Study Ladder

Study Ladder Link

Study Ladder is a Web 2.0 tool that allows teachers to create a profile and a class.  When the teacher creates a class of students, usernames and passwords are created.  The teacher can then assign, to the whole class, or to individual students, videos, interactive assignments, and/or worksheets.  These resources are available for Art, Financial Literacy, Health, Safety, & citizenship, Language & Culture, Literacy, Mastering Numeracy, Mathematics, Music, Science, and Study Sheets.  Aside from having a variety of "Task" topics, each topic has ranges from prekindergarten - 12th grade.  

I just bagan exploring this site, and so far I am excited about the differentiation that it allows.  I like that I can assign a "task" to my entire class AND I am able to assign a task to specific students, who might need extra help or more of a challenge.  

On a student level, children are able to create an Avitar.  They can also earn points for each task they complete and then spend their points to "buy" Avitar features and to purchase things to put in their virtual bedroom. 

I've set up a teacher account, class, and tasks for 1 student.  After briefly explaining the site to one of the parents in my class, I asked her to try it out and give me feedback about the site. Below is her comment. 

"Hi Ms. Hagler, we just checked the new web program and we think its an awesome program. We like that its very easy to understand and child friendly. With all 6 tasks, my child did not have a problem figuring out what to do. There's nothing about it that we do not like. The only hard part about it was the new vocabulary that she does not use on a daily basis like "Ban, Nan, Crate, Smog, and Pram", but this would be good to help build her vocabulary. What was easy about it? I'd say pretty much everything. It took her about 20 min. to complete all the tasks. Let us know if there is anything else you would like us to answer. Overall, it is a great site. =) "

I now plan on sharing this site with a few more students, as well as, using some of the videos and activities in my future lessons. 

Edmodo

Edmodo is a social networking site for educators to use with their stuents and their parents.  Edmodo allows teachers to create various "groups" to correspond with different groups of students.  For example, "7th Period - Algebra" or "4th Period Spanish."  Students are then given a group code with allow them to see what you post on that code specific page. As a teacher, you will have an Edmodo "wall."  Students and parents with the group code, will be able to view only the "wall" to that they are a member of.  As teachers, you can remove people from groups and reset passwords.  Additionally, teachers and students and parents may send posts to the entire class or to just the teacher. 

On the each group wall, teachers and students can post pictures, links, assignments, quizes, alerts, and/or notes (similar to wall posts on Facebook).  Teachers can also use Edmodo as a gradebook for students and parents to view.  Documents and pictures are also able to be uploaded into the "Library" for students and parents to view that way. 

This is my 2nd year using Edmodo with my Kindergarten classroom.  I use it differently than most teachers, who teach older students.  My main use of Edmodo is to communicate with parents.  I post updates and information to parents about what we're learning, interesting things that occur in our class, important dates, and assignments.  I have also created sub groups, within my whole class Edmodo page, for the 4 reading levels in my class.  This allows me to message groups of parents, specific words and strategies that their child is working on.  Parents have used Edmodo to set up playdates with other students, share summer camp dates, and inform other parents about various events that are occurring throughout their community.  During our November parent-teacher conferences, every single parent commented on Edmodo.  They commented on how appreciative they were to know what was going on in school.  Most also shared, by knowing what was going on, they were able to facilitate more conversations with their child. 

This is a video I created to show parents HOW to set up an account and how our class would use Edmodo. 

How WE Use Edmodo

This video will also explain other uses of Edmodo.

Edmodo - Use In The Classroom

What ARE Web 2.0 Tools?

Welcome to my Blog!! This blog will focus on various Web 2.0 tools.  Web 2.0 is a popular phrase that many of us have heard of.  Let's begin with WHAT Web 2.0 tools actually are.  It's nothing you can find in your Craftsman toolbox, so don't go looking!  Web 2.0 tools allow users to interact and collaborate with each other online.  Some Web 2.0 tools include, but are not limited to, Wiki's, blogs, social networking, and many more!  Below are some websites that you can visit to learn more about Web 2.0 tools.

Web 2.0 Tools for Education
Finding The Perfect Web 2.0 Tool
Web 2.0 Teaching Tools