Class Dojo Review

The first Web 2.0 tool I chose to evaluate using our rubric is Class Dojo.  I will be evaluating all tools with a target age group of K-2 students.

Feature Summary:  This is a behavior/character development tool that uses cute avatars of the students and an award system to motivate positive behavior changes.  Students can be involved in the creation of their own avatars, class behaviors, and can also help with assigning points for attendance and participation, if the class climate lends itself to that much participation.  Parents can have easy access to the daily reports and it is easy for the teacher to communicate with one or all parents quickly.  There are many informational resources for teachers and parents, and several features such as a timer and printable reports for easy record keeping.

Classroom Use:  Class Dojo is something that would need to be up and visible much of the time in order for it to have the intended impact on participation and behavior.  Students can see in real time who is being recognized for positive behaviors, as well as what the behaviors are.  Throughout the day, points must be awarded and the behaviors "lifted up" and reflected upon by the students.  The teacher can easily award points using any device, so an iPad in hand makes that very easy to manage.

Ranking:  Class Dojo received 28 out of 30 points using our rubric, indicating that this would be a good choice for my target group.

	Ineffective OH NO! (1pts)	Adequate It’s OK (2pts)	Must Use Sign me up! (3pts)
Learning Target Goal	Students are unable to use this tool to meet their learning target	Students can see how this tool can be used to meet their learning target	Tool is transparent and students can clearly see how this tool is used and can apply it to their learning
User-Friendly Design	Students have a hard time navigating through the tool and can not easily find what they need	Students can navigate through the tool but have difficulty finding useful tools	Students can easily navigate through tool
Access (Free or Paid)	Communication tool is too expensive and not worth the benefit of the tool and/or is not accessible to students and teachers	Communication tool requires small monthly fee that is worth the use and benefit of the tool and/or easily accessible to students and teachers	Communication tool is free and/or easily accessible to students and teachers
Differentiation	There is no way to accommodate or differentiate for all learners	This tool could be differentiated for a few types of learners	There are many ways this tool could be adapted for all learners
Student Motivation	Students are not/would not be motivated to interact using this tool	Some/few students may be  interested in using this tool	Students are excited to use this tool to interact and communicate
Timely Communication/ Feedback	Communication stream is not easily followed and takes too much practice to learn to be useful	Communication stream may be difficult to follow and manage, or managing feedback is not easily done in a timely manner	Communication stream is easy to follow and access quickly to keep feedback timely
Trackable User Work Record	Student work is not archived or able to be tracked.  There is no way to easily see what each member has contributed.	Student work may be archived OR individual student contributions may be determined	Student work is easily tracked and individual contributions are clearly and easily determined.
Medium	Tool is only available for one or two browser platforms	Tool is available in some browsers and/or devices	Tool is easily used on multiple or all available browsers, mobile devices, and computers
Age Appropriate	Tool is not appropriate for the target age group, either too simplified or too complex	Tool may need to be adapted to fit the target age group	Tool is appropriate for the target age group
Monitoring Capability	Teacher has no means to monitor and remove inappropriate content or comment	Teacher may not be able to monitor, or may not be able to remove inappropriate content	Teacher is easily able to monitor user interaction for appropriateness

Twiducate

Twiducate is a social networking tool for schools.  It is geared for elementary and secondary teachers and students.  Twiducate allows the teacher to sign-up and create a class so that the students can use this Twitter like tool.

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Effective:  Students are often engaged using these types of tools.  They would be able to communicate to work together as well as go to links and other sources asked by the teacher(s).  Teachers could use this to open students to "real-world" by having other classes join their network. Students build on their prior knowledge to gain new learnings.

Ease of Use:  Teachers simply have to sign-up for an account and then add students.  Teachers can also have other teachers join.  It is pretty easy to use and find all of the tools.  Students login using a code rather than having to have an email.

Technology Required:  It is a web-based tool so all devices can be used.

Adaptability:  It can be used in all environments.

Cost:  It is free, but if you care to make a donation you may.

Target Audience:  It could be used with all grade levels and students.

Versatility Across the Curriculum:  This tool could be used to address many Common Core Standards in ELA.  In addition, it could be used in all subject areas to cover the material taught at each grade level.

mailcatch.com

     mailcatch.com is an email service which allows you to create a temporary mailbox with no sign-up.  It seems that this may be a way for teachers to have students use tools that require emails.  This can also be connected to an RSS feed.

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Effective:  Although this tool may open up opportunities to address all of the descriptors.

Ease of Use:  There is no registration needed or required.  You can use any random address ending @mailcatch.com in whatever tool you are using it to sign-up or in.  Then you just have to go here, you enter the email and you well be able to view and delete the email.

Technology Required:  This can be done via the Internet using any device.

Adaptability:  This could be used in all environments.

Cost:  There is no cost at all to use, but like with most tools there is a paid version.   The paid version allows for more security and options.

Target Audience:  All students could use this tool.

Versatility Across the Curriculum:  The tool itself does not cover the descriptions, yet using this tool could open it up to addressing all of the descriptors.

DocsTeach

DocsTeach is a web-based tool and it can also be downloaded as an app onto any iOS device. DocsTeach is a tool for teachers to teach history.  It provides activities and lessons and allows teachers to create their own custom activity sets.  This site gives teachers and students access to primary source documents and pictures in history.  The goal of this tool is to create "historical thinking skills."

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Effective:  Students are able to work together or independently on the activities.  These are interactive sets of history put together and students are asked to think critically to find connections.  This really allows the students to see and experience historical documents.

Ease of Use:  Tutorials are available to help teachers create the activities for the students.  There are also activities available for use if teachers would like to use them. Teachers are required to register in order to access, save, and create custom sets.  Students are able to login using a code.

Technology Required:  DocsTeach can be used on all devices because it is available via the internet and through an app.

Adaptability:  This should be a tool that can be used in all learning environments.

Cost:  There is no cost to use this tool.

Target Audience:  Some of the materials (documents) may be more appropriate to use with 6-12 range.  The created activities might be geared toward old students.  I feel that the pictures and documents could be used with the younger groups for a different purpose.

Versatility Across the Curriculum:  This tool addresses the National History Standards.  Many of the tasks would help cover some of the ELA Common Core Standards as well.  There were a few activities that mentioned incorporating interpreting data and maps.

Poetica

  Poetica is a web-based tool and it can be accessed on all devices.  This tool is another tool that can be used like Google Drive.  The appearance is even a little similar as you can see from the picture.

 This tool supports word files, PDFs, and Rich Text Docs.  Email is needed for sign-up; people can be invited through email or by sharing a link.  A tutorial is right on the home page when you login.  One interesting feature that Poetica has is a Chrome extension.  This is designed to make it easier to ask for help editing or feedback anywhere online.  The text can be selected and imported right into Poetica and then others can be invited to give feedback.

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Effective:  Students and teachers are able to give feedback to each.  This has the potential for opening connections for students and opening them up to the "real-world."

Ease of Use:  As stated above the program does require an email for sign-up.  The system can be used with a password was sign-up has been established.

Technology Required:  Poetica can be used on all devices since it is web-based. 

Adaptability:  This should be able to fit within all learning environments.

Cost:  This is a free web tool.

Target Audience:  This tool can be used with all grade levels, but it may be more appropriate for elementary level and up.

Versatility Across the Curriculum:  This is a tool that can be used with all grade levels.  Teachers can be a part of the feedback if they are included into the sharing.  Poetica can help address many ELA standards. as well as others depending on the documents being used.    

ViewChat

ViewChat is an app, which allows you to share files and work on them cooperatively or independently.  Some of the features are similar to Google Docs.  Files such as PDF, Doc, PPT, Pages, Keynote, Excel, web pages, and photos can be dragged or dropped into the app.  It also can convert files into PDF form.  PDF forms can filled in and signed.  Once the files have been uploaded/downloaded into the app, you can view and chat together.  You can text, make voice and video calls.  This allows you and others to annotate on the files.  It is great because teachers can also be a part of the chats to evaluate the students.  

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Effective:  Students cab be actively engaged when they are interacting with others in discussions.  They can work on making documents and adjustments to their own work as well.  Students can learn from others and get feedback from teachers and peers.

Ease of Use:  ViewChat offers a Quick Start tutorial for the app.  This is very helpful in learning what to do.  It does require an email sign-up to start an account.  A pin is sent to the email, which is used to start the account.

Technology Required:  The app can be downloaded onto iOS devices.  

Adaptability:  It can be adapted to be used in all learning environments.

Cost:  The app is free to download and use.  There are no additional costs; all of the options within the app are free.

Target Audience:  This app can be used with all students; however, once students have created an account they need to send invites so that they can add members and/groups.  These invites can also be connected with QR codes.  Managing the lists, although simple, it may not work for all grade levels. Teachers do not have the ability to manage students' member list and accounts.

Versatility Across the Curriculum:  This app can be used in all subject areas and it can address some of the standards in ELA.  Teachers can  join the the group/chats so that they can monitor the progress.  

eBackPack

eBackPack:

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Accessibility: Students and teachers as well as parents can access this communication tool once the school has created the account. The grades can be linked to the gradebook of the teacher for instant feedback. Access to the communication tool is accessible through all web browsers and devices. There is an app, as well as a website for teachers, students, and parent to access.

Security/Promotions: This communication tool is a closed system in which students and parents need access with a username and password. The school pays a fee to gain access to the product. There are no promotions or ads to distract students from the information teachers provide.

Functions: An instructor is about to exchange assignments and collect through this tool. Students also have the ability to work on assignments within other tools such as Nobility, Word, etc. and then upload it to eBackPack.

Self-Editing/Archiving: Student has the ability to save assignments within the app or download to another application, such as Nobility, Word, etc. that can be turned in at a later date.

Personalization: Students do not have a profile within this communication tool. The school creates the students’ usernames and passwords for teachers, students, and parents.

Use in the classroom: Creates a paperless classroom with the use of iPads or Laptops. Also, eBackpack is a place for teachers to include handouts and resources for students to access at anytime.

Criteria/ Characteristic	4	3	2	1
Accessibility	User can access communication tool via multiple browsers (Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox) with ability to use on multiple platforms (tablet, mobile device, pc/mac)	User can access communication tool via 3 or less browser options as well as limits to tablet or mobile devices along with ability to use on multiple platforms	User can access communication tool via 2 or less browsers/tablet or mobile devices. User is limited to 2 or less platforms.	User can access communication tool via only one browser. User is limited to one platform.
Security/ Promotions	User has been provided with adequate security features and there is no fee/affordable fee and no advertisements.	User has been provided with some security features and no fee/advertise-ments.	User has been provided with little to no security features and a small fee and some advertisements.	User has been provided with no security features and a substantial fee along with many advertisements.
Media Functions	User can complete multiple tasks in the communication tool including attaching documents, presentations, videos, audio, etc. with ease or has access to tutorials.	User can complete tasks in the communication tool, but may need to access outside function to complete product. Some tutorials included.	User is limited to two communication tools and few tutorials.	User can complete/attach at least one task in the communication tool. No tutorials.
Self Editing/ Archiving	Communication Tool allows user to automatically save all forms of information along with providing built in editing tools for text, audio, video, etc.	Communication Tool allows user to automatically save most forms of information along with providing some editing tools.	Communication Tool allows user to have a limited selection of editing tools, but does save most forms of information, along with limited edit functions.	Communication Tool does not allow user edit information and does not provide editing tools.
Personalization	User can create an in depth profile that includes photos, biographical information, contact information.	User can create a limited profile that includes biographical information, contact information.	User can create a profile that includes some biographical or contact information with no pictures.	User cannot create a profile or include any biographical or contact information.

Moodle

Moodle:

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Accessibility: This communication tool can be accessed through any web browser. It is also available on multiple platforms including android and iOS devices.

Security/Promotions: The instructor can create a closed classroom that is secure for students in settings. There are no advertisements in this site. No fee is required; however you need to have a server space to house the content of the course.

Functions: Users can download and upload assignments as well as handouts, but cannot complete those assignments within the tool. Discussion platforms can be created to encourage discussion outside the classroom. Teachers can also create assessments, lessons, add useful links and chat areas throughout.

Self-Editing/Archiving: Users cannot edit those documents within this tool; however it does allow the user to upload the files the user creates.

Personalization: The user can create a limited profile with basic contact information such as name, email, and a photo.

Use in the classroom: Create a limited paperless classroom. Instructor can use communication tool as a platform for discussions and a resource page.

Criteria/ Characteristic	4	3	2	1
Accessibility	User can access communication tool via multiple browsers (Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox) with ability to use on multiple platforms (tablet, mobile device, pc/mac)	User can access communication tool via 3 or less browser options as well as limits to tablet or mobile devices along with ability to use on multiple platforms	User can access communication tool via 2 or less browsers/tablet or mobile devices. User is limited to 2 or less platforms.	User can access communication tool via only one browser. User is limited to one platform.
Security/ Promotions	User has been provided with  adequate security features and there is no fee/affordable fee and no advertisements.	User has been provided with some security features and no fee/advertise-ments.	User has been provided with little to no security features and a small fee and some advertisements.	User has been provided with no security features and a substantial fee along with many advertisements.
Media Functions	User can complete multiple tasks in the communication tool including attaching documents, presentations, videos, audio, etc. with ease or has access to tutorials.	User can complete tasks in the communication tool, but may need to access outside function to complete product. Some tutorials included.	User is limited to two communication tools and few tutorials.	User can complete/attach at least one task in the communication tool. No tutorials.
Self Editing/ Archiving	Communication Tool allows user to automatically save all forms of information along with providing built in editing tools for text, audio, video, etc.	Communication Tool allows user to automatically save most forms of information along with providing some editing tools.	Communication Tool allows user to have a limited selection of editing tools, but does save most forms of information, along with limited edit functions.	Communication Tool does not allow user edit information and does not provide editing tools.
Personalization	User can create an in depth profile that includes photos, biographical information, contact information.	User can create a limited profile that includes biographical information, contact information.	User can create a profile that includes some biographical or contact information with no pictures.	User cannot create a profile or include any biographical or contact information.

ThingLink

ThingLink is an interactive images.  You have the ability to add links to a picture.  These ThingLink images can then be placed into blogs, websites, and/or wikis.  Teachers and students can use it by signing up for a free account.  However, there are some paid versions shown below.  This tool has many uses in the classroom and there are videos and many tutorials available on the web page.  Teachers can use this with their students as a teaching tool or students can use it to create a different type of presentation.  Click here to read more about ThingLink;  see ThingLink in action by clicking on these blogs:     Link 1, Link 2  ThingLink has many possibilities.

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Effective:  This Web 2.0 tool is a great way to engage students.  They can work collaboratively on an activity using this tool or independently.  It can help them build on prior knowledge and gain new learnings.  By creating links students will be opening up to the "real-world."

Ease of Use:  There are many tutorials to help users.  Students and/or teachers need to sign-up for an account using an email.  You can sign-up using Twitter, Google, or Facebook.

Technology Required:  ThingLink can be used from any device.  It is web-based and can be used with an app on both iOS and Androids.

Adaptability:  This tool can be adjusted to fit within any learning environment.

Cost:  The plan options can be seen in the picture above.

Target Audience:  This tool can be used at all the grade levels.

Versatility Across the Curriculum:  It seems that there are many ways to incorporate the standards and subject areas.  As these are being used by the students, teachers would be able

to evaluate and have access to the students' work to monitor.  

Quadblogging

 Quadblogging is a web tool that teachers and students can use to connect with classrooms around the world.  The class/teacher must fill out an application; this information will assist with finding the right classes to match.  A group of four classrooms are placed together and each class takes a turn posting on their blog (this is referred to as the "focus school") the other classrooms will then respond to the blog posted.  Teachers can use this to help improve writing skills and open their students to world.  Edutopia has additional information about Quadblogging and its classroom benefits.

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Effective:  Students will be able to interact with students around the world.  They will need to post to their blog as a class or individually and to the pages of other classes.  Being able to converse with others outside of their state/country will allow them to connect knew and old learnings about places/people around the world.

Ease of Use:  Using Quadblogging does require the class to have an existing blog.  If a class does not have a blog, then the class would need to have to sign on with a blogging site.  The teacher needs to fill out a blog application and provide their class blog URL.  After the information is sent, the information about the other three partnering schools will be sent to you.

Technology Required:  Most blog sites can be used on all devices; therefore, you would be able to use this on any device.

Adaptability: This can be adjusted to fit within all learning environments.

Cost:  This is completely free.  

Target Audience:  It can be adapted to be used with all students and grade levels.

Versatility Across the Curriculum:  Quadblogging would be a great tool to use in all areas of the curriculum to address various standards.  Teachers can keep track of their students' post and students can monitor their growth in the writing quality.

Projeqt

Projeqt is a web-based presentation tool.  This tool allows you to link many presentations together into one; You can stack presentations within presentations.  The presentations can be created by using PDF documents, PowerPoint, and/or images.  One thing that makes Projeqt unique is that you are able to link it too social media accounts.  This allows this presentation tool "real time."  Tweets, blog feeds, streaming videos or audio, and RSS feeds can all be added and they will be automatically updated within the presentations.  Projeqt has tutorial videos to help you get started.  This is a great way for students or teachers to present information and it is very easy to to learn and use.

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Effective:  Students would be engaged in making or viewing the presentation.  They could work together or individually on a presentation.  Making connections to their prior learnings to make new ones would be had through creating and viewing presentations made by peers/teacher.
Having the ability to link with various tools makes it more interactive for students.

Ease of Use:  Teachers do need to create an account using an email address. There are many videos to assist teachers and students as they learn how to use this tool.

Technology Required:  It is a web-based tool and can be used in any browser.  Therefore, it can be used on any device.

Adaptability:  It can be used to fit all learning environments.

Cost:  Projeqt is free to use.

Target Audience:  This can be used with elementary students to professionals.

Versatility Across the Curriculum:  Teachers and students can use this across the curriculum while addressing many of the standards.  These presentations can also be used to monitor students progress.  

Zaption

  Zaption is a web-based application video tool, which allows educators to create quizzes/questions for students to answer while watching videos.  The teacher can create a tour using videos from YouTube, Vimeo, as well as their own videos.  Videos can be uploaded into the tour; the videos can be paused so that questions can be added anywhere you would like them to go.   The questions can be multiple choice, open response, drawing, text  slide, image slide, or check boxes; these are referred to as elements.  The paid versions offer more element options.  Analytic data will be collected for the teacher to view.  Zaption's Help Center is a great place to learn more or get the technical support you may need along the way.  Teachers could use this as a "flipped classroom" tool.  It is a great way for teachers to evaluate what the students are gaining from the videos teachers are asking them to view.

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Effective:  Students are actively engaged in the videos in order to answer the questions.
They can connect new learnings to their prior knowledge.  Lastly, this can open students up to real world experiences.

Ease of Use:  Teachers must create an account, which can be through a gmail account.   There are videos to teach you how to create tours as well as a support page to assist with how to use the program.   Teachers can link or embed the tours so that the students can actually take the tours.

Technology Required:  It is a web-based tool and can be used with any device.  However,  it works better using Chrome or FireFox rather than Safari.

Adaptability:  This tool can be adapted to all learning environments.

Cost:  It has a free version, but there are also two paid versions, which offer more options.  See below:

Target Audience:  This can be used with all grade levels, but it maybe more difficult for younger students to read the questions.

Versatility Across the Curriculum:  Tours can be created using many streaming services.  Having many options to download videos will allow the teacher to create tours for all subject areas.  This will assist with addressing many of the standards as well.  Teachers collect feedback from the data being collected as the students take the tours.  The questions they answer will let the teacher know the students' understanding of the content and key concepts.

Heidi Waterhouse Tool #8- Wordle

Wordle is so much fun! I got introduced to it in college, but could not quite figure out how/why I would want to use it with students until now! It is a great way to mix up a typical writing class and let my student's creativity fly! You could even use it in reading, maybe to describe a character or even how a story went.

Features:
-Tons of colors to choose from to personalize your work
-Lots of different layouts to make the work your own
-Different fonts to really make your final product pop!

This is how I scored Wordle on my rubric:
*Student Engagement: For my students it is a 4. They love to play around with colors/fonts with anything they do, so this is a huge success.

*Accessibility/Relevance: This would be a 4. Again it is a tool you could use in any subject for pretty much any standard you are working on. It is a great way for a student to go above and beyond to work towards a 4 on a standard.

*Capabilities/Customization- This would be a 3. There are capabilities for students to build their own projects in many different ways.

*Safety: This would be a 3. There is no actual login, but there is nothing actually saved on the website. The students can go in and make as many as they want.

*Thinking Skills: This would be a 3 as well. It takes some time to figure out exactly what/how you want to say to make a great product. I have done this with students a few times and it took them writing out the character traits before they got on wordle to make their final product.

This is the rubric I used: Rubric

Heidi Waterhouse Tool #7- Sqworl

Sqworl is what inspired me to start my Wordpress website. When I first started teaching, my mentor had a Sqworl account going. She is no longer with us as of last Summer when she passed away or else I would be able to share the site with all of you. Sqworl is a much more younger student friendly version of a Wordpress type website. My mentor teacher's Sqworl is what inspired me to get more technology involved with students. She had everything from youtube videos for brain breaks to all subject games. Sqworl can be used in many different ways in classrooms. What seems to be most successful is when it is used as a dashboard for students to pick their links from. Sqworl can be put on laptops as the desktop so it makes it easier for students to use.

Features:
-can easily bookmark websites
-can be organized into content area for easy access
-all ages can use it

This is how I scored Sqworl on my rubric:
*Student Engagement: I have used my mentor teacher's sqworl with my students and it was by far a 4. The students love to be able to access their favorite games from one central location. It helps that during library classes they learn how to navigate these kinds of things.

*Accessibility/Relevance: This would also be a 4. Again, like some of the other tools I have explored, you can use this for any subject or all of them. It is a great place to organize all your sites into one central location. I personally have chose a lot of this style of tool to explore because of the lack of technology around for my students to use, it helps to have a central location for them to go to.

*Capabilities/Customization- This would be a 2 because there is not really anything for the students to build off of. They can choose the game of choice and then it takes them to a whole different website. The actual Sqworl website does not have a lot of customization for the students to be able to do. The teachers have more options when they are putting it together.

*Safety: This would be a 2. It is only a 2 because this is more of an organizing bookmarks for student use kind of tool. There is no need for the students to have their own individual logins, because all the information is right there for them to access with no logins.

*Thinking Skills: For this part I would give Sqworl a 2/3. It is a lot more thinking for the teacher in regards to how to set it up to work best for your class. It is not higher order thinking for the students because it is right there ready for students to use.


This is the rubric I used: Rubric

Heidi Waterhouse Tool #6 - Wordpress

I hadn't heard of Wordpress before my district started using it. Just over a year ago (maybe more? I can't remember), our workshop days started talking about website making. At first it was an overwhelming process to get going, but once I was logged on it was very easy to navigate. If you visit it, you will notice it has been awhile since I have updated it unfortunately.

Features:
-Many different styles/colors to make your website your own
-Easy ways to add a blog/ways to communicate with parents/staff

This is how I scored Wordpress on my rubric:
*Student Engagement: I would give this a 2/3. Again it depends on what the teacher has on their website. For mine, the students would be a 3 because they use the links I put on there when they have free time. It is engaging because they are getting to play games most of the time.

*Accessibility/Relevance: This would be a 4 for both the student and teacher perspective. The teacher can put things across all content areas on their website. Some use it for homework/projects others use it for field trips etc. It works because the students can access all content areas off the website from whatever the teacher chooses to put on it.

*Capabilities/Customization- Again it depends on which point of view you are looking at it from. For the teacher who is creating the website, I would give it a 4. There are so many different ways you can set up your website. It is very evident just by all of the staff in my building and how they set up their own sites. For the students it would be a 2. It's very minimal for the user who is just looking around the website that was created.

*Safety- This would be a 3. I would use this tool the way I do now and it wouldn't necessarily be for students to produce their own sites, but a place for them to access from home. The students can access my website just by knowing the address, so it would be a 3.

*Thinking Skills: For my students this is a 2. All they need to know how to do is to be able to log onto the website and look around it. For teachers using this website, at first it would be a 4 because it is higher order thinking skills to get started, but then it goes to 3/4.


This is the rubric I used: Rubric

This is my website! Ms. Waterhouse's class Check it out!