Productivity+Tools

Your group will be assigned a productivity tool to research, evaluate, and recommend. For your assigned productivity tool, you will find a wizard, template, or builder that will make that process more efficient and productive. For example, for rubrics, there is an online rubric wizard called [|Rubistar] that makes the process of creating rubrics easier. It provides a place to input information into fields and then with a click of a button, it generates the rubric.

By next week, please find a similar kind of wizard, template, or online tool for your assigned area. Post a link on your assigned page of what you find. Everyone should find a different tool to contribute within your group, so that is your incentive to contribute early.

During class on Thursday 10/18, each group will review the tools that they found and prepare a web page (i.e. modifying the page that you already started for your tool) to present to the class. The page should include the advantages and disadvantages of each tool found and make a recommendation about which one is the best. After your group is finished preparing the page, you will have time to work on your lesson plan presentations for the remainder of the work time, so you will want to use your time efficiently so that you have more time to work on your lesson plan presentations.

First, think about how best to divide out responsibilities in your group -- for example, there are a number of roles that could be divided out among individuals or done collectively. Try to make sure that everyone has a role and feels engaged in the process.
 * verifying sites are all productivity tools (i.e. wizards, templates, generators, builders) and possibly finding another if necessary
 * reviewing sites and noting down ideas of positives and negatives
 * compiling the information and adding that information onto the page
 * discussing and coming up with a final recommendation
 * figuring out the aesthetics of the page and how to present that information best
 * thinking about what to say when students stop by your station (3 minutes).

At the end of the class, we will display the web pages around the room and have a poster-type session to discuss your findings.

Lesson Plan Builders Jennifer B. Courtney C. Megan P.

Test or Quiz Makers Barbara K. Suofei L. Jacque L. Paul R.

Worksheet/Handout Generators Brenda C. Mike H. Ben H. Megan W.

E-Portfolio Builders Susan G. Michael I. Cuiling L.

Survey Makers Emily M. David T. Joel S. Anne Marie S.