Thing14

=Thing 14 (Week 6): Explore a Tool of Your Choice=

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.
 * [[image:http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1059/861570798_83545b2f90_m.jpg caption="Image by Matlock" link="http://http//flickr.com/photos/matlocktest/861570798/"]] ||
 * Image by Matlock ||

Discovery Exercise
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? We will talk more about social features in Web 2.0 in upcoming weeks. ([|Flickr], which you explored last week, has many social features, including tags, groups and commenting).

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. Feel free to experiment with further embedding in our sandbox wiki -- on your existing page, or on a new page!

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).

**The 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 speech balloons. > Upload images, PowerPoint slides, documents or video clips and add comments by microphone, telephone, audio file, text or video. > 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** - [|http://blabberize.com]
 * **Box.net** - [|http://www.box.net]
 * **Gliffy** - []
 * **Glogster EDU** - []
 * **JigZone** - []
 * **LetterPop** - []
 * **MixBook** - [|http://www.mixbook.com]
 * **Picnik** - []
 * **Pikistrips** - [|http://pikistrips.com]
 * **PollDaddy** - [|http://polldaddy.com]
 * **Quizlet** - []
 * **SimplyBox** - []
 * **SlideShare** - [|http://www.slideshare.net]
 * **Ta-da List -** []
 * **Timetoast** - [|http://www.timetoast.com]
 * **ToonDoo** - []
 * **Voicethread** - [|http://www.voicethread.com]
 * **Weebly** - [|http://weebly.com]
 * **Wordle** - []
 * **Writeboard -** []
 * **Xtranormal** - []

Task

 * PART 1:** Create a blog post telling about your experience, providing a link to the tool you chose to explore. Include any ideas you have for using the tool 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 "Thing 14" in your post title.


 * PART 2:** Visit the " Web 2.0 Tool Integration Ideas" page on our Sandbox Wiki. Under your chosen tool, add your ideas for using it to support learning or productivity. These should be brief bullet points, not dissertations. The idea here is to create a collection of ideas that we can all use.

Stretch Task
[|Skype] is a web application that allows users to make free phone calls (audio or video) over the Internet using a microphone or headset and an optional webcam. A great tool for professional or classroom videoconferencing, Skype also allows you to collaborate with up to ten users, chat, and share files and applications. Skype also provides a very low-cost option for calling landlines and cellphones worldwide (from your computer) -- commonly for as little as about 2 cents a minute.
 * Skype** **Me (or your coach)!**

Your **optional** task is to sign up for a Skype account, add your designated contact (ask your coach for his or her Skype name). **Be sure to say who you are when you submit your contact request through Skype** and call when you see the person online. You can do this from school or at home.

This task is intended for **new Skype users**. If you are already a Skype user and would be willing to Skype with other participants, please let your coach and colleagues know!

**¤ NOTE:** You can Skype me if you don't have a coach or another colleague to call: **shelley.paul** (**You MUST tell me clearly who you are or I will not accept you as a contact**). Woodward Academy teachers may also Skype **nneka.robinson**