Create: Web Tools 2.1.1

Create: Web Tools 2.1.1

Instructional Tools:

1. http://www.physicsclassroom.com/shwave- a well organized, content heavy website that provides animations to help student understand physical science concepts with teacher introduction and support.
2. https://phet.colorado.edu/ - Well-designed Java Applets that allow students to participate in virtual labs.  Teachers can let students practice their prediction skills with the virtual lab without having to spend an arm and a leg on lab equipment.  Also, virtual labs are a great first introduction to precede "hands on" types of labs.  These can be used for online students who might have limited resources at home to conduct investigations and exercise the scientific method.
3. http://urbanext.illinois.edu/treehouse/index.cfm - Crazy and fun-  a tutorial for students about the weather.  Teachers can assign sections for specific topics.

Create and Collaborate:

1. www.prezi.com - Students create presentations to share the results of their research into assigned standards.  Collaboration between students makes the experience more interesting- and a great way to connect in an online environment.
2. www.spiderscribe.com - Mind-mapping in a more detailed sense.  Free for 3 mind maps.  (Downloadable as png files.) Great organization tool for writing or projects.
3. www.glogster.com - Students make a digital poster on any assigned topic.  Can be used for book reviews, culture studies, math exemplars, or to show research findings on science topics.
4. http://www.pixton.com/ - Pixton Comic Maker App (in www.edmodo.com)  or www.powtoon.com, or www.toondoo.com for those cartoon makers that help the student tell their story.

Tech Tools:

1. www.picresize.com - Students (and teachers) can use this free little tool to resize their photos and add certain effects.  The photo can be saved and embedded into a web page as well as turned into a thumbnail.
2. www.audacity.com - Students can record audio on this program and edit it to add special effects and/or get rid of "noise" in their recordings.  A cool tool for making those presentation recordings.
3. Photostory Download - Free download.  Students and teachers can insert photos and add music and words to tell a story about a place, event, or concept.