Links from my workshop at TCEA: Unleashing Creativity: Web 2.0 Tools for Creativity and Innovation

Group Discussion: http://todaysmeet.com/randy

Videos:

• Sir Ken Robinson shares a great story about discovering creativity.

• Okay Go music video utilizes a Rube Goldberg machine in an incredible way!

• Eric Whitacre creates an amazing music video through online collaboration.

• PS22 shows one of their beautiful demonstrations of the power of music in education.

Brainstorming/Collaboration

• Wallwisher –set up a wall for brainstorming, collaborating online.
• Twiddla –create free, collaborative whiteboard spaces online.
• Solvr –easy site lets users post a problem, then participants propose solutions.
• Mindmeister –easy collaborative brainstorming, graphic organizer tool.
• Thinklinkr –create/share collaborative outlines.
• Mindomo –online mind-mapping/brainstorming.
• Diagrammr –create simple diagrams for ideas by just writing sentences.
• CoSketch –collaborate through drawing; includes ability to incorporate Google Maps.
• DecideAlready –share a question/problem, propose a solution, and let participants vote on best ideas.
• Bubbl.us –collaborative mind map creation tool; easy, Flash-based interface.
• Creately –create collaborative diagrams, mind maps, flow charts, etc. with drag-and-drop interface; free version allows up to 3 collaborators and 5 diagrams.

Visual Arts

• ArtPad –easy-to-use tool for creating art online.
• Scribbler –turns simple online sketches into cool works of sketch art.
• Pixlr –great online photo editing tool, similar to Photoshop.
• Citrify –another Pixlr-like photo editor.
• BuildaMosaic –create photo mosaics using images from your computer or Facebook account.
• Photoshop –online, scaled-down version of Adobe’s powerful image editing tool.
• Queeky –create online paintings, then play back as video.
• Picassohead –create Picasso-style portraits online.
• Mugtug –really nice, easy-to-use online drawing/painting tool.
• GoAnimate4Schools –education version of a wonderful animation creation tool.
• Aviary Phoenix –photo editing site with some really nice, innovative tools. (One attendee mentioned this is part of Google Apps for education, as well!)
• Splashup –another good, free Photoshop-style photo editor.
• Fashionplaytes –site lets girls design and even order their own clothing.
• Garmz –users can contribute their own fashion designs, which, if liked by viewers, will be produced, sold, and profits shared with the creators.
• YourStudio –nice online drawing/painting tool with a variety of brushes, textures, etc.
• Pixenate –easy to use web-based photo editor; images can be saved or uploaded directly to Flickr.
• Myoats –Unique online drawing tool with a variety of features, including a mirroring effect that produces wonderful geometric designs.

Music

• Soundation –create and share music with a click-and-drag interface.
• Noteflight –write music, hear it played, and share it online.
• JamStudio –create and share music online using a variety of instruments. (One attendee shared that they were, at one time, offering free education accounts–haven’t verified, but worth checking out!)
• Kisstunes –online piano keyboard lets users create/share music; site is undergoing re-design, but worth keeping an eye on.
• Buttonbeats –online keyboard plus quite a few other music creation tools. Site is cluttered, but worth a look.
• Aviary Music Creator –create, share, and download music using click-and-drag interface.
• LoopLabs –online tool lets users mix music using a variety of tracks/effects.
• MusicFont –interesting site turns text into music.
• Ujam  –social music creation and sharing site; includes song templates that can be modified into new compositions.

Engineering/Architecture/Design

• Floorplanner –create 2D and 3D floor plans online. Free version gives 1 design per account.
• Classroom Architect –design the ultimate classroom with a click-and-drag interface.
• Golem Game –lets users create animated physics simulations and designs.
• Google Sketchup –Google’s free 3D design tool (download); be sure to contact TCEA for free pro account code!
• Architect Studio 3D –site lets users design a house online; great twist is that it requires them to take into account the needs/preferences of the future resident.
• Homestyler –really easy tool for designing floor plans using a click-and-drag interface with lots of options.

Invention/Innovation Contests

• By Kids For Kids –site features variety of student competitions.
• InventAmerica –national contest for young innovators/inventors.
• Intel Science Talent Search –science innovation competition offering hundreds of thousands in scholarships.
• Exploravision –k-12 science competition from Toshiba.
• US First –invention contest sponsored by Lego.
• Edison Innovation Awards –competition honoring inventors from grades k-12.
• Life Jacket Design –annual contests offers $500 for innovative life jacket designs.

Additional Sites Recommended by Attendees

• Picnik –really nice photo editor with some great effects; integrated into Flickr, too.
• Xtranormal –one of my favorite animation tools. Attendee shared that teachers can email the site for free user points–cool!
• Phixr –simple photo editing tool with plenty of options for most users without being overwhelming.
• PhotoFunia –choose from a variety of special effects to add to photos.

Edit note: I apologize for broken/incorrect links. They should be fixed now.