Tool 5: Tagging and Social Bookmarking

Here are some helpful sites I found using Diggo.  The only thing I didn't like is that I have to download its toolbar in order for me to utilize it.  I'm still a bit old school - I don't feel comfortable downloading unnecessary things in my computer because it slows it down and sometimes they attach some unwanted cookies which you overlooked but agreed to it.

Teach Science and Math - shows ways to integrate science process skills in lessons
Education World: Teacher Tools and Templates - classroom forms that could be useful for the teachers

This would be a great resource for teachers to keep track of some helpful website that they can share with each other. Social bookmarking may be used by older students to help each other when they are looking for some information so they could share it to each other when they are working on a similar topic without having to be in the same place.

Tool 4: Cool Google Tools

Computer manufacturers are actually encouraging people to use online document management and storage. Hence the netbooks- it is mainly for people surfing the net a lot and since it has very little memory capacity they don't expect you to save your work on it .  That's where application like Google Docs enters.  You could save all your work on Google Docs and hopefully don't have to worry about systems crashing.

For classroom purposes, students could collaborate on research or writing projects.  Teachers could also use it to help each other in sharing lesson plans in the comforts of their own home. But of course, you could just easily email it back and forth since their emails are always up, unless the network is down due to an unforseen event.  Google Docs encourages collaboration and accessibility to all its users - wherever you may be.

On the other hand, Google Reader will be helpful for people who are subscribing to a lot of blogs and websites to keep them updated on what is going on.  It makes virtual stalking a lot easier because you have everything in one place.

Tool 3: Image Generators & Mashups

It is good to know that the word cloud gadgets and Bookr don't require registration which could be a hassle to keep track of your username and password unless you keep using the same for everything. 

This is something that students could use to reinforce vocabulary words and concepts they have learned.  For word clouds, the students could type in vocabulary words that are related to a concept they learned. Whereas Bookr, could be used for Writing in setting up their story board or help support ESL learners by looking for pictures that could help them remember and understand vocabulary words.

Tool 2: Building Community & Comments

Building a personal learning network (PLN) is to be open to the idea of sharing your thoughts and knowledge and being prepared to different kinds of comments you could receive.  It is good to connect with people who share the same ideas, thoughts, and interests.  It gives you a sense of belonging when you encounter those kinds of people.  On the other hand, it could dampen your spirit when you come across opposing views with strong opinions.

Getting more comments on your blog necessitates creativity.  Before I started reading 10 Techniques to Get More Comments... I thought "posting controversial issues" would be a sure way to get a lot of attention. Lo and behold, right at #8.  I totally agree that the discussion could get a little nasty and could turn away some of the people who don't agree.  It could even get so personal that the blogger would have to change his/her voki and identity.

Left comments on:  Laura's 11, But It's Summer!, Moulton Lava, 11Tools(Tool#2), and Teachers Like Us.

Tool 1: Blog Set-up & Registration

Whew!  I finally finished setting up my blog...it took me awhile to decide on how I would look on my Voki while trying to get some chores done.  It was actually fun to customize my digital avatar. It might be harder for younger students to set up their own blog site because they have to set up their email and they could easily get lost in customizing everything they could because the choices are endless. I would need some ideas on how to set up a blog site for students that will be easy for them to handle and easy for me to monitor.