The ability to read is the most important skill a student in this day and time can learn. Due to the technology of the digital age reading is essential for students to adapt and be successful in an evolving globalized world. Information is exchanged across mediums that were unimaginable thirty years ago. Blogs, wikis, chat rooms, email, text messaging, instant messaging, social networking, among many other forms of interactive technology requires today’s students to refine their literacy skills to be included in societal norms. Therefore, the need for teachers to be effective and efficient in teaching literacy through the use of technology has never been greater. Over the past seven weeks I have researched and attempted to share resources that can guide a teacher to interactive Web 2.0 tools that will advocate technology and literacy in the classroom. I hope for those who have followed my blog that they have been somewhat educated on potential ideas that could bolster literacy instruction through the use of technology activities. With this said, I offer one more useful site that is a goldmine for the teacher looking to implement technology into their instruction.
The website Cool Tools for Schools is an exceptional site offering more free resources to teachers than anyone could possibly imagine. Just about any Web 2.0 tool a teacher could think of needing he or she can find a link on this site leading them to the resource. Also, one of the tremendous assets of this site is it’s user friendly navigation. On the homepage of the site there is a toolbar/menu to the left of the homepage picture listing categories of tools guiding a teacher to the resource he or she is researching. Some of these categories for the Web 2.0 tools include: creativity tools, research tools, video tools, audio tools, writing tools, collaborative tools, among many other categories. Each of the category links leads to a page where individual free resources are available to teachers to explore and utilize in their classroom instruction. I have explored many of the links and even used some of them in my instruction. I highly recommend any teacher perusing this website and discovering the wealth of free resources.
Throughout my research on this site I found many useful tools. However, instead of just telling you about the site I thought I would describe one of the resources in action. About two weeks ago I was glancing through the site when I clicked on the creativity tools link in the category menu. Within this category I found a link to a game that gauges students knowledge in English, Math, Science, etc. The name of the game is Questionaut. The game compels students to read and answer questions while going on a quest to recover a friends lost hat. Since finding the game I have been allowing my students to play it. It has been a tremendous success. I also have to say that some of the questions are moderately hard. Of course, this is not the only game/resource out there on the Cool Tools for Schools website , so please, teachers check it out and let the fun, interactive learning begin for your students too.
Brad,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this wonderful resource & your positive outlook on education. Your love of teaching is present throughout your writings and I can't help but think...how blessed your students are to have you as a teacher.
I played the Questionaut game. I selected the reading section & played the game Trapped. It was very interactive and I liked the quiz section at the end. It was a great follow up to the interactive game..... a little reminder of what skills I had learned while playing the game.
In closing, I appreciate your wonderful, thought provoking ideas this semester and will keep visiting your blog for more great resources. You have been a great encouragement to me and I am very thankful for your positive feedback this semester.
Brad, I have enjoyed searching through the Cool Tools for Schools link that you provided in your blog post this week. I found so many resources that I never really realized even existed until I dove in and searched this site. So interesting! I even played a few of the games that were given. I think any student would enjoy the interactive nature of these games.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing not only this link...but all of the links throughout the semester. I have enjoyed getting to know you through this class and your blog. I hope you continue to post to "Technology and Literacy" in the future. Good luck and have a wonderful...restful summer.