This resource is EASY to set up!  It is a safe and password protected place for your students to participate and collaborate on class assignments!  It is FREE!  It is a tool that will help you to address 21st Century Skills!  It can be used for student-driven projects and challenge-based learning. Students can carry on dynamic conversations about content topics!  You can bring a variety of resources to the table that will enhance learning...pictures, videos, links, Word and PDF documents.  Connect your assignments to real world issues!    Differentiate assignments for different ability levels.  Group your students according to the particular challenges in the assignment.  Track student activity and participation, and tap into the library of lesson resources.  Sound interesting?  If so...visit http://www.collaborizeclassroom.com/ and http://www.collaborizeclassroom.com//blog/ to check out this resource!

Students do not have to have an email account to join your site!  Once you setup your account, you will need to go to the "Site" link under the "Manage" tab.  Make sure that there is a check mark beside of the "Allow students to go to this site to request membership" option.  Save your changes.  It would probably be best to setup student accounts in a lab setting where you can guide students as to how to create usernames and passwords. 

In the lab setting, students will go to your Collaborize Site.  Where it says login, they will choose the "Register Now" option.  Fill in all of the fields to get students ready to collaborize!

If you are using this resource, please share how you are using it!

Introduction - What is podcasting and how can I use it in the classroom?

podcasting_intro


Using PodOmatic.com to create a podcast...

podomatic_101


Embedding a podcast into a First Class Website...

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Good sites to reference...
http://fcit.usf.edu/podcasts/index.html
http://www.edutopia.org/podcasting-student-broadcasts
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/sites/sites074.shtml

A blog is a great way to communicate with students and parents! Of course...I am communicating with you right now by means of a blog! It only takes about 5 minutes to set up and post your first comment! Sounds easy, right? Don't let fear of the unknown hinder you! You can even get your students involved in the process!

1. Set up the blog!
This link - http://twexample.blogspot.com/ - gives you a template or example of how you can set up a classroom blog. Blogger offers info on how to set up a blog...customize a blog...add to a blog...manage a blog...etc.! Check out this link! For more directions...click here.

2. Customize the layout and other options. Make it your own!

3. Post information, photos, videos, links, etc. from a variety of sources. You can also use your phone to update your blog!

4. Allow viewers to make comments or post to your blog. If a student has a Google account, he/she can login and make a post. If students do not have a Google account, they can post using the "anonymous" option. However, you may want to require that they include their name or an identifying number or code word at the end of each post. This link will help with monitoring and modifying posts.

5. Add widgets...embed code or html.
http://twblogwidgets.blogspot.com/
Top Widgets for a Blog
Twitter Feed
Tammy Worcester's Embed Bookmarks - Lots of great resources!

6. Add static pages. Click here for more directions!
More tips...
Here are some options for teachers::
- About our class / school - embed a Google map
- Student podcasts - use Vocaroo
- Lesson plans - easy with an embedded Google spreadsheet
- Links for students / parents - embed from Delicious
- School calendar - embed from Google Calendar
- Homework dropbox - use a Google form

For tech directors:
- How-to videos - use Jing
- Livecast
- Help Desk - use a Google form
- Schedule - use a Google calendar

For administrators:
- What’s happening?
- School calendar - embed from Google Calendar
- Podcast - Using Podcasts in the Classroom - use Vocaroo
- Feedback form - use a Google form

7. Another cool tool -
- Great for scheduling PT conferences / works with Google Calendar
http://youcanbook.me/

Some if this info is from Tammy Worcester. I attended several of her sessions at the 2011 NCTIES Conference...she had tons of great ideas and tools to try!