This is set to debut tonight, but if you're stuck with Mediacom (like me) your viewing options are 2:00 or 4:00 A.M. - grrrr! I'm hoping that they eventually stream it online. Keep your fingers crossed!
Ever heard of wakoopa, stumbleupon, or crunchyroll? Social networks/micro-blogging sites are not limited to facebook, myspace, and ning anymore. Check out this wikipedia list which provides the name, link, # of registered users, and other information of what appears to be easily over 100 popular social networking sites. Check some of them out for fun, or even for student use!
Did you know that you can download tegrity lectures as video podcasts in itunes? Its very cool - and very useful if you want to view them independent of blackboard. Here's how it works.
My dear friend Jodi and I created this presentation and unit on reading material culture as a part of the Missouri Writing Project this summer. We are currently working on a proposal to take our "show" on the road and present at the 2011 Write to Learn Conference this spring. I thought I would share it here. Hope you enjoy!
Wall wisher is an online notice board maker that can be used for announcements, keeping notes, and collaborating. In a way it acts like digital post its. It is free, requires no registration, and it is fun!
Wallwisher start page
For your assignment I would like for you to collaborate to the wall I have created on communication and collaboration resources.
Blogger's standard link mode may lead readers of your blog off to another site... and potentially not back to where they came from. Adding links which open in new windows or tabs isn't as hard as you might think. You do have to edit a bit of the html code, but its pretty easy. The youtube clip below demonstrates the process beautifully.
VoiceThread is a collaborative, multimedia slide show that holdsimages, documents, and videos and allows people to navigate pages and leave comments in 5 ways- using voice (with a mic or telephone), text, audio file, or video (via a webcam).
There are several options for screencasting / lecture capture available for your use personally or in the classroom. Like most software, each has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the programs you might want to check out followed by a short review of my thoughts regarding their usability and applicability for teachers.
tegrity
My screencast (below) will introduce you to using tegrity in conjunction with blackboard. Before you get started you may also want to view the tutorials here. In addition, MU has several great tutorials, as well as access to other resources here.
screenr
Screenr is my favorite screencasting tool for a number of reasons.
You don't have to be in blackboard to use it
It is free!
If you have a twitter account, there is nothing else to download locally to your computer - so you can screencast anywhere
Its interface is intuitive, easy, and fun to use
The tutorial below will help you get started.
There are a number of additional screencasting tools out there you may want to explore. Here are my choices for the three "runners up" to tegrity and screenr.
freescreencast.com - also easy to use, but seems to be PC only screencast-o-matic - user friendly, some limitations on free accounts jing.com - fairly easy to use interface, subscription-based up to a particular point via screencast.com
Nings are a specific brand of personal social network. This service was formerly free (thus great for educators!) but is now charging a fee. However, as an educator you can create a ning and apply to get it paid for what I understand.
The Art Ed 2.0 ning is a FABULOUS resource for educators with many forums and groups dedicated to technology specifically for the art room. It is free to join and participate in and I highly recommend it.
Additionally, you can "friend" me on ning by going here. Even better, join my personal group within the Art Ed 2.0 ning: "digital markmakers!"
More resources concerning developing personal social networks and ning alternatives can be found below:
Screen captures take a photograph of what is on your computer screen. This is benefical for a number of reasons. Here are my top 3 reasons for utilizing screenshots:
For tutorial purposes - screen shots allow you to easily capture what you're looking at on screen in a static image, great for explaining a variety of information (especially technically related things).
to nab images - sometimes images presented online are in a format which does not copy easily (flash for example), so when the copy command fails you can always use a print screen instead
to "photograph" works in progress - you can document your works in progress without saving a zillion individual files. I find this especially in photoshop (which we'll be getting to more of soon)
So - how do you do it? Linked below are video tutorials based on the particular operating system you use. Click and learn! (and if you still have problems let me know - I'll be happy to help!)
To sign up for a skype account and download the application go here.
Here's an example of what the skype interface looks like.
Sadly, I will have to report that I am not the smashing blonde pictured.
Once you've downloaded the program and set up your account the next step is to explore. Click on the blue play arrows below to get familiar with some of the skype basics. To enlarge any of the films to full screen press the blue circle (with the square inside) on the lower right.
