Web 2.0 Assignment

Hi Everyone-- This year I was introduced to edmodo.com by Barbara deSantis, who is the in-class support technology person in the Sayreville school district, and is VERY passionate and enthusiastic about getting our teachers and students using technology as much as possible in our classes.  I was trying to find an easier way to have students get to the correct website, and then the page on that website without giving the students a mile-long URL address to type in (which frequently get typed incorrectly). 
Our school districts sets up digital "folders" in which we can assign work to our students and the students in turn submit that work, but I could never figure out how to use them, so I asked Barbara.  She suggested instead that I set up an edmodo site, which has groups that my students then joined according to which period's class they are in.  I set up a note on what their assignment entails, then link any url addresses for websites they need to use. 
Other teachers that my students have may also have edmodo sites, so when the students log on they select which teacher's site they are visiting.  My students have enjoyed a lot of the sites I've shared with them, many of which are Math games they can play to improve their math skills in different areas we've covered.  I plan to set up my groups early next school year and get next year's students using these on line tools for earlier chapters.

In checking out some of Prof. Schmidt's suggestions I bookmarked the "Create a Graph" site to use next year.  The technology enhanced lesson plan I submitted for this course was one I used a few months ago in my Problem Solving classes.  Students used the internet to collect data on rollercoasters, using the links on edmodo which I gave them.  Then they physically graphed the data (5 graphs, each containing data on 10 coasters).  They next analyzed their graphs to determine which 3 coasters were most thrilling and had to use their data to back up their reasoning.  Two days were spent on creating the graphs.  I recently attendend a professional development session on excell, with the hope of having the students use its graphing capability to create the graphs next year.  Instead I found the "Create a Graph" site to be more kid friendly and will use it instead.  Of course I need to be sure my students can access the site on school computers.  If they can't I need to submit a technology request to unblock the site.

Hopefully, I'll have more time to check out more suggested sites next week while on Spring Break!