Free Resources Free Resources You Can Use NOW!You Can Use NOW!

Cameron McKinleyCameron McKinley

February 2007February 2007

Today’s OutcomesToday’s Outcomes

Demonstrate some useful free Demonstrate some useful free softwaresoftware

Participants leave with at least 1 idea Participants leave with at least 1 idea they can use in the classroom nowthey can use in the classroom now

Participants motivated to learn Participants motivated to learn additional software to give digital additional software to give digital kids a voicekids a voice

SkypeSkype

Connect KidsConnect Kids Collaborate by Collaborate by

combining combining Skype with Skype with Google DocsGoogle Docs

Share LinksShare Links Chat up to 100 Chat up to 100

people-keep the people-keep the historyhistory

It’s FREEIt’s FREE

Google EarthGoogle Earth

MeasurementMeasurement ToursTours

– From a novelFrom a novel– Of your city/stateOf your city/state– Add VideoAdd Video– Blog Tour with photos Blog Tour with photos

and notes (ex: and notes (ex: Gombe Gombe ChimpanzeeChimpanzee ) )

Historical Historical OverlaysOverlays Create a Geography Create a Geography

QuizQuiz

Excellent Tutorials-cover everything you need to knowExcellent Tutorials-cover everything you need to know http://www.bteducation.org/img/lib/dialogics/schoolradio/index.htmhttp://www.bteducation.org/img/lib/dialogics/schoolradio/index.htm

Podcasts onlinePodcasts online

Sample 1Sample 1stst Grade Podcast Grade Podcast

CelestiaCelestia

http://www.celestiahttp://www.celestiamotherlode.net/catmotherlode.net/catalog/educational.palog/educational.phphp

CMAP ToolsCMAP Tools

Collaborate with Collaborate with othersothers

Export as web Export as web page, pdf and morepage, pdf and more

Non-linear thinkingNon-linear thinking Record map Record map

creationcreation Make presentation Make presentation

from mapfrom map

Microsoft ProducerMicrosoft Producer

AN Flash Slideshow MakerAN Flash Slideshow Maker

Star OfficeStar Office

Tux PaintTux Paint

Drawing for Children*Drawing for Children*

Photo StoryPhoto Story

Primo PDFPrimo PDF

MwSnapMwSnap

http://http://www.mirekw.com/www.mirekw.com/winfreeware/winfreeware/mwsnap.htmlmwsnap.html

Crocodile ClipsCrocodile Clips

ScratchScratch

AliceAlice

(Block Cad) Lego Building(Block Cad) Lego Building

Sketch-UpSketch-Up

UnFreezUnFreez Create animations for Visualizing Create animations for Visualizing

LiteratureLiterature

Switch-a-roo ZooSwitch-a-roo Zoo

Community SignsCommunity Signs

Movie MakerMovie Maker

ReadPleaseReadPlease

Online ToolsOnline Tools

GCastGCast ScrapblogScrapblog WriteboardWriteboard Google DocsGoogle Docs

Google DocsGoogle Docs Writely and Google Spreadsheets for StudentsWritely and Google Spreadsheets for Students  

Students can work on their assignments from any computer -- the school lab, the Students can work on their assignments from any computer -- the school lab, the library, at home, at a friend's house, etc. Kids who use Writely and Google library, at home, at a friend's house, etc. Kids who use Writely and Google Spreadsheets don't have to remember to save a copy of their homework when they Spreadsheets don't have to remember to save a copy of their homework when they go from one location to the next – their work is always online, and thus accessible go from one location to the next – their work is always online, and thus accessible from any computer with an Internet connection. from any computer with an Internet connection.

Students also find the sharing aspect of Writely and Google Spreadsheets valuable. Students also find the sharing aspect of Writely and Google Spreadsheets valuable. Getting feedback on an assignment from a busy parent, a grandparent who lives in Getting feedback on an assignment from a busy parent, a grandparent who lives in another town or a writing tutor is much easier when you can share the document or another town or a writing tutor is much easier when you can share the document or spreadsheet online and check back periodically to see the reviewer's comments.  spreadsheet online and check back periodically to see the reviewer's comments.  

Being able to share online is also helpful for group assignments where several Being able to share online is also helpful for group assignments where several students need to contribute. You can enter updates anytime, from different locations. students need to contribute. You can enter updates anytime, from different locations. And through the Revisions history, you can clearly see who contributed what to an And through the Revisions history, you can clearly see who contributed what to an assignment, and when. assignment, and when. 

Writely and Google Spreadsheets for TeachersWritely and Google Spreadsheets for Teachers  Teachers are using Writely both to publish announcements about upcoming Teachers are using Writely both to publish announcements about upcoming assignments and to monitor student progress on assignments and give feedback assignments and to monitor student progress on assignments and give feedback along the way, rather than only when the final assignment has been handed in. along the way, rather than only when the final assignment has been handed in. Writely and Google Spreadsheets both enable an interactive process which gives Writely and Google Spreadsheets both enable an interactive process which gives teachers far more insight into how students are progressing on an assignment, teachers far more insight into how students are progressing on an assignment, enabling them to give guidance in the middle of the process, when it might be of enabling them to give guidance in the middle of the process, when it might be of maximum benefit.  maximum benefit.