Cool+Tools

You need to __**bring your own laptop**__ to the Institute with the latest version of Windows XP, Vista, 7, Linux, or Mac OS X. During the week long Institute you will be introduced to many new Cool Web Tools and will get a chance to use some of them. Make sure you have the latest version of QuickTime, Flash, Adobe Reader, Windows Media Player, [|Google Earth], and Real Player

During our Cool Tool Smackdown, we will introduce a series of cool tools for you to consider. After you decide which one you like, you can come to the longer session where you will go indepth with that tool.

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= Jessica =
 * Dabbleboard ** ([]) is an online collaboration application that’s centered around the whiteboard and can be used anyone that uses a real whiteboard. Dabbleboard makes drawing diagrams, jotting notes and sketches, and sharing that work easy online. Dabbleboard comes with a library of readily-available objects for piecing together charts, mind maps, diagrams, floor plans, photo annotation, etc. When you share your Dabbleboard work with someone via email, you can watch, real-time, as he or she makes changes to it.

"Glogster EDU is the leading global education platform for the creative expression of knowledge and skills in the classroom and beyond. We empower educators and students with the technology to create GLOGS - online multimedia posters - with text, photos, videos, graphics, sounds, drawings, data attachments and more." Please create an account beforehand, using the link above, if possible.. Example Glogs: My Overview Glog: [] http://jdorman.wikispaces.com/Glogster [] Tutorials: Glogster video tutorial: [] Glogster SlideShare tutorial: [] Glogster Educator Resource Library: And a great resource from our very own Kevin Hodgson! Thanks for sharing Kevin! [|Using Glogster]
 * Donna **
 * Glogster ** (@http://edu.glogster.com/)

Weebly for Educators: @http://education.weebly.com/ Weebly Tutorial Website: http://www.weeblytutorial.com/ Video Tutorial (older version, but still helpful): @http://www.misd.net/fig/weebly/weebly.html Video Tutorial: @http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEwZGAG5fR4 Adding a Video to Your Weebly Site: @http://free-websites.weebly.com/1/category/can%20you%20add%20video%20to%20weebly/1.html Example Websites:
 * Ann Marie **
 * Weebly ** is a free and easy-to-use tool for creating professional looking classroom websites and blogs. Select from many different design templates and tweak the header to make it your own. Weebly uses a drag and drop interface for editing. With a Weebly education account, teachers have the ability to create up to 40 student accounts providing students with the opportunity to easily create their own websites. As a teacher you can choose to make these websites public or private. Teachers and students can also create a blog and teachers can moderate student comments.
 * @http://www.infolibrarian.net/index.html
 * @http://filmasliteraturehhs.weebly.com/
 * @http://cnapolitano.weebly.com/
 * @http://www.discoverychilddevelopmentcenter.com/

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 * Kevin **
 * Prezi ** (@http://prezi.com/index/) is an alternative to Powerpoint that allows you to integrate words, images, video and more in a design canvas that creates "paths" for the viewer or presenter. The files can be embedded into websites or downloaded onto computers. In this session, we will be using a website resource that I created around Prezi:[| http://prezipresentation.yolasite.com/]

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 * Kathleen **
 * Wikispaces ** (www.wikispaces.com) is a collaborative space for teachers to use as a professional development space, student accounts, embed media to share and keep spaces secure

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A wiki is a web site that lets any visitor become a participant: you can create or edit the actual site contents without any special technical knowledge or tools. All you need is a computer with an Internet connection. A wiki is continuously “under revision.” It is a living collaboration whose purpose is the sharing of the creative process and product by many. One famous example is Wiki-pedia, an online encyclopedia with no “authors” but millions of contributors and editors. The word "wiki" comes from Hawaiian language, meaning "quick" or "fast."======


 * Denise **
 * Quia.com ** - Whereas I am more of a "language arts" teacher now, I have created multiple games as a supplemental activity connected with my lessons. You can view this site here: @http://www.quia.com/pages/salemi.html You can use this site for any content area and also share lessons with other teachers on-line. The kids love using it and I use it more as a reward. Please note that this site is subscription based and requires a fee after 30 days.

[|Teacher Web Page]
 * Diane **
 * Voki ** ([]) “Voki is a free service that allows you to create personalized speaking avatars and use them on your blog, profile, and in email messages.” In the next couple of months there will be an Voki Educator edition which will allow for teachers to sign up students.


 * Polly **
 * Animoto ** ([]) can help you bring animated presentation to pictures or videos. If interested in this session, come with a flash drive armed with 5 or so pictures or a video clip or two.

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 * Beth **
 * Readability ** (@http://lab.arc90.com/experiments/readability/) is a free tool that removes the “clutter” that surrounds many websites. It is quick and easy to install and every teacher that has seen it has given me a two thumbs up rating. **Natural Reader** (@http://www.naturalreaders.com/free_version.htm) is a tool that allows you to have digitized material read to you. It has a floating tool bar, allowing students to easily read articles online and one may change the voice and speed of reading, and magnify text. We will explore the free version of this tool. These free tools provide options that allow many students to become more independent learners. In addition websites that provide free digitized books will be shared as well as websites that are excellent resources in a variety of subject areas. The hands on portion of this workshop will take about 30 minutes. Additional time may be spent exploring additional resources or working on your projects.

**Joshua**
**Delicious** ( @http://www.delicious.com/ ) is an easy-to-learn social bookmarking tool that enables users to make their web bookmarks portable, sharable, searchable, and organizable. Our cool tools session will focus on two potential Web 2.0 uses of the tool: for students and teachers to organize, present, and publish sources in project-based learning, and for students and teachers to collaboratively build a pool of resources with commentary for group and ongoing research, projects, and general web-site gathering.

Need more? Check out these:

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[|Apple Remote Desktop] [|WordSift] [|Google Lit Trips] Glogster Twitter Zotero Jing Skitch xtranormal Voicethread

Make sure you have a wiki. Two options are at Wikispaces or PBWorksJulie Coiro has a collection of Cool Tools at the Technology in Literacy Education wiki.