Web 2.0 Applications

GOOGLE READER:

I have recently learned about Google Reader.  It is simple to use and I look forward to having easy access to news headlines in Texas education.


GO ANIMATE:

I just created an animated cartoon on GoAnimate.com to help students learn to count quarters.  I used a pre-designed template, and it only took about 15 minutes from start to finish.  It's pretty basic and simple, but for my first video and only 15 minutes, I'm pretty satisfied.  I can definitely use this program to enrich lessons in my class, as I can show a cartoon that the students will enjoy and respond to, and I can write it so that it covers the information I want the students to hear. 
Counting Quarters


DIGITAL STORYTELLING:

Digital stories are another way to incorporate technology in the classroom to keep students engaged in learning.  It's another application that I was not familiar with, and I am enjoying the process of creating a story.  I am using Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling to create my story.  Since my story is still a work in progress at this time, I have added one of the example stories from the Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling website.  This story answers the question heard in math classroom around the world everyday, "Why do I need to know math anyway?".  A Day Without Math