Resources+-+Group+1

=**Resources page - Group 1** = = = //Thanks everyone for your contributions to this assignment. We did great. // //Please continue to add resources to the pages, or add new categories as we finish up this class and beyond. We can always return to this site as our "Resource Network" as long as we need it. // //We all deserve a 4 thumbs-up. // = = Here you will find links and details of online educational resources we as a group have sourced and evaluated. These educational Resources have been split into the following categories: An 'At a Glance' rating system has also been developed and a 4 to 1 rating will be allocated to 4 specific areas; **Content, Credibility, Usefulness,** and **Navigation and ease of use**. Please look at the evaluation criteria for these ratings in the table below:
 * **Teacher Resources**-
 * **Technology Integration**-
 * **Technology Discussions**-
 * **Professional Development**

Rating System & Evaluation Criteria:
Suggested rating icons. Please vote for 1 by typing your name beneath the icon. The icon that gets the most votes will be our official rating icon. Or if you don't like any of thes, please add more. :) Tom ||   Kim  Nikisha  Cindy ||
 * **Category** || **4 - Excellent** || **3 - Good** || **2 - Satisfactory** || **1 - Poor** ||
 * **Content** || Well-organized, accurate information, no errors. Clearly-stated purpose and theme. || The site organized with most of the information is accurate. Has clearly-stated purpose and theme || The site is organized... the purpose and theme somewhat vague and confusing. || Not well-organized. Lacks purpose and theme. ||
 * **Credibility** || Author(s) of the material is clearly identified. Multiple sources of contact information listed (ie..email, phone, blog) || Author(s) of most the material is clearly identified. One source of contact information listed. || Author(s) of some of the material is identified. Contact information missing. || No contact information is listed. Author is not listed throughout the web page. ||
 * **Usefulness** || Has sufficient information related to teachers' needs and purposes. || Includes essential information. Subject knowledge appears to be related to teacher's needs and purposes. || Includes essential information about the topic but there are 1-2 factual errors. || Content is minimal OR there are several factual errors. ||
 * **Navigation and ease of use** || Links clearly labeled. Can easily move from a page to a related page. User does not get lost. Can be opened with any major browser. || The site was somewhat easy to navigate and most links / downloads worked smoothly || Navigating the site was confusing and some links / downloads worked smoothly || Some links do not take user to the sites described. A user typically feels lost. ||
 * [[image:teachersacrosstheglobe/4.jpg width="67" height="65"]] || [[image:teachersacrosstheglobe/apple.jpg width="68" height="63"]] || Rob[[image:teachersacrosstheglobe/flower1.jpg width="69" height="63"]] || [[image:teachersacrosstheglobe/check.jpg width="62" height="56"]] || [[image:teachersacrosstheglobe/star.jpg width="60" height="50"]]

**Teachers,**
=== **All the websites in the categories below are now within the category pages. Please do not add your resources here anymore. Simply copy and paste your website directly to the pages created on the right side column (Professional Development, Teacher Resources, Technology Discussion, Technology Integrations).** ===

__**Categories**__ **1. Teacher Resources** [] [|http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com] [] []

**2. Technology Integration** [] [] [|http://freetech4teachers.com] [|http://thumannresources.com] [|http://ilearntechnology.com] [] []

** 3. Professional Development ** [] [] [] []

**4. Technology Discussions** [|http://www.classroom20.com] [|http://freetech4teachers.com] [|http://thumannresources.com] [|http://ilearntechnology.com] [] []

//**Step 3:** As a collaborative group, add the resources to the wiki and rate them. Check your Walden e-mail frequently throughout the week to keep up with wiki contributions or issues.//

= __Group 1 Pooled Blogs/Websites __ =

**Tom Varnham's: **
Title: **Free Technology for Teacher** Author: Richard Byrne Purpose: This blog is a resource site aimed at sharing information about technologies that are free and appropriate for the classroom and teaching. Evaluation of Utility: Excellent Content: 4 Credibility: 4 Usefulness: 4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Navigation and ease of use:4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Link: [|http://freetech4teachers.com]

<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Title: **Thumann Resources** <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Author:Lisa Thumann <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Purpose: This blog has been created by a lady who works with educators to improve teaching and learning with the use of technology. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Evaluation of Utility: Excellent <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Content: 4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Credibility: 4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usefulness: 3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Navigation and ease of use: 3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Link: [|http://thumannresources.com]

<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Title: **iLearn Technology** <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Author: Kelly Tenkely <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Purpose: This blog is focused on looking at how technologies can and should be incorporated into the classroom. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Evaluation of Utility: Excellent <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Content: 4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Credibility: 4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usefulness: 3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Navigation and ease of use: 4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Link: [|http://ilearntechnology.com]

**Nikisha Greer's:**
Title:// **Educational Technology Guy** // Author: Dave- An Educator & Educational Technology Specialists Purpose: This blog provides free educational technology resources and the latest information on the current topics related to educational pedagogy and educational technology. Includes multiple resources that can assist educators and students to be successful within the educational curriculum. Evaluation of Utility: Excellent <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Content: 4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Credibility: 4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usefulness: 4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Navigation and ease of use: 4 //Link: **[|http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com]**//

Title:// **The Power of Educational Technology** // Author: Liz B. Davis Purpose: This blog presents strategies to motivate communities (learning) and to encourage inventive thinking skills. Resources include podcasts, videos, literature, and social networking advice. Evaluation of Utility: Good <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Content: 3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Credibility: 4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usefulness: 4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Navigation and ease of use: 4 //Link: **[|http://www.edtechpower.blogspot.com]**//

Title:// **Digital Education** // Author: Ian Quillen, Katie Ash, Michelle Davis Purpose: The blog provides insight about the latest developments in technology within education. This blog explains how this program’s goal is to bridge the gap between low SES families & schools and the economically advantaged families & schools. The goal is to use best practices to prepare the students for careers and college. Resources include Videos, hyperlinks, and relevant websites. Evaluation of Utility: Good <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Content: 4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Credibility: 4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usefulness: 4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Navigation and ease of use: 3 //Link: **[]**//

**Kim**
Title: Classroom 2.0 Author: Steve Hargadon Purpose: This is the social network site for teachers who are interested in Web 2.0 and collaborative technologies in education. There are discussion forums you can participate in or follow blogs of prominent educators and technology leaders. You can also join existing blog groups with similar grade level educators or interests, or form your own. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Evaluation of Utility:Excellent <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Content:4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Credibility:4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usefulness:4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Navigation and ease of use:4 Link: []

Title: 4Teachers.org - Teach with Technology Author: 4Teachers team at ALTEC Purpose: **4Teachers.org** works to help teachers integrate technology into classroom by offering online tools and resources. This site helps teachers locate online resources such as ready-to-use Web lessons, quizzes, rubrics and classroom calendars. There are also tools for student use. There are also valuable professional development resources addressing issues such as equity, ELL, technology planning, and at-risk or special-needs students <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Evaluation of Utility:Excellent <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Content:4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Credibility:4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usefulness:4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Navigation and ease of use:3 Link: []

Title: Arcademic Skill Builders Author: unknown Purpose: This is a favorite website for my students. Arcademic Skill Builders are research-based and standards-aligned educational games that offer an innovative approach to teaching basic academic skills.... and they're fun too. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Evaluation of Utility:Good <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Content:3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Credibility:3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usefulness:3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Navigation and ease of use:4 Link: []

Title: Marilyn Western's Technology Tips for Classroom Teachers Author: Marilyn Western Purpose: This is a page for short, concise, fun tutorials for Microsoft Office and other multimedia applications. More than just tutorials, the website also has suggestions, ideas, articles, and a wonderful integrating tech workshop that is easy to use. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Evaluation of Utility:Good <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Content:3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Credibility:3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usefulness:3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Navigation and ease of use:4 Link: []

**Cindy**
Title: **Ask A Tech Teacher** Author: Jacqui Murray Purpose: This website was created by Jacqui Murray, a technology teacher with 15 years experience. She has written two books for middle school technology. This blog has technology tips, great websites to integrate technology and current trends in technology. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Evaluation of Utility:Excellent <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Content:4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Credibility:4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usefulness:4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Navigation and ease of use:4 Link: []

Title: **The Teaching Palette** Author: Hillary Andrlik and Theresa McGee Purpose: This blog is authored by art educators for art educators. It provides a collaborative and resourceful forum where art specialists of all levels can explore professional topics that impact our subject area. It was named Scholastic Instructor magazine’s Top 20 Teacher Blogs. There are three main catagories, Classroom Management, Teacher authored- product reviews, and music-art integration. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Evaluation of Utility:4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Content:3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Credibility:3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usefulness:3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Navigation and ease of use:4 Link: []

Title: **Art Education 2.0** Author: Craig Roland Purpose: This site is an online professional community of art educators with over 9,760 members! It contains discussion boards, videos, forums, blogs, and frequently asked questions. It is a plethora of information for art educators. You have to join to participate for free. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Evaluation of Utility:4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Content:4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Credibility:3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usefulness:4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Navigation and ease of use:4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Link: []

**Rob Killips**
Title: **The History Channel this Is Not...** Author: Nate Kogan Purpose: This site by Nate Kogan offers opinons on different strategies used by History teachers. Most of the ideas are tehcnology based, though all are not. It is useful for some "off the beaten path topics" but is not necessarily providing a lot of useful things. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Evaluation of Utility:Good <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Content: 3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Credibility: 3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usefulness: 3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Navigation and ease of use: 3 Link: []

Title: **History Tech** Author: Purpose: This site is set up by "Virtual Glenn" and is extremely useful. It is basically a site where he posts a lot of technological information that could be useful to Social Studies teachers. Glenn is helping teachers find free resources out there to use in their classrooms. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Evaluation of Utility: Good <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Content: 3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Credibility: 4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usefulness: 3 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Navigation and ease of use: 3 Link: []

Title: **World History Teachers Blog** Author: Ken Halla Purpose: This site authored by Ken Halla has links to interesting technology that can be used for history teachers. It includes things such as YouTube videos to websites for creating review games. It offers a tremendous amount of small technological pieces that can be used in the classroom without extensive preparation. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Evaluation of Utility: Excellent <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Content: 4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Credibility: 4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usefulness: 4 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Navigation and ease of use: 3 Link: []

**Linda Berry**
Title: **Technology in the classroom** Author: Jeffrey Roth Purpose: <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Evaluation of Utility: <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Content: <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Credibility: <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Usefulness: <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Navigation and ease of use: Link: []

Title - **ilearn technology** Author: Kelly Tenkely Purpose: Evaluation of Utility: Content: Credibility: Usefulness: Navigation and ease of use: Link: []

Title - **Teaching Now** Author: Francesco Duffy, Liana Heitin, Anthony Robora Purpose: The latest on educators and their role in society pro & con, several different blogs and many different categories of information on educators. Evaluation of Utility: Content: Credibility: Usefulness: Navigation and ease of use: Link: []