Groupproject Technologyevaluation

Mary Freeman
Rebecca Mitchell
Vicki Slayton
GROUP PROJECT- Technology Evaluation

5 Technologies
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Blogger
Bookemon edCenter
Discovery Education- Science TechBook
Popplet
Jing
Blogger
http://www.blogger.com/
Description
Blogger is a Web 2.0 course delivery technology that is free and easy to use. Blogger is
user friendly and is very easy to set up. It is a social networking tool that can be used by
students and teachers for sharing, reflecting and collaborating with one another and a larger
audience if desired. Users have the ability to create posts that can include text, images, video
and audio.
Blogger can be used to design a whole course or for an occasional student activity.
Blogger is an exceptional tool for students to use as a portfolio to promote student growth and
also promote active student learning by having a collection of their work and the ability to
analyze and assess their own progress. Blogger is an easy Web 2.0 tool and will be a great
addition of technology to the course as a tool of communication for projects.
Evaluation Rubric
Technology Evaluation Rubric
Answers/Comments
User Friendliness: Will learning to use the
Once the accounts are set up on Blogger,
technology get in the way of the learning
students can navigate the site easily after a
goal?
brief demonstration.
Accessibility: Can students access the
Yes, Blogger can be accessed on the web
technology at any time/place?
and there are apps for smartphones, and

tablets.
Collaboration: Are students able to connect
Students can collaborate in group blogs
with peers/teachers and share ideas?
and/or comment on others blog.
Differentiation: Can this technology be
Yes, the assignments, questions, and
adapted to meet the individual needs of each
interactions can accommodate various needs.
student?
Curriculum Correlation: Do the lessons
Yes, the lessons and questions are created
presented align with the curriculum?
by the instructor to align with the curriculum.
Engaging: Will the technology keep the
Yes, Blogger will keep the students engaged
students engaged?
by the students creating and posting their

blog post and commenting on their peers blog
post.
Finished Product: Does the technology
Yes, Blogger provides a finished product that
result in a dynamic product that can students
is stored online that can easily be saved and
can easily save or share?
shared.
What kinds of finished products can your
Blogger provides a finished product students
students produce with the tool/technology to
can look back to reflect on such as an
demonstrate they have mastered the
eportfolio.
content?
Hardware: Is any special hardware required?
No special hardware is required. It is a web
If so, how much does it cost?
based 2.0 tool that requires internet access.
Technical Support Considerations:
Yes, Google provides technical support for
Is technical support provided by the vendor?
Blogger. Support is free. Blogger should work
How much will support cost?
on schools network under Google.
Will it work on your school's network?

Advertising: Is the site free from advertising
Yes, while working in Blogger it is free from
or have school appropriate advertising?
advertising.
Cost Efficient: How much does the
Blogger is free.
tool/technology cost?
Is this cost a one-time fee or is it a recurring
cost?
Who will pay the cost?
Security and Privacy:
Blogger provides privacy settings to keep all
How does the technology/tool protect
personal information of the user from the
information and privacy of its users?
public.
Student blogs will be set to private and only
peers will see their posts.
Students will be assigned usernames and will
not publish their names online.
Pros and Cons

Pros:
Free
Control over privacy settings.
Allows the students and teacher to collaborate and share ideas.
Provides the students that are shy an easier way to express themselves.
Videos, images, audio,graphics, widgets, and many other types of technologies can be added to
and published in the blog so the student can be creative.

Help students develop a sense of audience, voice and ownership
Cons:
Lacks the educational support and features of Educational Blog sites such as Edublogs.
Monitor to make sure security guidelines are followed.
Getting all the students set up to ensure the proper security setting would be time consuming
but if you are needing a free program it is worth it.

Students must have a Google email address to access Blogger.
Brief Demonstration
http://englishblog303.blogspot.com/
Instructional Activity
Newspaper Article Project
Students will work in groups to create a newspaper article from the 1850-1860 time
period that informs an authentic audience as well as the class about the Underground Railroad,
the major figures, social issues, and slavery that led up to the civil war. Each group will choose
different topic as their focus.
Students are to learn about the major figures of the Underground Railroad, its purpose,
the social effects, and the risks that were involved. The research plan will consist of students
conducting research using internet searches, texts, documentaries, and sources in the library to
find information on major figures involved, runaway slave advertisements, and other relevant
information for the topic.
Each group will contribute to a team blog and collaborate to create the groups
newspaper article. The class will view and discuss each group's newspaper article.
By students using Blogger to publish their writing assignments they can be assessed
online and help save the environment also since no paper will be used. The teacher can simply
leave a comment for the student. I personally would use Blogger for writing assignments that
are more focused on the thought process than technical writing.
Bookemon edCenter
www.bookemon.com/educator-home
Description
Bookemon edCenter is a safe and secure place where students can write, illustrate, and
publish their creative writing projects. Educators can create individual student accounts without
a student email address. Students can create projects individually or collaborate as a small
group or class. Bookemon edCenter is a Web 2.0 tool that can be used by students and
teachers for sharing, reflecting and collaborating with one another and a larger audience if
desired. Bookemon edCenter provides clipart free to use, and students illustrations can be
uploaded. Bookemon offers online and mobile apps to create quality hardcover and soft cover
printed books for a low price. Bookemon provides free eBooks for student created books and
can be read for free online to share with family and friends. Educators can use Bookemon to
motivate students to share their writing by having the ability to be a published author. Educators
have the ability to create class projects, homework and class yearbooks within the Bookemon
edCenter.
Evaluation Rubric
Answers/Comments
Yes, After a brief demonstration students can
easily navigate the software.
goal?
Yes, students can access the technology on
the web, and using Bookemon app students

can access Bookemon on mobile devices and
tablets.
Yes, students work as individuals, small
groups, or whole class projects.
Yes, the assignments, questions, and
interactions can accommodate various needs
student?
of students. Students type their stories and

chose graphics. Students who need help with
typing can be paired up with a peer.
Yes, the lessons are created by the instructor
to align with the curriculum.
Yes, students are actively engaged by typing
students engaged?
a story they have written and illustrating their

story.
Yes, students use Bookemon to create an
eBook of their writing. Other finished products
can be poetry books, scrapbooks for the class
or special events, and portfolios.

When the finished product is completed
Bookemon will provide a link that can be sent
by email to invite the friends and family to
view the students eBook.
Hardware: Is any special hardware required? Bookemon is an online tool and no additional
hardware is needed unless the eBooks are

printed which a printer will then be needed.
Yes, technical support is a free service
offered by Bookemon.
Yes Bookemon will work on the school
network.
Bookemon offers the option of purchasing
printed books that are created but no outside

advertising is on the site.
Bookemon is free to use and provides a free
eBook of the book the user creates.

cost?
Bookemon does not share any information of
the users unless the user chooses. The
teacher has control of who can access, join,

and comment in the edCenter,
The teacher creates the students user
accounts which does not require an email.
Pros and Cons

Pros:
Free
Ease of use
Teacher control over student and privacy settings.
Secure, private and friendly environment
Motivating for students.
Free eBooks of student created books.
Cons:
Can be time consuming.

Younger students need help navigating the site.
Brief Demonstration
http://www.screencast.com/t/aNN9xxkptg
Creative Writing
Students write an engaging story with a well-developed conflict and resolution, interesting and
believable characters, a range of literary strategies (e.g., dialogue, suspense) and devices to
enhance the plot, and sensory details that define the mood or tone.
Review narration, plot, theme, description, dialogue, and characterization with students.
Discuss the elements of a short story such as a clear opening, body, and conclusion, and strong
characters.
Discuss favorite movie surprises can help students creativity to develop the surprise in their
story.
Create a Story Outline

Students can work in pairs or individually.
Students create a storyline which should include:
At least two main characters

Five traits for each character (at least 3 of the traits should be unusual).
Setting
Three plot events
One surprise (minimum)
Working in pairs/teams can help students who have a phobia about creative writing get over
their fears and talk through their ideas for the story.
Teacher should walk around the room giving feedback and asking questions about the
characters and their traits to help students think through the personality of their characters.
Student Writing:
Once students have finished their outline and they begin the writing process, students will write
the introduction to their story. Once students have written two to three paragraphs students work
in pairs to peer review the story. The peer review will help students discover if their characters
are interesting and if the story is off to a good start.
Students will continue the writing process and revise and edit their story. Continue providing
feedback and writing tips as you review each story.
The story should be at least 5 pages and students have one week to complete their story.
Publish:
Students will use Bookemon to create an eBook of the short story they created by using the
graphics provided or students can draw the illustrations for their stories. Once the students have
typed their stories and illustrated their books it can be saved as a .pdf eBook and printed. There
is also an option of sharing the link of each students book with their family by email.
Free App at iTunes Store
Full Version App is $4.99
Popplet
http://popplet.com/
Description
The Popplet Lite (Notion,free) app works like a digital diagram, by typing text,collecting
snippets of research from your favorite website, adding your favorite quotes and images, you
can also upload images from the web, you can take a real time photo,embed videos and even
draw your own designs. Popplet is a visual communication tool and a place to share ideas and
collaborate with others.
Evaluation Rubric
Answers/Comments
Website is easy to navigate, help guides and
video tutorials are available and clear, simple
goal?
tools and features are centrally located to

facilitate ease of use.
Accessibility: Can Students access the
Yes Students can access Popplet on the web.
technology at any time and place?
There are also apps for, iPad or smartphones.
Collaboration: Are Students able to connect
This tool invites collaboration within the
popplet. Multiple users can brainstorm and

collaborate on the same Popplet.
Yes, The teacher assigns a topic or object
and the students complete the popplet.
Yes, Students are able to interact with a
variety of multimedia applications. Popplet
student?
gives both visual and non-visual learners a

collaborative learning experience.
Engaging: Will the technology keep students
Popplet allow students to quickly brainstorm
engaged?
all the information around a subject and to

organize the ideas after they are collected,
keeping them engaged throughout the
process.
Popplet allows students to create Popples
result in dynamic product that the students
that are transformed into shared bulletin
can easily share?
boards, scrapbooks, photo galleries, mind

maps and curriculum timelines, visually linking
student learning artifacts to the desired
objectives.
Hardware: Is any special hardware

required? If so, how much does it cost?
Technical Support Consideration: Is
technical support provided by the vendor?
How much will the support cost? Will it work
on your schools network?
No special hardware is required, only an

internet connection.
Yes, Popplet supplies a help tab and audio
visual support. Since it is a web 2.0 based
application it should work on all school
supported internet connections.
Yes, while working in Popplet, I did not see
any advertising.
Cost Effective: How much does the
The site has no cost for the lite version, users
get six free popplets, but they can delete
Is the cost a one- time fee or is it a recurring
previously created ones and replace with new
cost?
ones.

Security And Privacy: How does the
Popplet states the information is private and
technology/tool protect information and
students can only share with specified
privacy of its users?
persons. Email is used to communicate with

parents and teachers.
Pros and Cons

Pros:
When you first look at Popplet it seems like just another mind mapping tool like Inspiration or
MindMeister, but it has four other features that make it superior to the other apps like it.
Free
You create popples that not only include text they include links,images,drawings,videos etc
And if you are using a chromebook to work on Popplet you can insert images directly from your
Google Drive account!

Even with the Popplet Lite free account ,you can share Popples in much the same way as you
do a Google doc, so collaboration can take place as well as shared design.

Completed Popples can be published with a link or embed code making it easy to share via the
web . Popples can also be used in programs such as Schoology and Edmodo.
Cons:
The challenges that might come with adopting this wonderful tool for the classroom.
To access the online features,you must have an email address,most schools do not assign
emails for students.

Teachers, and students would have to learn to use the app
In order to use this app and take advantage of all of the features, teachers would have to
receive training and have a good understanding of how the app works and be proficiate in using
Popplet.
Using Fractions
Proper and Improper Fractions: Below a Sample Vocabulary Mind Map Wall that I created in
Popplet. Notice the videos and images (all of the fractions are actually images that were
uploaded into Popplet).
For this activity the teacher will create a wall with different multiplication or division of fractions
problems. The classroom will be divided into 3 groups of 6 students. Each group will present a
diagram of their information at the end of class.
Group 1 - The students in group 1 will sort problems by their answers. (ex. less than one,
between 1 and 3, greater than 3 Or quotient is less than dividend, quotient is greater than
dividend).
Group 2 The students in group 2 will sort images by the types of angles they represent
Group 3 - The students in group 3 will sort shapes and then determine criteria for their sort.
They can complete the sort and write their criteria on the wall. Then they can view and
comment on other students sorts. (You may have to have an image bank and allow students to
make their own walls so everyone can work at the same time without interference.)
Each group of students will contribute to the learning outcome from this lesson. By using
Popplet the students work collaboratively to collect, illustrate the process and explain the results
to others in their class. This allows students to brainstorm ideas based on what they see or
experience.
Demonstration
Popplet Video
Discovery Education- Science TechBook

http://www.discoveryeducation.com
Description
Discovery Education has many products available for educational purposes.One is the
Science TechBook which is an interactive online textbook and educational resources. This
resource makes your textbook available on any device in any location. Students will have
access not only to lessons but to virtual labs, interactive text, streaming videos and much more.
The TechBook is separated into reporting categories and within each it is broken up into
lessons on the major topics of the reporting category. Each lesson provides the teacher a 5
minute prep powerpoint to give the teacher needed background information on the lesson. It will
also provide the teacher with the TEKS that are covered and a list of needed materials for the
lesson.
Assignments can be created for students on an individual level or as a class. Students
are not limited to only using what is assigned to them. They have full access to all of the
features available on Discovery Education. This resource is interactive and captures the
students attention to make learning fun and realistic.
Evaluation Rubric
Answers/Comments
Yes, site is very easy to navigate. Minimal
training is need for student use.
goal?
Yes, Discovery Education is accessible by
internet on any device with internet

connection.
Yes, Students can share their creations
on Board Builder with their teacher. The

teacher can share student work with
others.
No, interaction virtually with other
students is not available.
Yes, all content is available in english and
spanish. Students needing subtitles have
student?
available closed caption options. Text can

be read to the student in eBooks, articles,
and virtual labs.
Yes, Subject matter is split into state
objectives. Teacher instruction has TEKS

listed for every unit and lesson.
Yes, interactive labs and videos captures and
students engaged?
holds student interest.
Yes, students can create a Board that they
can add text, video, ebooks, or outside made
material. It saves their work in the program so

it is accessible at any location and can be
share with the teacher.
Hardware: Is any special hardware required? None Stated

Technical support is provided by the vendor.
The program does work on the schools
network.

Yes, no ads are in the program.

6 year license is $45 per student and cost
would have to be covered by the school.

cost?
Student information is secure in the program.
Students have a login created by the
administrator of the program.
Pros and Cons

Pros:
Accessible from any device any where there is an internet connection.

Teachers have pre-made lessons to follow with listed materials and teacher resources needed
to understand and teach content.

Students are highly engaged.
Professional development and initial training provided with purchase.
Cons:
Teachers would need to be trained to understand and utilize the program to its fullest potential.
Cost is per student not per campus.
No physical books or teacher manuals that go along with the program.
Brief Demonstration
Click to view Video.

Alternative Energy
Students will learn about various Alternative Energy sources. Students will access teacher made
Board Builder and complete research notes by viewing linked readings, videos, and virtual lab.
As students are working through the Board they will record their answers to provided questions
in their science notebooks. Once students are complete they will be responsible for creating
their own Board Builder on what the learned. They should incorporate the answers to their
questions, images, and video clips they found to help describe the various alternative energy
sources discussed. Student will share their board with the teacher for grading. Best boards will
be shared with the class.
Jing
http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html
Description:
Jing is a free screen capture application that allows you to capture screenshots and
create videos. Jing is absolutely free and the ease of use is amazing. It provides free online
storage from Screencast and unlimited image and video capture powers. Jing is different from
all other screen-capture softwares as it is designed to share images and movies with people
quickly and easily while chatting or emailing, to help you get a point across. Using Jing to record
a video screenshot is simple and straightforward. Capture anything on your screen as a static
image or a movie, then save it or store it on TechSmith's free 2 GB of server space (hosted at
Screencast.com). It allows you to easily add text, arrows or highlight sections of your screen
capture. This is a great feature for teachers wanting to add notes on top of images or text, or
want to indicate something to their students.
Evaluation Rubric:
Answers/Comments

goal?
Website is easy to navigate, help guides and

video tutorials are available and clear, simple
tools and features are centrally located to
facilitate ease of use.
Accessibility: Can Students access the

technology at any time and place?
Yes, Students can access JING on the web.

There are also apps for, iPad or smartphones.
Collaboration: Are Students able to connect

Yes, this tool is designed for capturing

images and making videos to share through
email and smartphones.

Yes, The teacher assigns a topic or object

and the students create a video of their
research to the teacher.

student?
Yes, Students are able to interact with the

web capturing screen shots and making
videos.
Engaging: Will the technology keep

students engaged?
Jing helps the student gather the information

around a subject and capture it in screenshots
and video, keeping them engaged throughout
the process.

result in dynamic product that the students
can easily share?
Jing allows students to create visual videos

they can narrate and send to other students .
Hardware: Is any special hardware

required? If so, how much does it cost?
No special hardware is required, only an

internet connection.
Technical Support Consideration: Is

technical support provided by the vendor?
How much will the support cost? Will it work
on your schools network?
Yes, Jing supplies technical support for free.

Since it is a web 2.0 based application it
should work on all school supported internet
connections.

Yes, while working in Jing, I did not see any

advertising.
Cost Effective: How much does the

Is the cost a one- time fee or is it a recurring
cost?
The site has no cost for the lite version, users

get six free popplets, but they can delete
previously created ones and replace with new
ones.
Security And Privacy: How does the

technology/tool protect information and
privacy of its users?
Email is used to communicate with parents

and teachers. The videos are uploaded to
screencast and can not be viewed without you
sending the link.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Free
Students can create a visual tour of their subject.
Fast capture and quick video creation.
Up to a 5 minute video can be uploaded to screencast and saved.
Helps students experience technology outside of the classroom giving them ownership of their
creations.
Cons:
Videos are saved in SWF format and can not be embedded.
Video limit is 5 minutes
Jing online storage is limited to 2 GB
Brief Demonstration:
Teachers can take screenshots of students emailed homework and add arrows with comments,
highlight grammar errors etc
Using the technology:
I created this screen shot from the archives page found on the library website. I was creating a
poster for display for upcoming events.
Instructional Activity:
Explore your favorite photo
Students will each choose a picture of a subject they would like to tell about, it can be one they
have taken or one they get from the web. The student will use Jing to create a 3 minute video
about the chosen photograph.( example: My favorite photo is a stream in Colorado where I
vacationed in 2001, I would capture the photo with my Jing starburst, click the video tab and
begin to tell about the location of the stream and how the photo came to be).
Students will save their video on screencast using Jing, then they will email the video to their
teacher for grading. When back in the classroom each student will share their video with the
class.

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Mary Freeman

GROUP PROJECT- Technology Evaluation

Technology Evaluation Rubric

User Friendliness: Will learning to use the

Once the accounts are set up on Blogger,

technology get in the way of the learning

students can navigate the site easily after a

Accessibility: Can students access the

Yes, Blogger can be accessed on the web

technology at any time/place?

and there are apps for smartphones, and

Collaboration: Are students able to connect

Students can collaborate in group blogs

with peers/teachers and share ideas?

and/or comment on others blog.

Differentiation: Can this technology be

Yes, the assignments, questions, and

adapted to meet the individual needs of each

interactions can accommodate various needs.

Curriculum Correlation: Do the lessons

Yes, the lessons and questions are created

presented align with the curriculum?

by the instructor to align with the curriculum.

Engaging: Will the technology keep the

Yes, Blogger will keep the students engaged

by the students creating and posting their

Finished Product: Does the technology

Yes, Blogger provides a finished product that

result in a dynamic product that can students

is stored online that can easily be saved and

can easily save or share?

What kinds of finished products can your

Blogger provides a finished product students

students produce with the tool/technology to

can look back to reflect on such as an

demonstrate they have mastered the

No special hardware is required. It is a web

If so, how much does it cost?

based 2.0 tool that requires internet access.

Technical Support Considerations:

Yes, Google provides technical support for

Is technical support provided by the vendor?

Blogger. Support is free. Blogger should work

How much will support cost?

on schools network under Google.

Will it work on your school's network?

Yes, while working in Blogger it is free from

or have school appropriate advertising?

Cost Efficient: How much does the

Security and Privacy:

Blogger provides privacy settings to keep all

How does the technology/tool protect

personal information of the user from the

information and privacy of its users?

Pros and Cons

and published in the blog so the student can be creative.

but if you are needing a free program it is worth it.

Technology Evaluation Rubric

User Friendliness: Will learning to use the

Yes, After a brief demonstration students can

technology get in the way of the learning

easily navigate the software.

Yes, students can access the technology on