Technology+Toolbox


 * Introduction**: The purpose of this page is to evaluate Web 2.0 tools as to how they help educators solve the "The Wicked Problem"--or how to successfully combine content, pedagogy and technology. I hope to find some new tools which I can use in my coming teaching career.


 * Criteria selection**: I will use four criteria by which to assess the various Web 2.0 tools: Flow-Zone Rating, Cost and Educational Usability. Each of these criteria will be given a score of 0 (lowest) to 5 (highest).
 * __Flow-Zone Rating__: Does this tool bore me and/or make me want to pull my hair out? (That's a 0.) Does it make me forget what time it is--and suddenly it's 4 p.m. the next day? (That's a 5.)
 * __Cost__: Does this tool cost $100 a week? (That's a 0.) Is it free? (That's a 5.)
 * __Educational Usability__: Would this tool make my students want to drop out? (That's a 0.) Does it make them want to get a PHd in computer technology? (That's a 5.)


 * Table for evaluating web 2.0 tools**:
 * Web 2.0 Tool || Flow-Zone Rating || Cost || Educational Usability || Comments ||
 * 1. Firefox (browser) || 5 || 5 || 4 || Easy to use—but it’s only as good as its user. I’m talking about students who think that the “google” box is the same as a the web address box. ||
 * 2. Wizz RSS (aggregator) || 3 || 5 || 3 || Not everything you want an RSS feed for exists. I worry that the content gets lost in the sheer amount of information. I would worry just a little that students would rely on these feeds too much and forget to continue their own research and inquiry. ||
 * 3. Del.icio.uc (social bookmarking) || 4 || 5 || 4 || I think the possibilities of this are pretty amazing for a research-based class. One major problem eighth-graders have researching is not knowing where to start. It would be awesome to have a page already set up with links for their particular projects, and with the ability to constantly update it themselves with the help of their peers. ||
 * 4. Hotbot (internet search Tool) || 5 || 5 || 5 || Here’s a tool that’s so common we don’t even think about using it. Having students think about their choice in these tools could be empowering to them. ||
 * 5. Protopage (webstart) || 3 || 5 || 3 || I’m not sold on this yet. Seems like a good way to GET information, but, at least Protopage, seems much less interactive than, say, a wiki or a blog. It seems like you have jump through major hoops just to add your OWN content as opposed to FOUND content. ||
 * 6. Blogger (blog) || 5 || 5 || 5 || I love blogs. I’m maintained them through the past few years for a wide variety of purposes. They can be as much as the creator puts into them. I think the “comment” button has some cool educational possibilities for quick, informal dialog away from school. ||
 * 7. WikiSpaces (wikispaces) || 4 || 5 || 5 || Pretty much a basic website. Compared to a blog, you get to have different pages, which is cool. It has some glitches, but for the most part it’s easy to get a wide range of content online for your students in an easy-to-navigate way. ||
 * 8. Google Docs (web-based word processing) || 4 || 5 || 5 || The possibilities of this are SWEET. I need to spend more time with it . . . Students won’t lose their papers any more! The implications for team collaboration and grading are also very cool. ||
 * 9. Web-based spreadsheets and databases || 3 || 5 || 4 || These would be pretty much Excel to Google Doc’s Word. But, to be completely honest, looking at spreadsheets puts me to sleep. Maybe for math. Maybe for tracking something which can’t be tracked in a grade book. We’ll see . . . ||
 * 10. Glypho (creative writing) || 5 || 5 || 5 || Awesome! I would use this right away. There is something to being “published” that makes writing much more fun than just, say, turning in a story and knowing only your teacher will read it. I know so many 8th graders who would take this and fly with it! ||
 * 11. Hot Potatoes (assessment tools) || 3 || 5 || 5 || Not a totally intuitive interface—but I think with a little time, this could be an awesome tool. I think kids will like taking quizzes and surveys online much more than the pencil and paper old-fashioned way. ||
 * 12. Audacity (podcasting) || 4 || 5 || 5 || Sweet! Interface is a little intimidating, but it’s pretty darn cool to get an audio file up there so quickly. I like the possibilities for students reading their poems and stories and making presentations. There are also plenty of great pod-casts out there to put on the wikispace for student use. ||
 * 13. CamStudio (webcasting) || 3 || 5 || 5 || This is great. Too bad it's kind of tough to get to use on a Mac. I can think of so many uses for the classroom. There's nothing like having examples for students (and maybe parents) to look at on their own time. ||