BrainFlips is a web tool that allows students and teachers to create effective flashcards for all ages and academic levels. The web tool offers great features for the multimedia flashcards as well as the ability to create study groups ,wiki flashcards and allows students to share their cards with other students and classmates. Students can register for free and create flashcards on any topic while making the learning process active and engaging. The cards can include images, text, audio and video. The website offers a step-by-step tour for students so that they can see how to use the site. There are 3 different practice modes after creating a deck of cards or using someone else’s. Students can use the instruction mode, where they practice memorizing the cards side by side. The traditional mode shows the question side and has the answer hidden on the other side. The response mode has students go further, by having them type in their answer to the card or select the multiple choice answer. After each mode, the site keeps track of how many cards the student viewed and how many cards they got correct. Students can then use their scores as a source of immediate feedback to gage how well they know their material. The fact that students can access public decks from other students registered to the site allows them to share and collaborate. The wiki decks can also be seen and edited by any registered users. Students can also join a study group or create their own group.
ZOPLER is a web tool that enables students and teachers to engage in collaborative story-telling. It is a free site where students can easily collaborate and write stories together as a group. Each person can access the story from their own account and can add in paragraphs or parts of the story. Students can also add in text in between paragraphs (not just at the end) that other students have written. Students are able to share their stories, thoughts and creativity with not only their classmates, but users all over the internet. Users can work together to help each other and create stories. Students can also upload pictures and illustrations for the paragraphs that they have written. There is no limit to the number of stories one can create, or help write. I think is a great way for students to work on creative writing because there are endless possible topics. Teachers may want to make student’s stories private or limit their audience so that there are no inappropriate comments from outside sources. However, the website gives students the opportunity to work with a variety of other “writers” and let their story be heard by people all over the web.
aMap- use for critical thinking, debates,
Students can practice their debate and research skills by
creating or responding to arguments on the site. The students can create their
own argument by stating a question followed by their position, and evidence for
their position. The web tool allows students to map out complex arguments in a
visual format. I like the fact that the site is interactive. The site gets
students thinking and can be used for lessons on critical thinking, philosophy
and general debates. aMaps is based on “informal logic” or the logic people use
to argue in everyday life. Students can present their position on any topic.
For instance maybe during social studies a student says that one presidential
candidate is the better choice. He would then take his position stating what he
believes, and follow it up with reasons to support his position. He would also
contribute supporting arguments that back up his “propositions” and post his
supporting evidence to back up those arguments. Students can practice their
research skills when looking up supporting evidence for their positions. They
will also be working on their analytic and verbal communication skills when
practicing their position or debating. Students can sign up for the website and
add onto other arguments by supporting their positions or questioning other
positions. They can also collaborate and share their positions with other
users.
This
is an interactive web tool where students can share their perspective about
anything. Students can post a question about any topic they want such as their
favorite sport, favorite book, or thoughts on
a recent class trip. I think this is a great way for students to
interact with each other and share their thoughts and opinions. However, I
think it is important for students to be smart about the content they share and
follow the terms of service. Students should have privacy settings on so that
they can keep themselves anonymous if they like. They can answer questions from
people all over the world regarding anything from current events to technology.
Students can engage in conversations and interact with friends from their class
or even students around the world. Students can also follow specific users like
other classmates and be able to have group discussions on the web. A teacher
can also use the site to have students blog their responses to questions about
last night’s reading assignment or their reaction to a film they watched in
class.
Glogster EDU is a Web 2.0 platform that allows students to upload videos, text, photos, audio and more to create interactive online posters. Students can create project posters and then share their “glogs” via social networks. The “edu” aspect of the program allows teachers to create user names for their students and keep their class work private from other users. However, students can have fun learning by making creative digital posters. The teacher can control the activities of their learners. This tool can be used for any subject and can help integrate those subjects. Students can have fun using their imaginations to create posters and collaborate with other students in the class. The teacher can create projects with templates and guidelines which are then assigned to students. The teacher can provide feedback throughout the assignment and assess the finished product. Glogs can also be shared in blogs and wiki-spaces.
