Web 2.0 Technology Manual

Prepared by Bruce Henecker©2010

Want to contribute to this document? Contact Bruce Henecker atecurbr@gmail.com. You will then be given editing privileges.

Welcome to the Web 2.0 TechnologyHandbook!

PurposeThe purpose of this manual is to provide the teachers with a useful handbook of resources and information on howto use and access a variety of utilities to improve instruction.

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Table of ContentsWeb 2.0 Technology Manual ...........................................................................................................1Using Google Docs to Collect Student Data....................................................................................3

Creating a Poll.................................................................................................................................3Create a New Form .........................................................................................................................4Form Generator...............................................................................................................................5Creating Poll Questions ..................................................................................................................6Tips .................................................................................................................................................7Poll Themes ....................................................................................................................................8Sharing Poll, Step One....................................................................................................................9Sharing Poll, Step Two .................................................................................................................10A Short Poll URL .........................................................................................................................11Poll Image .....................................................................................................................................12Spreadsheet from Form.................................................................................................................13

Managing Student Data..................................................................................................................14Exporting Poll Results ..................................................................................................................14Export to Excel .............................................................................................................................16Sorting in an Excel Document ......................................................................................................17Copying Pages in Excel, Step 1 ....................................................................................................18Copying Pages in Excel, Step 2 ....................................................................................................19Copying Pages in Excel, Step 3 ....................................................................................................20Copying Pages in Excel, Step 4 ....................................................................................................21Creating a Roll Book ....................................................................................................................22Formatting the Roll Book .............................................................................................................23Sample Roll Book .........................................................................................................................23

Creating a Progress Report............................................................................................................24Form and Mail Merge Features in Microsoft Word......................................................................24Create a Document Heading .........................................................................................................25Using Mail Merge, Part 1..............................................................................................................25Using Mail Merge, Part 2..............................................................................................................26Using Mail Merge, Part 3..............................................................................................................27Using Mail Merge, Part 4..............................................................................................................28Using Mail Merge, Part 5..............................................................................................................29Using Mail Merge, Part 6..............................................................................................................31Using Document Form Features, Part 1........................................................................................32Using Document Form Features, Part 2........................................................................................33Using Document Form Features, Part 3........................................................................................34Using Document Form Features, Part 4........................................................................................35Using Document Form Features, Part 5........................................................................................36

Additional Resources to Consider .................................................................................................37E-Pals ............................................................................................................................................37Google Apps .................................................................................................................................37Blogs .............................................................................................................................................37Wikis .............................................................................................................................................38Podcasts.........................................................................................................................................38ed.VoiceThread.............................................................................................................................38Other Applications ........................................................................................................................38Computer-Based Applications ......................................................................................................38

Using Google Docs to Collect Student Data

Creating a Poll

Link: http://3.ly/t1I

Directions: This document contains images detailing each step in the process for creating a student data poll. To seeoriginal image, click the picture and then click the link.

Create a New Form

Comments:• You will need to have a Google account to use Google Docs. To create an account, click here: http://3.ly/

qE3Y.• If you have an account, log-in to Google Docs.• Once you have logged in, click on the "Create new" tab and then select "Form."• Below is an image of what the Google Docs start page looks like.

Form Generator

Comments:This is what the form generator looks like once you click "Form." Your initial steps should include:

• giving the poll a name• adding some "help" text (directions for poll recipients), and• creating your first question.

Creating Poll Questions

Comments:Selecting "Make this a required question," forces the poll recipient to answer the question by not allowing them tosubmit responses until all required questions have been answered.

To edit a question, click the pencil icon. To duplicate a question click the middle icon. To delete a question, clickthe trash can icon. When you have finished editing/adding a question click "Done."

To add a question, click "+ Add Item" button. You will be able to choose from a list of question types.

Tips

Comments:If you want to use the same poll for each of your classes, be sure to add a "choose from a list" question. This will beuseful later when you want to sort student data by name and course.

To see what you poll looks like, click the link on the bottom of the poll generator page at any time.

Consider changing the theme of the poll to make it more visually appealing. Click the "Theme" button to change thetheme.

Poll Themes

Comments:Currently, there are over 70 different themes to choose from. To select a theme, simply click the image of thetheme you want to use.

Sharing Poll, Step One

Comments:Once you have added your questions, changed the theme, and saved your changes, you are now ready to share yoursurvey with students.

To do this, "copy" the URL at the bottom of the page next to the words "You can view the published form here."Then open a new tab and go to the following web site: http://3.ly.

Sharing Poll, Step Two

Comments:3.ly is a web site that allows you to shorten a long URL. To shorten the poll URL you copied, paste it in the windowunder "Enter Web Address (URL):" and press the "GO!" button.

A Short Poll URL

Once you have created a short URL, you can share this link with students. In the classroom, I write this link on thechalkboard, and students can then go to one of the available computers, enter the URL, and complete the poll. In an80-minute block, I was able to get 25 students to complete a student data survey. The one I used even included manymore questions. Here's the longer survey: http://3.ly/DnTl.

Poll Image

Comments:This is what the poll will look like when finished.

Spreadsheet from Form

Comments:Once students have finished responding to the poll, you can view the results in spreadsheet form.

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Managing Student DataExporting Poll Results

Directions: This document contains images detailing each step in the process for exporting poll results to MicrosoftExcel.Note: If using an electronic version of this document, clicking on image will open the original image, which issomewhat easier to view.

Spreadsheet from FormComments:Once students have finished responding to the poll, you can view the results in spreadsheet form.

Export to Excel

Comments:To export the spreadsheet to Excel, click on "File," then select "Download as," and select output format.

Sorting in an Excel Document

Comments:Once document is in Excel, you can sort data as needed.To Sort, click on Sort, then "Custom Sort." To sort using multiple categories, click "Add Level."Tip: Be sure to save this spreadsheet to your computer (My Documents, for example) as soon as it opens!

Copying Pages in Excel, Step 1

In Excel, it is very easy to copy spreadsheet pages. This is useful if you'd like to have separate pages for eachcourse. You can also create pages for attendance, grades, book lists, or anything that requires a student list.

This is an image showing how to start copying a page.

Copying Pages in Excel, Step 2

This image shows what the "Move and Copy" window looks like.

Copying Pages in Excel, Step 3

This image show how to rename a tab.

Copying Pages in Excel, Step 4

This image shows the renamed tabs and one of the pages with data from the other classes removed.

Creating a Roll Book

Once you have collected and exported data to Excel, you can easily create a roll book by using "copy and paste" intoa new document.

Once you have created a new document, there are a few changes you might wish to make:1. Change the width and height of the cells: Select the text (ctrl + a). Then click "Format." From there you

can select "Autofit Row Height/ Column Width," or make custom height and width.2. Consider working in Page Layout view (this gives you an idea of how the spreadsheet will look when

printing).3. Before copying pages, be sure to include a header. It will save you time later.

Formatting the Roll Book

The "Format" function allows you to change the features of the text and cells. Consider adding borders, changingfont and size, change number (use "Special," then select "Zip Code" for that column).

To save time, make changes to the overall format before copying page.

Sample Roll Book

For a copy of a sample roll book that includes pages for addresses, attendance, and grades, click the following link.Note: Save the document to your computer before making changes.

• Sample Roll Book (Excel 2007 version)• Sample Roll Book (Excel 1997-2003 version)

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Creating a Progress ReportForm and Mail Merge Features in Microsoft Word

Directions: This document contains images detailing each step in the process for using the Form and Mail Mergefeatures in Microsoft Word. To see original image, click the picture and then click the link.

Note: These instructions indicated are specific to the features available in Word 2007. The images of the progressreport are based on a sample used at Liberty High School in Jersey City, NJ.

Create a Document Heading

The first step in utilizing the form is to create a heading that will be used for each student's progress report. Creatingthe heading before using mail merge will save you time later.

1. Open document above and save copy to your computer (My Documents, for example). Name thisdocument based on course title. For these instructions, the document was named "WorldLitPRMP3"(World Literature Progress Report Marking Period 3).

2. Type in the appropriate information in the heading.

Using Mail Merge, Part 1

After you have created a heading, you are now ready to start the Mail Merge function. Mail Merge allows you to usedata (such as student names and addresses) to create mailing labels and letters. The following instructions willdemonstrate how to use Mail Merge to create a progress report for each student in a class.

1. Click on "Mailings" tab.2. Click on "Start Mail Merge"3. Select "Step-by-Step Mail Merge Wizard..."

Using Mail Merge, Part 2

Mail Merge Wizard has six steps. Most steps are self explanatory. When finished with a step, click "Next." Below isan image of the Mail Merge Wizard.

Using Mail Merge, Part 3

Step 3 in the Mail Merge Wizard asks you to locate your data source. If you created an Excel document from theStudent Poll, you have a data source!

1. Click "Browse." A window will open asking you to locate the data source.2. Find and open the folder with the student data you are using for this set of progress reports.3. Double-click the file to open the data source.

After double-clicking the file with the student data you want to use, a new window will open. Select the page fromthe spreadsheet you want to use.

Using Mail Merge, Part 4

Your next step will be to select the recipients.1. A check mark next to the name selects that recipient.2. When each recipient has been selected, click "OK".

The following image shows what the data list.

Using Mail Merge, Part 5

Step 4 of 6 in the Mail Merge will allow you to insert student names (and addresses if you'd like) into the letter.

Option 1: To insert name and address, complete the following:1. Place your cursor where you want the address block to appear.2. Click on "Address Block..."3. Select options for how you want name and address to appear.

Option 2: To insert First and Last name ONLY, complete the following:1. Place your cursor where you want the name to appear.2. Place cursor where you want first name to appear.3. Then click "More items..."4. Click "First Name," then click "Insert." Click "Close."5. To insert Last Name, repeat these steps.

Tip: Be sure to insert a space between first and last name.

Using Mail Merge, Part 6

Step 5 of 6 in the Mail Merge will allow you to preview your letter. Make sure, now that you've added the addressblock, that the letter looks the way you want. Step 6 of 6 is where you merge the letters.

1. Click "Next: Complete the merge."2. On the next page you will have the option to print all of the progress reports, or edit individual letters.• "Print..." Option: This will send the merged letters to the printer. It will print out a letter for each of the

individual recipients. If you choose this option, you will need to complete the progress reports manually.• "Edit individual letters..." Option: This will merge letters into a new document. This method is highly

recommended! You will be able to use the Form features in the document to select proficiency level ineach of the categories, insert a cumulative average, and insert typed comments.

The image below show the window that appears when you select "Edit individual letters..."

Note: Once you click "OK," a new document will be created. It will contain a progress report for each student in therecipient list.

• BEFORE doing anything else, make sure you save this new document to your computer (My Documents,for example). For these instructions, the new document has been named WorldLitPRMP3Merged (WorldLiterature Progress Report Marking Period 3 Merged).

Using Document Form Features, Part 1

This progress report includes "Form" features, which means you will have the ability to restrict how you will makechanges to the individual progress reports. The Liberty High School Interim Progress Report will allow you to dothe following:

• Check boxes• Add a cumulative average• Type in comments• Indicate if a parent-teacher meeting is required• Type in date, time, and room where meeting is to be held (if indicated)

To activate the form features, in the MERGED document, do the following:1. Click on the "Developer" tab.2. Click "Protect Document" button.3. Click "Restrict Formatting and Editing."

Using Document Form Features, Part 2

The next step is to start form protection. The image below shows the window that opens when you select "RestrictFormatting and Editing." There is an option to enter a password. This is not necessary.

Using Document Form Features, Part 3

Once form is locked, you can select the boxes indicating proficiency level in each of the categories and indicate if aparent-teacher conference will be required. When you are ready to type in the "Current Cumulative Average," and"Comments," click "Stop Protection."

The image below shows what the form will look like with the protection in place.

Using Document Form Features, Part 4

After adding Current Cumulative Average and typing in some comments, you can scroll down to the next progressreport. To use the check boxes again, click "Yes, Start Enforcing Protection.": Continue in this fashion until allprogress reports have been completed.

The image below shows a progress report with check boxes selected, cumulative average, and comments added.

Using Document Form Features, Part 5

Once you have entered information and comments for each student, you can then print out the progress reports.

Tip: Use spell check and proofread comments before printing!

After reviewing your progress reports, you are ready to print! Note: You will also want to print (or makephotocopies) of the Liberty High School Student Rubric to include with each progress report.

The image below shows how to send progress reports to printer.

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Additional Resources to Consider

E-Pals

Using E-Pals for Student-Teacher Communication and Collaborative ProjectsE-Pals is a district-wide e-mail program. E-Pals is a monitored e-mail program. E-Pals also has an "InstantTranslation" program that allows users to translate incoming e-mails written in another language. One veryuseful feature of the program is the monitoring tool used to "scan" outgoing and incoming e-mail messages.Inappropriate content, such as profanity, slang, and unusual/coded messages. Basically, this program will"flag" a message that may contain inappropriate content. The offending e-mail is routed to the student'smonitor (typically one of the student's teachers) as a flagged item. If flagged, the message is placed in aseparate folder, preventing it from being sent/received until the monitor reads the message. Another usefulfeature is that all outgoing and incoming mail is stored in folders accessible by the students' monitor(s).Other uses for E-Pals:

• Having the same e-mail provider makes e-mail management easier for teachers.• Teachers can send mass e-mails to students that includes assignments, reminders, links to resources, and

attachments (such as Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, .pdf files, and spreadsheets).• Use E-Pals to access the "epals.com" domain on Google Apps.• Use E-Pals to set-up secure access to wikis and/or password protected web sites and other secure resources

(i.e., sites that require a username and password).• Use E-Pals to streamline communication between users on Google Apps.• Use E-Pals to create a secure, monitored classroom web log (blog).• Use E-Pals to collaborate on a project with another classroom and/or school.• Use E-Pals to provide students with a secure way to communicate with each other.

Google Apps

Using Google Apps for Electronic CollaborationGoogle Apps is a web-based suite of utilities and services. Particularly useful is Google Docs. Google Docsallows users to create a document (similar to Microsoft Word), presentation (similar to PowerPoint),spreadsheet (similar to Excel), or a poll (similar to SurveyMonkey) that can be shared with any user with ane-mail address and an Internet connection. Google Docs is very useful for helping students complete groupprojects and presentations. Because each student has access to the work in progress, each student add andedit content simultaneously from anywhere there's a computer with an Internet connection.

• Google Docs can be used to create polls to get feedback from students, parents, and the community.• Google Docs can be used to prepare on-line multiple-choice/true-false quizzes and tests• Google Docs can be used by co-teachers to collaborate on lesson plans and classroom projects• Google Apps can be used by the Small Learning Community to create collaborative, cross-disciplinary,

cross-grade level projects.• Google Docs can be used for document storage. You can upload Excel spreadsheets, Word documents,

PowerPoint presentations, and .pdf files for online storage. Think of it as an online flashdrive. Onceuploaded to Google Docs, files can be hyperlinked in other electronic documents.

Blogs

Using Blogs to Communicate with Parents, Students, and the CommunityAccording to WordNet, a lexical database for the English language, a web log (blog) is "a shared on-linejournal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies 'postings on a blogare usually in chronological order.'" Teachers can use blogs to share information about their courses withparents, students, and the community. Others can also post comments to a blog. Blogs are free and easy touse. E-Pals offers a secure version of a blog called SchoolBlog.

Wikis

Using Wikis to Create a Collaborative Classroom WebsiteWikis are a very easy way to create web sites that students and teachers can use to collaborate and shareinformation. If you've ever wanted to create a website that allows you to post handouts (as a Word document,.pdf, or other electronic form), videos, podcasts, web quests; post links to Internet resources; post list(s) ofupcoming assignments; and provide a space for students to post their own writing and projects, then wikisare for you. Best of all they are free! PBworks is a wiki provider that provides educators with 2GB of storage(for posting documents, images, videos, etc.) and secure access. For a small fee, teachers can upgrade to apremium version that allows site administrators to lock pages, hide pages, backup site content, and otheruseful security features.

Podcasts

Using Podcasts to Give Students a VoicePodcasts are digital recordings that can be stored electronically and downloaded for listening. Using freesoftware (Audacity), students can record stories, oral reports, dramatic performances, and speeches. Theserecordings can be converted to .mp3 format (a digital format used by most electronic media devices, such asiPods and other mp3 players). From there, students can upload their podcasts to an online storage site (G-Cast, for example). From there, students can make these recording available on iTunes and/or downloadableon a classroom website.

ed.VoiceThread

• You can capture students' voice• Students and teachers can collaborate and contribute on a specific topic• You can download your power point and make students record their voice to make comments

Other Applications

Consider the following applications for use in the classroom.• Nicenet: Secure, online discussion forum• Social Bookmarking: Great for creating a list of "Favorite" web sites that can be accessed on any computer

with an Internet connection. Users can also share bookmarks with other users. See Diigo for a very usefuland easy social bookmarking service. It's a social bookmarking service on 'roids!

• Ensembli: A service that collects news articles based on your interests. Does the research for you!

Computer-Based Applications

Computer-based programs and applications• PowerPoint: Tips and suggestions for using PowerPoint for delivering course notes and information• Microsoft Word: How to use some of the lesser-know features of Word to improve the writing process• Microsoft Publisher: Great for creating award certificates and classroom newsletters• Microsoft Access: Create a student database that includes mailing addresses, contact numbers, student

identification numbers, attendance, etc.• PhotoStory3: Free Microsoft application for creating a narrated, multimedia slideshow• Windows Movie Maker: Software for creating videos.• GradeKeeper: An inexpensive grading/attendance database (currently being used by many teachers at

Liberty). Basically, an electronic gradebook• Easy Grade Pro: also, has a modest price! It is a software that allows you to print progress reports,

compare students' performance, percentages,.....• Google Earth and Google Maps

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