Web 2.0 Project Ideas

This little book is truly "amazing".  An educator named, Terry Freedman published it as a free pdf file.  It is simply written and easy to understand and offers project ideas for using Web 2.0 in our K-12 schools.  You may be unfamiliar with some of the applications discussed but don't be discouraged by that.

Spelling City

The makers of Spelling City call it the ultimate online spelling program.  After checking it out I believe them.  Students can access Spelling City at school or at home.  After taking the online spelling test, students can print out a report, retake the entire test, or get tested only on the spelling words they missed the first time.  Teachers enter spelling words to create custom lists  to fit curriculum requirements.  These lists are used in more that just test taking.  Ten games are available to play online or to print.  A real person's voice reads the words and sentences to the student taking the test.  The test is scored and recorded.  Cost for their annual premium membership is $50 for 30 students.  At the time of this posting, the game samples for Spelling City were being blocked by our school filter.  This will be corrected during the next school day.  When you try out a demo, you can pick a spelling list from Edina Public School's 3rd, 4th or 5th grade.

KidBlog

If you have been wondering how teachers use blogging with their elementary students or have been doubtful about it working at all, this is the site with answers.  KIDBLOG.org is free, safe and simple to use for both teachers and students. A third grade teacher, Mr. Hardy, from Cedar Ridge Elementary in Minnesota, created KIDBLOG and uses it every week with his third graders.  I am currently at different stages of implimention of KIDBLOG with three teachers at FLES.  You will be hearing more about this as we get further along.  How does it work in Mr. Hardy's class?

Where You Can Stick It

This free application is easy to use, can save you time and help you become better organized. It's all about digital sticky notes that you post to a digital sticky board. Used as a collaborative tool, it allows you to share your board with others.PLC groups and other committees might find Postica easier than using email as way to share and manage information. Individual teachers could use Postica sticky notes to organize their daily lessons by including links to documents, movies or Internet sites. School principals and office secretaries might find creative uses for Postica, also.