Michael Zimmer is doing a series on technology for Administrators. An Ed Tech Tip for Administrators – Wallwisher. I agree with Michael. “It is important that we get administrators to buy into using technology. If they are using it and get more comfortable with it, then it will trickle down to the teachers.“ His last post was about Google Alerts and this one is about Wallwisher. He has some great ideas.
Kinda of like an online bulletin board, poster board, and a blogging platform all in one. Reminds me just a little bit of Glogster. They refer to it as a blogging platform, but more visual than textual.
Kelly Tenkely, iLearn Technology blog does a great job of explaining the features and concepts of Magnoto, check out her blog post to learn more.
“How to integrate Magnoto into the classroom: For students with an email address, Magnoto can be used to create a flexible online space where students can create virtual posters, brainstorming boards, virtual project portfolios, and share learning with others. Students can work together on the same Magnoto space for group projects.”
Thanks Kelly for always sharing such amazing resources. Check out her full post, CLICK HERE
Similar tools (well sorta kinda…..)
Michael Zimmer of The Pursuit of Technology Integration Happiness lists his top 10 resources for 2010. Most would be on my list as well. The interesting part is everyone of the resources on the list is blocked in many of schools. I guess I am envious that Michael teaches in a school district that “gets it.” Don’t get me wrong, I show all this stuff to my pre-service teachers, but unfortunately many do not get the opportunity to practice it in the schools they do their internships.
And here we go again………a topic I have written about numerous times, the tail is wagging the dog. In other words, the IT department is making decisions about want can and cannot be used in the classroom for teachers. How crazy is that! That is like me telling a doctor which knife to use in the operating room. I am certainly not qualified to be doing that. Recently I was in a school that I will be doing some staff development for next semester, and I suggested we use some of the Google tools, because they are free and easy. The answer I got was, oh no, out IT department won’t allow that, “it opens up too many thing.” Talk about the tail wagging the dog. The administrators I was meeting with were very open minded and they really want the professional development to succeed, so I am going to think positive and hope we can move the IT department into the 21st century.
Michael’s List of top ten.
- Glogster
- Diigo
- Skype
- Simplebooklet
- Prezi
- Creaza
- Common Craft
- FotoBabble
- Wallwisher
- ToonDoo
Cyndi’s Top Ten (no particular order)
- Delicious (http://www.delicious.com/cyndidannerkuhn) keeping my fingers crossed Yahoo sells it instead of kills it.
- Diigo (http://groups.diigo.com/group/k_state-preservice) great way to share resources with my pre-service teachers group, feel free to join our group to get in on the sharing.
- Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/cyndidannerkuhn) I learn something new every day.
- Voicethread Just the best collaborative tool out there. Easy, easy and very easy.
- Wallwisher; tons of fun, easy to use and practical
- Skype/Chat (Skype in the classroom-http://education.skype.com/) I never close my skype or iChat on my computer, such a powerful communication tool.
- Animoto (Education-http://animoto.com/education) Wow, it really is the end of slideshows, make sure you get an educator account for full access.
- Google Tools what can I say, free, easy, powerful and always available. I would recommend reading the book Retool Your School; The educators Essential Guide to Google’s Free Power Apps
- WordPress- I use WordPress for this blog, need if you a hosting option and your own domain name, try DynamicsDS. The free version of WordPress is ok, but you have tons more feature options with hosting and I like having my own domain name.
- Education Blogs & Podcasts
- Cool Cat Teacher
- Dangerously Irrelevant
- Driving Questions
- Druff’s Blog
- edtech VISION
- Educators Royal Treatment
- Free Technology for Teachers
- High Techpectations
- I Learn Technology
- Langwitches
- Moving at the Speed of Creativity
- NCS Tech
- Practical Theory
- Top 100 technology blogs for teachers
- Weblogg-ed
- Websites of the Day
According to Miguel Mguhlin (http://www.mguhlin.org/) , a replacement player is:
“Miguel’s Adaptation: In Web 2.0 tools, a replacement player is an alternate web site that is not as used as much as the more popular service when that service is unavailable or lagging behind in development (read the end of this blog post for a service that helps you find replacement players“
- Linoit.com – Recommended by DougPete, Linoit defines itself as “…a free sticky & canvas service that requires nothing but a Web browser.”
- Pindax.com – Recommended by Lisa Thumann, Pindax.com bills itself as “…a fun real-time alternative to the traditional message board.” Given Lisa’s recommendation, I’m inclined to believe them!
- EdiStorm.com – Emory Maiden recommended Edistorm, describing itself as taking “…the metaphor of sticky notes on a boardroom wall and [bringing] it online allowing anyone – anywhere to brainstorm with only a web browser.”
- Skrbl.com - Recommended by Susan Brooks-Young, this even more strangely named space says it enables one to “Sketch, text, share files, upload pictures all in one common shared space.”
- Spaaze.com – Recommended by Lisa Monthie, Spaaze bills itself as a new visual way to organize pieces of a virtual infinite space. Hmm…it’s in beta now but will soon start charging. No surprise there!
- Stixy.com – Recommended via Plurk by Talljim, this has similar capabilities as the other products here. Play with this using an example from Talljim.
- Wiffiti.com – Suggested by TeacherRicks via Plurk, “Wiffiti publishes real time messages to screens in thousands of locations from jumbotrons to jukeboxes, bars to bowling alleys and cafes to colleges. You can interact with Wiffiti from your mobile phone or the web.“Alternatives to Walwisher
Sixteen Interesting Ways* to use Wallwisher in the Classroom
http://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dhn2vcv5_436f8kscmdc
Wallwisher is an online notice board maker. Discussing a new idea? Taking notes? Giving feedback? Voicing opinion? Wallwisher is an Internet application that allows people to express their thoughts on a common topic easily. A wall is basically the ‘web page’ where people actually post messages. http://wallwisher.com/
Additional Resources
TLC=Tech+Library+Classroom
Bright Ideas
Langwitches Blog WallWisher
Making Student Voices Heard
WallWisher is a Winner Big Time
