Hot+Potatoes

HOT POTATO﻿ ﻿  = = ﻿﻿Hot Potato is a Web 2.0 tool that is easy to use and free to educators. To begin, a user must download the software at []. Once a user has loaded the software that is compatible with their programming, they can begin to use the application. Hot Potatoes has six different applications, enabling users to create:
 * **multiple-choice**
 * **short-answer**
 * **jumbled-sentence**
 * **crossword**
 * **matching/ordering**
 * **gap-fill**

All of these are interactive exercises for the World Wide Web. Hot Potatoes is freeware, and may be used for any purpose or project a user would like. Each application can be adjusted to the needs of the user in a variety of ways; the user may create a timer, change the color, add pictures, etc.

I created an American Authors matching set, which can be viewed at [], and a crossword puzzle, which can be viewed at []. The matching set and crossword were very easy to create with the Automatic Gridmaker and tool to mix up the matching words. I was able to use the tutorial located at [], to help me through the process. When I had questions, I accessed the Frequently Asked Questions site located at []. There are many wonderful examples of sites set up by others that can be accessed at [].

This program can be used in my classroom to aid in learning new material and as a tool to study for tests and quizzes. Students can access the site in the classroom or at home. This program could be modified for use in any subject or lesson. I would like to utilize it to create fun ways to learn material for Government and Personal Finance classes. I can use the Quiz and Cloze programs to easily generate test and quiz materials for assessment at the end of each lesson.

Hot Potato allows educators to freely and easily create materials for lessons and assessments. The materials can be modified for any subject and are very user friendly. I would recommend this site to any other educator looking for ways to integrate new materials into their classroom.

//**Christina Parrish **//   