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Popplet




Reflection

Popplet turned out to be my favorite Web 2.0 tool showcased this semester. In fact, if I were a Web 2.0 tool I would be Popplet!
I have attended six professional development sessions this year along with 3 last year to explore the use of Thinking Maps with students. The goal of Thinking Maps is to get children using eight designated maps to organize all of their thinking. I have been using the maps and accompanying thinking processes rather diligently with my students and have seen such a great improvement in their writing, organization and verbal communication.
As I began to use Popplet, I immediately started to think Thinking Map. A Popplet has many of the same elements and could follow most of the Thinking Maps principles, but Popplet can allow for so much more! As much as I love Thinking Maps and I’m dedicated to using them, there are few doubts in my mind as with any new endeavor. My most prominent worry is: Is paper and pencil too limiting in today’s world? This was really bugging me, then I found Popplet, where students can organize their ideas, add photos, videos, links and can share and collaborate. Needles to say I find this to be a great tool. I have my ideas for Popplet and I’m running with them. I have already had a group of students create Popplets on non-fiction research topics. They thought it was "soooo cool!"
The above Popplet gives kids and their parents some useful tips for giving a good retell. As we all know reading comprehension is a key component in being a great reader. Often times parents ask me how they can help, and I shoot off some very good, but very routine tips. When I thought about creating a Popplet for my portfolio, this came to mind immediately. Its an interactive, visual representation of how parents can help and it is also a great reminder for students who may be working on their own!

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