Below is a list of ideas that will engage students in learning while using 21st century tools and applications. 

Podcasting with Audacity
Record a weekly podcast that provides homework helps, spelling lists, tutorials, or other timely information.  Audacity is a free piece of software and super simple to use – open the application, click the record button, click the stop button when finished, and save!

Photo Story Projects
Engage students in using digital images (can be art work or other drawings scanned into the computer) to define, illustrate, or explain concepts, process, and events.  This is free software that is very easy to use and produces a .wmv (movie file) by following a few simple steps.

Movie Maker Projects
Use the Small Wonder video cameras (or other similar device) to record students or teachers and then import the recorded piece into Movie Maker, another free piece of software.  Edit to produce a movie to publish and/or view in the classroom.  Students and/or teachers can record the steps in a process or teach a lesson that can serve as a tutorial/review when preparing for TAKS!

USTREAM-TV
Use a webcam to broadcast live, via the web, an instructional piece or classroom performance.  The record feature keeps the content available for later viewing.

Google Docs
Signup for a GMAIL or GOOGLE account and take advantage of the free applications such as Google Forms to create surveys or an online quiz that will be super easy to grade!

Blog
Create a blog site and post questions or other information pertaining to your instruction and solicit feedback and responses from your students.

Wiki
Create a Wiki site where teachers and students can collaborate to create content.