Effective Classroom tools are key to managing today’s classroom. The web 2.0 tools from this module are really interesting and can be helpful in making my classroom more student-centered. After previewing the tools I picked a few that would be beneficial to my classes. The first tool that I can see myself using in class is from Gliffy.com. This site is free and allows users to create graphic organizers and flow charts. I have my students create organizers by hand (timelines and flow charts) on a regular basis. This tool would allow me to create more interest in making these charts and graphs. Students would be able to add color and really make it their own. This will not allow the favorite student quote “I can’t draw.” I really could have used this in my US History classes this week. I had students create a timeline of events for the War of 1812 using any of the Office suites on the class laptops. The main challenge is one that we always have to deal with, the internet. The internet itself is scary because it will distract your students away from the main task. The best way to deal with this is to be constantly monitoring the students while they are working. Another challenge is one that I always have will projects is time. How much time should be allotted for the assignment? Allowing too much time will create boredom, and not enough time will create stress. So playing with it before hand and creating an example are key to figuring out how long to take on the assignment.
The second tool that I reviewed was Glogster. I have heard of this site in the teaching circle, but have never checked it out. This site allows users to make an interactive poster board. When I say interactive, I mean interactive! It allows users to upload pictures and video for their posters. Teachers can throw out the tri-fold and regular poster board, and trade it for Glogster. Using this in my classroom shouldn't be hard, because teaching history needs to be spiced up. There are plenty of chances to add this to my lesson plans. Managing this shouldn't be a problem if you give students specific guidelines on what they are supposed to use and not use. I would provide students with a rubric that would provide students with these guidelines. The same challenges would be considered with this tool, because of the internet. Another problem that could arise is teaching the students how to properly use the software. Teaching students to download, save and then upload to Glogster could be a small challenge. I actually ended up reviewing a few other sites, but they were all along the same lines. All of them would be great for creating a graphic organizer, chart, or even a timeline. The last one is Fodey.com which allows you to make a newspaper clipping. This is really cool because we create these by hand a good bit, so this would be a good curve ball for the students.
The second tool that I reviewed was Glogster. I have heard of this site in the teaching circle, but have never checked it out. This site allows users to make an interactive poster board. When I say interactive, I mean interactive! It allows users to upload pictures and video for their posters. Teachers can throw out the tri-fold and regular poster board, and trade it for Glogster. Using this in my classroom shouldn't be hard, because teaching history needs to be spiced up. There are plenty of chances to add this to my lesson plans. Managing this shouldn't be a problem if you give students specific guidelines on what they are supposed to use and not use. I would provide students with a rubric that would provide students with these guidelines. The same challenges would be considered with this tool, because of the internet. Another problem that could arise is teaching the students how to properly use the software. Teaching students to download, save and then upload to Glogster could be a small challenge. I actually ended up reviewing a few other sites, but they were all along the same lines. All of them would be great for creating a graphic organizer, chart, or even a timeline. The last one is Fodey.com which allows you to make a newspaper clipping. This is really cool because we create these by hand a good bit, so this would be a good curve ball for the students.