Cybersafe Classroom - Latest technologies A-Z
This A-Z features web 2.0 websites currently popular with teachers and/or students. Brief descriptions and safety information are provided. Some of these sites are typically blocked in school settings. Discussions regarding use of such sites may still be beneficial to encourage empowered student use. Ultimately, schools and parents should decide on the appropriateness of an individual site. All use of the Internet should be supervised.
We have used a series of symbols to highlight the issues to be considered when using each site. The severity of these issues ranges widely with these sites (remote chance to high possibility).
Issues guide
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Copyright |  |
Digital Footprint
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Privacy |  |
Cyber bullying |  |
Strangers Online |
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Inappropriate Content |  |
Digital Literacy (is it true, reliable?) |
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| animoto (http://animoto.com/) | |
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A free site which allows you to upload photos. A short movie using your images and music is then automatically generated. Age 13+. Free accounts are limited to 30 second movies. An upgraded account allows users to create longer videos incorporating more photos. You can then put your Animoto into a blog, your Facebook or website. Animoto has a comprehensive privacy statement.
| Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) | |
'Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems. You can also use audacity to:
- record live audio.
- convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs
- edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, WAV or AIFF sound files.
- cut, copy, splice or mix sounds together.
- change the speed or pitch of a recording.'
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| bubbl.us (http://www.bubbl.us/) | |
Online mind mapping tool. Mind maps can be embedded or stored in a blog or website.
| Build your wildself (http://www.buildyourwildself.com/) | |
Create your own character – a mix of human and animal. Option to send to a friend or print. Students could print and then write a description for their character.
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| Create a Scape (http://www.createascape.org.uk/home.html) | |
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'The Create-A-Scape website is provided by Futurelab, with the support of the DfES and HP Labs, to enable teachers and students to create mediascapes as easily as possible and to find all the resources they need to make them in one place.
The site includes everything you need to create your mediascapes, including all of the software, step-by-step guides
and inspiration to get you started in using them in school.'
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| Del.icio.us (http://del.icio.us/) | |
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An online bookmarking tool which can be accessed on any computer with internet access. Organise your sites using ‘tags’. Create a network with other Del.icio.us users and share your favourite sites.
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| Edublogs (http://edublogs.org/) | |
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Edublogs is "the largest education community on the Internet" where you can sign up for a free WordPress-powered blog. The site provides lots of useful information, e.g. how to use your blog with your students and how start a conversation using your blog. An ideal site for educators who want to blog with support.'
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| Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/) | |
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Facebook is a social networking site. Users create their own site with a profile of themselves and photos. They can invite friends to be part of their network and can choose from varying levels of privacy. Advertisers use some of the information on sites for targeted advertising. It is difficult, if not impossible, to delete an account once opened.
| Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/) | |
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'Flickr is a place where you can store your photos, tag them and share them with others either through a link to the site or by embedding them in your blog or web page.'
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| Globalteacher (http://globalteacher.org.au/) | |
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A blogging program based on Edublogs which has been set up for Victorian teachers. The Global Teacher site is set up as a blog itself – visit it to check out what other teachers are doing with blogs in Victoria and beyond. Global Teacher is supported by a teacher, Heather Blakey, who can be contacted via the site for any questions or problems users may have. She is also available for onsite professional learning.
| Google Docs (http://docs.google.com/) | |
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Upload planning documents, share your work and participate in joint collaboration. Can be used to create your own documents including text documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
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| Habbo (http://www.habbo.com/) | |
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‘Habbo is a virtual world where you can meet and make friends’. In the sites ‘Terms of Use’ users are advised they must be at least 13 to use the site and have their parents sign up for them unless they are over 18. Parental supervision is advised. Once users have created a ‘Habbo’ character guidelines advise ‘we can use your character and content however we want for as long as we choose’.
Guidelines also state, ‘You understand that Sulake may supervise user forums and filter content sometimes, but that we don't have a duty to do this. You understand that bad people can use user forums and that user forums can be dangerous places if you do not use caution and good sense. You agree not to give out any personal information including your password, your first and last name, your phone number, e-mail address, instant messenger screen name or other contact information and not to ask for personal information from other Habbos.’
In addition, users can purchase goods on the site and by doing this, ‘you understand that all purchases of Habbo Coins and/or of Premium Subscriptions and/or of any other virtual items (e.g., furniture) sold on the Site are final and non-refundable’.
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| Kerpoof (http://www.kerpoof.com/) | |
‘Create and share your own pictures, movies, drawings, cards or stories. All user content and communication on the Kerpoof site is filtered and monitored. Because children visit and enjoy Kerpoof, all of the content is child-appropriate, but that doesn't mean that the site is just for children. We avoid content that most people would find even mildly inappropriate as well as content related to sensitive subjects.
Kerpoof doesn't come with a manual or a directory or a map. If we've done our job right, then finding your way to the various nooks and crannies of Kerpoof will be half the fun.’
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| Mindmeister (http://www.mindmeister.com/) | |
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Mind mapping tool. Sign up for a free membership to MindMeister to manage and share your mind maps online and enjoy real-time brainstorming sessions with friends and colleagues.
Users can create, manage and share mind maps online and access them anytime, from anywhere. In brainstorming mode, fellow MindMeisters from around the world (or just in different rooms) can simultaneously work on the same mind map - and see each other's changes as they happen. Using integrated Skype calls, they can throw around new ideas and put them down on 'paper' at the same time.
| Mindomo (http://www.mindomo.com/) | |
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Mindomo is a Web-based mind mapping tool, delivering the capabilities of desktop mind mapping software in a Web browser - with no complex software to install or maintain. Create, edit mind maps, and share them with your colleagues or your friends. Store up to seven private mind maps before needing to upgrade to a paid option.
| Mind42 (http://www.mind42.com/) | |
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In Mind42, 42 is not only the answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything! 42 means FOR TWO and indicates the collaborative character of mind42, because that is exactly what mind42 is: A collaborative browser-based online mind mapping tool.
It allows you to manage all your ideas, whether alone, twosome or working together with the whole world. As mind42 runs inside the browser, installing mind mapping tools is no longer needed - for a hassle-free mind mapping experience. Just open the browser and launch the application when needed - it behaves like a classical desktop application!
| Mscapers (http://www.mscapers.com/) | |
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Games, stories and guides that are triggered by your location. Mediascapes are location-based experiences, games and tours on a handheld device. Here you can download the software, grab the latest mediascapes created by the community and most importantly, learn how simple it is to make your own.
| Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/) | |
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An international site that offers email, a forum, communities, videos and weblog space.
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| Ning (http://www.ning.com/) | |
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Create your own social network or connect to an existing network.
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| Pageflakes (http://www.pageflakes.com/) | |
‘Pageflakes is the easiest way to read, see, discover and share your favorite things on the web. Start by easily creating a web start page that keeps you up to date on the many blogs and news sources that you read daily. Add photos, videos, a calendar, email, a to-do list and more to make your page even more personal. You can even make special pages that you can share with friends, family, or post on the web for everyone.
Pageflakes has thousands of Flakes (widgets or modules) including Facebook, a universal News Search, YouTube, Twitter, message board, blog, and hundreds of RSS feeds to choose from. Design and create a page that you can have for yourself or share with anyone you choose.’
| BPWiki (http://www.pbwiki.com/) | |
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PB Wiki is a hosted wiki solution suitable for businesses and education.
| PodOmatic (http://www.podomatic.com/) | |
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PodOmatic specializes in the creation of sophisticated tools and services that enable anyone to easily find, create, distribute, promote and listen to both audio and video podcasts. PodOmatic is a large and widely used service for creating and hosting podcasts.
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| Reasonably Clever (http://www.reasonablyclever.com/mini/kidsafe.htm) | |
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Make a lego – based character. You can save your creation to word or paint. Students can click from this page to the main site where they may find inappropriate content. Exercise caution in using this site.
| Rollermache (http://www.abc.net.au/rollercoaster/rollermache/) | |
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Create your own animations. Browse clips, create story boards, develop characters and experiment with props. Once you have registered to become a rollercoaster/rollermache member you will need to wait one day for your username to be approved and you are able to upload your own media. You will also need to click on the link that they send to the email address you provide to confirm your registration.
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| Scratch (http://scratch.mit.edu/) | |
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'Scratch is a new programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art - and share your creations on the web. Scratch is a free download.
Scratch is designed to help young people (ages 8 and up) develop 21st century learning skills. As they create Scratch projects, young people learn important mathematical and computational ideas, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the process of design.'
A ‘flagging’ option exists for inappropriate content and responsible use guidelines are stated.
Sketch Swap (http://www.sketchswap.com/)
Create your own ‘sketch’ and then click ‘send’. You will be sent a picture created by someone else! Draw cartoons, art, brainstorms, anything. If you add text, please use English so they can approve it. Every sketch is approved before it is sent to others with part of the criteria being suitability for children.
| Skype (http://www.skype.net/) | |
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Make calls from your computer — free to other people on Skype and cheap to phones and mobiles around the world. A free download. You will get a user name and can then search for other users you know. You can also send instant messages and files.
| Slideshare (http://www.slideshare.net/) | |
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Upload powerpoints and other media and share with others. Can be embedded in a blog. Create free account. Presentations are
searchable and there is some inappropriate content.
| Stumble Upon (http://www.stumbleupon.com/) | |
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Channel surf the internet with the StumbleUpon toolbar to find great websites, videos, photos and more based on your interests. StumbleUpon learns what you like and makes better recommendations.
Connect with friends and share your discoveries, meet people that have similar interests. Allows you to read and create website ratings and reviews.
| Survey Monkey (http://www.surveymonkey.com/) | |
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Survey Monkey has a single purpose: to enable anyone to create professional online surveys quickly and easily.
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| TeacherTube (http://www.teachertube.com/) | |
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Based on the popular website: YouTube, TeacherTube is a web video sharing site that lets teachers and educators store short videos for private or public viewing.
| Toondoo (http://www.toondoo.com/Home.toon) | |
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Cartoon creation site. You can share comics and embed them in blogs. All you need to do is click or drag and drop. Register to create your own.
| Twitter (http://twitter.com/) | |
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Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?
Users create networks with other interested parties and share their thoughts. You choose to ‘follow’ and ‘be followed’ by other users who can be blocked if necessary.
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| Voice Thread (http://voicethread.com) | |
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A K – 12 site with free registration and unlimited uploads for teachers. Upload your own content including PowerPoint presentations, photos or other media. Easily add your voice and choose whether to make your presentation private or public. If private, presentations can only be accessed by invited parties. Presentations need to be made public to be visible on a blog.
| Voki (http://www.voki.com/) | |
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Create your own character and choose from various hairstyles, clothing etc. Type or voice record comments for your character. Voki avatars can be included in a blog or wiki. Age 13+
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| Wee World (http://www.weeworld.com/) | |
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‘Create a Wee Mee, hook up with friends, get cool stuff and play games’.
Safety advice includes, ‘Never share your password. WeeWorld staff will never ask for it. Never share personal details including email addresses and phone numbers. Don't give away any personal information that may identify you.
Remember the person you are in contact with may not be who they say they are. If you are under the age of 18, speak to a trusted adult before arranging to meet someone in the real world. You can also block users by going to My Settings on your page.’
Don't forget that others can see what you upload so think twice before posting content that might embarrass you or others or before saying something you might wish you hadn't. Also remember that anything you upload can be downloaded and passed on to others. Think about the fact your boss, teacher or family might see your WeeWorld home page and what's in it!’
| Wikispaces (http://www.wikispaces.com/) | |
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Wikispaces is a hosted service that lets you create a wiki for collaborative working.
| Wetpaint (http://www.wetpaint.com/) | |
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Create or join a free wiki project.
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| YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/) | |
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YouTube is blocked from most schools. Inappropriate content can be flagged however it may take some time for it to be removed. Whilst some moderation occurs, there is a wide range of content, some of which is inappropriate for student viewing. ‘Streaming media’ sites such as YouTube are also very expensive in terms of download costs.
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| Zimmertwins (http://www.zimmertwins.com.au/) | |
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Watch or create your own movies. Includes movie starters and a helpful tutorial on how to create a movie. Movies can be saved to the site and then viewed by others. You can also share with others using a provided link. All movies are moderated and guidelines for appropriate content are provided. Users must use a ‘nickname’ rather than their real name.
To contribute to this list A-Z, please email channel.manager@edumail.vic.gov.au If you see issues we have not identified here please let us know.