Module+5+-+Online+Tools

Lead Instructor: Craig Magtutu (magtutu@yahoo.com)

Simply stated, an online tool is an application or program that can be used on the internet. These applications can be used for anything including keeping track of changes on your favorite website (RSS - module 3), keeping track of and sharing bookmarks, posting photos and videos, quizzing or taking polls, and creating and posting slide show presentations; and this just barely scratches the surface.
 * INTRODUCTION:**

A definition from Wikipedia states "//In software engineering, a web application is an application that is accessed via a web browser over a network such as the Internet or an intranet. The term may also mean a computer software application that is hosted in a browser-controlled environment (e.g. a Java applet) or coded in a browser-supported language (such as JavaScript, combined with a browser-rendered markup language like HTML) and reliant on a common web browser to render the application executable. Web applications are popular due to the ubiquity of web browsers, and the convenience of using a web browser as a client, sometimes called a thin client. The ability to update and maintain web applications without distributing and installing software on potentially thousands of client computers is a key reason for their popularity, as is the inherent support for cross-platform compatibility. Common web applications include webmail, online retail sales, online auctions, wikis and many other functions."//

Two of the **BEST** sites for locating online web 2.0 tools are: Cool Tools for Schools Go 2 Web 2.0 Online Applications Index.

Types of tools: > - Upload and edit pictures and videos, create online presentations (Powerpoints), create and edit audio and music, draw and paint. > - Online calendar, note collection, visual graphic organizer, online office suite, file storage > - Conversion tools for files, sound, video etc., files transfer, > - Social bookmarking sites, Wikis > - Search engines, dictionaries, thesaures, tutorials, wikipedia
 * Creativity tools
 * Organization tools
 * Utility tools
 * Collaboration tools
 * Reference Tools

EXAMPLES:**
 * [[image:dps-learning2ohfall09-10:EG_Logo.JPG width="51" height="52"]]
 * ~ Creativity Tools || 280 Slides || Blabberize || Voicethread || Wordle || Picasa ||
 * ~ Organizational Tools || Google Docs || Webspiration || Dipity || Evernote || Sign up Genius ||
 * ~ Utility Tools || Zamzar || Picnik || PDF Text Online || Drop Box || File Den ||
 * ~ Collaboration Tools || Delicious || Diigo || Thinkature || Glogster || Google Docs ||
 * ~ Reference/Tutorial Tools || Jog The Web || Lookah || Info Please || Arkive || [|Joongle] ||

ASSIGNMENT: **
 * [[image:dps-learning2ohfall09-10:compass.jpg width="70" height="61"]]


 * 1)** Visit the two websites for Web 2.0 Tools (Cool Tools for Schools | Go 2 Web 2.0) and find 3 tools for each category listed above that you would like to explore. As you preview the tools consider which of the tools would be useful in your classroom as an instructional tool for your use, or as a tool for students to use as part of their learning.


 * 2)** Post a list of the 15 tools (at least 3 for each category) that you explore on your Wiki page. You can create a table such as the one above if that helps you organize your list. After you have your list of tools posted to your wiki site please add a link to that wiki page on the Class Tools link above to the left.


 * 3)** Write 2 different learning activities / lesson plans that incorporate any 2 of the tools you explored:
 * One activity should focus on your use of a tool for instruction with students.
 * The second activity should incorporate the use of an online tool by the students to support their learning.


 * 4)** On the same page that includes your list from step 2, post the 2 activities or lesson plans.

REMINDERS: ** - Respond to the Course __**Blog Post**__ - Email the Lead Instructor once you have completed a module/topic, so we can review your work. - Use the Discussion Tab above if you get stuck or have questions that an instructor or fellow student in this class can help you answer - we are all part of your Personal Learning Community (PLC).
 * 5)** Post your comment to the class Blog for the Module 5 topic.
 * 