It is always fun to work with educators in other districts because no matter where I go, teachers love to share. I think that is what makes ours such a unique profession. Why not help another teacher with content or an activity or website that will impact their students? What is particularly wonderful to me is that even when we use something that some one else has given us, we almost always have to “tweek” it to make it our own. Today I was in a very progressive school district in the suburbs of Houston and they are some of the greatest sharers I have ever met. Their district has encouraged them to try new programs, Web 2.0 tools and even Facebook and YouTube to help make learning more meaningful. They have even implemented policies for students to use their own digital tools (laptops, iPads, cell phones, etc). With so many options available to them, it can be overwhelming, but one of their instructional specialists shared this great directory with me that I just had to pass on to you. Thanks, Julie!
A creative website
There are so many search engines that organize sites, but today was the first time I saw Go2Web2.0. This very intuitive website let’s you go click crazy and create combinations of search possibilities to examine what some of the newest, most popular and little known Web 2.0 sites are available. Go2Web2.0 works a lot like a directory in the sense it has a layout for all its matching records. What makes it so unique is that it is dynamic giving the “clicker” an opportunity to interact with its endless search possibilities. I could get really lost in here because there are just SO many Web 2.0 sites that I never heard about (and I’m always looking!). This is so typical of what is happening to teachers because the good news is that we have SO much to choose from and the bad news is that we have SO much to choose from. What’s the solution? K.I.S.S – Keep It Simple Sweety. Just try a few, in fact, just try one. There is no one who can keep up with it all, but it sure is fun to try new interactive opportunities, especially if it will help our students to engage in their learning more. Give Go2Web2.0 a try. It’s free, it’s fun and it’s engaging.
An image to share
A proverb
“Good designers can create normalcy out of chaos; they can clearly communicate ideas through the organizing and manipulating of words and pictures.” Jeffrey Veen
An encouragement
What have you shared lately? What idea, lesson plan or new website have you shared with a colleague? One of the greatest compliments in teaching is having someone want to replicate what you are doing. It’s really a great feeling, too. I want to encourage you to find one thing that you do in your classroom that has worked well with your students to share it with someone else. It could be a teacher on your team, a colleague in another grade level or even a total stranger. Sharing ideas helps us step out of our comfort zone and affords us the ability to give back. Who knows? You may be helping just the right person at just the right time. If you can’t think of anyone in particular, put your idea in the comments below. Although you may never know who uses your idea, sharing is one of the greatest outreaches we have as teachers.
How do you do that?
How do you use Go2Web.20? There are just a few simple steps:
- Go to the main website where you will find the directory.
- Click the side panel for suggested searches, or
- Type in a key word (writing, reading, math, etc)
- Click on any of the thumbnails to visit some of these intriguing sites.
- Click the blog tab if you are interested in learning more
- Join the membership role (or not!)
I know, for sure, that I will be returning to Go2Web20 often for fresh ideas and websites to share. Thanks again, Julie!
As always, I am
Ubiquitously yours,
K
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