Thing+22

=Thing 22 (Week 18): Explore a Tool of Your Choice=

Introduction

 * [[image:http://23things.barrow.wikispaces.net/file/view/explore2.jpg/67559257/explore2.jpg width="307" height="265" caption="Magnify by Steeljam on Flickr" link="http://http//www.flickr.com/photos/steeljam/3105080643/"]] ||
 * Magnify by Steeljam on Flickr ||

Listed below is a "baker's dozen" (or so) of Web 2.0 tools -- by no means representative of all (or even a good bit) that's out there. Finding, experimenting with and evaluating new tools, determining whether they have value for us in creating, organizing, communicating or problem-solving -- without an instructor's explicit guidance -- is an essential 21st Century skill, part of lifelong learning, and certainly the sort of capability we want to foster in our students.

Discovery Exercise
Pick ** two **tools below, **see what they do** and **see what you can do with it**. Depending on the tools you choose and your particular learning style or worldview, you may do more exploring than experimenting or vice-versa.


 * While** you are exploring and experimenting, consider the **practical applications** for personal, classroom or professional learning or productivity. Also pay attention to any social aspects of the tool -- is it collaborative, sharable, does it allow comments, discussions, ratings? We will talk more about social features in Web 2.0 in upcoming weeks. ([|Flickr], which you [|explored two weeks ago], has many social features, including tags, groups and commenting).

Many of these tools are completely free, and all offer at least a free version. Also, most are **embeddable** in a blog, wiki or webpage. You'll need to embed at least one product in our [|sandbox wiki] -- on your existing page.

Think of this "Thing" as **focused play**. Or think of it as miserable, frustrating work... it's up to you ;)

(**HINT**: To begin exploring a tool, look for demos, tours, an "explore" or "features" link, examples, galleries and/or FAQ pages).

**Image-related**
The following tools will allow you to take any image from your computer or one that you have stored online to create something "new" with it. These tools are "static" in nature, meaning a movie or something interactive is not the end product. > "Turn your photos into incredible artwork with one click." > Edit digital photos in your browser. > This doesn't use your own image. Instead, create colorful, graphical 'word clouds' from text that you provide. Apply custom layouts, fonts and colors. Super cool.
 * **BeFunky** - []
 * **Picnik** - []
 * **Wordle** - []

**Cartoon & Book Generators**
Take any image you like and turn them into cartoon. Some of the sites below may offer their own pre-made characters. > Create custom comic strips using your own or Flickr Creative Commons photos. > Create and share your own comic strips using an array of characters, settings and custom speech balloons. > Create a comic strip using photos from Flickr. Add speech bubbles and create your own story. > Create a photobook using Flickr images > Create interactive books using original photos or artwork.
 * **Pikistrips** - [|http://pikistrips.com]
 * **ToonDoo** - []
 * **Bubbler** -[| http://www.pimpampum.net/en/content/bubblr]
 * **Bookr** - []
 * **MixBook** - [|http://www.mixbook.com]

**Concept Mapping Tools**
Tools very much like Inspiration, but web-based. The beauty of these is the ability for the map or web to be collaboratively built in some cases. Some are shareable, downloadable, and some can be embeddable.
 * **Gliffy** - []
 * **Bubble.us** - []
 * **Mindomo** - [|http://www.mindomo.com]

**Polls & Quiz Makers**
> Create custom polls and surveys to embed in any web page. Results displayed in a graph. > Create and share interactive study materials. Keep track of your progress automatically.
 * **PollDaddy** - [|http://polldaddy.com]
 * **Quizlet** - []

**Multi-Media Fun**
All of these tools combine at least two different medias (audio, video, images)to create something new. Great tools to unleash your creativity. Lot of educational applications with these. > Turn any photo into a talking cartoon. > Easily create drag-and-drop newsletters, scrapbooks and flyers using your own photos and ready-made templates. > "If you can type, you can make a movie!" Use characters, backgrounds, props, sound effects and animation tools to turn your script into an animated movie.
 * **Blabberize** - [|http://blabberize.com]
 * **LetterPop** - []
 * **Xtranormal** - []

**Time line Creators**
These are not your "Tom Snyder" type of time lines! > Use text, images and links to easily quickly create a dynamic time line. > View your time line in a traditional view, as a flip book, list, or on a map if you have geographical locations. Ability to include images and YouTube videos.
 * **Timetoast** - [|http://www.timetoast.com]
 * **Dipity** - []

**Collaborative Notes**
Wikis are great for collaborative writing, but sometimes you just want to send a link and let people write without the need for everyone to "join". In these cases, tools like this, especially for groups of students may come in very handy. > Take notes, share ideas, collaborate, make a photo album, etc. > Effortless text collaboration. Just share the URL!
 * **Notepub** -[| http://notepub.com/]
 * **doingText** -[| http://doingtext.com/]

**Other Tools**
> Easy to use to-do list. Add items, sort them, share them, check them off as you complete them. > Clip and share portions of web pages in an easy-to-use visual format. Great for collecting, organizing and sharing resources on specific topics. > Free online file storage. Organize and share files. Access from anywhere. Embed "box of files" into any website. > Draw diagrams and designs, create, share, and publish. > Highlight sections of a web page, grab it and save it.
 * **Amap - **[|www.amap.org.uk/create] **/ ** is an excellent tool for social studies projects. This tool provides a visual tool over debatable issues. When it is embedded on your site, students can take positions and fill out the map online. The embed code is located under **share your aMap**. (Description courtesy [|Making Teachers Nerdy])
 * **Ta-da List -** []
 * **SimplyBox** - []
 * **Box.net** - [|http://www.box.net]
 * **Creatly** - []
 * **Clipmarks** - [|www.clipmarks.com]


 * And if none of those appeal to you, try one or two from this site.**

**__PART 1__**
Create a blog post using "**Thing 22**" in our post title. Include the following in your post:
 * 1) Tell about your experience, **providing a link to the TWO tools you chose to explore**.
 * 2) Include any ideas you have for using the tools to support learning or productivity for **EACH** tool.
 * 3) Also comment on any "social" features you may have noticed and your thoughts about their value.
 * 4) **IF** you created a product with the tool (Note, this is NOT required, but **HIGHLY** recommended), then please embed it into your blog post and/or wiki page if it is embeddable.

__**PART 2**__
Visit the " [|Web 2.0 Tool Integration Ideas] " page on our Sandbox Wiki. Under your chosen tool, **add your ideas for using it to support learning or productivity**. These should be brief bullet points, not dissertations. The idea here is to create a collection of ideas that we can all use.

__PART 3__
If there is an embed code for the product you created during your exploration, use it to embed your product in your EXISTING wiki Sandbox page. If there is NOT an embed code, then please provide a link to your product or profile on that site.