Audioboo

Audioboo is up! It was so easy to do. I opened the account then uploaded the app to my android phone. I could log into my account from the phone, record and publish. When I checked the webpage, my recording was there! Nice to know you can record something remotely - another good tool for the toolbox :-)

Shelfari

Well, I think you can see this one for yourself, ha. I love the visual component and think it will appeal to the kids better than my reading log (currently on our class web page). I'd like to move the widget to that page so that the webpage continues to be the platform for most class-related tasks. What a nice tool.
I can see this as a way for them to present their independent reading: publish a review using each of the steps...very real-world and relevant.

Twitter

Okay all, twitter account is up - find me at HollyReynolds11. As I mentioned on Beth's blog, I'm still on the fence with twitter for classroom use. I can certainly see it as a tool for professional development. I foresee a classroom discussion about it - how would THEY like to use it as a class? what are the rules? what restrictions on texting? not everyone has unlimited so must be cautious about ramping up someone's phone bill...lots to consider all the way around. Still, we'll wait and see and give it a good try.

Storybird

This is a terrific tool - and lots of fun! Students can summarize plots of in-class reading to check comprehension, create character bios, or just plain create something. This is also a creative tool for presentations or projects (write a children's story where you explain the concept of metaphor, etc.). Good stuff!
Here's my practice story where I learned how to navigate the options:
http://storybird.com/books/monsters-on-break/?token=fz3ntf

Diigo

Okay all, got my diigo account up and running (http://www.diigo.com/user/hreynolds ).
Students will need to make bookmarking online sources a habit and diigo is a terrific way to go. By bookmarking sources, students can retrieve the information they need for a works cited page easily, thus eliminating the problem of finding a link once and then not being able to find it again for proper citation. Easy-peasy.
Students will also find this a handy tool for bookmarking things they are interested in personally - not just academically. Bonus!