Edtech Challenge #7: Working Together with Wallwisher

An online notice board maker is a great web tool that can be easily integrated into your curriculum and promote communication and collaboration. Online notice boards can be used for brainstorming, mapping, and flowcharting. Students can build vocabulary skills and make connections to content. Teachers and students can post questions, comments, and communicate ideas.

Edtech Challenge #7 is to use a tool like Wallwisher.com with your students for your next brainstorming session (or in any other way that fits into your curriculum). You can even embed this online board on your website or blog.

Here are some things to consider as you attempt this Edtech Challenge:

• Explore different online notice board creators and pick one that you think would work best for you and your students. Here are some to check out: Wallwisher.com, Primarywall.com, Lino, and Corkboard Me. My personal favorite is Wallwisher, because I find it easy to use and it does not require a login.

• Decide how the students will interact with this tool. Will they have their own computers to post their ideas? Will the board be displayed on the smartboard so that students can come up at different times during the lesson to post an idea? Will students have access to the board from home so that they can continue their learning outside of school?

• Introduce the tool to the students and show them some of the basics, but it is likely that they will figure out how to use it quickly once they have the opportunity to interact with it.  

What are your ideas for how to integrate an online notice board into the classroom? Post your thoughts on this wallwisher!

Have a great time with this challenge and be sure to share your experience by leaving a comment!

Challenge #6: Fun with Fotobabble

Fotobabble.com is a free web tool that allows users to upload an image and add an audio recording to create a talking photo. From there, you can share your Fotobabble project through email, twitter, or embed it on your website or blog. It is an easy to use tool that can have a strong impact in the classroom. In addition to the website, there is a free Fotobabble app for the iphone (that also works on the ipad) so that you can create a Fotobabble project right from your Apple mobile device.

There are many fun ways that Fotobabble can be used in the classroom. Because it is so easy to use,  this tool is appropriate for any grade level. Here are some ideas for how you can integrate this tool into your curriculum.

• Reading fluency checks
• Descriptive writing
• Explain how to solve a math problem
• Demonstrate understanding of a science diagram 
• Create a biography of a historical figure

So Edtech Challenge #6 is to have your students create a talking photo with Fotobabble.com. 

Check out this example I created to share a book recommendation.

For more great ideas, please check out this wiki from EDST 615 University of Oregon Educational Studies program. There are tons of fantastic activities to choose from and I am sure as you are browsing, the ideas on this wiki will help prompt you to think of your own ideas for using this tool. 

You may also want to check out this post from Kelly Tenkley's iLearn Technology blog for some more helpful information about using Fotobabble in the classroom. I especially am intrigued by her idea to create a "talking, visual word wall". 

Be sure to check out this Fotobabble Tutorial courtesy of TeachertrainingVideos.com that explains everything you need to know about getting started with Fotobabble. 

Here are some things to consider as you attempt this Edtech Challenge:

• Children under 13 cannot create their own account. So you will have to create a class account that you will manage for your students.

• After creating an account on the website, try downloading the app to your ipad. It is very easy to snap a picture and record your audio right from your ipad. Students can do this easily and then email you the link to their project. 

• If you want to record audio from the website, you will need a microphone. Most netbooks and laptops have internal microphones. When using a desktop computer, you will need to plug in a microphone to record. 

Have fun with this challenge and please share you thoughts, ideas, and experiences by adding a comment to this post.