Experiences with tools-summary to date

Since I'm somewhat behind, I think it best to summarize here what I've been doing with the tools to date:

WebQuests-haven't done any actual work with these yet but I see tremendous potential for our ESL students, particularly when used with Smart Boards. I've investigated the SDSU site and there are lots of ESL Web Quests available.

Blogs-Hadn't used a blog before this course. I can see where they would be useful in ESL teaching for student journals. However, I don't see them as useful as, for example, a wiki, for collaborative work. I did use the blog as a central tool for information for our tragedy and that was somewhat collaborative. However, it was used for an extremely short period of time and for that reason it was successful. It was also somewhat collaborative. It does help me organize my thoughts and keep the completion of assignments organized, which is a good thing. I can see where it's useful for the teachers in the same way, though the teachers have a lot of blogs to look through.

Wiki's-my new essential tool. I'd had limited exposure to wikis before this course. I'd started one or two wikis as collaborative tools. However, during this course, and in particular using the course wiki, I've become more fluent in the uses, the benefits and the limitations.

Google docs-Have had limited exposure but I see tremendous potential here too. See other blog post about this. I don't see the immediate application of the spreadsheet application for ESL but I need to think that through a bit.

Flikr-anything with pictures works well in an ESL environment. There are so many ways teachers can exploit this tool they are too numerous to mention. I've had limited personal experience, again, with this but enough to begin to think how we can use it in class.

Webspiration-I've used this to collaborate with colleagues in other parts of the US and other parts of the world. We're in the midst of piloting our "digital classroom", a class where students will use their PC's in the classroom to interact with the teachers in real time. There are training, logistical and technical issues to deal with. The Webspiration has allowed us to brainstorm.

Delicious-a great personal productivity tool for me to date. I've used it in this sense so far and am only beginning to consider how teachers can use this with their classes.