Teacher+Tools


 * 21st Century Administrative Tools for Teachers and Students **


 * Aggregators **
 * // Relevance for teaching and learning: //** “Aggregators reduce the time and effort needed to regularly check websites for updates, creating a unique information space or ‘personal newspaper.’ Once subscribed to a feed, an aggregator is able to check for new content at user-determined intervals and retrieve the update. ” Wikipedia

· ** [|Bloglines] ** Information changes so rapidly that it has become increasingly difficult to keep updated on new information. Students can now subscribe to Bloglines to deliver RSS feeds for the websites they track. Whenever new information is posted on that site, you will be updated and alerted. This is important for students who are researching current events, science, public policy, and latest developments on important social issues. This is helpful especially if students are collaborating on projects because with this site you can share your feed with your colleagues.

· ** [|Google Reader] ** Another aggregator that sends RSS feeds to you to help you keep updated on new information posted on the websites you keep track of. A great way to stay current.


 * Content Management System **
 * // Relevance for teaching and learning: //** Teachers can use this free, open-source course management system to post courses online. The valued added is that teachers can simply use the features they like (website development, quiz builder, threaded discussion, etc) rather than the entire package to enhance teaching and learning.

· ** [|Moodle] ** Moodle is an open source Course Management System that allows users to create effective online learning sites posting courses online as well as using other important features that support your curriculum. Besides being able to post video, graphics, and documents there are many other valuable features that help students become successful in online learning such as built in forums, wikis, databases, poll taking, quiz builders, and more.


 * File Storage and Sharing **
 * // Relevance for teaching and learning: //** If you are a teacher, or a student, losing important information due to your computer crashing or to a virus, is a critical set back. It’s a challenge to try to make up for lost time. These are simple and easy to use backup systems, or file sharing options to save your work. This information will also help you send files or presentations that are too large to send through your school email box.

· ** [|All My Data] ** This file backup system allows students to create permanent versions of the files or backups, that are updated as changes are made to the files on their hard drives.

· ** [|Google Docs] ** This web-based word processing and spreadsheet program allows students to update and create new files from their own computer and to simultaneously edit and collaborate on documents with others.

·** [|YouSENDit] ** The complete product requires a subscription and allows you to send large files and folders through email, create a dropbox, and track who has downloaded your files. However, the Lite Account version of this product is free, having a 1 GB monthly download limit which is very substantial.

· ** [|Xdirve] ** With this tool you receive automatic backups and file sharing. There are different levels of access that you can choose and that allow you to control who has access to view, edit, upload, and share folders. By allowing access students can collaborate together working together on the same project.

**//Relevance for teaching and learning://** Organization, communication, collaboration!
 * Online Calendars **

· ** [|Calendar Hub] ** Students and teachers can use this calendar (family’s as well) to publish your scheduled activities to the web. You have the abililty to make this calendar public or private.

· ** [|Google Calendar] ** Very powerful features included with this online calendar. You can set up separate calendars for each class and create levels of access sharing with students, parents, or the entire community. Teachers can also manage class assignments and projects by posting test dates, assignments, and class activities.


 * Online Screen and Video Capture Tools **** (to make tutorials) **
 * // Relevance for teaching and learning: //** Teachers (or students) can create online tutorials that can be accessed at home or school. Some learners find that it becomes easier to learn technology when viewing information in video form.

· ** [|Jing] ** Create online tutorials for your students. You can record all the action and screen movements on your desktop (moving the cursor, scrolling, moving to websites, or showing the finer points of an application) and voice narrations. Your tutorials will turn to videos that you can send out to students via email or attach to a website. Freeware. · ** [|Camtasia] ** This is another screen capture software for more advanced users (not freeware) that makes high quality productions. This software has more features than Jing with more editing control that allows you to correct mistakes more easily.


 * Online Portfolios **

· ** [|Grokker] ** This search engine searches Yahoo, Wikipedia, and Amazon to bring forth the results. The distinguishing aspect of Grokker is the way the results are returned and displayed. You can add the information in either the outline view or map view. These views show expandable categories that also display relationships and the scope of the search.
 * Search Engines **

· ** [|Squidoo] ** With this search engine, students can create their own publishing platforms or communities by creating online “lenses. The Lenses are pages or overview articles about a specific subject area. It’s interesting and helpful. Your students will love it.

· ** [|Technorati] ** Plain and simply, Technorati is a search engine that searches blogs. It’s an amazing way to keep up on what is being written about daily – a great way to keep up on changing opinions around the globe.


 * Surveys and Polls **
 * // Relevance for teaching and learning: //** Teachers can create online surveys for use for professional development or for classroom use and results are immediately available using charts and graphs. Opportunities also exist for online students assessments.

· ** [|Surveymonkey] ** This is an amazing tool that can be very helpful in the classroom gathering student opinions or using with your colleagues for professional development purposes. Easily create surveys (multiple choice, true-false, open-ended essay, etc.) and then view the survey results online in your personal inbox. The results are compiled and returned in easy to read charts and graphs. The surveys can be posted on websites or emailed directly to the participants and can be created to be taken anonymously if so desired.