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 for educational and safety reasons. Sites are blocked by the Internet Service Provider used by the school. Occasionally sites are blocked at a 'Department' level but this is rare.
Schools always have the choice to allow/block individual sites at their own school location. This should always be an informed decision with teachers and students aware of their responsibilities. Discussions regarding use of such sites may still be beneficial to encourage empowered student use.
This page highlights some of the issues with these sites and presents some of the safety and privacy information included on each site. Ultimately, schools and parents should decide on the appropriateness of an individual site. Connect maintains a 'white list' of sites considered safer for students. Search to check if the site is included. 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 |  |
Cyberbullying |  |
Strangers Online |
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Inappropriate Content |  |
Digital Literacy (is it true, reliable?) |
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| Global Teacher | |
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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.
The Global Teacher blog is managed by DEECD with users also able to access technical help through Edublogs. Global Teacher has an added 'layer of security' in that DEECD staff have access to the overall administration of the blogs created. Therefore, when alerted, staff can immediately delete posts, comments or whole blogs if necessary for safety/privacy/inappropriate content. Other blogging sites will often be able to do this too however the ability to remove content quickly if needed is one of the main reasons Global Teacher was created for Victorian teachers to access. Further information on blogging - Connect.
| Google Docs | |
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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 | |
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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.’
Despite the safety information, bullying can and does occur on Habbo, which is blocked in nearly all schools.
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| Kerpoof | |
‘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.’
Kerpoof has added information for teachers who are now able to create their own 'community' of users who do not need to provide individual email accounts to save their work and share it with others. Lesson plans and ideas for using the site are also available.
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| Mindmeister | |
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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. Sign up to save mind maps.
| Mindomo | |
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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. Sign up to save mind maps.
| Mind 42 | |
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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!'
Users need to sign up to save their mind maps.
| MScapers | |
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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 | |
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An international site that offers email, a forum, communities, videos and weblog space. The site can be used for positive purposes but inappropriate content and privacy issues are prevalent, making it generally considered inappropriate for use at school. Discussions about online image, cyberbullying and Cybersafety are very relevant in relation to the site which is blocked in nearly all schools.
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| Ning | |
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Create your own social network or connect to an existing network. Individual networks can be created to support specific projects. It is possible to 'allow' one ning site into a school/the Connect site without allowing access to the home page. Features include discussion forums, groups, blogs, ability to upload videos etc. Users have control over who can see their profile (including only themselves).
Use of this site should be monitored and closely supervised. Purposeful use within a specified network with other users known to the teacher can allow good opportunities for collaboration. Discussions about Cybersafety, bullying and privacy would be necessary.
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To contribute to this list A-Z, please email connect@edumail.vic.gov.au If you see issues we have not identified here please let us know and be aware that sites do change and develop.