Web+2.0+Resources


 * < **__Google Earth Layers and .kmz / .kml files__**

Most of us have seen Google Earth by now, but if you haven't, I think you'll be amazed at what it offers. The first thing that most people do is type in their own address. I know I did - and still do from time to time to see if there's an updated image! It doesn't take long to then move to looking at other places on our world; places such as the Grand Canyon, Great Wall of China, Disney World!

What's gotten our attention lately is the wealth of other content that has been created for Google Earth including images and data that can enrich your classroom curriculum. There's a lot of great stuff that comes along with the installation of GE5, and a search for .kmz and .kml files will reveal another collection of content created by 3rd parties. This content opens in GE and is content and topic specific. Interested in earthquakes? Do an advanced Google search for earthquakes and limit the filetype to .kml or .kmz. These files are specific to GE. One that we use with our 7th graders is from the USGS and shows earthquake activity for the past 7 days.

Nearly any subject and grade level curriculum can be enhanced by using Google Earth!

Here's a couple to try right now: Satellite Database - This is a little unsettling! USGS Earthquake Data - Seismic activity from the past 7 days. Volcanoes - Shows both active and inactive volcanoes worldwide. Excellent way to see the Pacific Rim! Weekly Volcano Report ||<  ||
 * < **__Skype __**

This very cool technology provides free internet voice and video computer-to-computer "telephone" service. Conference call and instant messaging and also available at no charge. Imagine the conversations your students could have with peers and experts across the country and around the world. Just keep in mind the whole time zone thing! This has a lot of potential as a powerful collaboration tool. ||<  ||
 * < **Animoto**

I'm really excited about this technology! I love photography, and using images to tell stories is emerging as a strong trend in classrooms around the country. We've been bombarded with PowerPoint-style presentations, and now we're seeing some intriguing alternatives. Animoto is a web service that will take your images and music and create a show for you. Basic 30 second "shorts" are free, a personal account is $30 a year, and free education accounts are available as well. Students can integrate still images, video, their own text and audio files to create powerful stories. Check it out! ||<  ||
 * < **__Wordle __**

Need a new way to take a look at what your students are writing? Looking for themes in a body of text? Interested in seeing which words show up most often in a speech? Copy the text and paste it into Wordle to create a word cloud. These beautiful creations are as much art as they are language arts! ||<  ||
 * **__Lucid Chart __**

This beta site looks interesting. Here's a way to collaboratively work on diagrams and flow charts. Work can be saved, edited, shared and retrieved. ||  ||
 * **__Intel Tools For Teachers __**

These online thinking tools provide students a place where they can discuss, problem solve, compare, and collaborate using tools designed specifically for visual ranking, seeing reason and showing evidence.

Try It! Teacher ID = jbeck Team ID = lwp1 (through lwp10) Team Password = same as Team ID ||