Trainings

Web 2.0H! Tools
     The Internet has new websites that pop up every day.  How can educators possibly keep up with them?  You can't!  That's where I try to help.  I have worked very hard the last 6 years creating a personal network of "techno geeks" in education.  We rely on each other to find and explore many of these new technologies and websites.  The great news for you is that you don't have to spend the time yourself.  I try to carefully pick user-friendly, educationally stimulating resources that have a very easy learning curve.  I'll list some of the sites I use in trainings below.  Some are worth their own trainings and some I combine with a few others.  Just by getting to this page, you are viewing one of my choices.I'm also thinking of re-organizing this space, so bear with me.

Google Earth  and just to boot---a weebly site with so many resources on learning and using Google Earth in Education, your head will spin!

Weebly  (this site!) Create your own website by simply clicking, dragging and dropping your content. You can even add  our own domain - like I have done here.

VoiceThread $$ or free version (A great site that can be used for digital storytelling or helping to combine some of the steps of podcasting)(2 educational versions available-one free and one paid--it really depends on how much privacy you would need with your students.)

Blabberize  (Upload a face picture and follow the directions to make the picture "talk".  Do your own voiceover with the record feature.)

Ning  (Kids love the social networking aspect of the Internet.  Create your own Ning social networking site and use it for some great classroom collaboration.$$
If you want to experience a social network yourself, here are a couple good ones: 
        MACUL Space and Classroom 2.0

Michigan LearnPort and netTrekker (accesible for Michigan educators once logged in to Michigan LearnPort)

Microsoft PhotoStory - a free download that makes a slideshow out of user content--add digital pics, voice, or music--great for digital storytelling

Atomic Learning $$ - full of tutorials on a LOT of programs and software.

Moodle - a free open-source Classroom Management System

Google Docs - take online file collaboration to the next level

Skype - keep in touch with anyone, anywhere

ToonDoo - excite students and let them show their knowledge by making a cartoon

Intel Teach - a 40 hour Professional Development course that uses the Microsoft Office Suite and walks through integrating technology in the classroom

i3 - another great curriculum that can be used for teaching integration through Professional Development

Discovery Education Streaming $$- formerly called unitedstreaming this a great resource for video clips for any curriculum area

Bubbl.us - similar to Kidspiration without several of the features but on the web and allows for collaboration (referred to as a good mind mapping tool)

Prezi - Think of PowerPoint on steroids with a twist. One of the newer tools that you can use to create a presentation online.

Livebinders - My kids grew up getting a new binder for school each year. It was part of the ritual back to school shopping. Well, Livebinders has taken it virtual. A great place to organize links and easily share with others. One of my favorites has all kinds of information organized about using iPads and iPod Touch devices in Education.