wazmac || Web 2.0 Software

Software

Web 2.0 Software

The term "Web 2.0" refers to the use of software applications that are not installed on your computer.
These applications are accessed through a web browser, and are accessible from any computer connected
to the internet, with a modern operating system and browser.

Web 2.0 Toolkit

Looking at getting started with Web 2.0? Here are some popular tools suitable for the needs of teachers & students: Google Docs: Word processing, spreadsheets and slide shows.
EverNote: Create and access notes, photos, etc, from any computer or mobile device.
Picnik: Image editing
Animoto: Photo slide shows
FlixTime: Short movies using your photos, video, music & text.
MapWing: Create a virtual tour of anything, using your own maps or photographs.
Mind42: Collaborative mind mapper.
FlowChart.com: Collaborative flowcharts.
Spelling City: Spelling list practice
Kerpoof: Animated cartoon movie creation
Delicious: Store your bookmarks online.
Wordle: Copy and paste a text passage to create a word cloud.
280 Slides: Slide shows - a very neat interface.
Prezi: A new way to create a presentation.

Web Publishing

A more comprehensive list of Web 2.0 software available specifically for web publishing is available at Wazza's Web 2.0 Publishing page. Some popular options below: Blogs: Blogger
An easy-to-use blog site. Host on Google's server or yours. Free.

Wordpress
Popular Blog site. Host on their server or yours. Huge support community. Free.

EduBlog
Free blogs (Wordpress) for educators. Includes ad-free wikispace.
Web Site Editors: Weebly; Create an online web site, with a huge range of templates. Provides a facility for photos, videos, etc. Highly customisable. Free option. (Mac users may need to use Firefox).

WebNode
Similar to Weebly. Some great-looking templates, useful widgets, and an intro in Polish (I think!)

Google Sites
Replaces the popular, but now defunct Google Pages. More of a wiki, with the option for multiple contributors. See also: Mrs Richau's Class example.

Collaborative Text Editing

Typewith.me: Multiple users editing the same document. Export as Word, PDF, etc.
Sync.in: Realtime document conferencing - similar to Typewithme above.

"Office" Apps

A more comprehensive list of online office software is available at Wazza's Online Office page. Some popular options below: Google Docs & Spreadsheets: Fully featured documents & spreadsheets that can be edited and saved online. (Requires Firefox for Mac). Free.
ajaxWrite | ajaxSke tch | ajaxXLS: Web-based applications for word processing, flowchat & drawing, and spreadsheets. Saves to local HD. (Requires Firefox). Free.
Gliffy Flowcharts: Online flowcharting and diagramming - Draw and share flowcharts, floor plans, network diagrams, etc. Free.
EtherPad: A web-based word processor that allows people to work on the same document in real-time. Free option.

Miscellaneous

MapWing: Create a virtual tour of anything, using your own maps and slideshows or photographs. Some examples:
- Coral Reefs;
- Aintree Davenhill PS.
FlowChart.com: Collaborative flowcharts. Works with all browsers.
Wallwisher: Online noticeboard.
CometDocs: Online PDF converter. The all-in-one PDF conversion tool.
Screencasting: Six online tools to create screencasts.

How-to Notes and Tutorials

Delicious Bookmarking Guide: Stacks of notes, ideas and links.
Google Stuff: Google Docs Tour
A tour of the options available, along with some real-life examples.

Google Guide for Teachers; A free how-to guide of ideas & tips for using various Google apps in schools.

100 Google Tips 'n' Tricks
Tips for various Google services, including an Education section.

Google Docs - Tip & Resources
Huge collection of stuff for Google Docs.
Web 2.0 Projects: A complete book of ideas, projects and discussions - all free!
Wordpress Overview: Getting started with a Wordpress blog.

Web 2.0 Dashboard

Web 2.0 Dashboard: Add a Web 2.0 "dashboard" to your school web site (or Intranet) to provide easy access to your commonly used Web 2.0 apps.

Web 2.0 Directories

Sites with comprehensive links to a vast range of Web 2.0 apps: Simple Spark: If you can't find it here it probably doesn't exist!

School Examples

Blogs: - Woodlands Junior School (UK)
- Porchester Junior School (UK)
- Chortlan Park - Year 2 (UK)
- Oakdale Junior School
- Miss Jones Class (UK)
- NBCS (Sydney)
(Northern Beaches Christian School)
Blogs as CMS: - PS Intranet (K-6)
- HS Intranet (7-12)
Discussion: - Web 2.0 in Secondary Schools
MapWing: - Coral Reefs;
- Aintree Davenhill PS
Movies: - Body Systems
- Xtranormal showcase
Ideas for your classroom: Geometry with SketchUp; Originally created for architects and designers, SketchUp is also a great
tool for teaching geometry.

Google Wave in the Classroom
Includes a video to help get you started with Google Wave.

Echuca College Tools
Comprehensive list of the Web 2.0 software used by Echuca College in Victoria.

Web 2.0 Dashboard
Add a links "dashboard" to your school web site (or Intranet) to provide easy access to your commonly used Web 2.0 apps.

Animation & Video

Digital Films: Create a short online animated movie.
Dvolver: Create a short online animated movie.
FlixTime: Create a 60 sec movie online.
FluxTime: Create online animations.
JayCut: Free online video editor.
Sketch Star: Create simple animations and cartoons.
Xtranormal: Type a script to make a movie.
VideoToolbox: Convert, crop, merge, record videos.

Crossword Generators, etc

Discovery Education: All sorts of puzzlemakers - crosswords, word search, maths, mazes, cryptograms, etc.
Homeschool.com: - Crossword generator
- Word Search
Crossword Puzzle Games: Up to 20 words/clues.
Armoured penguin: Croswword maker.
Teachers Corner: Online crossword maker.

Mind Mapping

Bubbl.us: Free brainstorming tool.
Mind42: Collaborative mind mapper. Free.
MindMeister: Also available for iPhone.
Mindomo: Can also be installed on your computer. Free version available.

Word Clouds

Wordle: Copy and paste a text passage to create a word cloud.
Tagexedo: Tag clouds with style.

SlideShows & Presentations

280 Slides: Very neat interface.
Prezi: Forget slides - a whole new way to create a presentation.
Slide: Create an online slide show and embed in other Web 2.0 sites.
SlideShare: Share your slideshows online.

Notes, To-do lists, Organisers

Remember The Milk: Includes iPhone access.
ubernote: Comprehensive online notes, task manager, images, tags, bookmarks, etc.
Bla Bla List
Ta-da List
Voo2Do

Graphics & Image Editing

Aviary: A suite of 5 tools including Image Editor, Image Markup, Effects Editor, Swatch Editor and Vector Editor.
BeFunky: One-click photo effects.
BigHugeLabs: Stacks of utilities and on-line photo editor tools.
Blingee: Add glitter, comments, stamps, etc to your photos to share with others.
Condenet: Design your own Wired magazine cover - customize your headlines, border, photo, etc.
Dumpr: Apply stacks of interesting special effects to your photos. Goo, mosaic, etc.
Picnik: Online photo editing, with effects, fonts, shapes and frames.
Splashup: Online editing tool and photo manager. Integrates with all photo-sharing sites, and has its own file format so you can save your work in progress.