One common theme seen throughout these blog entries is the use of digital content. Sites like Google Books and Delicious have a variety of uses inside of the classroom. However, other forms of digital content may not have such overt uses.

 Sites like Cartoon Yourself and Funny Photo allow users to upload and alter photos. At first glance, these sites may seem like useless, fun time-wasters (which they are). However, it is important to recognize the creative aspect associated with sites like these. In a lecture to TED, British education expert Ken Robinson stated that in the modern world there is a type of education inflation. More people than ever before are receiving college degrees.  As such, creativity is the only real way that students can distinguish themselves in the job market. Many of the sites addressed in this blog entry accomplish that goal. Students can learn, have fun, and explore their creative side.

As with other technologies in this blog entry, Xtranormal gives students the ability to explore their creative sides. Xtranormal allows students to create a wide variety of animated videos. These videos can be educational in nature and allow students to experience a fun alternative to the normal summative assessments.

Lastly, a very useful site is Motivator. On Motivator, students can upload photos and create their own motivational posters. This can be especially useful for classroom management. At the beginning of the year, students can create posters that demonstrate class created rules. This can serve two purposes.  First, the posters consistently remind students of the class rules. Secondly, the students created these rules themselves. As such, this will hopefully allow students to become accountable and regulate each others behavior.

On the surface, all of these sites seem like fun ways to kill time. However, when used under the right circumstances, they can help the students learn.

Whether it be youtube,google, wikipedia, or something totally different, the use of digital content is a must for any modern educator. As technology evolves, so does the way children learn. As a result of these new technologies, teachers now have access to many resources that they never did before.

One particularly useful website for educators is Google. Google has a wide array of uses. Aside from its normal use as a search engine for websites and images; Google Scholar can provide scholarly, peer-reviewed articles while Google Books provides both full length versions of books as well as samples for books that are still copyrighted. Another particularly good website for books is Project Gutenberg. Project Gutenberg is a massive database of out of copyright books in both Ebook and audio book format. Websites like these can be used by teachers in many ways. Most noticeably, these websites are fantastic for helping students conduct research. With just a quick search and click, students will have hundred of articles or books in a matter of seconds. These sites can also be used to demonstrate to students the difference between acceptable and unacceptable sources (scholarly versus something less credible). Websites like Google and Project Gutenberg make the acquisition of knowledge infinitely easier. Hopefully this ease  will allow students to enjoy learning and spur a lifelong interest in gaining new information.


Some sites, such as Delicious, allow for people to compile and share a massive list of their favorite links. In doing so, educators can better share their knowledge and "tricks" with each other, with the end resulting in a successful learning experience for the students. One such example is power point palooza. By cruising other people's Delicious accounts, I came across this fantastic website.Power point palooza allows you to find power points on the subject of your choice. As such, I can integrate aspects of these power points into my lectures or simply use the whole thing. As a professor once said to me, "education is about stealing the best material you can find in order to help the students learn." In order to better educate the new generation of Americans, educators must be sure to embrace and use these new and emerging technologies.