HFM School Library Learning 2.0 'Tech Camp'

WRITING

• Blogs : Blogs can be written by either an individual or by multiple authors. Each entry or post is usually written by an individual, so a blog would be great for students to use as a reflective journal. A blog could also be used for a group to publish writings of each of the members. Students & teachers can easily comment on each others posts.  Free blogging tools include: WordPress.com and EduBlogs.
• Six Reasons Why Kids Should Know How to Blog
• Using Blogs in the Classroom
• Wikis : Wikis work better for collaborative writing & projects, though individuals could easily have their own pages of content that others don't edit.  Wikis are handy for gathering notes and resources, brainstorming ideas and writing documents. Multimedia resources are easily embedded in wiki pages. Wiki pages often look clunky and awkward and don't print out well. (This wiki is an example of that!). Free wiki tools include: PBWorks and Wikispaces
• Writing Prompts : Tools that can help get the creative juices flowing
• OneWord : each day a new word, 60 seconds to react to the word. The challenge is to just write what comes to mind, rather than overthinking.
• Plinky : Each day there is a new prompt, a question, a challenge. Good source of writing prompts, even if you don't use the web site itself to store writing. 
• Writing Prompts : Great tumblr by Luke Neff. Images as writing prompts.
• Google Docs If your students are looking for an online environment that mimics desktop office application like MS Word, then Google Docs is a good place to start. Documents are then available from any internet connected device. Document changes are tracked, others can be invited to collaborate, chat sessions can be held while multiple authors are editing together. Handy for taking notes too.
• PrimaryPad : Another collaborative, online writing tool. No need to sign up to create a document, though you can also create an account. With the free version, documents are deleted after 30 days.
• Notes.io : Simple service, just start typing and your notes will be saved. To share your notes, use the "short" button to get a URL. Unfortunately, there's not editing of your notes after you get the URL, so no collaboration is possible. Good for taking quick notes.
• EDU180ATL http://edu180atl.org/  - Great idea for a collaborative writing project. 250 word posts answering "what did you learn today" Could be done across a grade level, a school, region, or broader.  Use free Blogger or WordPress blogging platform.  http://www.psdblogs.ca/184/ similar project.
• Storybird  Beautiful graphics inspire great stories. Select from artist's images and build a story book around those images.
• The 5 Levels of Digital Storytelling : Links to language activities including games, photo story, writing acativities and more.
• Google Sites : Create web sites for free. These can serve as portfolios, research presentations, resource guides, etc. 
• Example sites:
• Survive and Thrive! An Advocacy Toolkit for School Librarians
• Tech Tools for Writing : collection of more great resources to explore.

Workshop Topics:  

Conversations, Communities & Personal Learning Networks | Organizing, Brainstorming, Notetaking | Curation | Search Tools & Improving Access | Presentations & Storytelling  | Writing  |   Reading & Vocabulary |Etc. | More Resources | Main Workshop Page