BP16_20091121_Media_Asset2

BP15_20091121_Peer_Review3_Comic Strip Creator

BP14_2009113_Web 2.0 Tool_Comic Strip Creator

I have spent countless hours scouring the Internet for Web 2.0 tools.The Emergent Technologies in a Collaborative Culture (ETC) course requires researching and blogging about Web 2.0 tools but my motivation for locating excellent tools goes beyond the requirements of this course. My Action Research project draws upon Web 2.0 tools and the introduction of several of them to my students. Additionally, having extra tools in the teacher’s toolkit is a good thing. I have had a lot of fun researching, experimenting with and evaluating these tools.

I have always been intrigued by comic books. Growing up, my older brothers had quite the collection of Superman, Batman and the Archies. I wanted to find some type of a comic strip layout tool I could introduce to my classes. I teach Video Graphics and I am looking for small interesting projects that include a writing component. A short comic strip about school life just might be something the students are interested in.

In researching the Web I found several different comic strip tools. Most were not free so that caused me to move in another direction. I did find one that I think meets the needs of this particular project. It is called Comic Strip Creator. It is available as a free download but works only with Windows. Since there is only one Mac computer in my entire school (a loaner from Apple), this will not be a problem. After downloading the program I could not get it to work. I sent the company an email and they responded the next day saying I needed to “turn off” any anti virus software installed on the computer. It installed like a dream after I did this.

Comic Strip Creator is great. I laid out this comic strip in about 3 minutes. In addition to downloading the program, there is also a download for clip art and backgrounds. I used both of them in this example. And finally, a word to the wise… be careful when searching for the site. The correct url is listed below. Changing the .org to .com may “strip” you of all rights as a teacher!

http://www.comicstripcreator.org/

BP14_20091121_Peer_Review2_Media_Asset_Wordle

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2009

BP16_2009113_Reflective Media Asset_Wordle

BP13_20091121_Peer_Review1_ClassTools.net

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2009

BP14_2009113_ClassTools.net_Media_Asset2

www.ClassTools.net

BP12_20091121_E-Learning_For_Kids

E-Learning for Kids is the best hands down Web 2.0 too that I have encounter. It is designed for teachers, parents and everyone. E-learning for kids is a free online learning resource for kids.

Courses at E-Learning for Kids offer curses that cover curriculum areas like:

Ø Math- skills: Allows students to master measurement, counting, estimating, factors, multiples, fractions, length, area, angles, averages, number sense, money, and sequence and patterns.

Ø Language Arts: Allows students to master letters, words, compound words, opposites, phonics (beginning sounds, digraphs), and story comprehension.

Ø Science: Have courses on plants, photosynthesis, animals, earth, living things, animal homes, and fossils.

Ø Computer / Technology: Has courses on Google search skills and keyboarding skills

Ø Health and Life Skills: has so many to choose from, including body systems, teeth, sickness, and more.

Ø English Language: offer courses on sentence structure, question and answer, story structure, and characters.

Within each category there are lots of games and courses available across age levels. All of the courses are directive and interactive, allowing the students to interact with the computer characters.

BP11_20091121_KerPoof

KerPoof is another cool Web 2.0 tool; it is free online multimedia software that allows students to explore their creativity by drawing, making animated movies, writing and illustrating stories, producing pictures and cards. The software is easy to use, giving students even those who aren’t proficient in art or technology an opportunity to produce and share successful artwork quickly and without frustration.

KerPoof’s library has lots and lots of amazing stuff, the images are interesting and varied, and the themes go well beyond the scope of pirates and fairy gardens. The color palettes vary from bold to subtle, and the tools that invite students to consider and adjust an object’s perspective is among the attributes that makes this website an awesome tool for learning.

KerPoof allows students to save their creations to a gallery and accumulate Koins (KerPoof’s virtual currency). A paid membership offers access to additional features including groups, the chat feature, shopping, and additional characters and avatar accessories. The site also offers teacher resources and ideas for utilizing the multimedia software in the classroom.

BP10_20091121_YackPack

YackPack is an awesome Web 2.0 Tool that can quickly improve educational communication. You can motivate students, give quality feedback and communicate clearly with students, parents and administrators. YackPack is very simple and easy to use, it allows students and teachers to focus on content and not be distracted with what’s going on. YackPack is private and secure, its safe from outsiders.

Once you create a YackPack for your class, you can grade student work, and give them quality feedback about their work and their grade.

You can give assignments, offer encouragement on assignments, discuss topics as a class, and answer questions from students. If other teachers in your school have YackPack you can collaborate with other classrooms.

I broadcast some of my lessons. Thru YackPack my students have the opportunity to send back individual messages, assignments to me, as well as to other students.

My younger students find it easier to speak than to type their stories and YackPack has made that easy for them.

YackPack is a powerful and expressive mode of communication. Students who have problems with reading or typing can still participate in a rich way; they express their feelings and what they are learning by actively talking thru the sessions.