of the Microsoft Office family of products. Sway allows users to combine text and media to create a presentable website.
Sway is a presentation web app part of the Microsoft Office family of products. Sway allows users to combine text and media to create a presentable website.
Powtoon
Simple presentation tool which allows you to animate difficult topics and engage your students using a wide variety of tools as an alternative to using Powerpoint. You can easily drag and drop characters and props into your slides and assign it an animation, choose from different pre-designed templates and style libraries.
Simple presentation tool which allows you to animate difficult topics and engage your students using a wide variety of tools as an alternative to using Powerpoint. You can easily drag and drop characters and props into your slides and assign it an animation, choose from different pre-designed templates and style libraries.
Emaze
An online presentation platform built on html5 technology. Non-linear presentation similar to Prezi.
An online presentation platform built on html5 technology. Non-linear presentation similar to Prezi.
Touchcast
Video and the web are coming together. TouchCast - a new medium that looks like video, but feels more like the web.
Video and the web are coming together. TouchCast - a new medium that looks like video, but feels more like the web.
authorSTREAM
A web-based PowerPoint presentation sharing Web 2.0 tool. Converts your PowerPoints to video.
A web-based PowerPoint presentation sharing Web 2.0 tool. Converts your PowerPoints to video.
Slidedog
A powerful presentation tool that seamlessly switches between multimedia presentation files.
A powerful presentation tool that seamlessly switches between multimedia presentation files.
Production Tools
Dropbox
File syncing software. Free version offers up to 16 GB. Provides a desktop client for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
File syncing software. Free version offers up to 16 GB. Provides a desktop client for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
- Introduction
- Others: Box and Jumpshare
Dropcanvas
What if sharing files was as easy as dropping them onto a black page and sending it off to a friend?
What if sharing files was as easy as dropping them onto a black page and sending it off to a friend?
Infograms
Data visualization is a popular new way of sharing research. Infographics can improve cognition by utilizing graphics to enhance the human visual system’s ability to see patterns and trends.
Easelly
Easel.ly is a great program, but lacks some of the guidance, and features, that come standard in other programs. If you’re just looking to design an infographic, this program will work well. If you want more variety, you’ll have to utilize one of the other programs in this list. Introdution
Easel.ly is a great program, but lacks some of the guidance, and features, that come standard in other programs. If you’re just looking to design an infographic, this program will work well. If you want more variety, you’ll have to utilize one of the other programs in this list. Introdution
Pictochart
Piktochart is one of the best looking programs on this list and is easy to use. All the information you need to get started is provided in their tour. Their intuitive user interface is where Piktochart truly excels. One of the coolest aspects of this program is that they show how versatile infographics are for different projects. Whether you’re creating for a classroom, office, website, or social media setting - Piktochart gives you the heads up on how to use infographics effectively. Introduction
Piktochart is one of the best looking programs on this list and is easy to use. All the information you need to get started is provided in their tour. Their intuitive user interface is where Piktochart truly excels. One of the coolest aspects of this program is that they show how versatile infographics are for different projects. Whether you’re creating for a classroom, office, website, or social media setting - Piktochart gives you the heads up on how to use infographics effectively. Introduction
Infogram
Infogr.am has got the best charts. For illustrating data, there are more than 30 different types of charts to choose from. Anything from bubble charts and tree maps to simple pie charts. Small selection of infographic templates. Introduction
Infogr.am has got the best charts. For illustrating data, there are more than 30 different types of charts to choose from. Anything from bubble charts and tree maps to simple pie charts. Small selection of infographic templates. Introduction
Viseme
Visme allows you to create interactive presentations, infographics and other engaging content. With tons of templates, and huge library of free shapes & icons to choose from, Visme has you creating awesome visual content right away.
Visme allows you to create interactive presentations, infographics and other engaging content. With tons of templates, and huge library of free shapes & icons to choose from, Visme has you creating awesome visual content right away.
Print Media/Web Page
Weebly
Website creator - start a site, blog or online store that works brilliantly across computers, phones and tablets.
Introduction
Website creator - start a site, blog or online store that works brilliantly across computers, phones and tablets.
Introduction
Canva
Create designs for Web or print: blog graphics, presentations, flyers, posters, invitations and so much more.
Create designs for Web or print: blog graphics, presentations, flyers, posters, invitations and so much more.
Big Huge Labs
Create and print personalized motivational posters, calendars, magazine covers, badges, mosaics, collages, etc.
Create and print personalized motivational posters, calendars, magazine covers, badges, mosaics, collages, etc.
Pixteller
Create amazing images, posters, social media covers, greeting cards, or any design you want in seconds.
Create amazing images, posters, social media covers, greeting cards, or any design you want in seconds.
Blended Classroom Tools
(See also Blended Learning Tools Page for More Options)
Blendspace
Blendspace allows educators to blend their classroom with digital content.
Blendspace allows educators to blend their classroom with digital content.
- Collect web resources in one place
- Measure student understanding
- Monitor student progress in real time
ThingLink
With ThingLink you create interactice images with notes and rich media links. Introduction
With ThingLink you create interactice images with notes and rich media links. Introduction
- Accounting Cycle Example
- Know Your Fractions Example
- Bloom's Digital - Web 2.0 Example
Collaboration/Interactive Lessons/Curation
Stoodle
A free, instant online classroom. Stoodle offers real-time collaboration on a virtual whiteboard.
A free, instant online classroom. Stoodle offers real-time collaboration on a virtual whiteboard.
Scoop.it
Allows you to create boards of curated content, share your thoughts, and connect with others. Part content curation tool, part social network.
Allows you to create boards of curated content, share your thoughts, and connect with others. Part content curation tool, part social network.
Plickers
Plickers is a powerful and simple tool that lets teachers collect real-time formative assessment data without the need for student devices.
Plickers is a powerful and simple tool that lets teachers collect real-time formative assessment data without the need for student devices.
CommentBubble
The best way to get customized feedback to video to simulate a live audience.
Introduction
Also try: GoSoapBox
The best way to get customized feedback to video to simulate a live audience.
Introduction
Also try: GoSoapBox
NearPod
Allows teachers to construct presentations using the Nearpod website and deliver instruction to students by pushing content out to multiple devices at once.
Allows teachers to construct presentations using the Nearpod website and deliver instruction to students by pushing content out to multiple devices at once.
ClassFlow
A cloud-based teaching software designed to make lesson preparation easier and lesson delivery more dynamic.
A cloud-based teaching software designed to make lesson preparation easier and lesson delivery more dynamic.
Backchanneling
TodaysMeet
A backchannel is a conversation that takes place alonside an activity or event. TodaysMeet is a good backchannel chat platform for classroom teachers and learners.
Video/Photo/Sound Editing
Pixlr
Cloud-based set of image tools and utilities, including a number of photo editors, a screen grabber browser extension, and a photo sharing service.
Cloud-based set of image tools and utilities, including a number of photo editors, a screen grabber browser extension, and a photo sharing service.
WeVideo
Leading online video creation platform for video editing, collaboration, and sharing across any device.
Leading online video creation platform for video editing, collaboration, and sharing across any device.
Writing/Publishing
Paper.li
An online service that “organizes links shared on Twitter into an easy to read newspaper-style format.”
Introduction
An online service that “organizes links shared on Twitter into an easy to read newspaper-style format.”
Introduction
Inkle
Writer provides a platform on which you can write "choose your own adventure" style stories.
Introduction
Writer provides a platform on which you can write "choose your own adventure" style stories.
Introduction
FlipSnack
FlipSnack is a flipbook software that lets you convert PDF documents into Flash page flip digital publications that you can embed into your website
FlipSnack is a flipbook software that lets you convert PDF documents into Flash page flip digital publications that you can embed into your website
Assessment/Activities
Kahoot
An easy to use, game-based, blended learning and classroom engagement tool (android App or web for ios).
Participant Access: kahoot.it
An easy to use, game-based, blended learning and classroom engagement tool (android App or web for ios).
Participant Access: kahoot.it
Quizizz
Quizizz is a new multiplayer quiz game where the whole class can practice together. The lively characters and graphics get students super-excited, and its compatible with tablets, chromebooks and mobile devices. They've got lots of great public quizzes, and you can create your own too.
Quizizz is a new multiplayer quiz game where the whole class can practice together. The lively characters and graphics get students super-excited, and its compatible with tablets, chromebooks and mobile devices. They've got lots of great public quizzes, and you can create your own too.
ExamTime
A personal learning environment that allows students and teachers to create, discover, and share learning resources (Mindmaps, Flashcards, Quizzes and Notes).
PINPOLL
Pinpoll is a free polling tool. Pinpoll is a great tool to boost user conversion! You can embed Pinpoll into newsletters and blogs to get an idea of what information readers still miss or want. A new tool to not only increase user engagement, yet also to collect feedback from readers with regards to the topics covered.
MapJam
Create custom, beautiful, personalized maps for your business, real estate, hotel, school, tourism, community, or event sites, directly from Weebly.com. Add map notes and pins to point to where the best parking is, where the nearest metro stop is, a nearby coffee place, or other key points of interest around your location. Publish your map on Weebly.com, and allow users to share it directly on social media, in email, or even in a text message.
A personal learning environment that allows students and teachers to create, discover, and share learning resources (Mindmaps, Flashcards, Quizzes and Notes).
PINPOLL
Pinpoll is a free polling tool. Pinpoll is a great tool to boost user conversion! You can embed Pinpoll into newsletters and blogs to get an idea of what information readers still miss or want. A new tool to not only increase user engagement, yet also to collect feedback from readers with regards to the topics covered.
MapJam
Create custom, beautiful, personalized maps for your business, real estate, hotel, school, tourism, community, or event sites, directly from Weebly.com. Add map notes and pins to point to where the best parking is, where the nearest metro stop is, a nearby coffee place, or other key points of interest around your location. Publish your map on Weebly.com, and allow users to share it directly on social media, in email, or even in a text message.
Flipquiz
Provides a quick way to create your own game show-style boards for test reviews in the classroom (Free classroom review jeopardy like game).
Provides a quick way to create your own game show-style boards for test reviews in the classroom (Free classroom review jeopardy like game).
Socrative
A smart student response system to engage classrooms through a series of education exercises and games via smartphones, laptops and tablets.
A smart student response system to engage classrooms through a series of education exercises and games via smartphones, laptops and tablets.
gknowledge
Gnowledge is a free-to-use education platform where everyone can create, publish, share and take tests, exercises and assignments.
Gnowledge is a free-to-use education platform where everyone can create, publish, share and take tests, exercises and assignments.
Fun and Helpful Teacher Tools
Planboard
An online tool designed to help educators simplify their planning. The site allows teachers to save and share calendars and schedules, making it easy to re-use these plans in the future. The best part is it aligns your lessons to the Common Core Standards.
An online tool designed to help educators simplify their planning. The site allows teachers to save and share calendars and schedules, making it easy to re-use these plans in the future. The best part is it aligns your lessons to the Common Core Standards.
Class DoJo
ClassDojo is a behaviour management tool for the classroom. Each student has a profile – complete with their own avatar – to which teachers can assign positive and negative points (or 'dojos') throughout the lesson.
ClassDojo is a behaviour management tool for the classroom. Each student has a profile – complete with their own avatar – to which teachers can assign positive and negative points (or 'dojos') throughout the lesson.
Zunal
Website that aids in creation of WebQuests, allowing students to discover information on their own.
Introduction
Website that aids in creation of WebQuests, allowing students to discover information on their own.
Introduction
Screencast-O-Matic
A web-based tool that lets you create screencasts without installing any software.
Introduction
A web-based tool that lets you create screencasts without installing any software.
Introduction
Zamzar
Free online file converter. It allows user to convert files without downloading a software tool, and supports over 1,000 different conversion types.
Free online file converter. It allows user to convert files without downloading a software tool, and supports over 1,000 different conversion types.
KeepVid
Easily download videos from YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, Dailymotion and many more.
Easily download videos from YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, Dailymotion and many more.
Autotracer s a free online image vectorizer. It can convert raster images like JPEGs, GIFs and PNGs to scalable vector graphics (EPS, SVG, AI and PDF). No registration or email required.
ClipGrab
ClipGrab is a free downloader and converter for YouTube, Vimeo, Metacafe, Dailymotion and many other online video sites.
It converts downloaded videos to MPEG4, MP3 or other formats in just one easy step.
ClipGrab is a free downloader and converter for YouTube, Vimeo, Metacafe, Dailymotion and many other online video sites.
It converts downloaded videos to MPEG4, MP3 or other formats in just one easy step.
TeamViewer
Software package for remote control, desktop sharing, online meetings, web conferencing and file transfer between computers.
Introduction
Software package for remote control, desktop sharing, online meetings, web conferencing and file transfer between computers.
Introduction
Chogger
A simple, but fun comic creation tool. Allows users to import their own pictures.
Introduction
A simple, but fun comic creation tool. Allows users to import their own pictures.
Introduction
Tubechop
Allows you to easily chop a funny or interesting section from any YouTube video.
Introduction
Allows you to easily chop a funny or interesting section from any YouTube video.
Introduction
Doodle
An online scheduling tool that can be used quickly and easily to find a date and time to meet with multiple people.
Introduction
An online scheduling tool that can be used quickly and easily to find a date and time to meet with multiple people.
Introduction
avachara
A very simple and easy Avatar creator.
A very simple and easy Avatar creator.
iTALC (Intelligent Teaching and Learning with Computers)
iTALC is a useful and powerful Classroom management tool for teachers. It replaces LanSchool or NetOp. It lets you view and control other computers in your network in several ways. It supports Linux and Windows XP, Vista and 7 and it even can be used transparently in mixed environments!
iTALC is a useful and powerful Classroom management tool for teachers. It replaces LanSchool or NetOp. It lets you view and control other computers in your network in several ways. It supports Linux and Windows XP, Vista and 7 and it even can be used transparently in mixed environments!