Content_Based_Technology_Tools

= Web 2.0 Tools =

Session Information
Many digital tools and technologies are well-matched to specific content areas that can help enhance the teaching, the learning process and improve student collaboration. This session provides an opportunity to see how various Web 2.0 tools can be leveraged to support students meeting their learning goals found in the NCSCOS (http://www.learnnc.org/scos/). Toward the end of the session, please be prepared to share your tools and brainstorm other ideas for using Web 2.0 tools in your classroom!

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Learning Goals
In this session, you will:
 * Collaboratively review the affordances of 5 different WEB 2.0 Tools and Resources
 * Create 3 - 5 instructional activities using a content specific tool and/or resources
 * This tool must utilize collaboration
 * It should also enhance inquiry/discovery-based learning
 * It may be used as a formative assessment as well

Tools Used
Wordle, Wikis, Google Docs/Templates/Forms/Spreadsheets, Applets, Screencasting

NOTE ABOUT COPYRIGHT
 * If you use any images, make sure you are following copyright by only using Creative Commons w/ attribution images. This is easily done with Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/. > You can also use Google "Advanced Image Search" : http://www.google.com/images.

I. Blogging (Wordpress)
Blogging is a great way to communicate with your students and parents. You can post the days lesson plans, include any relevant digital documents, embed videos, etc. Here is an example blog that I used in my own classroom. Note that the first entry is the last to be entered chronologically.

http://ca7science.wordpress.com/

II. Wikis (Wikispaces)
A wiki is a platform for teachers to create webpages that contain content and instructional projects for their students. One of the easiest wiki platforms to use is wikispaces.

Example Wikis: http://ca7science.wikispaces.com/ http://ca-7thgradeteam.wikispaces.com/Meeting+Notes http://wikipedia.com http://ca-discovery-civilrights.wikispaces.com/

Learning Goals

 * Observe and reflect upon a few example //Wikis//.
 * Sign up for Wikispaces and be able to make basic edits using the platform.
 * Reflect upon the ways in which a wiki could be used.

III. Wordle
//Wordle// (@http://www.wordle.net/) is a tool for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide (copy and paste). In effect, a word cloud is a visual representation of the word content of a website or another type of text. Wordle allows you to type in or paste any source text you would like.

In //Wordle//, the clouds that are created give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can also adjust your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. The images you create with //Wordle// are yours to use however you like. You can print them out, or save them to the //Wordle// gallery to share with friends, colleagues, and/or students.

Learning Goals

 * Observe and reflect upon a few example //Wordles//.
 * Plan and construct an effective learning experience associated with Wordle and the NCSCOS.

**Step 1: Getting to Know Wordle**
//Complete the following://
 * Go to Wordle.net (@http://www.wordle.net), read over the site, and review some of the //Wordles// created in the gallery on the site.
 * Practice using //Wordle// with a variety of texts.
 * Copy the text, and then click on the "**Create**" link and paste it into the text box provided. Once you have all of the words in the text box, click on **"Go**" and viola you have your first //Wordle//!
 * Note that at the top of your //Wordle//, you have links to tweak the font, layout, and color schemes if you decide to experiment. Once you have the design you like most, click on **"Save to Public Gallery"**, and you will have the opportunity to name your //Wordle//, create a user name, and provide a brief description of your creation.
 * More importantly, this also takes you to the screen where your //Wordle// has its own unique URL. From this page, you can open your //Wordle// in its own window, print it, and use the embed code provided at the bottom of the page to embed your //Wordle// on your own website, blog, wiki, etc. //**Save this URL** somewhere where you have access to it as the search function in Wordle is not extremely accurate or powerful.//
 * **//Wordle// is NOT searchable; therefore, make your copy and paste your URL to a Word document ASAP.**

**Step 2**: **Design an Instructional Activity Using //Wordle//**
Now that you have your first //Wordle//, create an instructional activity where your students can make some observations about the visual representation of text and conduct some analysis using //Wordle//. For example, how could you guide your students to discover:
 * The prominent words in a text.
 * What these prominent words suggest about the text.
 * Actual theme or themes you hope to engage students with as they read and study the text.

//Be prepared to://
 * Provide a brief description of an instructional activity you have designed using //Wordle// to enhance your students’ learning in your classroom.
 * Include NCSCOS (http://www.learnnc.org/scos/) learner objectives, sequence of instructional activity, related text, teacher actions, student actions, associated questions, anticipated informative assessment, or anything else necessary to illuminate the essence of the activity.

**Step 3:** **Post Brief Instructional Activity Description and URL Link/Embeddable Code**
When you are ready to post the URL/code and an overview of your instructional use of //Wordle//, (be sure to **specify the text** that is the word source for your //Wordle//), go to the Tool Showcase (see left navigation bar) and follow the directions found there.


 * ~ YES ||~ NO ||~ Does your assignment/activity meet the following criteria? ||
 * ||  || Provides a WORKING URL/Embeddable code. ||
 * ||  || Instructional activity overview is provided that integrates the tool into instructional activities. ||
 * ||  || Student learning objectives are clearly stated and are aligned to the NCSCOS. ||

=IV. Voki= Voki allows teachers and students to create personalized speaking avatars. This free Web 2.0 tool accepts text, as well as recordings using your built-in computer microphone and/or audio files. Voki provides several HTML code options for your finished avatar that can be embedded into most classroom wikis, websites or blogs.

** How can I use Voki? **

 * Short speaking assessment/directions for activity
 * Spice up a blog, web page, or wiki.
 * Communicate with students and parents outside of the classroom.
 * Practice writing and listening to speech.
 * Provide additional scaffolding for lessons.
 * Provide directions in Spanish (or other language) for ELL students.
 * Alternative assessment (e.g. Students can create an avatar that resembles a character from a story, add a setting and give it speech, etc.)

Learning Objectives

 * Sign up for and use Voki.
 * Design and construct an instructional activity for the effective use of Voki to support learner outcomes associated with the NCSCOS (http://www.learnnc.org/scos/)


 * Sign-up for Voki, go to @http://www.voki.com/
 * Register (top right).
 * Fill in the required information.
 * You need an email account to confirm your registration. An activation email will be sent to the email address used.

Customize your avatar:
 * Select type, change hair, eyes, and "BLING!"
 * Give it a voice, select gender and accent.
 * Choose a background.
 * Pick a player color.
 * Publish it to email or get the code to put it on a website, wiki or blog.

Step 2: Design an Instructional Activity Using Voki
Consider how to support and enhance students’ understanding of your content area while leveraging the power of Voki. //Be prepared to://
 * Provide a brief description of an instructional activity you have designed using Voki to enhance your students’ learning.
 * Include NCSCOS (http://www.learnnc.org/scos/), sequence of instructional activity, related text, teacher actions, student actions, associated questions, anticipated informative assessment or anything else necessary to illuminate the essence of the activity.

**Step 3:** **Post Instructional Activity Description and URL Link/Embeddable Code**
When you are ready to post the URL/code and an overview of your instructional use of Voki, go to the Tool Showcase (see left navigation bar) and follow the directions found there.

How you will be evaluated
Successful completion of this activity will be based on the Instructional Activity Rubric. Post to the wiki **by the end** of this session.


 * ~ YES ||~ NO ||~ Does your assignment/activity meet the following criteria? ||
 * ||  || Provides a WORKING URL/Embeddable code. ||
 * ||  || Instructional activity overview is provided that integrates the tool into instructional activities. ||
 * ||  || Student learning objectives are clearly stated and are aligned to the NCSCOS (http://www.learnnc.org/scos/). ||

V. Screencasting
Screencasting is a way to create short videos of your computer screen which include audio. http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/ is a free online tool for creating these videos. You or your students could create them.