Essential Online Tools

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Frank Curkovic

Essential Online Tools For Teachers & Students

Page 1


Frank Curkovic

Essential Online Tools For Teachers & Students

RSS

Twitter

Really Simple Syndication allows http://twitter.com You have heard about it, perhaps even content to come directly to you. complained about it. Say it in 140 Set up a reader and you will no longer have to visit websites. All characters. It all depends on how you use it and who you follow. No one really wants their feeds will be delivered to you. If you already have a Gmail to know you had toast for breakfast. Build a Personal Learning Network and share account, you are already set up. thoughts, resources, links and network Netvibes and Pageflakes are with others. 9 great reasons for teachers to other alternatives.

Diigo

http://www.diigo.com

Social bookmarking where you may also highlight areas on the web. Start building your own personal library and share it with others. Delicious is another option.

use Twitter: http://tinyurl.com/q9lfh8

Vi.sualize.us

http://vi.sualize.us

If you find yourself constantly dragging pictures to your desktop, then this is for you. Bookmark images and then tag them however you wish. A picture library at your fingertips.

Animoto

http://animoto.com/ education/

This is still one of my favourites. Create slick photo slideshows. If you’re a teacher, sign up for the educator’s pass to get full length features. Should be standard in every class.

Wordle

http://www.wordle.net

Create great word clouds for brainstorms.

Issuu

http://issuu.com

Publish your documents on the web just like a book with flipping pages and then embed it onto your own site. If you want something more basic, use File2.ws to convert any file into a public website.

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Skitch

http://skitch.com

This is not really a 2.0 tool as a download and install is required. However, it’s excellent to take screenshots and then write/draw/highlight over them.

Jing

http://www.jingproject.com/

Use Jing to create screencasts. Record your computer screen for tutorials and presentations to use in class.


Frank Curkovic

Essential Online Tools For Teachers & Students

Voicethread

http://voicethread.com

Voicethread allows you to upload files and then record a narration. Others too can add comments either via voice or text. Simple doodles can also be drawn over a file. Voicethreads are also downloadable. Useful for language class, discussions and digital portfolios.

Wikis

Never mind Wikipedia. Create your own class wikis to share topics, resources, student research and embed slideshows, videos and photos. Try out PBWorks or WikiSpaces.

Prezi

http://prezi.com

Prezi is a fun alternative to PowerPoint. Forget slides and imagine an infinite canvas. Your presentation is web-based but it’s also downloadable.

Flickr

http://www.flickr.com

Flickr (and Picasa) are the easiest ways to share photos online. Slideshows are also embeddable onto other sites. Why burn photo CDs?

Blogs

Blogs are such an efficient way to bring everything together in one place, be it for digital portfolios for students or as class blogs to communicate with communities. Several teachers also use them as diaries and reflection platforms to create their own online presence. Go with WordPress, Blogger, Posterous or EduBlogs.

Soundcloud

http://soundcloud.com

SoundCloud is a great place to upload and share audio. Post your interviews or music. Options are available to embed the file into other sites and allow listeners the option to download.

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YouTube

http://www.youtube.com

Though YouTube has ads and at times inappropriate related videos, it is still the main source to find classroom resources and tutorials. Upload some of your own content too. Vimeo, TeacherTube and SchoolTube are other alternatives.

Slideshare

http://www.slideshare.net

Upload and share your PowerPoint presentations, Word documents and Adobe PDF Portfolios on SlideShare. Share publicly or privately. Add audio to make a webinar.

Nings

http://www.ning.com

Nings are places to create networks. Use it with students as a forum or join one yourself to connect with other communities that have similar interests. Uploading of photos and videos also possible.


Frank Curkovic

Essential Online Tools For Teachers & Students

Zamzar

http://www.zamzar.com

Zamzar is an online conversion tool. Convert those PDFs to Word documents. You may also convert photos and video.

LiveBinders

http://livebinders.com

Organise and share info online. Your online 3-ring binder.

Google Apps

Why buy bundled programs when you can get the same for free that work across platforms and allows greater collaboration? Many school districts are making the switch to save thousands of dollars.

CoolIris

http://www.cooliris.com View images in style.

Weebly

http://www.weebly.com

Create a free website & blog. It has an easy drag and drop interface with minimal technical skills required.

ClustrMaps

http://www.clustrmaps.com/ Get a map to embed onto your site to view visitor locations.

View more tools at http://softwarecreativity.pbworks.com

MediaFire

http://www.mediafire.com

A simple way to share files. Also check out DropBox.

NameChanger

http://tinyurl.com/32o7xz

NameChanger is designed for the sole purpose of renaming a list of files. Not a web 2.0 tool but essential anyway. To install just download the zip, open it and drag the app to your Applications Folder.

About the Author

-Mapping -Documents -Imaging & Drawing -Audio -Film, Video & Animation -Collaboration -Presentation -3D Art & Design -Other

Frank currently works at an international school in Japan teaching art and drama. This list is solely his own opinion and does not reflect the views or opinions of any organisation or business. He gives permission for others to freely reuse, reproduce or redistribute this publication in any way they see fit with proper credit given to the author. Feel free to visit him on his blog: http://frankcurkovic.edublogs.org or follow him on Twitter (@captainC) Page 4


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.