Krista's Tech Tidbits

TCEA Day 1 – What I am learning today!

February 10, 2010

I arrived at TCEA this morning.  Early out of bed, easy flight, and now learning a ton!  I am so glad to be here surrounded by professionals!!!  I ate lunch with friends from ESC17 and a friend from FHS.  Definitely off to a good start!!!  I will definitely say there are people everywhere!!!

What have I learned? (Hope you are following my tweets @krista_scott!)

Besides the fact that there are people everywhere…..

I am not sure where to begin!  I attended an unexpectedly wonderful session this morning!!!  It was presented by two middle school tech apps teachers (one is @techmunoz) and focused on Web 2.0 tools and video in the classroom!  My favorite three points of the session are:

• http://www.artsonia.com/, which is a website that will allow students to post their artwork and share with others
• http://edu.glogster.com/, a website that allows students to create posters, gives embed code so it can be embedded in wikis:)
• http://docs.google.com Form, a great exit or entry ticket for classroom activities

The second session I attended focused on Web 2.0 and was pretty good; however, most links can be found on my wiki at http://kristastechtidbits.pbworks.com/.

We went through the never ending vendor fair after lunch, and I found my golden ticket!  It is a Livescribe pen!  It can be used in the classroom to record written and audio.  It can be used on a plane or in a class as you take notes and want to record audio.  Literally, the options are ENDLESS!  The exhibitor said it was the best thing to computing since sliced bread, and I just might agree!  It is approximately $200 and can be purchased for less per pen in groups of 10 through educational pricing!  I would love to hear if you are using this product and how!!!

As I blog, I am listening to Randy Rodgers talk about Web 2.0.  He is a fabulous presenter and I am learning new tools by the minute! Randy’s blog is www.mossfreestone.com.  A couple of new tools so far:

• http://flockdraw.com/ - Collaborative drawing tool.
• http://twitcam.com/ - Stream Live on Twitter.
• http://www.authorstream.com/ - Do more with PowerPoint!
• http://tinychat.com/ - Your own chat room.
• http://www.showbeyond.com/show/home - Story telling.
• http://www.watchknow.org/ - Videos for kids to learn from.
• http://www.wix.com/ - Flash-based website creation tool.
• http://timeglider.com/ - Timeline software.
• www.tagul.com – Like Wordle with more features.
• http://vodspot.tv/ - Create own video site.
• www.edmodo.com – Classroom social networking.
• http://freshbrain.org/ - Technology exploration platform.
• http://www.myplick.com/ - Upload your files.
• http://www.safeshare.tv/ - Safe way to share YouTube videos.
• www.wallwisher.com – Wall for collaboration.  Neat tool!
• http://textthemob.com/ - Poll your audience.
• http://www.noteflight.com/login - Music creation.
• http://www.kisstunes.com/ - Create music using computer keyboard!
• http://www.twiddla.com/ - Online interactive whiteboard.
• http://www.a.freshbrain.com/solvr/ - Problem solving….
• http://www.pixlr.com/ - Photo Editing
• http://www.carrotsticks.com/ - Online math games.
• http://cacoo.com/ - Mind mapping/brainstorming tool.
• http://mov.io/ - Video sharing.
• http://www.kidyos.com/ - The best of the web for kids.
• http://www.kideos.com/ - Videos for kids.
• http://vocabahead.com/ - Vocabulary videos!
• http://www.gotbrainy.com/ - Vocabulary videos (contest now)!
• http://twtpoll.com/ - Twitter poll
• http://www.zorap.com/Landing.aspx - Video chat
• http://www.stupeflix.com/ - Video production made easy.
• http://www.wordsift.com/ - Visual text.
• http://ahead.com/ – Presentation tool.
• http://screenr.com/ - Screencasts for Twitter.
• http://sketchfu.com/ - Collaborative drawing tool.
• http://www.tweetz.tv/ - Televise your Twitter.
• http://www.citrify.com/ - Photo editing software – enhance personal photos.
• http://www.carryouttext.com/ - Turn text to audio.
• www.google.com/buzz – Google’s attempt at Twitter:)
• http://www.favilous.com/ - Bookmarking tool.
• http://www.tweetcall.com/ - Twitter by voice.

Wordle Tip: Put in a full text and see what words trend. Great idea for history!  www.wordle.net

For more details from Randy Rodgers, visit www.diigo.com/list/randyrodgers/tcea2010.

Hope you enjoyed the things I have learned so far:)  Please comment if you are reading!

Entry Filed under: TCEA. Posted in  TCEA Tags: middle school, TCEA, Web2.0.