Become a Workflow Whiz!
Step One – Identify YOUR goals for a digital space/workflow?
- As a space for you to store digital copies of handouts and other classroom resources?
- As a space for you to give assignments online?
- As a space for you to collect assignments online?
- As a space for you to communicate with parents and the local community and showcase student work (i.e. newsletter)?
- As a space for you to manage your curriculum and course materials?
- As a space for students and teacher to engage in discussions and chats?
- As a space to create self-paced or personalized learning experiences?
- As a space to engage in a Professional Learning Network?
- As a space to share your knowledge and expertise?
- As a space to give online quizzes?
- As a space to conduct polling?
- As a gradebook?
- As a space to give feedback and formative assessment?
- As a space to host videos?
- As a space to store favorite websites in the cloud?
- As a space for your students to create digital spaces?
- As a space for your students to store their work in a portfolio?
- As a space where your students can present their best work in a digital exhibition of learning?
- As a space to help manage a 1-1 roll-out with laptops, netbooks or chromebooks?
- As a space to manage a 1-1 rollout with iPads or tablets?
- As a space to contact you outside of class hours?
- As a space for students to discuss work outside of class hours?
- As a space that integrates well with Google Drive?
- Give feedback and peer assessment?
- We want to link up to Powerschool or another SIS?
- Other?
Step Two: Decide between the 3 main choices and choose the best specific tool for you?
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Blog
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Blogger (great for Google Apps Users)
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WordPress.com (free, hosted account with some limits)
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WordPress.org (host your own wordpress site)
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Edublogs (best if you want your kids to blog as well)
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Kidblogs (best if you want younger students to blog)
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Google Site
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Other options include website creators or wikis, but really Google sites is the ideal
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LMS
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Schoology – my new #1
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Edu20.org – more customizable and better for schools moving toward proficiency based assessment
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Edmodo – Great tool, but not as well structured as the other two, and bit more public and open
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Questions to Consider… |
Google Site |
Blogger |
Hosted WordPress Blog |
Edublogs |
Kidblogs |
Self-Hosted WordPress Blog |
Edu20.org LMS |
Schoology LMS |
Edmodo LMS |
|
How old are your students? |
13+ |
13+ |
13+ |
Any Age |
Any Age |
Any Age |
Any Age |
Any Age |
Any Age |
|
Ease of use? |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Easy |
Advanced |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
Reliability and speed? |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Very Good |
Very Good |
Depends on your server |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Excellent |
|
Custom design options? |
Limited |
Limited |
Many |
Some |
Some |
Unlimited |
Some |
Limited |
Limited |
|
Extendible? |
Yes, integrates with Google Apps |
Yes, integrates with Google Apps |
Yes, has many plug-ins available |
Some |
Not really |
Yes. Infinitely extendible, tons of WordPress plugins |
Some connections with open API possible |
Some connections with external apps |
Some connections with external apps |
|
Do you want a walled community, open site, or options for both? |
Both |
Both |
Both |
Both |
Both |
Both |
Walled |
Walled with some open features |
Walled with some open features |
|
Do you want a newsletter emailed automatically? |
Yes – RSS Feeds available |
Yes – RSS Feeds available |
Yes – RSS Feeds available |
Yes – RSS Feeds available |
Yes – RSS Feeds available |
Yes – RSS Feeds available |
Limited RSS Feeds, but many automatic notifications |
Limited RSS Feeds, but many automatic notifications |
Limited RSS Feeds, but many automatic notifications |
|
iPad Friendly? |
Somewhat iPad friendly. Editor issues. |
Somewhat iPad friendly. Editor issues. |
Yes, has a great iPad app for uploading content. Media uploads are a little glitchy, however. |
Yes, same app as wordpress |
Yes |
Yes, has a great iPad app for uploading content. Media uploads are a little glitchy, however. |
Only text based editing and photo/video uploading. No native app released yet. |
Yes, one of the best apps for an LMS – very iPad friendly – integrates with Google Drive |
Yes, almost as good as schoology’s app |
|
Threaded Discussion Board? |
Sort of, by using a shared Google Doc, but not the best option |
Yes, up to two levels of commenting |
Yes, but may need a plugin |
Yes, via comments |
Yes, via comments |
Yes, but may need a plugin |
Yes, but only with paid version |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Collect student work? |
Yes, Google Drive Folder |
Yes, Google Drive Folder |
Yes, Google Drive Folder |
Yes, Google Drive Folder |
Not sure? |
Yes, Google Drive Folder |
Yes! |
Yes! |
Yes! |
|
Online Quizzes? |
Yes, with a Google form – a bit complex |
Yes, with a Google form – a bit complex |
Yes, with some plugins, but very complex |
Yes, with some plugins, but very complex |
Not sure? |
Yes, with some plugins, but very complex |
Yes! |
Yes! |
Yes! |
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Showcase student work? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Not really |
?? |
Yes |
|
Give feedback on student work? |
Yes, with Google Drive |
Yes, with Google Drive |
Not the best choice, other than commenting on student writing |
Not the best choice, other than commenting on student writing |
Not the best choice, other than commenting on student writing |
Not the best choice, other than commenting on student writing |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Filing cabinet of downloadable handouts? |
Yes |
Yes, with Google Drive |
Yes, but not the best choice |
Yes, but not the best choice |
Yes, but not the best choice |
Yes, but not the best choice |
Yes |
Yes |
?? |
|
Synchronous Chat Room? |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Not Yet/ |
Yes, with a paid app. |
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Give Feedback through audio and video? |
Yes, but complex |
Yes, but complex |
Yes, but complex |
Yes, but complex |
Yes, but complex |
Yes, but complex |
Yes, but complex |
Yes, extremely easy! |
Yes, but complex |
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Collaborate with students, parents, and community members? |
Yes, very easily. |
Yes, but not the best choice |
Yes, but not the best choice |
Yes, but not the best choice |
Yes, but not the best choice |
Yes, but not the best choice |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Post assignments and give automatic reminders via email and/or SMS? |
Yes, but not the best choice |
Yes, but not the best choice |
Yes, but not the best choice |
Yes, but not the best choice |
Yes, but not the best choice |
Yes, but not the best choice |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Personal Learning Network |
Yes, with Google + |
Yes, with Google + |
Not really |
Not really |
Not really |
Not really |
Not really |
Yes |
Yes, and it is very robust! |
Other Tools to Consider:
Weebly.com – free and easy to use website creator
Pbworks and Wikispaces – free wiki sites
Moodle and Haiku LMS
Blogspot Blogs
Tumblr Blogs
Give badges for proficiency, competency, or Master (Credly, Classbages, BadgeOS WordPress Plugin)
Embed Google Drive folders – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLFNIuZ2ze4
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/03/picking-best-platform-for-your.html#.UdsCYlNQ2PU
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/p/creating-effective-blogs-websites.html#.UdsHalNQ2PU
http://edtechteacher.org/index.php/teaching-technology/mobile-technology-apps/299-ipad-blog
