Things 16, 17 and 18 - Online Productivity

Google Docs
Google Apps Training from Google - fantastic!
Teach Collaborative Revision with Google Docs - Google for Educators

The beauty of Google Docs is having access to several different functionalities from any computer. I fell in love with this instant access a few years ago and now have 50 or so spreadsheets and documents. Some are edited by family members and friends (i.e., beach vacation lists). Editing spreadsheets as a class can also be a valuable experience. In the past I've mentioned to students that I would be "on" at 7:00, for example, and they get so excited to see that I've entered.... "Hi Mrs. K!" with repeated glee shows the enthusiasm that students have for this type of interaction with each other and with their teacher. The edited documents, which no longer seem like work to the students, are a positive outcome.

Online Productivity Tools
30 Boxes online calendar
bubbl.us free concept-mapping tool
Knowtes create virtual flashcards
LibraryThing personal book list
Remember the Milk task lists
Trailfire creates a website trail
Zoho Show online presentations

Jott - "voice-to-text services [that] let you capture thoughts & reminders, send emails & text messages" and more. Try this with your iPhone but be prepared to be wowed.

Knowtes,
What worked?
Virtual flashcards can be an effective study tool and eco-friendly, too. With the proper site, flashcards can be shared and accessed by several. Technology is still a motivator and students love to be required to have "computer time" at home. In the classroom, especially with a SMARTBoard, the flashcard tool can help assess information learned.

What didn't work?
With the "invitation" to join and "311 public invitations available," this seems to be a platform that will not last. We are too finicky and the market is too big for the obscure. Instead, here is a friendlier, student-suggested option for flashcards - ProProfs, "The Knowledge FREEway."
(Thanks Taylor!)

Slideshare
Slideshare Quick Tour
Shifthappens

Integrating the Internet into the Social Studies Classroom

The Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies has ranked Slideshare as a one of the 25 FREE tools every learning professional should have in their toolbox.

25 Tools

Information access is a key component to diminishing work load and augmenting curriculum. Slideshare allows for access to self-created slide presentations as well as access to prepared presentations, some of which have the potential to meet the needs of the classroom.

(Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow! I just discovered that when using Google Chrome, you can SEE what you've embedded in "Compose" mode! You can EVEN flip through the slide show while editing your posts. Wow.)