Collaborative Tools: Compare/Contrast TypeWith.me and Twiddla

TypeWith.me and Twiddla are both online collaborative tools. You can use them to share information, the question is: Which tool is better?

Evaluate both sites based on ease of use, features, and performance. Might it be possible both would be the right choice for slightly different uses?

You will need to work with a partner or two (or more) to see what you can and cannot do with each site. Make sure you take a couple screen shots of what you are doing. I want this finished Wednesday and will take a grade Thursday.

TypeWith.me

Twiddla

Another Education MMORPG: Secret Builders

I know most of you really, really despised Poptropica (right Katy and Shelby?) so now I am going to try for a little redemption. Check out Secret Builders to see if it lives up to your expectations. I want you to spend some time on the site and evaluate it as the educational site it claims to be. Is it really educational or is it just pretending?

This site brings something new, the opportunity to converse with other people outside of the classroom. Use common sense and the online safety practices we have talked about in class. I am no saying you cannot have a conversation, just remember that you are looking at an avatar and not the person. You really don't know anything about them, so don't let them know anything about you!

Website Review: Poptropica

"Poptropica is a massively multiplayer online game and virtual world, targeted at children ages 6 to 15, where players can travel, play games, compete in head-to-head competition, and communicate safely with each other. There is a role-playing component as players are encouraged to finish "island missions" and get medallions."
Wikipedia.com

Your job is to check out the site Poptropica. You will write a review of the site. You will address these three things:

1. What ages is this appropriate for?
2. How safe is this game for children?
3. How fun is the site?

Finally, you will either recommend this site or not recommend it.

I plan to introduce this site to our fourth grade in April if you find it meets our requirements.