Welcome to the Helena Public Schools 2010 NCCE Blog!

A boat-load (well, bus load) of Helena Public Schools teachers are traveling to the NCCE educational technology conference in Seattle, Washington March 3-5, 2010 to see the latest and greatest in educational technology. See our reflections, thoughts and reactions here!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Tammy's Favorite Free Website Tools

First, I have to say that I am glad I have a computer in here. I am able to instantly bookmark all the websites she is giving. I cannot do paper/pen notes. I lose them, forget to apply them, can't read my handwriting--especially when you are in a big rush when the speaker is going 90 mph trying to pack you with as much info as possible.

I am just going to insert them in the blog as she goes:
Need an instant chat room? Takes about ten seconds to set up. Ideas for use: An art critique.
Similar to Garage Band, but a free version online. You just can't record your voice. You are able to share the music you create.
A free drawing program similar to Kid Pix. Sharable.
Another free drawing program with some different features such as being able to play back a drawing (like a video).
This program allows you to take a photo of yourself using the built in camera on your computer and then edit it with drawings.
I showed this in a previous post. Great for showing directions on a computer either by a video or a picture. You can insert text, highlight or add arrows.
Create an avatar similar to the Nintendo Mii. Use for "All about Mii" poems. Perhaps make a transparent background and insert it into a new background (like in a PowerPoint). Maybe make an avatar of a historical figure and insert into a PowerPoint with a fitting background and facts (i.e. Abe in the log cabin).
I already use this site with my class. Great tool to practice spellings words. There are loads of games there too. You can even save lists so they are preloaded and can be accessed on a student's home computer.
I have been using this with my class. You can save any list of words (i.e. student names) and create a short cut to it on your computer. I also have used this for site words on the typewriter feature. The kids love guessing the words and it helps to review our site words.
We did an interactive activity for a book give away using this site. Everyone stood up and either put their hands on their heads for "heads" of the coin or on their bottoms for "tails". If you guessed wrong, you sat down. Great for working on heads/tails with your students, make a selection, narrow down students etc.
11. Wordle
Put in a block of text or a blog url and it will generate a visually appealing word cloud. Ideas: Enter words generated from a class discussion (i.e. on friendship).
Take art created by others and make up stories to the pictures.
Here is a quick example I did up:

On that note--I am off to the next session!
-Chelsie




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