Toolbox

This page includes a list of software, free software, online tools and websites that can be useful for teaching.


SOFTWARE

Inspiration
http://www.inspiration.com/
On this site you can download a free 30 day trial of Inspriation or Kidspiration.  This progarm allows you to create graphic organizers like flowcharts and concept maps.  Graphic organizers are helpful in the classroom because they can give students a visual explantion/representation of any topic.  Your can also purchase the software online.

Publisher
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/publisher/default.aspx
Publisher is a program in which you can create various types of documents.  There are template for creating calanders, brochures, flyers and so on.  I think that the calander templates could be particularly useful for keeping a class on schedule and handing them out to students so that they can keep track of what is going on throughtout the school year.

DreamWeaver
http://www.adobe.com/products/dreamweaver/
DreamWeaver is a software program that alows you to create and design HTML web pages.  This is very useful in creating and maintaining a teacher or classroom webpage that can be used to post extra course material and course documents, etc.

 

FREE SOFTWARE

NVU
http://www.nvu.com/
NVU is a free web design program that can be downloaded off the internet.  It is a near equivelant to DreamWeaver, without the cost of purchasing the program.

FTP
http://lexi.net/files/misc/ws_ftple98.exe
FTP is a free, downloadable application that allows you to transfer file from your computer to your website.

Open Source Software for Windows
http://www.opensourcewindows.org/

Open Source Software for Macs
http://www.opensourcemac.org/

Gimpshop
http://www.gimpshop.net/

Audacity
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/windows

Open Office Suite
http://www.openoffice.org/

Shareware.com
http://www.shareware.com/

Tucows.com
http://www.tucows.com

 

ONLINE TOOLS

Google Documents, Spreadsheets, and Presentations
http://www.google.com/educators/p_docs_spreadsheets.html
When you create a free gmail accound you are then given access to free online programs that at equivalent to PowerPoint, Word and Excel. If a teacher didn't have access to Microsoft Office, Google is a good, cost effective alternative.

Blogger
http://www.google.com/educators/p_blogger.html
Through your gmail account you can create a blog that can be used for any purpose. A teacher could create a classroom blog through Blogger and incorporate its use into the lesson plans and assignments. (for more on blogging, click on the blogging link off of my home page)

GifWorks
http://www.gifworks.com/
GifWorks gives access to and allows you to create your own graphics. These graphics can be useful for making a teacher web page more creative and aesthetically pleasing.

CoolText
http://www.cooltext.com/
CoolText is an easy way to make colorful and bold titles to add to websites.

Flaming Text
http://www.flamingtext.com/
Flaming Text is very similar to CoolText, in that it allows you to make your own creative titles and other types of text.

MediaBuilder 3D Text Maker
http://www.3dtextmaker.com/
3D Text Maker is another site similar to Flaming Text and CoolText. It allows you to create 3D banners and titles. All you need to do is create them on the web, save the text and then paste in onto your webpage or other document.

Online Games and Puzzles
http://www.teacherworld.com/onlinegamesandpuzzles.html

Online Tools for Teachers
http://teacherworld.com/onlinetoollinks.html

Blogger
https://www.blogger.com/start

Podomatic
http://www.podomatic.com/

Jumpcut
http://www.jumpcut.com/

Eyespot
http://www.eyespot.com/

Flickr Photo Sharing
http://www.flickr.com/

ZoHo
http://www.zoho.com/

ZamZar
http://www.zamzar.com/

Google for Educators
http://www.google.com/educators/index.html

 

WEB SITES

ASCD
http://www.ascd.org/portal/site/ascd
ASCD is the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. This site gives you access to up to date information on the trends in education as well as valuable information about all sorts of education topics.

DisciplineHelp
http://www.disciplinehelp.com/
Discipline Help is an invaluable site that gives advice on every classroom discipline problem any teacher could ever come across.

Froguts
http://www.froguts.com/flash_content/index.html
This site provides an alternative for the physical dissection of frogs and other creatures. It provides a virtual way to learn anatomy for students who may be opposed to dissection.

DiscoverySchool.com
http://school.discovery.com
This site is a division of the Discovery Channel and has many useful links and resources.  There is a clip art gallery, puzzle maker, science fair information, etc.

EduHound.com
http://www.eduhound.com
This is a website that provides links to almost anything you can imagine related to education.  There are links to information about holidays, special education, grants & funding and more!

Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling
http://www.coe.uh.edu/digital-storytelling/default.htm

Skype
http://www.skype.com/

Second Life
http://secondlife.com/

Filamentality
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/

ThinkQuest
http://www.thinkquest.org/

The Big6
http://www.big6.com/

PowerPoint Game Downloads
http://teacherworld.com/ppgameassignment.html

FREE SITES FOR TEACHERS TO CREATE WEB PAGES

Schoolnotes.com
http://schoolnotes.com/

TeacherWeb.com
http://www.teacherweb.com

Teach-nology
http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/web_site/

LESSON PLAN RESOURCES ON THE WEB

Discovery School Lesson Plan Resources
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/

The Educator's Reference Desk
http://ericir.syr.edu/Virtual/Lessons

Lesson Plans Page
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/

Lesson Plans Search
http://www.lessonplansearch.com

LessonPlanz.com
http://www.lessonplanz.com/

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