Under the Differentiated Supervision model currently in use for BLaST Intermediate Unit #17 staff, participants are encouraged to avail themselves of the wealth of Online Communication Tools listed here that will facilitate personal and inter-group collaboration, project/activity documentation and/or job-specific skill development.
The tools listed here are suggestions only and the list is not intended to represent an all-inclusive or exhaustive recommendation. The nature of the WWW is one of constant change/development so as you encounter resources that you find helpful please share these discoveries as a benefit to your colleagues.
NOTE: You MUST be logged in to the IU website in order to view the PDP content.
| Resource Name | Website Address | Useful for… |
| Flickr | http://www.flickr.com/ | Storing and sharing photos |
| Picasa2 | http://picasa.google.com/ | Photo storage and collaboration |
| SlideShare | http://www.slideshare.net/ | Sharing PowerPoint presentations/slideshows |
| Animoto | http://animoto.com/ | Storing, sharing and creating photo slideshows |
| OpenOffice | http://www.openoffice.org/ | Word processing, Spreadsheet and Presentation software that’s compatible with Microsoft Office |
| Google Docs | http://www.google.com | One of a ‘suite’ of products offered by Google to aid productivity and support collaboration – WP, SS, Presentation applications Here’s an overview. NOTE: you’ll need a Google account (gmail), but there are lots of advantages to having one besides Google Docs. |
| http://twitter.com/ | Twitter is what happens when Blogs and IM collide. Great tool for keeping up with what’s happening – right now. Here’s an overview. | |
| Wikispaces | http://www.wikispaces.com/site/for/teachers | “Instant” web site creator with built-in collaboration capability including Discussoin Forums. Here’s an overview. It’s almost ‘addictive’. |
| PBWiki | http://pbwiki.com/education.wiki | Same features as Wikispaces – just from a different provider. |
| ooVoo | http://www.oovoo.com/ | Video conferencing tool that facilitates just-in-time collaboration |
| Skype | http://www.skype.com/allfeatures/videocall/ | Video calls between Skype members are free.Conference calls with up to 25 people are also possible. |
| Survey Monkey | http://www.surveymonkey.com/ | A tool to create, distribute and analyze surveys for groups of any size. |
| TeacherTube | http://www.teachertube.com/ | A wide selection of videos on subjects of interest to teachers |
| Web 2.0 | http://www.go2web20.net/ | This site is home to dozens of interactive tools for things you might not even know you need! |