Technology+Toolbox

** Web 2.0 Tool Box ** We used this application as the launch for our learning site and found it to be a great tool to use for student and parent access and learning at home.
 * Lori Kenworthy **
 * EDUC 538 **
 * 3-11-10 **
 * Webstart **
 * // Proto Page //**
 * Criteria || + or - || Comments ||
 * Usability || + || A little difficult to navigate at first but overall it was user friendly ||
 * Developmentally appropriate || + || I would use this for a classroom learning site, but not for elementary students to use unsupervised. ||
 * Safety & Reliability || + || Very reliable and seemed relatively safe for all ages. ||
 * Cost || free ||  ||

I started a blog for my family and also one for a family reunion. I really liked this application and could see myself using this as a classroom communication tool.
 * Weblogs **
 * // Blogger //**
 * Criteria || + or - || Comments ||
 * Usability || + || User friendly. ||
 * Developmentally appropriate || + || This would be a great communication tool to use with parents. ||
 * Safety & Reliability || + || Reliable but not appropriate for use by elementary age students. Access to some blogs which I consider inappropriate for children blogs. ||
 * Cost || free ||  ||

I found the wiki to be a positive application overall, however, it would not be my first choice for a learning site because of its limitations (I found it more difficult to navigate and edit) and aesthetics.
 * Wikis **
 * // Wikispaces //**
 * Criteria || + or - || Comments ||
 * Usability || + || User friendly overall, however some applications were confusing ||
 * Developmentally appropriate || - || Another great application for parent/student communication and learning. Not for unsupervised elementary students. ||
 * Safety & Reliability || + || Very safe and reliable. ||
 * Cost || free ||  ||

I actually tried to use this for a parent newsletter and it worked great, however I would only use a web-based word processing system if I didn’t have access to Microsoft WORD.
 * Web Based Word Processing **
 * // Zoho Writer //**
 * Criteria || + or - || Comments ||
 * Usability || + || User friendly. Many processes were the same or similar to Microsoft WORD. ||
 * Developmentally appropriate || + || WORD would be more appropriate for elementary student word processing because it is not Web based. ||
 * Safety & Reliability || + || Reliable but not safe for unsupervised elementary students. ||
 * Cost || free ||  ||

This site seemed very interesting if you were an aspiring writer and if you had a lot of time on your hands (which I don’t). This is a site I will visit when I am done with school because it seemed very interesting.
 * Creative Writing **
 * // Glypho //**
 * Criteria || + or - || Comments ||
 * Usability || - || Not as user friendly. Difficult to figure out and navigate. ||
 * Developmentally appropriate || - || Not appropriate for elementary students but middle school and high school students would love it. ||
 * Safety & Reliability || + || Reliable. Unsure of safety. ||
 * Cost || free ||  ||

Just like Zoho Writer, I found this site to be very user friendly but would only use it if I didn’t have access to Excel.
 * Web-Based Spreadsheets **
 * // Zoho Sheet //**
 * Criteria || + or - || Comments ||
 * Usability || + || User friendly- very similar to Excel ||
 * Developmentally appropriate || - || Not developmentally appropriate for most elementary students. ||
 * Safety & Reliability || + || Reliable but not suitable for unsupervised elementary students because it is web-based. ||
 * Cost || free ||  ||

I loved this site and could see many uses for this application in the classroom even for younger students. I also like the Rubistar application and plan to use it in my classroom and instruction.
 * Assessment, Surveys, Polls **
 * // Surveymonkey //**
 * Criteria || + or - || Comments ||
 * Usability || + || Extremely user friendly. ||
 * Developmentally appropriate || + || Developmentally appropriate for supervised elementary students. ||
 * Safety & Reliability || + || Reliable and safe with supervision ||
 * Cost || free ||  ||

I used this site to record some audio that I put with digital pictures for a podcast on our learning site. I will use both applications again. I plan to do a video of pictures of my students at the end of the year.
 * Podcasting & Screencasting **
 * // Audacity //**
 * Criteria || + or - || Comments ||
 * Usability || + || Easy to use and navigate. ||
 * Developmentally appropriate || + || Supervised elementary students only. Older students would love this application. ||
 * Safety & Reliabilty || + || Reliable and safe with supervision. ||
 * Cost || free ||  ||

I used this application for the video portion of my podcast and enjoyed using it. I can see a multitude of uses in the classroom for this.
 * Video **
 * // Movie Maker //**
 * Criteria || + or - || Comments ||
 * Usability || + || Difficult at first but easy to use once learned. ||
 * Developmentally appropriate || + || Great application for all students. ||
 * Safety & Reliability || + || Reliable and safe however elementary students should be supervised. ||
 * Cost || free ||  ||

I use Picasa to manage all my digital pictures. I find it to be one of the best web-based picture storing applications available.
 * Photo and Drawing **
 * // Picasa //**
 * Criteria || + or - || Comments ||
 * Usability || + || Easy to use and navigate. ||
 * Developmentally appropriate || + || Great application for all. ||
 * Safety & Reliability || + || Both safe and reliable. ||
 * Cost || free ||  ||