Read Around the Planet- sponsored by NEA. Any grade can participate and it’s free. You are matched with another class and Greg makes sure the technology works. Contact Greg for more information. The other class is depending on you so stick with it if you sign up!

ePals-Nice way to enhance writing! Helps with cultural exchanges and language. You can search by country. Student forums are scanned by ePals for content.

Photo Story- Can use this in the classroom with students. Images of the book are scanned in and the stories are recorded. Use as record of progress. Free application from Microsoft.

Digital Reading Portfolio: student can be recorded reading a text to track fluency and improvement. Uses Photostory. It seems like more instruction is needed in how to use the program effectively/efficiently.

Michigan Counting Book Review (podcasting): engaged students in reading and then recorded their book report in audio form. Employs students reading, writing (pre-written report) and fluency in an engaging way. Can be shared with others. Can sign up quickly and creating a podcast is relatively easy. Could even be used to record a meeting among teachers and post online for teachers who had to miss the meeting.

Monster Exchange: student draws a monster and writes a description of it (creative writing). The description only is then exchanged online (9 different places in the world). The receiver draws a picture based on the description. Then the original drawing is compared with the new drawing (drawn by the online partner based on the written description).

Corey’s Book Talk: great way to engage students from around the world (which is tracked on ClustrMaps) in a conversation about books of common interest. (Great way to differentiate instruction according to interest; very engaging!)