Technology+Toolbox

The criteria I chose to evaluate each Web 2.0 tool listed were usability, cost, security, and instructional worth. Each criterion is rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 as the poorest rating and 5 as the excellent rating. 1. Browser: Mozilla Firefox 2. Aggregator: Google Reader 3. Social Bookmarking: Delicious 4. Internet Search Tool: Google.com 5. Webstart: SnapPages 6. Weblogs: Edublogs 7. Wikispaces 8. Web-based document creation: Google Docs. 9. Web-based spreadsheet creation: Google Docs. 10. Creative Writing: Glypho. 11. Assessment tools: Hot Potatoes. 12. Podcasting: Audacity. 13. Screencasting: Teacher Tube
 * __ Technology Toolbox __**
 * Usability || 1 2 3 4 5 || Is the tool easy to use? So-so? Difficult? ||
 * Cost || 1 2 3 4 5 || Free? Ad-driven? Or subscription? This critique will favor free tools without ads. ||
 * Secuirty || 1 2 3 4 5 || Password protected? Viewing privileges? ||
 * Instructional Worth || 1 2 3 4 5 || Would this be a useful tool in the classroom? Would students grasp on to it? Can it be implemented in instruction? ||
 * Usability || 5 || This browser is easy to install and navigable through a simple interface. ||
 * Cost || 5 || Free. ||
 * Security || 5 || Known for its reputation for being one of the safest web browsers. ||
 * Instructional Worth || 5 || Students can tailor it to their needs; can be used on PC and Macintosh platforms. ||
 * Usability || 4 || Web-based, no installation needed. May take an exploratory effort to understand it. ||
 * Cost || 5 || Free ||
 * Security || 5 || Google account needed, password protected. ||
 * Instructional worth || 4 || For the secondary student, I’d give it a 5, but elementary kids may have a difficult time using an aggregator. ||
 * Usability || 5 || Web-based. Simple, clean interface. ||
 * Cost || 5 || Free ||
 * Security || 5 || Yahoo! Account required – password protected ||
 * Instructional Worth || 3 || Unsure about “educational friendliness.” Students may find inappropriate content by accident. ||
 * Usability || 4 || Very simple start page. Need a little knowledge on search operators. ||
 * Cost || 5 || Free. ||
 * Security || 2 || It’s a doorway to the Internet, and not everything is “safe and secure.” ||
 * Instructional Worth || 5 || Excellent start for students doing research – from elementary all the way to the adult learner. ||
 * Usability || 3 || Some training required. ||
 * Cost || 1 || Need a subscription to get the most out of it. ||
 * Security || 5 || Account required multiple administrator options for who views the site the user creates. ||
 * Instructional Worth || 4 || Good for teachers wanting to create a classroom management page, however some training may be required to get the most out of it. ||
 * Usability || 5 || Easy blog creation. ||
 * Cost || 5 || Free. ||
 * Security || 5 || Account, password required. Teacher can easily control who views, posts to the blog. ||
 * Instructional Worth || 5 || Specifically created for the education environment. ||
 * Usability || 4 || Minor training may be required. ||
 * Cost || 4 || Free but with inexpensive subscription plans. No ads for educator wikis. ||
 * Security || 5 || Multiple administrator options for who can or can’t view/edit the wikispace. Account required. ||
 * Instructional Worth || 5 || An excellent platform for teachers, students, parents and administrators to collaborate. ||
 * Usability || 5 || If the user can work with Microsoft Office, then Google docs shouldn’t be much trouble. ||
 * Cost || 5 || Free. ||
 * Security || 5 || Google account required. ||
 * Instructional Worth || 5 || Excellent option to students and teachers who cannot afford Microsoft office for home use and would like a web-based alternative. ||
 * Usability || 5 || If the user can work with Microsoft Office, then Google docs shouldn’t be much trouble. ||
 * Cost || 5 || Free. ||
 * Security || 5 || Google account required. ||
 * Instructional Worth || 5 || Excellent option to students and teachers who cannot afford Microsoft office for home use and would like a web-based alternative. ||
 * Usability || 5 || Writing collaboration site. Navigation not much of an issue. ||
 * Cost || 5 || Free. ||
 * Security || 5 || Account required with valid e-mail address. ||
 * Instructional Worth || 4 || Great for high school aged students. ||
 * Usability || 4 || Requires some exploring with but overall usable. ||
 * Cost || 5 || Free. ||
 * Security || 5 || Each user can use the assessment with the results shared only between the student and teacher. ||
 * Instructional Worth || 4 || Great for quick assessments but not much for in-depth summative assessing. ||
 * Usability || 4 || Training may be required – must have a quality microphone to make good sounding clips. ||
 * Cost || 5 || Free ||
 * Security || 5 || Stand-alone program – consider what sites the user is uploading their podcast to. ||
 * Instructional Worth || 5 || Podcast creation for teachers and students, a different way to share ideas, projects, etc. Students may need significant training in using the software. ||
 * Usability || 5 || If you are familiar with YouTube, then Teacher Tube should be no problem. ||
 * Cost || 5 || Free ||
 * Security || 5 || Account not required but recommended. ||
 * Instructional Worth || 5 || Teacher Tube was created specifically for education. ||

Technology Toolbox Word document: