The document discusses several cloud-based educational applications: PhotoPeach (free slideshow app), Quizinator (create question banks), Wordle (word cloud generator), What2Learn (game generator), and KidBlog (student blogging site). It summarizes the features and benefits and limitations of each application. The group found PhotoPeach, Wordle, and KidBlog most useful for the classroom due to their ease of use and safety features, but also noted limitations like lack of interactivity or user-friendliness of some sites.

1. Web 2.0 Exploring the Cloud Abbey Logan Kathryn Latacha Laura Tyburski Priscilla James Carinda Herren

3. PhotoPeach is a free slide show application. Developed in 2009, PhotoPeach has about 3,100 slide show creators PhotoPeach PhotoPeach PhotoPeach is a free slideshow application. Developed in 2009, PhotoPeach has about 3,100 slide show creators.

4. To create an account, go to www.photopeach.com . You will see a green button that prompts you to sign up for a free account. Click the button, and you will be directed to the page below. Upload pictures from your computer, Facebook, or Picasa, then select your music, and your slideshow will load.

6. Frustrations of PhotoPeach The free version of PhotoPeach limits you limits 30 slides per show. You must use music provided by PhotoPeach, and downloads are only possible with the advanced version.

7. Additional Thoughts on PhotoPeach..... Overall, I like PhotoPeach. I am amazed at how easy and fast it is to make a slideshow. You could teach a lesson to your students, take pictures, and create a slideshow using the pictures for review. I think it is a great tool for educational use. PhotoPeach has a section of archived slideshows that you can browse through to search for a specific topic. While there is an education section, I did not find many shows that would fit my needs. Several of the shows seem to be specific to one topic or theme. With time, the site will build up the archives, and there will be more of a selection for educators. I will continue to use PhotoPeach, but I will also look around for other slideshow applications with a larger educator base.

10. Benefits of Quizinator Sort questions by subject, level, difficulty, or answer type. Add, or remove questions from your library to your document Print, preview, or link your document.

11. More Benefits Adding questions as easy as using word processor Add images to your questions (great for math)

14. Wordle Wordle is a tool that creates “word clouds” from text that you provide. In the nine months since its launch in June 2008, over 600,000 Wordles have been created – a pace of one new Wordle every 10 seconds.

15. To create a wordle, go to www.wordle.net . There is no account necessary to create a Wordle. Simply click on the button labeled “create” and you will be on your way to developing your personal word cloud. By using one of the three methods above you can enter the words you want to incorporate in your Wordle. Press “go” or “submit” and your Wordle will be created.

16. Benefits of Wordle There are many useful ways to use Wordle in the classroom. Here are several ideas: 1. Turning an essay into a poster 2. As an introduction to a course, combine key words, themes and a visual overview of content. 3. Summarizing notes in a class 4. Summarizing a short reading passage 5. Represent the results of brainstorming sessions 6. Word poetry 7. Pre-assessment of a unit

17. Frustrations of Wordle Wordle is not “policed” for content, so it’s possible that younger students could find inappropriate content if they search the gallery images. Also, you cannot save your Wordle directly as an image, although you could save it to the online gallery or print it. If you want your Wordle preserved as an image you could take a screen shot and then edit that using image editing software. Another frustration when using Wordle is the inability to search the gallery for previous created Wordles related to the topic of desire.

18. Additional Thoughts on Wordle… I think Wordle is a great addition to a classroom. It allows both students and teachers to be creative. Although it may not help increase test scores, it has the ability to motivate and change the way students look at concepts in the classroom. I love that Wordle is easy to use. It requires little instruction and does not take a long time to create. My only criticism is the inability to save the Wordle. Once the creators fix this minor issue it will be a perfect tool to use in the classroom.

19. What2Learn.com Free on-line learning game generator launched in Britain in 2008 and in America in January 2010. Games can be generated by teachers and students. Game types include hangman, multiple choice, interactive word searches and anagrams with over a dozen choices of graphics.

20. How do I get started? To create an account, go to www.what2learn.com and click on the “sign up” button. It is easiest to create a single account first. This allows you to decide if your students should then create their own accounts or if you should get a “class pass”. A class pass has 30 preset usernames and passwords that your students can use and is free. Be sure to choose what “class” you want to use. The default is set for Key Stage 3 in British curriculum.

21. How can I know if my students are learning? What2Learn (W2L) allows teachers to see their students’ scores when the students enter the teacher’s “sharing code.” Students can choose from over 2000 pre-loaded games and over 5000 user-loaded games. Teachers can also choose what games their students should play and load them into their “recommended topics” list which then appears on the students’ accounts.

22. Other features include: Students have “micons” (avatars) which they can personalize by earning credits when they successfully complete games. Games are easily created by students and teachers. Students can link to their friends to share the games they created and build competitive leagues.

23. Frustrations This site is very difficult to navigate for teachers and students. The movement from one page to another or one part of the application to another is not consistent and becomes extremely confusing. When moving students to different class groups within the teacher account, students’ scores and student accounts are “lost” in the system. User-created games are not easily found after they are created.

25. Kidblog is a great website where teachers can go in, create classes, and have complete control over their students' blogs. It is aimed at elementary and middle school students. Kidblog is simple to use and safe. No student e-mail addresses are required.

26. Creating an account is easy and FREE. All you need to do is the following: 1. Go to www.kidblog.org 2. Look for the image above on their main page 3. All you have to do is create a username, password, and submit an e-mail address where notification should be sent to. THAT'S IT! YOU CAN BEGIN!

27. There are some great benefits to Kidblog! - Safe-No student e-mail addresses required - Simple to use and free - Completely under teacher's control On many websites, students can just post without needing to get approval. This can lead to hurtful or inappropriate things being said. Kidblog eliminates that worry.

28. You do not want to end up like this!!!!! FRUSTRATIONS I thought about a few things while working with the site. What if I have students that do not have computer access at home? Then, I would have to give them time in class to complete the work. Also, if you require students to do a fair amount of posting, that would be another thing to add to your to do list. You would have to check your e-mail, verify posts, and then go in and read them. Other then a few technical things, I think this site is very easy to accomodate in a class- room. It is just about making it work for you and to the best benefit of your students.

29. I am going to figure out a way to incorporate this into the classroom. Kids love computers and the internet. This would be a good way to "hook" them. Also, it might make students who are afraid to talk in class more comfortable. If you teach grades 4 and up I would recommend this. Younger students might have more of a difficult time navigating it. I also love how easy it is to set up. Right now, I have mine open for public use. Students do not need a username or password to comment, of course, pending my approval. However, to make it more private, I could give everyone a username or password. Also, it would prevent other students from accessing it. The last but most important thing, is that you, the teacher have 100% control. You look at everything before it goes public! Check it out! It can benefit you and your students!