This link contains information on software that can be accessed on the world wide web. These programs can be acessed for free. Information on this page includes descriptions of the programs, web addresses for access, and ideas for incorporating their use into classroom activities.

WebQuests
WebQuests are among the most fascinating applications on the Internet for K-12 educators. Student centered and inquiry based, a WebQuest challenges students to explore the web for information and it is an excellent way to integrate the Internet into the classroom.

• WebQuest     This is the main WebQuest homepage designed by the creator of the WebQuest. Through this webpage, you can search for WebQuests to use in the classroom and also use their program to create your own WebQuests. This should be the first page you visit to learn more about WebQuests.

• Create your own WebQuest     Want to create your own WebQuest to use in the classroom? This page guides you through the process of making a WebQuest and creating an assessment for it.  There are also links to other informative websites to help guide you through the process of making your very own WebQuest.

• More WebQuests     This page contains hundreds of WebQuests for you to use in your classroom. These WebQuests are divided by subject area and are easy to use.
  

Podcasts
Podcasting is the distribution of audio or video files, such as radio programs or music videos, over the Internet for listening on mobile devices and personal computers. All you need to create a podcast is your computer and a microphone!

• Podcasting advantages     Not sure if you want to do podcasting in the classroom? This website describes the advantages of using podcasts and also provides links to other helpful websites and products that will help make your podcast experience even easier.

• Podcast how-to     This website describes step by step on how to make a podcast for the classroom, from preproduction to publishing. Any questions you have about making a podcast are answered on this webpage.

• Education Podcast Network     The Education Podcast Network has hundreds of educational podcasts to listen to or use in the classroom, divided by grade level and subjects. The website also describes what a podcast is and has a search engine to allow you to search for other podcasts to use in the classroom.

Starfall
Starfall is an excellent interactive site for students in the early elementary grades to use. It is pop-up add free and safe for children to navigate. It is a great source for learning letters and beginning readers. There are also links for teacher print outs relating to the stories, and places to purchase workbooks for cheap. Highly recommended!!

• Starfall
  

Jabber is an instant messaging service that connects you with people you know. It is a free service that can use a computer camera so you can see the person you're chatting with! It's decentralized, which means it's not monitored by any big companies. You're free to use Jabber how you want to!


Jabber accounts allow student learning to extend beyond the classroom.  Jabber has the capabilities to promote communication on numerous levels.  Jabber could serve as a tool to encourage communication on a district level.  It would even allow students to make global connections and learn about different cultures.  Not only can students communicate by instant messaging, but they can use cameras that allow visual communication to take place.  Jabber would also be an effective tool for teachers to communicate with one another.  Instead of emailing throughout the school day, teachers could use Jabber as a much more efficient and effective way of conversing.

This link will take you to Miami University's Jabber homepage.

http://kb.muohio.edu/cgi-bin/webcgi.exe?new,kb=mukb,case=90360