General+resources

=General resources= (click on the image to take you to the websites)

=Group Makers/Random Name Generators =

 This website is a one-stop shop. You simply input your students' names (each class separately), and it gives you a code number. Use this code number to access all the sites functions - Group Maker, Random Name Generator, Flash Animation Games, and Review Games.

This flash animation seating chart maker from school supply giant Scholastic is really easy to use. You can arrange the students desks, teacher desk, book cases, etc... You can also input your students names and drag and drop them into place. The site also offers a PDF version so you can plan offline.

=Online Stopwatches =

Use this online-stopwatch to count time up or down. You can go full-screen or use one of several different stopwatch styles (the fuse on the bomb slowly getting shorter and shorter until the timer gets to zero causing the bomb to explode is a personal favorite).

This site offers several different timing devices. Some are free with ads, and some you must buy.

=Class Websites/Wikis =

Website creation isn't the domain of tech nerds anymore. Teachers and students can now create free websites, and it is very easy to do! No computer programming required! If you can type and drag and drop, then you can create a website.

A Wiki is a collaborative website which can be directly edited by anyone with access to it. Wikis are fantastic tools for collaborating on a project, brainstorming ideas, making list of tasks for departments and students to do, etc... And because they are editable by anyone (you can set it to allow just your invited members to edit it rather than the public), individual members of your departments or your students can work on it whenever and from wherever they need to.

=Creativity/Productivity Sites =

Turn your photos & videos into pure amazing! Animoto automatically produces beautifully orchestrated, completely unique video pieces from your photos, video clips and music. Fast, free and shockingly easy.

LetterPop is the best way to create and send newsletters online and in print. No matter who you are, or who you want to communicate with, LetterPop can help you do it quickly, easily, and with style.

Bubbl.us is a simple and free web application that lets you brainstorm online.

Graphs and charts are great because they communicate information visually. For this reason, graphs are often used in newspapers, magazines and businesses around the world. Sometimes, complicated information is difficult to understand and needs an illustration. Graphs or charts can help impress people by getting your point across quickly and visually.


 * **Unlimited Questions** - You can create unlimited surveys with an unlimited number of questions.
 * **Easy Downloads** - Want to generate reports offline? Download your results at any time in a variety of formats.
 * **Easy-to-use Survey Templates** - Don't know where to begin? SurveyMonkey has dozens of templates in all categories.

FotoFlexer is the world's most advanced online digital photo editor. It performs advanced effects previously only available to professionals using expensive software.

Lots of times teachers want to use just a portion of a video clip. This innovative site allows teachers to cut out, or snip, the parts of the video they don't need. You tell the Snipsnip where to start and stop the video, and they create a special URL and embed code for your snipped video clip.

This one-stop shop allows you to make picture mosaics, jigsaw puzzles, movie style or inspirational style posters, and so much more! Load a picture and begin creating.

This cool site takes those really long, unwieldy web addresses and shortens them for easier access. Shorter URLs are great for students!

Paste in the names of several website you want your kids to go to, and it creates one simple URL that allows you and your students to quickly switch between those websites. No more having students go to multiple sites on multiple windows; now, they can have every site they need for a project in one spot!

=Image Sites =

= = These photographic collection sites contain an unbelievable amount of photography from around the world. They offer royalty free images for public use. You can literally find photos of just about anything you can imagine. The Time-Life and Morgue File archives are incredible repositories for historic photographs.

=Flash Cards/Flash Games =

Study Stack allows users to use pre-made flash cards and other review strategies or create your own custom materials. You can create flash cards, matching games, target games, study stacks, notes, etc...

Classtools.net allows you to create free educational games, activities and diagrams in a Flash! No signup, no passwords, no charge!

=Backchanneling =

The term "backchannel" refers to a digital conversation going on at the same time a teacher is presenting. This side conversation allows the class to intreact with each other, ask questions to the teacher, raise new topics or ideas, etc...

Backchannels also provide opportunities for students to voice their thoughts, students who may have otherwise kept quiet. Backchanneling is a great way for teachers to keep those class side discussions focused on the topic at hand.

Today's Meet involves mmbers using the live stream to make comments and ask questions that you can use to tailor your presentation, sharpen your points, and address audience needs.

Tinychat provides browser-based video chat rooms where you can broadcast from your computer camera and microphone to anyone who joins your chat room.

Lino It provides a virtual bulletin board where you can post digital sticky notes. Students can post their ideas, questions, thoughts, etc... Thee stickies can be used to frame class discussions, brainstorm ideas, organize projects, and such.

Wallwisher is another virtual bulletin board that works the same way as Lino It.