MSET+Conference+Resources

**Looking for a way to infuse technology into your lessons?**
The sites below were shared at the MSET conference on April 30, 2010. Many are resources recommended by Tammy Worcester. Her site is a must-see if you're looking for new ways to add technology to your lessons. Check out her homepage at www.tammyworcester.com.


 * A disclaimer**: These sites are available through HCPS computers. I'm __not__ an expert on all of them, but I've had the opportunity to see many of them used creatively. As always, there are risks associated with trying new technology in the classroom. You may wish to run your ideas by the ILT before implementing them in your lessons. There's a ton of creative potential here - please share any successes and trials! Registration is required for some of the sites.
 * NEW! Added 5/24: [|www.bubbl.us]
 * online brainstorming!
 * NEW! Added 5/24: [|www.worldcat.org]
 * search the catalogs of public, private, and collegiate libraries all at once!


 * [|www.todaysmeet.com]
 * Allows you to create a chat room on the fly! (use with discretion as it's truly a "live" platform)
 * Great when you can't do a face-to-face meeting
 * Good for students who are shy about participating in class discussion
 * Would be fun to use during a movie clip...especially if you have the lab or mobile lab carts. Teacher can ask "live" questions and students answer while clip is playing.
 * [|www.jamstudio.com]
 * Students can create and save their own music. Since the creations are their own, they can be used in powerpoint or movie maker presentations without the risk of violating copyright.
 * Free for educators through the end of the year.
 * [|www.kisstunes.com]
 * Allows students to turn their computer keyboard into a piano keyboard.
 * For a cross-curricular connection, language arts teachers could ask students to create music that captures the mood of a story!
 * [|www.odosketch.com]
 * Awesome drawing program!
 * Would be good for art class (teacher could model skill) or for character sketches/setting/mood, etc.! Lots of possibilities.
 * Students can save created images.
 * [|www.myavatareditor.com]
 * Requires Flash 10 on your computer (do a work order if your computer doesn't have it).
 * Allows students to make avatars...but there are tons of possibilities for how it could be used. A few thoughts:
 * can make avatars of themselves (or of famous historical figures!) and embed them into their presentations
 * use with descriptive writing activities. Have students create character and then write to give a perfect mental image of the actual avatar
 * would be great for genetics! Students could create eye, hair color outcomes for recessive genes, etc.
 * [|www.classtools.net]
 * Do you find yourself calling on the same students over and over again? Try this site to mix things up. It has a random name generator! (Located on the right of the screen) You could...
 * enter student names and call on the students whose names appear (you can then remove their names so that they don't get called on a second time)
 * Create random groups or teams of students right in front of the class
 * Enter vocabulary terms instead of student names and use for review! (I've seen this used in a $20,000 pyramid type of review game...see me for details)
 * [|www.spellingcity.net]
 * 2nd - 6th grade to help with spelling
 * [|www.vozme.com]
 * Converts text to speech and allows you to save as an mp3 file.
 * great for students with reading difficulties...you can cut and paste text so that it will read it to them
 * helpful for students (and adults!) who don't catch proofreading errors unless they hear their writing read back to them!
 * I think it does Spanish to English translations!
 * [|www.online-stopwatch.com]
 * Allows you to carefully monitor activity time
 * [|www.vocaroo.com]
 * You can record your voice (see me for headphones with mics).
 * //Might// be able to use it on your Edline page to introduce yourself to your classes (or to record homework instructions!)
 * [|www.worksheetworks.com]
 * General graphic organizers
 * [|www.certificatestreet.com]
 * Need to acknowledge students at the end of the year? Try this site for printable certificates!
 * [|www.weblist.me]
 * Need to send kids to several websites? Want to eliminate the typing errors they often experience as they enter the URL?
 * This allows you to compile all the sites you want them to visit into one place so that they only need to enter one web address! We've used it successfully in our library!
 * []
 * Create multi-media posters with your classes instead of Powerpoint or posterboard!
 * (Just for fun) [|www.wheresmycellphone.com]
 * Are you one of those people who has eliminated a land line and can never find your cell phone? Go to this site and enter your cell number. It will call it for you for free!
 * (Just for fun) [|www.tripit.com]
 * Traveling this summer? Want to keep track of all of your hotel confirmations, flight info, driving directions, etc? This site allows you to compile it all in one place. Type in the content of your page here.