Exploratree

Exploratree http://www.exploratree.org.uk/ is a website that offers many graphic organizers for teachers.  Registration is free and you can create your own organizers by using shapes and objects similar to those used in Word or you can upload your own pictures.  As you create you can leave hints for students, like complete this part first or write in complete sentences.  Once you have created your organizer you can share it with others by emailing or printing it so you can make copies for students.   Emailing works well for teachers that are working together on different projects, so that one teacher can create the material and share them with others.  Teachers they share with can also modify the organizers if necessary.


Another nice feature is that there are many organizers that have already been created and you can use and adapt them to fit your needs.  They are organized into sections like mapping, analysis, and exploring.  Below is a screenshot of some of the options they offer.

I think that this is great because many times I find an organizer that is similar to what I need but I usually need to change them fit the needs of my students. If you decide to create an organizer of your own rather than using a template the process is very easy.  You start with a blank template and use the tool bar to add shapes or images to your document.  You can easily resize objects move objects around on the template.

  

Once you begin you can choose from one of three modes to help with your creation of your document.    First you start in the create mode, you can put the made shapes in your organizer.  Then you can select the do it tab to fill in information in the different shapes or boxes in your organizer.  Finally you can look at the organizer in show it mode to see how others will view the document when it is completed. 

Then it is up to your to print, send or save your files for future use.  I will work on creating some organizers!

Wikis

A wiki is a web site similar to a blog in that you share information.  Wikis allow participants to continuously edit the page, rather than just comment on it.  Wikis provide a place for online collaboration and sharing. Wikis have different privacy settings which can protect the page from outsiders viewing the information.  Participants need to be invited and what they can edit and change can be set by the leader/creator of the wiki.  For more information on what a wiki is and how to use one, you can visit the Wiki Walk Through.

Wikis are a wonderful way for teachers, parents and students to collaborate and be able to share information with each other.  Many teachers I know have accounts with http://www.wikispaces.com/   and they use their wikis for many purposes.  One teacher at my school used it for students to discuss chapters of a book that they were reading in class.  Another uses it for homework discussion.  I have thought about several ways that I might use one with my second grade class and have a few ideas that I think will work well for primary grades. 

Several years ago our school did a training on using wikispaces and everyone signed up for an account.  I felt that the session was information but at that time I didn't utilize the wiki on my own.  I had forgotten the step of applying for an account through the county to make sure it was a secure site for students until I read a blog of a classmate, thanks for the reminder Katie!  I have applied for my wikispaces account through HCPSS and hope to hear back soon.

Welcome!

Welcome to my Web 2.0 blog.  Here I will share any ideas I have on how to use Web 2.0 tools in the classroom.  Happy reading!