Some of my Fav's

There are so many Web 2.0 tools out there and I often hear teachers say it is really overwhelming.  I know that I have blogged about some of these tools before on this blog, but when something is really great it is worth mentioning again!  Plus, I have added some new ones.  FYI:  Edublog was chosen as one of the top 18 web tools for 2013..  So, if you have been using these tools you are at the top!

The key to being effective with Web 2.0 in the classroom is a 3 step process LOOK - USE and EVALUATE.  LOOK for new tools, talk to your peers, subscribe to blogs like this, or go to conferences.  Then USE the tool in a lesson with your students.  A lesson can be more successful if you can find a way to use the tool in a minor lesson.  You don't want to spend a week on a lesson only to find out the web tool isn't working the way you intended.  Finally, and I think this is the most important, EVALUATE the tool.  Ask yourself these questions:  Did this tool take my lesson to a new level in high learning or more engaging?  Would this tool be more effective used in a different way?  Can I combine this tool with another web tool?  Is there something I should do differently to make this tool more effective; plan better or give more explanation to the students?

My final note on using Web 2.0 tools is that there are soooooo many out there it can get a little overwhelming.  So, pick a tool and use it several times before you move on and add another tool.  When you get to the point you can tell your students to use the tool with no other explanation, it is time to move on and add a new one.  When you and your students get comfortable with a tool, it will make it much easier to use multiple tools in one lesson.

Here are some new tools for you:

https://bubbl.us/	ISTE Standard: Creativity and Innovation Brainstorm online with bubbl.us. Easily create colorful mind maps to print or share with others. Almost no learning curve.  Students will have to create an account, but this allows them to save their work.
http://animoto.com/	ISTE Standard: Communication and Collaboration Super easy to use, Animoto produces high-quality videos from pictures and text, set against chosen backgrounds and music. A great way for students to get creative and produce something they can be proud of.  Free version allows shorter videos. The have an unlimited time free account for teachers  http://animoto.com/education
http://kidblog.org/home/	ISTE Standard: Communication and Collaboration Kidblog is designed for K-12 teachers who want to provide each student with an individual blog. Students publish posts and participate in academic discussions within a secure classroom blogging community. Teachers maintain complete control over student blogs and user accounts.
www.livebinders.com Newspaper Headline Generator	ISTE Standard:  Communication and Collaboration LiveBinders is your 3-ring binder for the web, create an online binder for content curation. Here is a livebinder example for you.  Notice tabs across the top and each tab has minor tabs below it. http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=277110 http://www.fodey.com/generators/newspaper/snippet.asp

I have already posted information on these in this blog. 

	ISTE Standard:  Technology Operations and Concepts http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/ Read the blog post on Screen Casting
	ISTE Standard: Communication and Collaboration http://padlet.com/ Read the blog post on Padlet
	ISTE Standard:  Creativity and Innovation http://wordle.net Read the blog post on Wordle
	ISTE Standard:  Creativity and Innovation http://www.makebeliefscomix.com Read the blog post about Comics

Of course, there is always Twitter and Google Tools!  Read the posts about these great tools.

Screencasting--Access to Lectures 24/7

Screencasting may be a new term to some, but it is likely what teachers have wanted for many years....student access to lectures 24/7.

OERI Resources:
Screencast-o-Matic Intro 
Wordle Book Report
Go Pro Info


What is it? As screencast is a video and audio recording of your computer screen.  I make many screencast videos of my screen when I create tutorials showing the steps of how to use various websites.  Free screencasting software does limit the amount of videos or the length of videos.  Once you start creating screencasts then you may find that it is worth the money to purchase the software!

What does it mean for teachers?  Often teachers wish they could capture a lecture, put it in a video and make it accessable to students to view again.  That is what a screencast is.  Picture this:  A teacher uses screencasting software (which many are free), they pull up a PowerPoint presentation, push record on the screencast and lecture as they move through the presentation.  At the end, they push stop and they are prompted to save the video.  Then the teacher uploads the video to their website, notify their students and voila......Lecture 24/7. 

What do you need?  If your computer does not have a built in microphone then you will need a microphone head set.  You will need to download some screencasting software. (products are listed below)  Other than that, just some time and great ideas will allow you to provide some great learning opportunities for your students. 

Screencasting:

• Jing:  This is my favorite and the one I use most.  It only allows you to make a 5 minute video.  So far that has worked for me.  If I need more than 5 minutes, I break my "lecture" into topics and make more than one video.  Jing also allows you capture a still image off your screen.  You can also edit your images text and images to your video. I have a YouTube account and upload my videos directly into YouTube, mark them as unlisted and post the link on my website.  If you pay for Jing then you can make longer videos.
• Screencast-o-matic;  Free version and purchase version.  The free version does give you 15 minutes of video.   Pro is $15 a year....not bad!  You can upload straight to YouTube.  You don't have to create an account, but I suggest you do so you can store your videos. I haven't used this, but I think I will download it and give it a shot.  If you try it, let me know what you think by commenting below.
• Camtasia:  This is probably the best and most popular, but it is a paid software.  You can get a free trial.  It has a one time cost of $299. 

Class Uses:

• If you have a document camera connected to your computer, you can capture your computer screen showing the images from your document camera.
• If you have a webcam you can capture yourself talking as a small square in the bottom of the screen as you go through your presentation.
• Play a YouTube video and capture the screen, pause the video while you lecture, resume the video.
• This would work great in connection with a whiteboard application like Educreations.

Resources:

• Jing:  YouTube video on how to use Jing (this is a Screencast!)
• Screencast-o-matic:  Youtube video on how to use (notice he has a webcam shot of himself in the corner)
• Missouri S & T--information paper on Screencasting