Your Web-based Technologies

[Tod Baker]

In addition to the collaborative technologies discussed in my recent blog post, I also use a handful of other Web-based technologies such as Twitter (personal learning network), BaseCamp (project management and collaboration), Skype (voice and video conferencing), and a handful of digital storytelling tools, thanks to Alan Levine's 50 Web2.0 Ways to Tell a Story.

Which technologies are you using during your Exhibition?

[Vicky Gammon]

Hi Tod

I can't quite get over the 'over 13' rule for Ning (the support team said they were considering doing something about this) so we're probably going to try and run with a wiki on Wikispaces. They can offer free private wikis to K-12 educators. I set up a wiki for NIS teachers in a spurt of enthusiam on WetPaint after the Learning 2.0 conference, only for Wetpaint to get blocked in China. This is quite a concern for us here using web-based tools. We are only just trialling wiki use in our current unit so we don't know how it will go yet. I certainly like the ability to use the history tool to see who is writing what.

We have a VLE at school, (Studywiz) and it can provide some useful tools - a gallery where students can upload and share photos, files etc, and hopefully soon a blog tool. The advantage of the VLE is it is in-house and not subject to censorship. It is also completely safe for kids to use.

We tried using panoramio in a unit earlier this year when we did a three day field trip. Students tagged their photos to Google Earth using panoramio but it wasn't entirely successful. If we could iron out the glitches I think this would be a great resource.

[Peter Westall]

As to the "over 13" rule can one not be more creative?
Why not set up the education network and not have student ages present in the profiles?
COPPA regulations apply for the US but are they strictly enforceable in an international context?
Application to the Ning network will get removal of advertisements.

Within the context of your school do you always have to be EXACT in the details you present or do you keep within the "spirit" of things?

Finally, should you go along such a path, remember to thank the organisers for their assistance as it makes it easier for the next person.......

[Peter Westall]

I am using QUIZLET as a spelling tool. Students are creating word lists with definitions and they then learn the words, type them and can eventually have a test.
Where this is successful is that students have a self-regulated program and I have found that they are sharing lists with each other; going to other lists and learning them as well as doing more than what is required. The learning is better than what I had anticipated and the efforts better than what I could generate.

Two tips: Set up a group and make sure that the group is allowed to edit the list.
Select the option that keeps the lists private for the group only.
(We had a person come in who was "suspect" but which was handled excellently by the student involved, I am pleased to say.)

[Noah]

Tod,

We are experimenting with a number of free web based applications this year. Edmodo which is described as a Twitter for education is being used as the principle channel of communication between group members and between groups and myself. Its proven to be secure, effective and very popular with the children
We are also using PB Works as each groups principle workspace. Like Edmodo the kids have taken to it quickly. The application offers Wiki functionality and file storage.
The groups are also having fun with Glogster as a front page portal for PB Works (its very simple to embed).
Noah

[Tod Baker]

Hi Noah,

Thanks for turning me on to Edmodo and PB Works. I'm going to look into those further.

So which is the landing page -- PB Works or Glogster? I would like to see how you are using these three together. Do you have an account I could look at?

Best,

Tod