Technology Tools for the First Week of School

Are there specific technology tools that educators should use during the first weeks of school? Yes! In case you're not sure where to start, I asked my Twitter colleagues to tell me what tools they are planning to use, or have used, and why.

Keep in mind that there are many uses for each tool and there is no one right way to use it -- adapt the ideas to work in your own classroom. And if you would like to learn more about certain tools, I will be addressing some of them in my next post, so please let me know in the comment area what interests you.

I placed all the responses from Twitter in a Google doc, but here are some highlights:

* Dana Zora (Stevens Elementary, Aberdeen, WA): "QuickieQ and AnswerGarden to survey students and parents on first day."

* Kristina Peters (Spring Lake Magnet, Omaha, NE): "I'd like to start using Twiducate to empower students to get involved in social media in a 'safe' manner."

* Deena Warwick (Chocowinity Primary School, Chocowinity, NC): "I want to use Prezi as a get-to-know-each-other tool. Typically, I have used powerpoint in the past, but I think Prezi (or Glogster) will be more engaging."