Technology+Resources

=Technology Resources: = 

Below is a list of blogs a group of educators have stumbled upon during their coursework at Walden University. The sites listed below are blogs that specifically deal with technology and with bloggers who discuss technological topics. These sites have been personally rated by the educator who has viewed the site. We hope that the rating scale and sites listed below will be helpful to you.

Technology in the Elementary Classroom http://techelemed.wordpress.com/about-us/ **Purpose**: This site has three different authors. They are students at Rowan University and majoring in Elementary or Secondary Education. The three authors have created this blog site to show how technology can be best incorporated into the classrooms. They believe technology is a great aspect to our future and want students to get involved. Reviewed by: Wendi Elsen  **Rating: **
 * Resources**: This blog site has several blogging pages, videos dealing with their major topics discussed, blogs on Twitter, and others. Their main topics deal with technology and how it can be used in the elementary classroom.
 * Evaluation**: This site is organized, but the recent topics are scattered on the sidebar. The information is easy to get to, it is somewhat cluttered.

Technology in my Classroom Blog http://gilbertbm1.wordpress.com/  **Purpose: This site was created by B. Gilbert. This person posts about several different topics dealing with technology in his/her classroom, such as Podcast, Pageflakes, VoiceThreads, Webcasts, and several others. There is also links to other links for videos, movies, Voicethreads, and Webquests. ****Resources: B. Gilbert has several pages dealing with using technology in the classroom. There is ideas of how they use technology in the classroom and plans for use of technology in the classroom. ****Evaluation: This site is somewhat easy to get around. The sidebars enable the viewers to see what the page has to offer. **  Reviewed by: Wendi Elsen   <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 20px;">**<span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">Rating: **

Educational Technology Guy <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">[] <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 80%; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">**Purpose:**This site was created by David Andrade a Physics teacher. David posts numerous topics having to do with technological resources with websites that teach you how to use them.
 * Resources:** David is also a professional development instructor. He provides resources on this blog that have to deal with current professional development topics.
 * Evaluation:** This site is teacher friendly and quite helpful. The posts are an easy read and provide useful information about different resources.

Reviewed by Kristin Jurich <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">**<span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 90%; text-align: center;">Rating: **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 170%; text-align: center;">Future of Education <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">[] <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">**Purpose:** Toby Fischer is a Technology Integration Teacher. This site has been created to discuss current topics on where we have come in education and where it is going. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Reviewed by: Kristin Jurich <span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Rating: **
 * Resources:**Toby posts discussion topics about how to incorporate technology into content area curriculum. He also provides easy to use resources that teachers can incorporate into their own classroom.
 * Evaluation:**This site is a good resource for educators who are interested in learning about new ways to use technology in their classroom.

WHEN HOMEWORK GOES ONLINE

[] Reviewed by Sarah Plummer Rating:
 * Purpose:** Bryan Toporek created a blog about homework being online as well as having all students having netbooks for class use. This blog is about Bryan's experiences and ideas in the classroom. He does hit on some technology topics.
 * Resources:** There are numerous other blogs that Bryan follows. This is a good site for new teachers who are interested in discussing topics such as online homework.
 * Evaluation:** The blog is organized into different topics that Bryan discusses. There is no real categories for this blog.




 * iLearn Technology **

[]

**Purpose:** Kelly Tenkely is an early childhood teacher as well as a technology specialist. iLearn Technology is a blog compiled of different uses for technology in the classroom. Tenkely presents resources available for students to use on computers. She also offers teachers tutorial lessons on how to use different programs as well as how to put together a class website. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">** Rating: ** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"> Reviewed by Lauren Garman
 * Resources:** Tenkely offers insights on different resources available for computer use. A lot of suggestions are from actual projects her students have worked on. There are links to educational websites as well as tips to look for when exploring the sites.
 * Evaluation:** The blog is organized into archives that make posts easy to retrieve. There are specific featured posts that are relevant to what’s going on in the month. The posts are separated into a description of what the technology is, how to integrate it into the classroom, and any tips Tenkely may have on using the program.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** The Education Technology Blog ** This blog was created by Jonathan Wylie, an Elementary school teacher who teaches in the Midwest. Most of the information posted was found and posted by others. With the overwhelming amount of resources now out there online, his purpose for this blog is to try to bring together the best of what is available to teachers in the classroom today. The blog is designed with clear, abbreviated entries describing a variety of sources.
 * @http://www.educationtechnologyblog.com/ **

Reviewed by Michelle McKain <span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">**Rating:** <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">

**Teacher Tech Blog: Technology Tips for all Teachers <span style="display: inline; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">[] ** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14pt;">**Purpose:** Scott Walker created this blog to provide tips for all teachers on how to incorporate technology into their classroom. He provides new quality tips on how to use computer programs and technological tools. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14pt;">**Resources:** The author uses a variety of media and discusses different ways to use new programs. The blogs are also divided into sub-categories which allows for easy navigation. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 14pt;">**Evaluation:** This blog provides the latest news in technological gadgets. It is a great resource for teachers to visit frequently to find out the latest program that can be used with students.
 * Rating:<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;">[[image:http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/CSP/CSP058/k0588415.jpg height="30"]][[image:http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/CSP/CSP058/k0588415.jpg height="30"]][[image:http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/CSP/CSP058/k0588415.jpg height="30"]][[image:http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/CSP/CSP058/k0588415.jpg height="30"]] **
 * Reviewed by Meghan Smith**

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%; text-align: center;">**Free Technology for the Teacher** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">**Porpose:** Richard Byrne created this site to share information about free resources that can be used by teachers in their classrooms. <span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">**Rating:**
 * Resources:** FreeTechnology for the Teacher offers a variety of cost free resources in all content areas. They are well categorized and easily located on the blog page. Navigation is simple and effective.
 * Evaluation:** Free Technology for Teachers is a comprehensive site for locating many types of technologies useful for classroom use. It won the award for "Best Resource Sharing Blog" from Edublogs in 2008 and 2009. Additionally, it recieved the award for "Best Individual Blog" presented by Edublogs in 2009. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">​

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Reviewed by: James Cooke

**EdTech Solutions: Teaching Every Student** []

This blog was created by Karen Janowski, an Assistive & Educational Technology Consultant. EdTech Solutions emphasizes the importance of creating curriculum for every student. Karen provides information about how to create lessons using technology to promote success for all students. Karen discuss new technologies and how they can be useful in the classroom. Thi s site is a good resource for educators who are interested in learning about new ways to use technology in their classroom. Rating:

=Blogging About The Web 2.0 Connected Classroom= A Blend Of Technology And Education []

This blog was created by Steven W. Anderson. Steve has created a blog that provides lists of new technologies for the classroom. As well using technology in the classroom, and education and social issues. I think that this is a great resource for teachers. It is well organized and provides extensive information about technology and education.

Rating: =The Journal: Technological Horizons in Education= @http://thejournal.com/Home.aspx <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">**Purpose:** The publisher is Wendy LaDuke, but since this is more of an online journal, there are many editors that contribute to this blog. This site, as well as another called [|EduHound.com] are part of the monthly print magazine called //THE Journal.// Included in the franchise are newsletters (THE News Update, THE SmartClassroom, EduHound Weekly, School Security, and Collaboration 2.0) that you can subscribe to off the blog.
 * Resources:** This blog provides exclusive, online content (great articles), with industry news, information and trends in K-12 education technology, a comprehensive archive, events, webinars, and more.
 * Evaluation:** This blog can lead you to many professional resources that are part of//THE Journal// franchise. The blog does display a lot of information (which may seem a bit overwhelming), but there is some good stuff that can benefit our teaching profession.

Reviewed by Cristina Chico
 * Rating** [[image:http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/CSP/CSP058/k0588415.jpg width="36" height="30"]][[image:http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/CSP/CSP058/k0588415.jpg width="36" height="30"]][[image:http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/CSP/CSP058/k0588415.jpg width="36" height="30"]][[image:http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/CSP/CSP058/k0588415.jpg width="36" height="30"]]

[|**http://21centuryedtech.wordpress.com/**]
 * 21st Century Educational Technology and Learning**


 * Purpose:** This blog was created by Michael Gorman who has partnered with ISTE and various educational, goverment, and business organizations. He oversees the Intergrated Solutions Block, a 21st century program serving 950 students intergrating technology with core standards at Woodside Middle School near Fort Wayne, Indiana.
 * Resources:** This site is devoted to educators intent on infusing technology and 21st century education into the classroom. It contains links and ideas for programs that are based on school curriculum.
 * Evaluation:** I think this blog is a great resource for teachers to take a look at it they are interested in incorporating technology into all subjects. There is a lot of reading and links to click on to get the information. This wealth of information can prove valuable to classroom instruction.


 * Rating:

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;"> ** Reviewed by Charina Pitts

[]
 * Langwitches Blog: The Magic of Learning through Technology **
 * Purpose: ** Langwitches was created by Silvia Tolisano. She has a background in International Studies and Instructional Technology. She uses her blog to share her interests in using technology in the classroom, digital storytelling, and multicultural and global education.
 * Resources: ** Langwitches is a blog that lists many great links, ideas, and downloads for integrating technology in the classroom.
 * Evaluation: ** This blog is fairly easy to navigate. Recent posts appear down the middle of the page and are organized meaningfully. If you scroll down toward the bottom of the site, on the right hand side, you will find links for downloads, digital storytelling, blogging unit plans, and global collaboration. You will also find a list of categories making it easy to find specific ideas. I especially appreciate the ideas given for using Web 2.0 tools in the elementary classroom, such as using blogs in second grade and podcasting with first graders. I find this page to be very useful for educators.
 * Rating: **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[[image:http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/CSP/CSP058/k0588415.jpg height="30"]][[image:http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/CSP/CSP058/k0588415.jpg height="30"]][[image:http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/CSP/CSP058/k0588415.jpg height="30"]][[image:http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/CSP/CSP058/k0588415.jpg height="30"]]


 * Reviewed by Sarah Nofo **

** The BlogWalker ** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">@http://blogwalker.edublogs.org/

This blog was developed by Gail Desler, a teacher whose connection with the National Writing Project has inspired her to create this forum welcome conversations and collaborations that welcomes conversations and collaborations in the exploration of what it means to be teaching, writing, and learning in a digital age. It a great blog if you are looking informational posts on a variety of topics teachers are beginning to experience in their own classroom through the integration of technology. Reviewed by Michelle McKain

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">Rating

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__Instructional Technology__

[]

Purpose:This site provides blogs that are categorized according to topic. Resources: Click on a topic, say podcasting, and it quickly loads blogs to review. Most provide ideas which you can implement into the classroom. Evaluation: The site is easy to use, and provides many interesting ideas. Another added feature is the ability to connect content to technology.

Rating:

Rated by Sherri Breinich

=**__Web 2.0 in the Classroom__**=
 * __[|http://web20intheclassroom.blogspot.com]

Purpose:__** This site is a clearinghouse for teachers who want to learn more about the 2.0 classroom. __**Resources:**__ The blog is full of links to other blogs that give tutorials, provide ideas for integrating technology into the classroom. There are plenty of full color examples and presentations in the links provided. __**Evaluation:**__ A terrific source for the blogging classroom. It is easy to use and full of new blogs to read to gather ideas and learn more about blogging as well as other technology and its' implementation into the classroom.

Rating:

** Tech and Learning ** []

Rating: <span style="color: black; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msothemecolor: text1; text-align: left;">Reviewed by: James Cooke
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Purpose: **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;"> This site gives a variety of informational products for the use of teachers of all grade levels and levels of mastery.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Resources: **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">This site has a multitude of resources including best practices, blogs, webinars, tech forums, magazine links, partner sites, tips, etc. There seems to be something for every teacher at every level of education.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Evaluation: **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">This site is formatted well for easy navigation. The headings make it simple to open any content area desired and the links seem to work quickly. There is a pop up ad that you have to circumvent each time you open a major window which is a bit annoying. Other than that, this is a good site with relevant content.

=**Educator Leads Technology Discussion**=

[]

**__Purpose:__** This site was started by Beth Knittle, an integrating technology educator, and includes many links to valuable resources for teachers who have an interest in using technology in the classroom. She also host a blog that discuss the fine points of learning with technology
 * __Resources__**: Many links to other websites about technology in the classroom. Also includes a long reading list of technology references.
 * __Evaluation:__** I felt the discussions were very good, leading to critical thinking about issues that increase student learning. The reading list is also especially helpful.

Rating Reviewed by Jim Van Arsdale

Promethean Planet [] **__Purpose:__** A site designed by the makers of the Promethean Smart Board for educations to share ideas on application of the board in their classroom.
 * __Resources:__ ** Great ideas from fellow teachers. Lesson plans, learning links and much more.
 * __Evaluation:__ ** Very important blog for new users of this technology. Promethean support for their products seems to be excellent.

Rating Reviewed by Jim Van Arsdale