Emerging+Technologies

Explore some of the newer technologies and Web 2.0 tools and their impact on education and the classroom. Alycia Booker Dyna Sheridan

=Emerging Technologies=

=Quizdom=

__**Description**__: It would be ideal for teachers to know instantly the level of their students' understanding immediately after completing a lesson. Qwizdo is the answer to this problem. Qwizdom Education is a company which creates a variety of products which provide teachers with tools to create assessments and obtain instant feedback on their students learning. __**Tools**__**:**
 * Student Response System
 * Q7 Tablet
 * Quizdom Connect Software
 * ReadySet
 * WizTeach


 * __Pros:__** Unlike some IWB's, Qwizdom can be moved around from classroom to classroom with ease, as long as the computer has Windows, the software is installed, and the USB is plugged in.


 * __Cons:__** As with most new software, Qwizdom takes time to learn. Navigating through the software and controlling the mouse are a few examples. In addition, the internal battery does not hold its charge for a long duration of time.


 * __How to Use it in the Classroom:__** During a lesson, you can insert a quick quiz which will allow teachers to have instant feedback of each student's knowledge of the content.

=Voice Thread=
 * __Description:__ Voice Thread allows students to communicate with their classmates, teacher, and others students around the world through text, images, voice, video, and audio file. Voice Thread is similar to Cooliris and SlideShare, however it is more user friendly. Using images and video, you are able to create a short movie including text and audio. Once you share your video, others are able to comment on your video in five different ways: microphone, phone, webcam, text, and file upload. After signing into your account you have many options to choose from. **

you are able to easily upload pictures/videos and add text and audio media type="custom" key="5325933" align="right" to your images. To secure that your students' videos are not public, you can create groups in which only your students can view each others videos. Prior to posting comments, the creater of the voice thread is able to preview and monitor the comments. **
 * __Pros:__ Registering for an account is done in minutes. Once signed in,

media type="custom" key="5220853" align="right" __**Cons:**__ Unlike some educational sites where it automatically allows you to set up accounts for your students, you need to create accounts for your students using dummy e-mail addresses.


 * __How to use it in the classroom:__** Students can bring their stories to life. Using images and audio, students can publish their story and share it with their classmates. Their peers can watch the story and share their comments.

=Vocaroo=
 * __Description:__** Vocaroo is easy to use, just listen. media type="custom" key="5325747"


 * __Pros:__ Students do not need to create an account in order to create their own audio file. All that is needed is a microphone. After you have created your audio recording, immediately have the choice to preview, rerecord, or share your file. **


 * __How to use it in the classroom:__** Students can create a readers theater based on an Native American folk tale. Students will then record their readers theater using Vocaroo. Teacher can decide to share these on their blog or website for parents to listen to.

=MindMeister-= Decription:MindMiesteris an easy to use collaborative mind mapping tool.media type="custom" key="5450333" align="right" Users can simultaneously work and see the changes as they happen. This application allows you to invite people to contribute or just view.

__**Pros:**__ MindMiester is easy to sign up for and two or more students can use it at the same time. There is a convienent feature that shows the history and amount of the work completed by each individual.

__**Cons:**__ There are not as many visual graphics available for use in the free version.

__**How to use it in the classroom:**__ Students can collaborate using MindMiester for brainstorming, to map out their plans for a class project, share findings for research, create a story line, just to name a few

=Edmodo= Description: Edmodo is a private microblogging social platform designed specifically for students and teachers. This program is private and has been keyed as being what "Twitter would look like if teachers had made it." To use Edmodo all you need is access to the internet. Teachers just set up groups and invite their students to join. Through this tool students and teachers are able to share ideas, files, calendars, and assignments.

media type="custom" key="5413715" align="left" **__Pros:__** Easy to use. Students can set up an account and join your group with a given code. Teachers have control over all posts and can edit them as needed. With the click of a button, teachers can send files, assignments, grades and comments to a whole group of students as well as individual students.


 * __Cons:__** Teachers need to monitor students posts to make sure that the program is being used appropriately. There is currantly no security against students creating a teacher account and starting their own groups.
 * __How to use it in the classroom:__** You can use the calendar function to help students keep track of future projects and activities. You can use it as a forum for open discussion. You can post an assignment to be completed and students can send them back to you electronically. Reading groups can form groups for their book talks.

=Prezi=
 * __Description:__** Prezi is a "flash based' application that creates and shares non-linear presentations. This program allows you to zoom in and out of a visual map that contains words, links, images, videos, etc...


 * __Pros:__** Prezi allows you to sign up as both teachers and students. If your school has a website it is free to use. Visually stimulating. You can create and share presentations both on and off line.


 * __Cons:__** You do need an e-mail address to sign up for this program.


 * __How to use in the classroom:__** Teachers or students could create presentations on a given topic. From Ancient Civilizations (see below) to vocabulary words, presentations can be made using images, links, and videos.

Here in an example of a student created Prezi on the topic of Ancient Civilizations.

media type="custom" key="5466205"

=JayCut=
 * __Description:__** [|JayCut]is an on-line program that allows you to be able to download video clips, edit, and share with others. There is a free version as well as an option for an upgrade. The upgraded version allows you to work and store more videos at a time.


 * __Pros:__** JayCut has an easy to use format that is similar to other programs such as Animoto and Slide Share.


 * __Cons__:** Students need to have an e-mail address to sign up for this service. A dummy e-mail would not work since your registration confirmation is e-mailed to you.


 * __How to use it the the Classroom__:** Students can use digital images and raw video images to create a final video product to be shared with their classmates. Interviews, how-tos, class performances, role plays are just a few ideas of the products you could create using JayCut.

Just when we think we are starting to get things figured out....

=**Coming soon: Web 3.0**= = = = = = = = =