There are so many cool things you can do with technology nowadays.  The range of Web 2.0 tools is endless.  For those of you who don't know what Web 2.0 is (like me, before Michelle enlightened me), it's the name for everything you can do on the Internet.  It used to be that everything on the Internet was coded and you had to be a super-genius to be able to post any of your own content (Web 1.0).  Now, any average Joe can blog, start a wiki, record and post videos ... the possibilities are endless.  Web 3.0 is the next step in the Internet's revolution, but we won't get into that.  This page is meant to serve as a categorized list of links to some cool and/or useful tools that could supplement your classroom instruction.

Michelle Morley's Blog/Wikis

Incase you haven't realized, Michelle is my hero.  Here is her blog address as she knows far more than I ever will when it comes to technology and is always finding new and neat tools.  Her Web 2.0 wiki address follows, but this is also linked from her blog:
Backroom Educational Technology Blogger
100+ Web 2.0 Tools


Blogging


Blogger
     - useful for your own personal blog
     - visually appealing
     - allows static pages so it can have a website feel to it (if desired)
Kidblog
     - great for your students to use (each can have his/her own blog)
     - visually appealing and easy to use
     - teacher sets up a class and can moderate all posts/comments (secure)
Edublogs
     - a possible choice for your students to have their own blogs
     - teacher can have moderation control (secure)
     - allows static pages
Blogmeister
     - another secure site for teachers to set up their students
Weebly
     - although primarily a website building tool, it has an option to add a blog as one of your website's pages
     - great for teacher use, but probably not for students' own blogs


Website Building & Wikis


The main difference between a website and a wiki is that with a wiki, other people can add their own links/ideas to your page (so it becomes a communal tool for sharing information).


Weebly
     - free hosting online
     - simple to use
     - may add a blog page to your site
Wordpress
     - combines webpage building with blogging
     - requires a download/installation
     - requires you to find your own host for the site
Wikispaces
     - this is linked to the "Basic" package, which is free to use
PBWorks
     - formerly called PBWiki
     - click on the appropriate link at the top to get started (business, education, or personal); be sure to select a free package
     - can be used as an interactive classroom resource; click here for more information


Pictures, Videos, & Files (Creating/Sharing)


RockYou
     - upload photos to create an online slideshow
     - add text, music, themes, transitions, and special effects
Slide
     - create an online slideshow
     - very similar to RockYou
Flikr
     - requires a Yahoo ID (free)
     - free version limits user to 100 MB of photos and two videos
PhotoFunia
     - jazz up a photo of yourself with special effects
     - put your face on the cover of a magazine, on the body of someone famous, into a work of art, and much more ...
     - print your picture or send a postcard (costs money)
     - share your picture (for free) through Live Journal, Facebook, Twitter, using html code for blogs/websites, using a URL for bulletin boards and forums, or by linking directly to the image
Slideshare
     - upload and share PowerPoint or Keynote presentations, Word or PDF documents, or videos
     - can add audio to these files to make a webinar
Smile Box
     - along with the usual picture sharing, you can also make greeting cards using this site
Picture Trail
     - create unique slideshows with your photos
     - easy to share on your blog
     - requires you to create a free account
Gickr
     - very quick and easy
     - no log in required
     - only ten photos allowed per slideshow
PhotoSnack
     - just another free slideshow maker
PhotoPeach
     - you guessed it - make slideshows for free
Scribd
     - upload documents to share or embed on your website
     - requires you to create an account (free)


Voice Recorders


Vocaroo
     - record your voice
     - you may send your recorded message to a friend, post it on the internet, or simply listen to it yourself
     - you don't need an account, but if you sign up for one (free), you can save your recorded messages
Voki
     - record your voice through your computer or by phone ("they" will call you or you can call them to record)
     - choose and design an avatar (cartoon character) to "speak" your message; you customize the face, hair, jewelry, clothing, and even the language/voice
AudioPal
     - record your voice via the phone or a microphone, or type your text and choose a voice to "talk" for you
     - upload an audio file
     - a link will be emailed to you for you to play back your audio (or to post it online)
     - free to use
Read the Words
     - type in text, upload a document, enter a website URL, or enter an RSS feed and have an avatar read the text back to you
     - free site, but only 30 seconds per recording are allowed


Class Project Tools


Glogster
     - create a unique "glog" (like an online poster) using text, images, music, and video
     - your glog can be used as a page on your website or blog
Animoto
     - create a 30 second video (free)
     - use your own photos, videos, and music or choose from their selection
     - share via email, posting to a website (or blog), or exporting (ex: YouTube)
Sketchcast
     - record (and share) a "sketch" with or without your voice accompaniment
     - use in conjunction with a SMART Board to broadcast a lesson
Wordle
     - creates "pictures" using words that you enter
     - change the font, colour, and layout afterwards
     - a great way to practise spelling words with a unique payoff
YouTube
     - a plethora of every video under the sun; use with caution and teacher guidance only
     - seek out or upload your own videos to support your lessons/units
WikiTree
     - have your students create online family trees with memories, facts, and pictures
     - suitable for older grades (or younger with adult/older student help)
     - an excellent complement to a Social Studies unit
Page Plug-Ins
     - so many cool "things" that you and/or your students can make, from turning their names into glitter text to page widgets to clocks and calendars
Prezi
     - like PowerPoint, but not so linear; more chances to engage and use various facets of technology

Teacher Tools

ePearl
     - create and share a digital literacy portfolio that parents can access from anywhere since it's online
     - you need to be set with a user account and password (by the division techies - ask Michelle)
SurveyMonkey
     - create surveys online and then share them via email, Facebook, or posting on a website
     - requires you to sign up, but is free
Delicious
     - bookmark your websites using a web-based host so that no matter where you go, you will always have access to your website links
Portaportal
     - much like Delicious, this site allows you to bookmark your favourite sites for easy access from any computer
     - very "clean-looking" when you organize your links using headings
Shelfari
     - add this to your class blog to offer your "choice picks" for reading to your students
AnswerGarden
     - use this neat application on your blog as a widget or a post
     - type a question that you want your students/followers to answer; their responses get added to a "cloud" of everyone's answers for everyone to see
     - all answers must be short (20 characters or less) and will remain anonymous