This week we are discovering web 2.0 tools. I love this countdown. It could be used in the classroom to countdown until activity time or a countdown until vacations. It could also be used to countdown until a speaker arrives, or until projects need to be completed.
I found Celly on a pinterest board of web 2.0 tools for educators. It reminds me of what we are using in Garth's class; however, I'm not sure what tool he is using. Celly allows teachers to text messages by phone or off the website to student's cell phones. They are also able to sign up on the website or on an ipad or tablet. They can receive messages on these devices as well. I like that it is versatile that way. It is accessible for the average student. Students can reply to the teacher if the settings are set as such. I like this. I can see using this to alert students to deadlines, to get input and also I really like it to be used as exit or entrance slips. Celly also is available for parents to be a part of groups so that they stay in the know of what is happening with their students in the classroom. I can definitely see myself using this tool. Students can also make their own groups if they are working on a project. Personal numbers do not get passed around so there is a certain level of privacy. Click here to go to the Celly site.
I love voki!!! This is so much fun to play with and to make interesting things for students to watch and listen to. I made mine on George Washington. This would be great for my social studies class. I could use people that we are studying to tell the students about themselves. Voki also allows you to upload a pic for your background. I could have a pic from wherever we are studying and have the avatar share about that particular place. I think kids would love this! I also could do vokis from myself with my own voice posted online for students that may have been absent and need to know what they missed.
This video gives a brief explanation about what web 2.0 is. I'm still pretty much lost. I believe it is saying that web 2.0 is fancier digital stuff than just basic tools. I have to admit that I like fancy tools as long as they are easy to use, and many of them have been!