Snap Shot

Snap Shot is a service that allows you to add the function of looking at the website you are linking to without actually going there. For example, the link to the Dysart School District has a small icon beside it so that you can get a peek at the site before you go to it.

This is a great tool for a teacher's website. It is one more way to support readers by giving them visual support. This can be especially important with web links, because they are often out of context.

Some of the ways you can look at links are:
RSS Feeds
MySpace Profiles
Photos
Videos
Audio

Sing Shot

Music teachers, I haven't forgotten about you! Sing Shot is an application that allows you to sing Karaoke while video recording it and posting it to the web. This is a great way for students to hear what they sound like... I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not!

UStream

UStream

Ustream is a platform that provides live interactive video for everyone. Anyone with a camera and an Internet connection can use Ustream to broadcast to a global audience.
Students can use ustream to broadcast right from their classroom to a world-wide audience. For example, students can use UStream to broadcast a daily, live news program to the community. The main drawback is bandwidth. If there is a lot of traffic on your network, the video can get choppy.

Skrbl

Skrbl

Simple and easy online whiteboard.

Type text or draw , share files & upload pictures all in one common shared space.

Skrbl allows students to sketch and collaborate together from anywhere, as long as they are connected to the Internet. For example, a student in Surprise, Arizona can use Skrbl on the Smartboard in her classroom to collaborate on a math problem with a student in Pettisville, Ohio who is sitting at his desktop computer.

VUVOX

VUVOX

Vuvox takes photo publishing to the next level. It is interactive and engaging, and when they add the audio features it will be fantastic!

Pastigo

Pastigo

Pastigo allows you to find Historic Sights review sights and make your history experience come to life.

Pastigo.com provides students studying US history a resource to find historic sites. They can also add new listings as well as review existing ones to help others find the best, most interesting historic sites in the nation. For example, a student that visits Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona can create a listing that include photos, historical information, and plot its location on the map.

Answer Tips

Answer Tips

AnswerTips are small bubbles of information triggered by double-clicking any word on an AnswerTips-enabled page. Try it on this page.

Students can use Answer Tips on webpages they create to provide linguistic and vocabulary support for learners. For example, if a student creates an interactive webpage on the City of Surprise, Arizona, they can enable Answer Tips so visitors can get more information on words such as mayor or aquatic center.

ProProfs

ProProfs

Create your own online quiz, online assessments and tests. Customize with your own choice of logo, text & colors. Post your quiz at any webpage (your blog, myspace page or classroom page).

Students and teachers can create online quizzes and flashcards. For example, a student studying the desert habitats can create a quiz for his or her classmates to assess their understanding of a topic to help him or her prepare for a class presentation.

Bubbl.US

Bubbl.Us
Bubbl.Us is a mapping tool that allows you to create webs with collaborators, and share them online.

Students can use Bubbl.Us in place of Inspiration when they are on computers that do not have the software. For example, a group of students working on a project about the solar system, collaboratively create the outline using Bubbl.Us from their home computers and the library.

Helping Out The Little Guy

Many teachers are fortunate to work in districts where their desktops are loaded with all sorts of fantastic online services for grading and management. However, some districts are a bit behind the curve in this area, and their teachers need help. Once again, Web 2.0 to the rescue. The following sites provide fantastic management solutions to teachers... for free!