Writing+with+Digital+Tools

Linoit - Intro activity using Linoit, a digital post-it board
 * How to Use Linoit in the classroom - a review from TeachersFirst

Kidblog "Kidblog is built by teachers, for teachers, so students can get the most out of the writing process.
 * Teachers monitor and control all activity within their classroom blogging community.
 * Teacher creates a specific teacher account and also creates student accounts.
 * Kidblog review from TeachersFirst
 * MSD Blogging resources

Storyjumper -Storyjumper is a place to create and discover stories for kids.
 * Students create their own stories using Storyjumper's backgrounds, props and characters OR they can import their own pictures.
 * Teacher creates a specific teacher account and also creates student accounts. The teacher can view all students' stories within that account.
 * Students can order a published book upon completion.
 * Storyjumper review from TeachersFirst
 * Story example

Little Bird Tales - Little Bird Tales was created to help nurture children's creativity and imagination.
 * Students create stories using their own original artwork. Students can draw pictures in Little Bird Tales, scan hand-drawn pictures to upload, or import their own pictures.
 * Teacher creates a specific teacher account and also creates student accounts.
 * Little Bird Tales allows students to record their voice to narrate their stories. The teacher can view and edit all students' stories within that account.
 * <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif;">Teachers can approve student stories to appear in a "shared tales" section. This allow students to read each others' stories.
 * <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif;">Student examples: 1, two, three
 * <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif;">Little Bird Tales review from TeachersFirst

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif;">Storybird- Storybird reverses visual storytelling by starting with the image and "unlocking" the story inside.
 * <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif;">Students first choose the art collection they want to use to create a story. Then, they drag images into the book and add text. All artwork is created by artists who have partnered with Storybird.
 * <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif;">Teacher creates a specific teacher account and also creates student accounts.
 * <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif;">Users can create story or poem.
 * <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif;">The pro version allows teachers to comment on/respond to their students' writing privately.
 * <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif;">Example: one,
 * <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif;">Storybird review from TeachersFirst

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif;">ePals- ePals' mission is to help educators and learners find those moments and to connect with and learn from each other in safe online communities - in their school, across town and around the world.
 * <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif;">Electronic pen pals that allow students to email back and forth (all emails are moderated by //both// teachers involved in the project)
 * <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif;">Teacher creates a specific teacher account and also creates student accounts.
 * <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|ePals review from TeachersFirst]

Skype in the Classroom - Skype in the classroom is a free and easy way for teachers to open up their classroom. Meet new people, talk to experts, share ideas and create amazing learning experiences with teachers from around the world.
 * There is a community where you can search for existing Skype opportunities OR create a new lesson!
 * To request Skype on your laptop, please enter a ticket in the Tech Service Desk.
 * Skype in the Classroom review from TeachersFirst

Paper Slide Videos- A very low-tech way to motivate students to write a script, describe a process, tell a story, etc. There are many applications and all you need is paper and a recording device!