Frank Curkovic
Essential Online Tools For Teachers & Students
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Frank Curkovic
Essential Online Tools For Teachers & Students
RSS
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