Writing+Tools

Considerations || Ad-Free || Student Privacy Maintained || Educator Version Available || Available for All Ages || Does Not Require Student E-mail || • Can be public or private for designated users. • Can post to blog from cell phone. • Available in 41 languages. • 1 GB of free storage. || • Must have a Google* account. • Photos are automatically hosted in a Picasa* account. || X || X || Of "legal age to form a binding contract." ||  ||   ||
 * ~  ||~   ||~   ||~ Blogs ||~   ||~   ||~   ||~   ||~   ||
 * Name || URL || Strengths || Weaknesses/
 * Blogger* || [|www.blogger.com/start] || • Can have multiple authors.
 * Edublogs*

|| [|http://edublogs.org] || • Designed for educators and students. • Privacy and access controlled. • Can also create Web pages linked from blog. || • 20 MB of storage is small in comparison to other sites. || Ad-free on paid version only. || X . || X  Designed for education || X || No e-mail on paid version only—create 15 student accounts at a time under teacher account. || • Can post to blog from cell phone. • Can turn the journal into a bookstore-quality book with cost. • Can create and join specific communities. • Can record a “voice” post and create a podcast. • Can create photo galleries and “scrapbooks.” • 1 GB of free storage. || • Can search for blogs by school when affiliated. || Ads are said to be appro-priate for all ages. || X ||  || Users under 13 years old are required to have a parent or guardian review and complete the registration process. ||  || • Can be public or private for designated users. • Nice themes. • Easy slideshows. • Can create Web pages. • 3 GB of free storage. ||  ||   || X ||   || Must be at least 13 years old. ||  || • Can share and concurrently edit files. • 1 GB of free storage. • Can upload any file—even those that you cannot edit online. • Can provide just a link to share a file—no need for log in if users only view files. || • Collaborators must have valid e-mail addresses. || X || X ||  || Of “legal age to form a binding contract.” ||   ||
 * LiveJournal* || [|www.livejournal.com] || • Can create posts that are friends-only, private, or public.
 * WordPress* || [|http://wordpress.com] || • Can have multiple authors.
 * Google docs* || [|http://docs.google.com] || • Offers word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, form/survey creator, and many other applications.
 * j2e*

|| [|www.j2e.com] || • Offers word processor, desktop publisher, Web page creator, form creator, and drawing pad. • Can share and concurrently edit files. • 50 MB of free storage. • No minimum age requirement. || • Not as intuitive to use as other collaborative document sites. • To start, select Start j2e. • Register when you save the file. • No spreadsheet or presentation file types. || X || X || X Designed for education. || X ||  || • Provides 1 GB of online storage. • Includes project and task areas || • No concurrent editing. || X || X ||  || Must be at least 13 years old. ||  || • Can share and concurrently edit files. • Can access and edit existing documents without an || • Collaborators must have valid e-mail addresses. || X || X ||  || Must be at least 13 years old. ||  || • Public or private pages. • 100 MB maximum site size. • Unlimited pages. || • Collaborators must have valid e-mail addresses. • Not as easily collaborative or transparent as a true wiki. || X || X ||  || Of “legal age to form a binding contract.” ||   ||
 * ThinkFree* || [] || • Includes both a Web version and a downloadable version to create, share, and sync up documents, forms, portfolios, spreadsheets, and presentations.
 * Zoho* || [|www.zoho.com] || • Offers word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, note taker, and many other applications.
 * ~  ||~   ||~   ||~ Wikis ||~   ||~   ||~   ||~   ||~   ||
 * Google Sites* || [|http://sites.google.com] || • Integrated with other Google tools, such as Google Calendar*.
 * PBworks*

|| [|http://pbworks.com] || • Classroom accounts allow student accounts without e-mail. • Public or private. • Create as many workspaces (wikis) as needed. • 2 GB of free storage. || • Not available in languages other than English. || X || X || X || X || X ||
 * Wikispaces*

|| [|www.wikispaces.com/site/for/teachers] || • Easily add student accounts that do not require e-mail addresses. • Can create public or private wikis. • No indication of age requirements. • Discussion forums. • Unlimited pages and discussions. • 2 GB of free storage. || • A little cumbersome to use. || X Ad-free when signing up for the free “K‒12 teacher” account. || X || X || X || X Send an Excel* or .csv file with user names and passwords. E-mail addresses are not required to create accounts. || • Can set wiki or page level permissions. || • Collaborators must have valid e-mail addresses. || X || X ||  || Must be at least 13 years old. ||  ||
 * Zoho Wiki* || [|http://wiki.zoho.com] || • Can have 2 free wikis with 50 MB each. • Can create groups.
 * [[image:elem.gif width="82" height="35" align="left"]]NOTE:** This icon means the Web site has no age restrictions, and the tool is appropriate for younger students. Other tools may be appropriate for elementary grade use with the teacher's facilitation.