Cool+Tools

toc = Cool Tools and More.... = 

Introduction
 Listed below is a "baker's dozen" (or so) of Web 2.0 tools -- by no means representative of all (or even a good bit) that's out there. Finding, experimenting with and evaluating new tools, determining whether they have value for us in creating, organizing, communicating or problem-solving -- without an instructor's explicit guidance -- is an **essential 21st Century skill**, part of lifelong learning, and certainly the sort of capability we want to foster in our students.

The Discovery Exercises will allow you to play around with some tools of your choice, or attend a web-based conference on education while sitting in your pajamas on the couch! Be sure to pick something that peaks your interest.



Discovery Exercises
 Pick a tool (or two, or more if you are so inclined) below, **see what it does** and **see what you can do with it**. Depending on the tool you choose and your particular learning style or worldview, you may do more exploring than experimenting or vice-versa.

While you are exploring and experimenting, consider whether the tool may have a **practical application** for personal, classroom or professional learning or productivity. Also pay attention to any social aspects of the tool -- is it collaborative, sharable, does it allow comments, discussions, ratings?

Many of these tools are completely free, and all offer at least a free version. Also, most are **embeddable** in a blog, wiki or webpage.

Think of this "Thing" as **focused play**. Or think of it as miserable, frustrating work... it's up to you ;)

(**HINT**: To begin exploring a tool, look for demos, tours, an "explore" or "features" link, examples, galleries and/or FAQ pages).

As you explore, if you come across any that should be added to my list, please let me know!

__The Cool Tools__
> Calendar application that includes to-do list, phone reminders, sharing and many other features. > "Turn your photos into incredible artwork with one click." > Turn any photo into a talking cartoon. > Free online file storage. Organize and share files. Access from anywhere. Embed "box of files" into any website. > Collaborative concept mapping tool (like an online version of Inspiration). > Create a digital "poster wall" to share images, text, music, video and links. This is not your Mama's book report! > Digital jigsaw puzzles - upload your own photos, graphics or scanned artwork > Easily create drag-and-drop newsletters, scrapbooks and flyers using your own photos and ready-made templates. > Create interactive books using original photos or artwork. > Edit digital photos in your browser. > Create custom comic strips using your own or Flickr Creative Commons photos. > Create custom polls and surveys to embed in any web page. Results displayed in a graph. > Create and share interactive study materials. Keep track of your progress automatically. > Clip and share portions of web pages in an easy-to-use visual format. Great for collecting, organizing and sharing resources on specific topics. > Upload and share Powerpoint presentations in an embeddable format. > Easy to use to-do list. Add items, sort them, share them, check them off as you complete them. > Use text, images and links to easily quickly create a dynamic timeline. > Create and share your own comic strips using an array of characters, settings and custom sp > Create a drag-and-drop website in minutes -- no technical expertise necessary! > Create colorful, graphical 'word clouds' from text that you provide. Apply custom layouts, fonts and colors. Super cool. > Create a collaborative document that you can share with anyone by sending them the URL and password. > "If you can type, you can make a movie!" Use characters, backgrounds, props, sound effects and animation tools to turn your script into an animated movie. 
 * **30boxes -** [|http://30boxes.com]
 * **BeFunky** - []
 * **Blabberize** - []
 * **Box.net** - []
 * **Gliffy** - []
 * **Glogster EDU** - []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**JigZone** - []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**LetterPop** - []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**MixBook** - [|http://www.mixbook.com]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Picnik** - []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Pikistrips** - []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**PollDaddy** - []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Quizlet** - []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**SimplyBox** - []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**SlideShare** - []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Ta-da List -** []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Timetoast** - []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**ToonDoo** - []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Weebly** - []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Wordle** - []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Writeboard -** []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Xtranormal** - []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Library Thing**- [|www.librarything.com] Like to read? This is your site! Over 39 million books and 700,000 readers, join the world’s largest book club. Catalog all the books you own and use tags to organize your collection.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Create a blog post at [|iTeach] telling about your experience, providing a link to the tools you chose to explore. Include any ideas you have for using the tools to support learning or productivity. Also comment on any "social" features you may have noticed and your thoughts about their value. Be sure to include "Cool Tools" in your post title.

If you have created something using the tool, be sure to include a link to it in your blog post.


 * NOTE:** This should include a bulleted list of ideas you have about your experience using the tool and how it can be incorporated into a classroom setting.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__**Exercise 2**__
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Visit the [|K12 Online Conference] site and "attend" two (2) presentations of your choice. Each day, four sessions will be presented in four categories: //Getting Started//, //Kicking it Up a Notch//, //Leading the Change// and //Prove It//. By the end of the conference, each strand will contain ten archived presentations.


 * Pick sessions that seems interesting/compelling to you, view the presentations and explore the supporting links or resources and see what you can learn! Be sure to view the included "essential questions," even if you do not wish to leave a Voicethread response.**

See instructions below for help in navigating the [|K12 Online Conference] site and find a conference: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> The easiest way to **locate a session** is to click one of the **categories** listed under **2009** on the right sidebar of the blog .<span style="font-size: 100%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> **(NOTE:** You will see the archived links for 2007 and 2008 as well -- if there is a session you feel //compelled// to "attend" from either of those years, you may, but I encourage you to enjoy the fresher, more "presentationally consistent" content of 2008 for your first go!)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Under each category (for example, "Getting Started"), you will find several blog posts listing presentation titles, presenter information and a session description.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Click a post/session title to view the full session page, where you will find a full session description, and links to stream or download the presentation (typically in video format).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Many sessions will provide accompanying resources (such as a companion wiki site or related links) as supporting content for the presentation.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**The Tasks:**
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Write a blog post sharing your thoughts about the sessions you viewed (be sure to include links, others may want to attend after reading your post!) What were the main points made? Were the sessions worthwhile? Did you learn anything new? Did you find value in the online, anytime delivery option for professional development? Is there anything from the sessions you might use in your classroom or professional learning? Include a link to the session in your post. Be sure to include "Thing 13" as part of your post title.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Explore any other participant blog you wish, be sure to check both portals, and leave TWO comments (on two different blogs) in response to any posts that interest you. If you are commenting in another portal, be sure to include a link back to your own blog in the "homepage" field.

//*Course adapted from K-12 Learning 2.0 as developed by Shelley Paul.//

Progress
media type="custom" key="4101357"<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">