utc best of the best

Best of the Best Web 2.0 Tools

Catherine Murphy and Dawn Sudduth | 2011 Upstate Technology Conference

Why These Tools?

These tools are among those selected in recent years by the American Library Association as the Best Websites for Teaching and Learning.

Source: http://www.sapweb20.com/blog/2009/03/the_web_20_manager/

Spicynodes.org

Spicynodes.org

Flash-based tool with very easy to use interface

Presents inter-related concepts in a graphical manner that users can manipulate

Completed nodemaps can be shared via URL or a page embed

Why are teachers using it? As students become enamored with the

presentation of their ideas, they increasingly focus on the quality of their work and develop critical thinking skills.

SpicyNodes is an easy way for students to learn grasp nonlinear topics. Its richly visual and interactive interface captures students’ attention, while their motivation is fueled by the desire to clearly convey ideas and publish them online.

Why are teachers using it? Because SpicyNodes is a publishing

platform, and nodemaps are designed for sharing information, students become both authors and teachers.

SpicyNodes takes the concept of hyperlinks and short messages to the classroom, allowing students to display ideas, events, and facts in concert with one another.

SpicyNodes is free for any use, including the classroom.

How to organize and present your students’ nodemaps?

Why are teachers using it? Highly visual means of presenting

collections of links

Useful for constructing personal learning environments