Betty+Lowe

Five Web 2.0 Tools for Iowa Core Teachers that I will use.

1. Titanpad is an example of one website will lead to others that can be used by Iowa Core Teachers. Titanpad offers tremendous possibilites where people in multiple locations can work on the same document simultaneously! English language learners could easilly collaborate with each other and their teacher when editing their writing. []

2. Wordle is a really fun tool for teaching and learning. It is a creative way to summarize and show the most important concepts that surround a particular topic. I think this would be fund for kids and teachers to do and will reinforce learning at the same time. It also offers English language learners a creative way to focus on the core academic vocabulary. []

3. Animoto which offers the possibilities of sharing videos, photo slide shows, and music on Facebook, YouTube, MySpace etc. has the potential of linking ideas and users in a creative and fascinating new way! []

4. Voicethread is an exciting way to give English language learners a chance to use their new language in a non threatening way. Using voice thread would give them motivation to practice the delivery of their material or presentation and hear themselves for formative assessment but also has the potential of positive feedback from the global community! []

5. Google reader is an RSS feed that will not only bring items of interest to me right to my computer but will allow me to share relevant feeds with colleagues and friends. []

Web tools that will support my Personal Learning Network.

1. I had used YouTube only for fun viewing in the past and did not realize all of the exciting educational links it has. Now I know that YouTube has a lot of information about Personal Learning Network Building like the link below that explains how to build a PLN I will definitely use YouTube for learning and building my own Personal Learning Network in the future. []

2. For a beginner like me this is a great site to find links to web2.0 resources because it contains multiple sites to visit for web2.0 tools. This is a place where I can begin seeing all of the possibilities that web2.0 tools offer for education and my PLN. []

3. Starting out with the printed article "What is 2.0 anyway?" this site offers lots of links to resources for how to expand my knowledge of a PLN as well as links to help me with the technology behind my PLN. []

4. Gmail has given me the opportunity to have email that is not linked to work or home. I love how easy it is to access and communicate with others digitally from wherever I am in the world! []

5. Skype offers the opportunity for face to face contact while communicating with the other person. I have seen it done but just recently purchased a portable webcam so I will be able use my computer to have face to face conversations with colleagues, friends, and family! []