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| Image from Wikimedia Commons |
1. Sketchcast.com
With the layover tool, you can record mathcasts, drawings, and other creations. You can hook up your microphone and record your voice, which can be really good for having kids practice for extended response math problems. I can also see vocalizing tool be used well for kids to think-aloud during an art exercise. Here's my non-voiced example:
2. Dabbleboard.com
I've talked about Dabbleboard before. The reason I tend to get frustrated with the concept of IWBs is because teachers tend to hog them. With a tool like Dabbleboard, you can send out the URL to a class so that they can interact from their seat, or get up and write on the board. Plus, with a saved link, you always have an easy artifact not attached to Activ or SMART software. Also embeds.
3. Jeopardy Labs
Everyone wants to make Jeopardy games or Wheel of Fortune in their IWB software. Well, here's an easy cloud tool that works great when used with a smart board. Of course, use it as a pre-test, a formative assessment, or for just plain fun. But again, with a save-able URL, I feel better organized having my tools on the Web. Kids can easily make their own version, share it with the class to play Alex Trebec.
4. Scriblink.com
Scriblink is another tool similar to Dabbleboard, which can allow you to collaborate on the white board in real time, create graphic organizers, and save the URL. Check out a special message I made here.
5. Flockdraw.com
Here's a simple site, mainly for drawing and artistry, but, like Dabbleboard, you can embed the picture into your site. I like embeds because I believe they can enhance the online learning environment by putting all of your tools in one place.
6. This is Sand at http://thisissand.com/
Wow- what a unique tool for creation and exploration. I have to thank Kevin Jarrett for sharing this tool with me. It's reminiscent of those bottles were you fill with different colors of sand and layer them and then design them by sticking pencils in them. You get the idea. Fun tool.
7. Imagination Cubed at http://www.imaginationcubed.com/
While this tool doesn't give you URL or embeds, it's super easy to use, which can engage younger students very quickly. I always tell people to go the Web first and show off some of these web white board tools to teachers to hook them. Much of the software in Promethean and SMART can be overwhelming to teachers who fear technology. Engage them first with this tool.
8. Little Animation for Kids http://www.littleanimation4kids.com/
I think the most important thing you can do for the little ones is to get them engaged in technology as soon as possible. With the IWB, Little Animation for Kids, has nice interactives and games suited nicely for the IWB.
9. Spell a Picture
This simple site is a nice IWB online activity where students can choose letters to spell different words based on objects that they see. I really wish I could embed it, perhaps into an interactive lesson plan, but the little kids K-2, will like it.
10. Skribl
Skribl is another online sharable whiteboard. I'm happy- because they recently added an embed widget for sharing and collaborating. The user interface is kind of home-grown, but it's functional. With a login, you can save your boards for later use. It's not the prettiest UI, but saving is key.
This is just an overview of many tools out there, and the list continues to grow. Soon, I hope there will be some more comprehensive IWB Web Apps, that run on Flash or now HTML5. My kids found that even taking the Brain Pop quizzes on the IWB made reviewing for tests more fun. Engaging with technology does have its benefits, but can we start creating with this tool, instead of just "interacting" with it?
