New Thing 7

eyePlorer.com is a graphical knowledge engine which displays related facts about a searched topic. It is an interesting way to search topics much like a wiki but a much more interactive way to view information.

How it works

Step 1: Type in a word in the search bar or just drag in a term already in the circle. For example purposes I draged in iPhone.



Step 2: The result gives a description of the iPhone on the left and even more items to discover in the search circle. Items in the circle can be searched on their own or can be discovered how they relate to the other terms in the circle by double-clicking.

Step 3: You can narrow your search by dragging concepts into the blank search bars.

eyePlorer puts a nice visual touch into searching through wiki's and could be a great alternative to students who learn more from a visual standpoint rather than text based websites.

New Thing 6

Visual Thesaurus

Visual Thesaurus is an interactive thesaurus that creates a word grid relating from searched words. It encourages searches and learning helping users to increase language skills.

How it works

Step 1: Type in a word in the LOOK IT UP box. For this example I will type the word "happy".



Step 2: Look at the word map and choose the word you would like to use. I choose the word blissful and it also had an audio clip along with the word just incase I needed help pronouncing it. Definitions are located on the right and and the navigation at the top is fairly straightforward and easy to understand

This is a great way to visually understand word meanings and gives a way to expand a students vocabulary.

New Thing 5

carrot sticks

Carrotsticks is an online multiplayer game that improves math skills for students from the 1st - 5th grade. It is a visually interactive game I think younger students might be able to comprehend better math skills by playing these games.

Step 1: Hit TRY NOW to begin playing math games.

Step 2: Create your avatar that best represents you and click DONE.

Step 3: Pick what kind of math you want to use between addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Step 4: Put digits in to collect points.

New Thing 4

http://www.e-learningforkids.org/

E-Learning for kids is a site that focuses on ages 5-12. There are many visual games associated with math, science, computer skills, english and many more visual learning experiences.

How to use e-learning for kids

Step 1: From the main page choose your grade or subject you would like to enter. For this example choose science.

Step 2: For this example I choose WEATHER. Add your name and listen to the introduction.



Step 3: Listen to the instruction and click icons when prompted. The video takes the user through what weather is and asks questions during to video to stimulate learning.

This is a great visual aid for younger students and I think it would keep their attention along with learning and interactivity.

New Thing 3

MakeBeliefsComix

Encourage writing, reading , and storytelling. With this tool, students can create online comics.

This site allows people to make comic strips which I think could be a good learning tool for children and a fun activity as well.

Here is a step by step method on how to create a comic strip within makebeliefscomix.com

Step 1: Select how many panels you want to use in your comic

Step 2: Select the first panel along with the character and desired balloon for talk or thought.

Step 3: You can edit any object within the panel by scale, move, bring to front, flip and delete. Choose background colors if desired.

Step 4: Once a strip is completed it can be printed or emailed.

Here is my example

New Thing 2

artpad

Artpad is a tool that would be a great way to introduce children to painting and art. It can show students the use of colors, different brush sizes, and opacity.

How to use Artpad

Step 1: Select the color and size of the brush.

Step 2: Paint lines or a desired picture.

Step 3: Mix opacity and experiment with different hues over the canvas with the mouse.

Step 4: When the painting is completed the user has the option of selecting frames, hanging in a gallery, save and send, or viewing other paintings.

This seems like a fun program to get children interested in painting. Here is my masterpiece

New Thing 1

Ediscio is a collaborative flashcard tool. Allows both students and teachers to create flashcards with video, charts, and many other options. Allows for scheduling, shows statistics and even has a mobile application.

Here is a step by step on how to create a series of flashcards.

Step 1: Sign up and login to http://www.ediscio.com/

Step 2: Create Cardbox to create a new flashcard

Name, Topic, Description, Optional Information, and Settings



You now have created a cardbox for flash cards.

Step 3: Create personalized flashcards with video, audio, math formulas or just plain text. A full HTML editor is available inboth the Question and Answer boxes.

Step 4: Once your flashcards are complete you can preview your flashcards by the url given. Here is an example.

flashcard

Step 5: Click "LEARN" to start the flashcards

Cards may be personalized and edited to suit any subject matter and cards may be listed by school, class, or sent through a url link.

New Semester

Here's some more blogging

New semester is underway, and now for more posts.