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=Interacting with Wikis and Voice Thread Slide Shows =

1. **Wiki**

Endangered Animals Purpose - Students researched animals that were endangered in Texas with the intent of sharing with other children and having those children add information about endangered animals from their area to the wiki.

Pros: Opportunity to reach an outside audience More motivational for children knowing that others around the world could access and contribute

Cons: Difficult getting audience to participate Free wikis limited in pizzaz

Independent Study (log in with Eanes e-mail and standard password) Purpose- This forum allowed students to interact and receive information during an ongoing independent study since "face time" in the classroom was limited.

Pros : Students could engage with others on the wiki Students could work on their indpendent study at a time and location of their choice Cons : Students can get off task with their comments Requires some initial planning in layout based on your goals for the class

Wiki Sites: Sample Wow Wiki: [] PB Works - PB Works Blog Wikispaces

2. Voice Thread
Sign in or Register- Voice Thread (Log in with Eanes e-mail address and standard password) Voice Thread Shows - Barton Creek Voice Thread as a tool for reflections - Commenting on Group Shows - Descriptions/Problems/ Points of Pride Think Tank Spaghetti Utensil Dog Agility Course Voice Thread Shows about Austin's Architecture Voice Thread as a tool to share research- Telling stories about Austin's architecture using photos and notes from a field trip

Pros: Students very motivated to utilizing this technology to share thoughts Shy students may be more willing to share Fun to work in groups on these projects

Cons: Potential issues with sound quality Really need to think through how you might grade a project with multiple participants using this tool

Places to look for partners: [|ePals] ePals runs several projects that you can sign up for. There is also an active discussion list. You can sign up for email accounts for your students for free here. [|Global School Net] This may be the longest running project-based site for collaboration. There are project listings that you can search. You can also add your project to their list. [|The Global Education Ning] This is a very collaborative site. You can meet lots of other people who are interested in similar things. They keep up a Google Doc with project listings. You can add your project to their list for free. You do have to sign up to be a member, but it is free. [|iEarn] iEarn has a small cost, but it is truly international. If you want to be involved with other countries this may be something to look at. [|Teachers Connecting] <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">This is a fairly new site where you can post your projects. When you sign up you are able to indicate your level of comfort with doing projects so you meet up with people like you.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Think about how you might use one or more of these tools in your classroom!!!**
My contact info: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Barton Creek Elementary