Web 2.0 Tools

While looking at the tools available, I went to the drawing category with the idea of finding something that would help my students develop skills using a computer mouse and be interesting and motivating for them.  I found Tux Paint which is drawing software for children ages 3 to 12 and free to download and use.  I tried downloading the zip drive folder available but couldn't get it to open once I did.  So, I deleted it and just downloaded the software to my computer which there are two downloads included in the software.  Since it is a download, I will have to get permission from administration for our computer guy to download it to my classroom computer, which isn't always easy and I am sure by the end of this class he is going to be really tired of hearing from me.  But for my students it leaves an icon on the desktop which allows them easy and independent access to the software.
    Once I got the software running, I did like it.  It is very easy to use.  The students have different tools available to them on the left side of the screen that include a paint brush, stamp, text, shapes and lines.  On the right side of the screen are the many options for the tools.  My two favorite options are in the stamp tool because it has realistic pictures of many items like transportation, food, and animals to name a few.  Also in the stamp options is the letter and number signs in American Sign Language which would be great for me to use with my students.  Not only can I use it for the students as an unstructured time for mouse skills but I can also create structured activities for mouse skills as well as other skills.  I created a page where I placed capital stamps of the letters "A", "B", and "C" on the right side of the drawing area and in a different order on the left side of the drawing area.  The students will use the line tool to draw lines in order to match the letters.  Once a student is done with the activity, they are able to erase, print or save using icons on the left of the screen under the tools.  I saved my structured activity and it saved directly in the program which is nice but also a downfall because I had no other option of where I wanted it saved.  Also, for this assignment I am unable to retrieve the activity in order to provide a model and share with others.  The saved pages are easy to access in the program by pressing the open tool.  Once in the saved folder, students can see a small visual of each saved page and even see a slide show of all the saved pages.  When opening a new drawing page there are templates of puzzles, scenes to add stamps to, grid sheets and even maps.   
   Over all, I enjoyed using this software and will ask for it to be downloaded to the classroom computer.  I am eager to use it with my students, especially the puzzle templates and sign language.  I am even going to leave it on my laptop so my children can use it.