Twiddla

Twiddla is a really cool tool that allows users, guest, and followers to use their imagination, collaborate, meet, chat, share, and so much more. I must admit, what attracted me to check out this site was the name because it sounded like "twitter" which is so 21st Century so I was curious as to what kind of tool this was and how it can assist me in my classroom. You can locate Twiddla at http://www.twiddla.com/. Once you enter this site, they claim that "Twiddla is a no-setup web-based meeting playground." After playing with it for a couple hours, I agree. There are so many ideas I came up with of how to use Twiddla in my classroom. So here is the lowdown: Depending on what your goal is for using this site and who you are, this tool is free or you may pay monthly to use it. You can log on to use all options and applications for a 30-day trial for free. Obviously, no one wants to pay to use any software you may find elsewhere free, so there are other options. For example, Educators are enabled to use this site for free all the time. The only catch I found was that you can only have one meeting going at a time and you do not have access to all applications or capabilities. All other users can pay anywhere from $14/month to over $100. The idea is that many corporations or people wanting to play will purchase this tool. Once you see what this can do, you may understand why people would choose to pay for this.
The following video is a tutorial that gives a basic explanation for use of tools, but more importantly, gives ideas of lessons that educators could use. The example included in the tutorial is based on a lesson (probably Geography class) using maps of the worlds.

(if you are unable to access video, you can also locate this tutorial at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oHaxAYNUFs )

As you view this video, notice how the toolbar and format of this tool is a lot like google notebook or like using a smartboard/whiteboard. You have many of the same options as a microsoft document or paint board. You can draw, erase, enlarge, select, delete, and ect. You can also download documents, pictures, and media from the Internet and paste it on this board. You then have options to write on these downloads.

For example, if I downloaded a newspaper article or snapshot a webpage, I could paste it to my board. I could then add/invite my class as users. They then would have the capacity to circle, write, draw or whatever; questions and information regarding our point of study. If they have questions while working, there is also a live chat available with this tool. I love that option. Students do not have to wait the next day to ask, we can work together and I can check the chat from the convenience of my own home. If I had a point I wanted to emphasize, I could circle or highlight the information to draw attention or point out what is to be looked at. You can paste or make charts, graphs, graphic organizers, and dialog which is why this tool is great for businesses as well. You can even draw/paint pictures which is why it may be appealing to a user who might have to pay for use to play.

Some users have been so creative that they have invented games using this tool such as dice or card games. So as you can see, the are numerous ways to use Twiddla for professional or personal use. It is easy and quick to start and the applications associated with it are common use or things you have seen before. As for me, I will be using this in my classroom to enhance instruction and to practice technology with my class.

Additional sources: http://www.delicious.com/BarbsEG620/bundle:EDUC506IntergatingTechnology

http://www.demogirl.com/

http://flash.screeniac.com/twiddla-dg/twiddla-dg.html?TB_iframe=true

Some people refer to this tool as co-browsing because you can actively work and share with others. Like blogging or google notebook or anything else, you can designate this page as private or public. While anyone can create thier own pages/meeting, you have the capability of only the people you want to work on it have access.