Get Going!

I'm very excited to participate in 23 Mobile Things provided by the MN Multitype Libraries.  I hope to learn a few new tools and I'm ready to get this blog going.  This blog has been sitting dormant on the Internet for far too long.   I created it four years ago with the best intention of showcasing my favorite tools, but now it's time to finally get going!

Polldaddy

Glogster

You can use Glogster to create online multimedia posters.  Simply choose a background, throw in some shapes and characters from their galleries, add text, your own videos or photos and perhaps a pinch of music.  Since these are user-made works, you will want to advise your students on appropriate content.

http://karenjoy113.glogster.com/glog-9358/

ToonDoo

Drag and click to create your own comics.  Share and discuss comics with other people.  Students could use this retell a story or create their own political cartoon.  There are social networking abilities on this site, so students would need to remain focused on their projects.  Also, there really isn't a good way to make sure that all content is appropriate for school.  With guidance and an explanation of how to properly use this site, I think this tool could enhance learning.

By karenjoy113 | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

Using Wordle

Wordle is a tool for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text.  I can see students using this analyze words in their journal and essay writing.  It's also an interesting way to display vision statements or learning goals.

Creating Technology "Elevator Speeches"

How can we sculpt the large amounts of research and surveys into a usable form in order to advocate for technology integration in the schools?  Have a ready technology elevator speech ready in your mind or handy for a quick presentation.
 
Often, we only get about 5 minutes with administrators to share our ideas about the important relationship between technology and student learning. Discuss and discover current research and surveys demonstrating the need for technology integration in K-12 schools.   Here are some sources to help other advocate for technology integration in order to begin drafting their own elevator speeches.

Technology Elevator Speeches

View more presentations from Karen Bauer.