TECH+TIP

__//Post your TECH TIP Digital Handout Here.//__

Outline TECH TIP # _ Your name Name of Technology What it is How it works Pros Cons How it can be used in the classroom Review of other

Tech Tip # 1: Luis Jimenez

www.typewith.me

Typewith.me is a less-than-complicated variant of Etherpad. It is intended for simultaneous online collaborations from various people onto a single word document: Up to fifteen people in widely different locations can work together on a single document in real time, and additional users may freely collaborate once one or more of the original users have closed the document.

Any alterations are automatically visible to all users, and there is also a "TimeSlider" feature to view the changes made to the document throughout its existence.

This tool is especially valuable in that it requires no log-ins and is relatively easy to use: Upon entering the website (www.typewith.me), a user only needs to click on "Create a New Document" in order to get started.

This collaboration tool has basic font options (i.e. one can bold, italicize, and underline text), and it also has a "strikethrough" feature, which is useful in correcting discreptant material without actually erasing another user's collaborations. One may also create bullet lists, indent/unindent paragraphs, assign authorship colors to each collaborator (which may be paired with the collaborator's name), do a line count, undo and redo changes, type with a monospaced font, save revisions, share the document with new people, and chat with other users. Additionally, one may import a series of file types, such as Word documents, PDF files, plain text files, bookmark files, and open document files.

Information ownership and safety may perhaps be the only point of concern in using this tool. Typewith.me generates public documents, so complete privacy is not guaranteed. It is true that only those who have access to the document's specific URL may view its contents, yet that does not mean that the document will not be opened by other people.

Its simplicity renders the Typewith.me a perfect tool for Computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL). When carrying out group work, it is now possible for all students to work together at all times --both at home and in school-- instead of creating different portions of a text document independently.

media type="youtube" key="rU56WdH0wQ0" height="345" width="420"

Similar technologies include Googledocs and PrimaryPad/PrimaryPaint. In addition to most of the features found on typewith.me, PrimaryPad/PrimaryPaint has a brush feature, an embed feature, a connected collaborator list, a feedback section, and a real-time audio chat feature. With PrimaryPad one can also create linked sketches. Unfortunately, only five users may collaborate to a project through PrimaryPad's free service.

TECH TIP # 2 Deedee Staikos __What is it? __ “Google docs” is a free document generating online tool that allows you to create, share, collaborate simultaneously, upload, download, email your documents (and much more....) It is accessed through your Gmail account. In addition to the document sharing capabilities, your Google account provides you with other useful features such as Google forms, Google calendar, Blogger and other web-based applications.

__How does it work?__ (2:31mins.): [|video on how googedocs works]

__Basic “how to”... __
 * Sign up for a gmail account.
 * After signing in to this account, click on “documents” located in the menu bar at the top left of the screen.




 * By clicking on “Create new” you may create a document and share access to/notice of this via Gmail. You can also click on “Upload” to browse and upload from your existing documents.


 * You may provide “view only” or “editing” access to this document.
 * Once the document has been created and shared, it can be opened and edited or viewed by all who have been granted access...in real time and simultaneously.

> //version of Google applications has features that allow the schools to customize the applications that students are using and thus control access and oversee usage. //
 * //Important note: the // 

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Practical examples of this application__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ESL Newspaper:

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Letter drafting (to a pen-pal in foreign country or to a native English speaker)-Slide show (in class) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">PLAN B-"B is better sometimes!":[|If I can't use my laptop, I'm NOT sunk:D]

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|contacting parents-back to school night]

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Pros:__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Cons:__
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">can see all revision history
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">if school uses google docs, you will have tech support on issues that arise
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">can store documents without converting-basically a web-based storage provider
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">can collaborate in real time with multiple users
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Google accounts are free
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">school version allows tech administrators to customize features
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">can be accessed from anywhere in the world
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">third party vendor provides the software and hardware-no special investment necessary
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">must have a google account
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">school gmail accounts may block some incoming mail-more of an internal system
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">sometimes the server goes down
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">does not have the full functionality of Microsoft Office
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">confidentiality can be compromised because everything is stored on Google servers
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">sometimes things just don't work right--especially when you have no time to work out glitches:
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[[image:dietrich3303/Picture_11.png width="453" height="289" caption="DON'T YOU HATE TO SEE THIS ONE!!!"]]

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Other opinions on pros and cons__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">(a little too technical for me but for those interested): <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|blogger's opinion on Google Docs]

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">__How it can be used in the classroom__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Students can work in groups or as a whole class to create new understandings of the topics they are covering in class. A group of 4 students studying a foreign language can draft a travel brochure to a country where the target language is spoken. Since this Google doc is accessible from any computer anywhere, students need not drive to someone’s house to complete the group project assigned, but rather appoint a time and date (which they can note in Google calendar) and go online and work together simultaneously on the various sections of this travel guide. Students can also get immediate feedback from the teacher directly in the text they are creating by using the editing features. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Anything that falls under the category of “communication through writing” (whether it be a critical analysis, or blogging) the students can, in pairs, groups or the whole class setting actively use their speaking and writing skills to negotiate meaning while receiving feedback from a teacher or peer. Google docs can provide down-loadable syllabuses and class requirements which can be retrieved from anywhere that the student has Internet access and a computer (although Moodle and other applications serve this purpose). With respect to differentiated instruction, students with IEPs, and ESL students, this application allows students to benefit from small group collaborative writing exercises where affective filters can be minimized by projects be presented by a group rather than one individual. See samples above. Students can also pool their creative resources/thinking to add pictures, videos and to embed links in their projects making there work product of greater interest to the larger group and a source of pride in their accomplishment.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Review of other similar technologies:__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I gave [|typewith.me]<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> a try and experienced the following: can invite, share, simultaneously revise and see revision history. It seems that once the link to that document is deleted by deleting your email invitation, I’m not sure you can’t get back to your original document. Thus this might not be a reliable storage space, but I may be missing something. Also the security of this cloud computing application is questionable...eg. teacher creates document but loses link; student now can type without teacher access? Would need to check with school/district technology department about security of this application. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Other applications which have online word processing, document storage and sharing are: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Adobe Buzzword: [|online wordprocessing features of Adobe Buzzword] <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Zoho Writer: [|Zoho Writer online word processing] <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">iNetword (being terminated in 2012)

Tech tip #4 - Laura DeSantis Wordpress.com

//What is wordpress.com?// It is vital to understand what a **blog** is in order to understand Wordpress.com. A blog is essentially a web site where an individual or group of people can record and share their ideas, comments, and opinions on a regular basis.For more info on blogs please watch this video: [] media type="youtube" key="NN2I1pWXjXI" height="199" width="268"

Wordpress.com is one of the most popular services used for blogging and creating websites. Opened in 2005, this free website allows users to easily and quickly sign up and create their own blog or website. (Wordpress also runs the site Wordpress.org, where you can download free blogging software. However if you use Wordpress.org you must provide your own domain name. Wordpress.org is also much more complicated and requires some programming knowledge to use.)

Some features of Wordpress.com include:
 * One user can have multiple blogs, and one blog can have multiple users (up to 35 users on one free blog)
 * Ability to import content from other blogs including Blogger and LiveJournal.
 * Many “widgets” available, easy to drag and drop on the sidebar
 * Easy ability to create web pages
 * Comment tracking on any blog
 * 3 gb file storage for free blogs
 * Your own url.wordpress.com – paid upgrade can buy you your own domain
 * Over 100 page themes, but with limited customization
 * Video embedding from YouTube or Hulu
 * Easy photo uploading
 * Saved continuously
 * Large online support system
 * Wordpress.tv – help videos on all aspects of Wordpress, everything from adding tags to your posts to how to blog from a business perspective
 * “Tags” make it easy to find posts from other bloggers with the same interests
 * Lots of statistics about your blog
 * Over 50 languages available
 * Privacy options – completely public or private blog, ability to mark specific posts private, public, or password protected

//How it works:// To create your own blog go to Wordpress.__com__ (not[| Wordpress.__org__]).

Click the orange ‘Get Started Here’ button to start. All you need is a valid email address to sign up. Once you create your blog you will see the Dashboard. Here you will find all of your tools and statistics.



Creating a post is easy – you will find the QuickPress tool on your Dashboard. You can also create a new post by clicking the Posts link in the left sidebar. @http://wordpress.tv/2009/01/15/writing-and-publishing-a-post/ media type="custom" key="10554890" width="140" height="140"

//Pros:// //Cons://
 * Free!!
 * Quick and easy signup
 * Supports 50+ languages
 * Quickly create a professional-looking site
 * Great for those with intermediate computer skills
 * Privacy options
 * Many users on the same blog
 * Easy to follow and keep up with other blogs
 * Might seem overwhelming for those with low computer skills
 * Ads sometimes appear unless you pay for an ad-free site
 * Limited customization with the layouts
 * Blocked in China and Turkey for refusing to censor blogs

//How it can be used in the classroom:// Wordpress.com can be a very useful tool in the classroom. With the site, teachers can create class blogs for their students. The students then can use those blogs to post comments or discussions. The teacher can also use a blog to keep the students updated on homework, tests, and what was discussed in class. This is very helpful for students who are absent – instead of going into school the next day and being lost in class they can check the blog the night before and get a general idea of what was discussed. Wordpress.com can also be used for more subject-oriented projects. For example, in a history class learning about the journey of Columbus to the New World students could create blogs and write entries as if they were on that first expedition. In a science class learning about how plants grow, the students could each be given the task of growing a pumpkin plant from a seed. The students could blog each day about the care they are giving to their plants and any progress the plant has made.

//Review of similar services:// There is a mountain of blogging sites out there, but Wordpress.com seems to always come out as #1. LiveJournal and Blogger are two other popular blogging websites. They both are free and easy to use but lack in comparison when it comes to spam blockers, promotional tools, customization, and technical support.

//Interesting Wordpress Stats://
 * There are over 59 million Wordpress sites in the world, with about half being hosted on Wordpress.com
 * Over 300 million people view more than 2.5 billion Wordpress.com pages each month
 * Users post about 500,000 new posts each day
 * Only 66% of Wordpress.com blogs are in English, there are blogs in over 120 languages
 * Wordpress.com users you might know include CNN, UPS, the Green Bay Packers, and TED.

Tech Tip #6 Mike McCloskey

__**Bubbl.us**__

//What is it?// Bubble.us is a mind-mapping Web 2.0 product aimed towards anyone who needs help organizing thoughts, informative diagrams, or other information. Powered by Flash, Bubbl.us makes it easy for anyone to quickly start planning and sorting out their ideas through the use of linked text bubbles. Thoughts and ideas are linked by colorful and readable text bubbles which can be printed or posted online. It is fun, quick and easy to use. Bubbl.us is simple and not too complex, because all actions are prompted by placing your mouse over a bubble you wish to modify. And perhaps best of all, you can use it for free!

//How it Works?// media type="youtube" key="AllXU_3nktU?rel=0" height="315" width="420"

To begin using bubbl.us all you have to do to begin is go to your website address bar and type in bubbl.us. You can choose to create an account, my recommendation would be to do so because the free account comes with some perks including the ability to save mind maps to the website.

At a first glance of the toolbar you can see many wonderful features available on bubbl.us. The Website allows you to zoom in and out while you are working on your mind map. You can also save a map you are working on and it will appear to the right of the screen for you to view or modify in the future. You can organize your maps by creating folders and sorting accordingly. If you do not wish to save a mind map you can export it as a file to your computer or print it in its current version. Bubbl.us also has a contact list so you can quickly send map files to students, faculty, or other interested parties.

Once you have created an account and signed in a parent bubble should appear automatically making it incredibly easy to start your mind map. You can add text to a bubble in your mind map simply by clicking in the bubble. Once you click a text box will appear in the bubble, which allows you to type whatever you wish in it. Once done typing in any bubble click outside of it and it will save the text you just added.

To create a new bubble simply place your mouse over another bubble. Small white tabs will appear on this bubble. Clicking these tabs will create a new child bubble. You can move all boxes around the mind map by clicking and dragging them to new locations.

You can further modify each bubble by simply scrolling over the bubble you wish you change. Once you do this a box will pop up, which gives you the option to modify the color of the bubble or text, the size of the text, connect the bubble to another bubble or delete it entirely. To connect two boxes all you have to do is click and drag from the source box to another box. You can add and remove arrows or add text to the line simply by clicking on it, prompting a edit box to appear.

__Pros__ __Cons__
 * Simple
 * Fun
 * FREE VERSION AVAILABLE!
 * Suitable for most age groups
 * Individual/Group work possible
 * Mind Maps can be saved, printed, and exported
 * Limited Formatting options (cannot add pictures, etc.)
 * The basic free account only allows 3 maps to be saved
 * Limited to Mind-mapping functions
 * Tracking of work not possible
 * Does not seem to like Safari Web Browser

__How it can be used in the Classroom__ The bubbl.us website can be implemented across curriculum lines in a myriad of different ways. Examples include...
 * Having students create mind maps to plan an essay they are writing in a Language Arts or other classroom
 * In an English class, students can utilize bubbl.us to organize important characters, themes, and symbols of a novel they are reading for class.
 * Diagrams can be created to illustrate complicated course concepts such as the process of how a Bill becomes a law in a Government and Civics course.
 * Mind mapping terms related to content concepts
 * Many more!

__Review of Other similar technologies__
 * 1) Webspiration: Webspiration is a more complex version of bubbl.us. With Webspiration you can add pictures to mind maps along with other formatting options that bubbl.us does not have. Webspiration however is not free, which could be a major disadvantage in the eyes of many potential users. If you're looking for a mind-mapping program with many formatting options along with other bells and whistles then Webspiration should be your pick.
 * 2) MindMeister: Both Mindmeister and Bubbl.us are web based applications. Mindmeister seems to have more features than bubbl.us including the ability to import mind maps from other mind mapping technology and collaborate simultaneously on the same mind map assigning each participant a color so participation can be easily tracked. Bubbl.us, however, is prettier and simpler to use (students can more easily figure it out). Mindmeister also has a free account system similar to bubbl.us. The difference between the two is that an account is REQUIRED for Mindmeister. For quick brainstorming sessions with students the best option seems to be bubbl.us.
 * 3) Mind42.com: Mind42.com seems to have the most features out of any of these websites. With Mind42 allows pictures to be taken directly from the internet, the creation of to-do lists, and allows attachment of diagrams to the map. Like bubbl.us Mind42.com is also free. Bubbl.us still seems to be the easiest to figure out and work even if it doesn't have as many features.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">TECH TIP #7 Shea Mazar & Nate Strohl

__Webspiration__ ([])
//What is it?// Webspiration is basically an interactive online program for concept mapping and brain storming. You can download a free trial of Webspiration as "Webspiration Classroom" (for teachers and students) or "WebspirationPRO" (business professionals and college students), each lasting 30 days. After the 30 days, you will have to purchase the a subscription to Webspiration. Webspiration allows teachers and students to create digital concept maps for brainstorming or summarizing ideas into a simplified visual format. The maps can be as big or as small as you want. Webspiration allows you to view your projects in a diagram form (concept map) or an outline form; you can create your project in either format and you can switch between the two ways of viewing it. Webspiration can be used as a collaborative network for creating projects, or it can be used by a single student for a personal project.

//How does Webspiration work?// //(5:19)//

media type="custom" key="10495168"

First you download a free trial of one of the versions of Webspiration. Once you login with your username and password, it will take you to the main Webspiration homepage. In the top right corner an orange box says, "LAUNCH Webspiration" and the page will look like this:



This is where you start a new project (in either the Diagram or Outline format), open a file you have been working on, or you can click Starter Docs. Starter Docs are pre-made beginnings of concept maps. They are left mostly empty but they have the starting points for students to fill in the rest. Starter Docs will bring up a whole list of subjects (English, Science, Social studies, etc). You can select a subject and it will bring up a drop down list of many general sub-categories to select from:



====So for example you can select English Language Arts, and it will show you a long list of sub-categories that have beginnings of a concept map. So we can go to "Essay Planner - Guided" and it will have a general map for students to get started on their essay. It helps students stay on track by prompting them each step of the way, starting with what a thesis point is, what an introduction is, space for their three main points and details, etc.====

If we start a new project by clicking "Diagram" on the homepage, Webspiration will bring you to the editing portion of the Diagram and it will start you off with one circle that says "Main Idea". You can start and type your main point here, then when you are ready to expand on this idea you simply click the "Create" button on the top left in the bar. This will bring up a new bubble and you can continue on from here in creating your concept map. Webspiration has subject-organized clip art that can be used instead of plain idea bubbles (Government, Science, etc). You can also change the font, size, text color, and bubble color for your concept map.

Webspiration can be used for collaborative projects or by individual students. Students can collaborate by inviting each other to the page via email or username, and there is a chat box where the students can interact while working on the page. Multiple students can be logged into the same document at the same time, and only one is the "Editor" at a time; students can "request control" if they want to edit something while another student is the Editor. The role of Editor can be switched between all the students working on the document. Alternatively, Webspiration can also be used by individual students; one student can use this as a tool to stay organized or brainstorm for a project they are working on alone

//Pros of Webspiration://
 * Very easy to navigate and use
 * Appropriate for any age and grade level
 * Provides Starter Docs to help students get started on commonly assigned projects (such as essays)
 * Can be used in group projects
 * Can be used in individual projects
 * Changes made can be tracked (very similarly to the way that typewith.me works)
 * Automatic saving every time a change is made to the document

//Cons of Webspiration//
 * It costs money after the 30 day trial (but, it's relatively cheap-- $6/month, $19/5 months, $39/1 year)
 * Limiting-- can be used for concept mapping and brainstorming/organization, but not much else
 * Need a student computer in the classroom

//How can Webspiration be used in the classroom?// Webspiration can be really useful for group projects in the classroom. Students can get together on Webspiration and create a brand new document and start up their brainstorming ideas there, or they can find a helpful StarterDoc if they are having trouble beginning their project and getting their ideas moving. Webspiration is nice for collaborative projects because multiple students can be logged onto the project at one time, but only one student can edit at a time. This is good because the students must see the changes a peer has made before anyone is able to revise the document. There is a helpful comment feature that can be used if students are working on the project from separate locations and they want to make suggestions without changing the document.

Webspiration is most useful in the classroom for any type of brainstorming and/or organization. Teachers as well as students can use it in the classroom. While students can collaborate on a project or work individually on a project through Webspiration, teachers can also project it on the front of the room and use it for brainstorming or concept mapping with the class. In this way, it can be a useful tool for teachers to assess how much their class knows about a certain topic before he/she begins the unit (Ex: How much prior knowledge does my class have about the three branches of the US government?) Creating a concept map strictly from the class's answers will help organize their thoughts and display how much they know about a topic.

>> Example of a finished product that I created as a (simple) example:

//Other similar technologies to Webspiration?// 1) Bubbl.us -- This is a simplified version of Webspiration. It does not have as many options for how you want your map to look in terms of pictures. The major benefit of this program over Webspiration is that it is FREE. But in being free, it has fewer features: no StarterDocs, no pictures, etc. It does allow for collaborative work through sharing very similarly to Webspiration. If your objective is to create an outlet for brainstorming and concept mapping and you just need the basics, it will get the job done for free. 2) Mind42.com -- This is a very interactive Webspiration-type application. It actually has more features than Webspiration, including: the ability to search for & insert internet photos right into your diagram; ability to add "notes" in the diagram, as well as "to-do lists"; ability to attach articles into the diagram. While Webspiration does have the function to create links within the diagram, it lacks these other functions such as pasting a photo directly into the project. Another benefit of Mind42 is that all of the functions for changing text colors, adding a new "bubble", etc. are all right on the active part of your screen vs. Webspiration where all of these features are scattered throughout different toolbars. Major bonus: Mind42 is FREE. 3) Mindmeister.com -- This is very similar to Mind42.com. This application has the ability to add notes, tasks, images, and links right in the map. It has pre-made "map themes" for customization. It has the function to drag and drop PDF files, images, attachments, etc. right into the map; you can click it and it will bring it up via Googledocs viewer. Mindmeister can be used for collaboration. Individual collaborators are given a color-code so that they can be easily identified when working with multiple users on a project (especially useful for teachers to check up on who is doing work!)

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">Zamzar: Robyn Meadows

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">**What it is:**

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">Zamzar is an Internet Website, that is a Web 2.0 technology, that allows users to covert their songs, videos, documents, images into different formats. You can also covert an online music video to an mp3 to use on your iPod or mp3 player. You can convert a Microsoft Word document into a PDF file, and a PDF file into a Word document, for example. Most of the services are free, but can cost depending on the frequency of use and size of files. The site does require sign up for those who use it for larger files and more frequently.

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">**How it works:**

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">It's easy to use.

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">Step 1: Choose file or URL you want converted.

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">Step 2: Choose format for conversion.

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">Step 3: Enter email address.

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">Step 4: Retrieve converted file from email.

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">**Pros:**


 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">Mostly free.
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">Easy to use.
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">Helps when receive documents/files that you can't open.
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">Works well if school blocks certain websites.

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">**Cons:**

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">**Use in Classroom:**
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">Not totally free.
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">Not much fun.
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">Requires sign up for extended use.
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">You have only 24 hours to retrieve the file.
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">Many advertisements.
 * <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'times new roman',serif; text-align: left;">Many school emails may block Zamzar emails, viewing them as spam. Send to home email address, or do at home, and bring on jump drive.


 * Convert movies for classroom use.
 * Convert YouTube videos, if site blocked, to Windows format.
 * Have students convert files to HTML for web pages. media type="youtube" key="vWzW3HtiXjM" height="315" width="420"

**Review of other technologies:**

> > > > > === ===
 * You Convert It is a similar website, but the video conversion application seems less user friendly. It also took about four hours to receive my converted PDF file via email.
 * I couldn't figure out how to convert a YouTube video to an mp3, but did so easily with Zamzar.
 * Online Convert might be a good source for the high tech Web 2.0 user. It has options for converting files for smart phones, too.
 * []

<span style="color: #ab00ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Tech Tip #3 Jennifer Brown**
<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">wikispaces.com

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> **What it is:** wikispaces.com is a Web 2.0 collaboration site. It is a way for groups of people to share and edit information.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">** How it works: ** This video was shown in class, but it so perfectly illustrates the idea of wikispaces, that I HAD to use it again. media type="youtube" key="-dnL00TdmLY" height="360" width="480"

<span style="color: #ab00ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**Pros:**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">As teachers, we have the ability to set privacy controls, view work history, and comment on our student's progress.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Wikispaces allows for students to work together from home to collaborate on projects
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">It's a free service and there are upgrades available for educators
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Adding external links and embedding video is EASY!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Students can comment on each others work without making changes to the wiki

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">** Cons: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Educator updates, as well as ones to change themes, include fees
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Multiple people can not edit the page at the same time
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">The site itself isn't particularly exciting... it's what you can add to it that makes it fun!

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**<span style="color: #ab00ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Use in the classroom: **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Wikispaces is the perfect space for collaboration. It's easy to set up several pages under one major heading. For Example: An English teacher can have a wiki for her classroom. She can then set up pages based on group work, genres, lessons, themes, character analysis, etc. Wikispaces is also perfect for parents to see classroom processes. Teachers can use wiki spaces to display assignments, homework, and messages to families. Everything is based on the settings the teacher allows under the privacy restrictions.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">**<span style="color: #ab00ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Other similar sites: ** Google docs allows for several people to work on one document, wikipedia is a 2.0 Web technology, and systems such as D2L allow teachers to set up several channels for assigning and displaying work. None of these individual samples allow for the ability to do all at the same time the way wikispaces does.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Tara Loew & Elizabeth Steiner **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Tech Tip: #5 Twitter **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">What it is: **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Twitter is a way of connecting with people of similar interests. The service is free and is considered a combination of micro blogging and social networking. There are two main components; you can add followers and follow others. As a Twitter user, you make updates which your followers receive. Posts must be 140 characters or less and can include links to great sites, videos or information. Posters can also chose to use a “tweet longer” option, so their original tweet links to a secondary screen, in which followers see the tweet that is longer than the allotted 140 characters.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">How it works: **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">In order to start your twitter account register by using your e-mail address and picking a user name. You can then upload a picture to associate with your Twitter and use as your avatar. After registering, search for other Twitter users to follow and then request to follow their updates. Those that you request to follow will often request to follow you in return. Followers can then reply to your message if they so desire. You can reply to others by either reply via public tweet or direct message. The public tweet is an option that allows others to see what you say to an individual as pictured below in Figure 1A. A direct message private and can only be seen between you and the recipient. To direct message, simply type the letters dm with the person's user name. You will be notified via email when someone direct messages you. If you like something another user has said, but don’t wish to reply, only “quote” their text, hit the retweet button at the bottom of their tweet. This shows a user tweet quoting the original, but crediting the original poster. You can also choose to “quote retweet” and add a comment, as pictures below in figure 1B. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> 1. A.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">1. B.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Pros: ** **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Cons: ** > **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">How it can be used in the classroom: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">It is easy to use.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">FREE!!
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Rapidness of disseminating information.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">The ability to share links to articles.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Ease of networking.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Ability to keep up to date with organization instead of only people.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">You are restricted to the length of what you can say with a limit of 140 characters.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Lacks extensive privacy settings of social media sites like Facebook – makes profile very public.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Enables “fakers” to make Twitter accounts for pop culture icons and companies.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Twitter can be used for a variety of reasons including, to drive traffic to your blog, business, and/or website. It can also be used to build your authority in a niche and/or brand yourself. Although Twitter is sometimes looked down upon by educators as a distraction, it can actually be extremely useful in the classroom. The tool can be used as a fun and modern way for teachers to share articles and information rapidly, as well as get feedback from students. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Some great ways to integrate Twitter into your classroom are as follows but are not limited to:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Use it as a way to notify students of changes in schedules and/or course content.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Tweet questions pertaining to course content and ask students to post responses and/or contribute to discussion.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Tweet assignments. You could even ask students to read a passage or article and then ask them to post a brief summary of the main idea.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Assign students to follow politicians or other significant people and document or journal their progress.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Assign students a significant person in history and ask them to create a Twitter account for them. Ask them to write posts in the role of that character.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Encourage students to have a Twitter pen pal and through conversing with them find out about their culture, where they live, etc.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Share links, articles, and information on guest speakers and conferences etc. that pertain to course content
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14px;">Review of similar technologies: **

__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Facebook __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">: The new version of MySpace, Facebook occupies the opposite end of the spectrum to Linked-In; it’s creation is mainly for social, personal use – and as many people know, “creeping”. With options for security settings and a “newsfeed” to keep you up to date on everyone’s personal lives, Facebook is an all encompassing tool for the intricacies for your daily existence.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">__Linked-in__: A combination of Facebook and twitter for businesses and professionals. Used more often for networking and resume sharing, job advancement and professional infrastructure is the major plus to the site. Difficult to use and apps with unresolved issues make PC or Smartphone use frustrating and time consuming.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">__RSS Feed__: Like the precursor to Twitter, RSS Feeds allow the follower to stay up to date on the infrastructure and general to-dos of companies, without the ability to respond. This technologies is considered, “read only” to the consumer.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">media type="youtube" key="ddO9idmax0o" height="315" width="420"

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14px;">[|Class Twitter]
** TECH TIP # 10 Kayla Rotz and Ben Achey **

Google Sites
 * __Name of Technology.__**

Google Sites is a hosting service, an online tool for creating wikis and web pages, offered by none other than Google.
 * __What it is.__**

After going to [], creating a new site is as simple and easy as clicking on the lone button that is labeled “Create new site”. From there you are able to select a template and theme of your choice, name your site, and even specify who you want to allow access to your site. In order to move on to the next step, finish by clicking on “Create site”. At this point, your site will consist only of the template of your choice along with the name you have specified as the header.
 * __How it works.__**

At the top of the page, you will see a toolbar which contains, among other options, the “Create page” and “Edit page” buttons.

When creating a page using the former of the two buttons, there are four types of pages that are offered for you to use on your site: web pages, announcement pages, file cabinet pages, and list pages. Web pages offer a place where you can view information and post comments. Announcement pages are a place where you can post new material, view old posts, and comment on those posts. File cabinet pages are a place where you can upload files. And list pages are just that: a place to organize information in a list/table format.

You can directly edit these pages by using the “Edit page” button. Clicking this button will allow you to add text directly onto your pages. A new toolbar will also appear at the top of your webpage. The “Inserttab on this toolbar is very useful for adding pictures, tables, links, videos, and a variety of other material. The “Layout” tab is also worthy of note, as you can add columns and sidebars to your pages.

-It’s free! There is no charge for using this service and anyone can make a site for nearly any occasion. -There are templates for every occasion: Classrooms, travel, sports, media, critiques, church, project space; you name it! -There is an easy accessible timeline to see recent changes for easy navigation -Even once you delete a portion of your Google site, it can be recovered -Only one person can edit the same portion of a page at a time. However, when the second person attempts to edit the same page an alert pops up that gives you the option to wait or unlock. If you choose unlock, you may both work on it at the same time.
 * __Pros.__**



-Only the owner can actually delete posts while editors can only revise. This may come in handy for a classroom set up, but for a partner project this may be rather tedious. -If one starts Google sites with no previous knowledge of it, it is very difficult to follow. There are many options which are nice for intricacy, but at first glance it is confusing and hard to uncover. -Sometimes it doesn’t save the changes even when the top bar says it does. -To add some information you are required to link to other pages. For example, to add a calendar you must have it on your g-mail account separate from everything else. To add a slideshow of pictures you must be signed in to Picasa. -Posts on the home page blend together and are not spaced like the owner specified
 * __Cons.__**

There are many options for Google sites, so there are many options for how it may be utilized: -Students can utilize this site as well as directors for club meetings and activities. -Google sites can be used as a collaboration space for a team or group project -Allows you to share information on a secure, safe, and trusted company site -Teachers can post assignments, announcements, updates, participation, notes, discussions, and a multitude of other things.
 * __How it can be Used in a Classroom.__**

Wikispace is another leading hosting service that offers some things that are similar to what Google Sites offers. It appears to be that Wikispaces has quite a few more downfalls than Google Sites, though. Only one person can edit a page on Wikispaces at a time and overwriting is often a result which is certainly not ideal. The pages on Wikispaces also seem to be much more standard—your ability to create more variety for your site seems lacking here, and would thus seem to be less ideal for a classroom setting, as well, especially middle school level or lower.
 * __Review of Similar Technologies.__**

Other leading hosting services include PBworks, Wetpaint, and Wikia.

TECH TIP # 11 – Tyler Graffius
=//MyFakeWall.com//=


 * What it is**

MyFakeWall.com is a website that allows users to easily create fictitious Facebook walls. While an account is required, it is completely free. What's more, it is not actually related to or connected to Facebook, so it should be allowed by school administrators.


 * How it works**

The way that MyFakeWall.com works is fairly simple. You start with a completely blank Facebook page facsimile. You get to choose and add all of the content, including: the profile picture, profile information, recent photos, wall posts (plus comments and likes), friend lists, etc! If you've ever used Facebook before, it's really straight-forward. If not, I don't think that the learning curve will be too steep for most.

Here is a quick video explanation of how to create your very own fake wall: media type="youtube" key="WTeJ-Xk9vsI" width="425" height="350"


 * Pros**
 * more interesting way to learn than written reports
 * very easy to use if you've ever used Facebook
 * incorporates both writing and visual elements
 * great for a variety of uses
 * entirely free of charge


 * Cons**
 * requires an account to use
 * may scare administration and parents, since it replicates Facebook
 * those unfamiliar with Facebook may have some trouble


 * How it can be used in the classroom**

MyFakeWall.com can be an excellent tool in the classroom! It can be used as a fun and engaging way for students to learn about in a variety of subjects.

For example, it could be used in place of written reports on historical figures in a history class. Students would research biographical information about someone, and other important people of the time period, then have those other people post about events of that time period. In addition, the historical figure being researched could post about his/her achievements and life events.

Of course, in Math or Science classrooms, the historical figures could be famous mathematicians or scientists! Or, for an art or music classroom, why not famous painters, sculptors, musicians, composers, etc. The list of people for whom one could create a fake Facebook wall is endless!

Another potential use, for English / Language Arts classrooms, would be to make a profile for a character in a book or story. That character's friends, relatives, acquaintances, enemies, etc. could post on his/her wall either with direct quotes from the text or simply saying things that are fitting for the character.

Finally, MyFakeWall.com could be used in Foreign Language classroom in a variety of ways! Not only could a student make walls for historical figures or characters in a story, but also for modern-day famous people in the language's culture(s). Of course, in this case, all the text in another language.


 * Review of other**
 * ( Bad ) @http://thewallmachine.com/ – This site makes walls that look a bit more like Facebook, however works as a Facebook app, and therefore requires a Facebook account to use.
 * ( Bad ) @http://fakeconvos.com/ – This site only allows one to make a fake conversation (no biographical information, friend lists, photos, etc.). In addition, it also requires a Facebook account and login.
 * ( Good ) @http://faketweetbuilder.com/ – While not replicating Facebook walls, this site allows one to create a fake Twitter feed. It is free of charge (like all of the sites mentioned) and does NOT require any sort of account or login! It also has a variety of customization options. This site may be nice for shorter assignments, whereas MyFakeWall.com is better for larger projects.

**SAMPLE MyFakeWall.com SITES:**

 * El Cid (Spanish Historical Figure): @http://www.myfakewall.com/w/El+Cid+Campeador (made by me)
 * Benjamin Franklin: @http://myfakewall.com/w/Ben+Franklin_1
 * Napoleon: @http://www.myfakewall.com/w/Napoleon+Bonaparte_69
 * Hermes Mercury (Greek Mythology): @http://www.myfakewall.com/w/Hermes+%28Mercury%29



Weebly is a tool for making a personal website. The site is free for limited use. More advanced features require a subscription, which I believe is $30/year. __Pros__ Free You can create your own URL name (For example, I created “SDOLBeck”) You can insert hyperlinks and widgets Design templates Creating multiple pages within the website is easy. Most tasks are very easy

__Cons__ Most design features are limited to paid subscribers The free design features are very cumbersome and not at all flexible To have a dot com URL, you must be a paid subscriber Does not have advanced features. I didn’t see any way to add animations, or advanced fonts.

__Similar Technologies__ Web.com has a website builder tool to walk you through the process Fatcow.com is a site that you need to pay for (currently at $3/month), but it has a script database and a web builder tool. Plus you have the ability to add a shopping cart, if you would need it.

__Example__ Here is a link to the website I created: []

= = =**Nick Marinaro**= =**__Tech Tip #12__**=

[[image:dietrich3303/edmodo_134x43.png link="@http://www.edmodo.com/"]]
media type="youtube" key="TzPHQr1ONaA" height="315" width="420"

Edmodo.com is a private online social network site for teachers, students, and parents to share ideas, files, events and assignments. It is built on a microblogging model, and the tool allows teachers to coordinate class activities online. Teachers can post assignments, receive completed assignments and assign grades using the online platform. They can also maintain a class calendar, store and share files, and archive information.
 * What it is:**
 * Safe and easy
 * Closed Environment
 * No private information required from students
 * Students can only join from an invite from teacher ( pass code)
 * Students cannot message each other (minimize chance for distractions)
 * Communications are archived
 * Teacher has full management control of site

**How it Works**:







 * **Create a group with security code for your students to sign in**
 * **Manage multiple groups**
 * **Change passwords**
 * **View students**
 * **Archive groups when term is over**
 * **Post Messages to a group, one member of a group, or multiple groups**
 * **Assignments**
 * **Alerts**
 * **Polls**
 * **Copy and embed links to educational sites, videos, and documents**
 * **Check grade book for each class, or each student individually**
 * **Keep up to date by text, email, or even twitter**
 * **Mobile version allows you to stay connected with your student anytime, anywhere**


 * Pros:**
 * **Easy to use!** Similar to popular social networking sites like Facebook
 * **Ability to stay connected** - snow days, sick days, extended absences, or just attending a conference, teachers are able to always stay connected with their students and give them new homework or remind them of homework that is due, or other upcoming events. Access to files anytime, anywhere!
 * **Its mobile** Students can sign up to have alerts, notifications, links, or events sent directly to their cellphones. Also, Edmodo has a great interactive mobile site for iPhones and Droids
 * **It collaborative -** Students can communicate on the main message board and have discussions about upcoming assignments, projects, and tests
 * **It is private** Since you need an access code to sign up for the class, if you do not have one of those codes, you cannot participate in the class. This high standard of privacy has given me (and my administrators) great piece of mind and allowed for more leeway with allowing more social networking for classes.
 * **Support** – great record and reviews with online and telephone support
 * Cons:**
 * **Student-student communication** Students are not able to direct message each other – can be looked at as a pro
 * **Digital Divide** Some students do not have access to internet at home and do not have a cell phones (or with one text messaging) so being able to log on to check assignment becomes a little more difficult because they will have to access Edmodo from the school
 * **Doesn’t play well with Blackberry** – support is working on this

Similar Tools: Classroom 2.0 - [] Twiducate - [] Moodle - [] = = =**Tech Tip #13 - moodle.org - Dan Newman & Kelly Oliver**= media type="youtube" key="I4mmMeMDMic" height="360" width="640"

**What is moodle.org?**
Moodle.org (Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment) recognizes itself by three different acronyms: as an Open Source Course Management System (CMS), also known as a Learning Management System (LMS) or a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). What this all boils down to is that it is a free online version of D2L for educators and students around the globe (the website prides itself on its many international clients and the similar websites it supports specific to dozens of countries). The Moodle platform allows a teacher to manage your classes, each with its own page, where as you can post articles, links, quizzes, grades, homework assignments, forums, wikis and media relevant to your class. The Moodle serves as a centralized location for students to view work and grades for all their classes and a location for teachers to upload assignment and track student progress. Moodle stresses that the system is designed using pedagogical principles (i.e. by teachers for teachers), which seems to make the programming much more user friendly for teachers with limited technological capabilities. For this reason, the Moodle developers attempt to make the service fit within a social constructionist framework, which means that learning is collaborative and that everyone engaged in the learning process – teacher, students, administrator- has an active role in creating and administering the content. The service also prides itself on the accessibility of the programming, whereas thousands of students can theoretically have access to a class, where thousands of people from around the world could simultaneously work together in a virtual classroom. In an effort to stay connected amongst all its users, free online forums and events (Moodle Moots) are formed, based around subject materials, geography, and occupation. The site also performs constant software updates to ensure that all users can access their materials. Many local school districts, such as Penn Manor, use their own Moodle site to relay information to their students and teachers.

**__Pros__**

 * The reach of a moodle page is endless, allowing you to connect with thousands of users worldwide.
 * The site has numerous events and forums that allow you to stay up on the latest news and learn new tips.
 * Your personal moodle site can reach thousands of students and include easy to access quizzes, forums, attachments and videos.
 * Plugins are available to add certain functions and features to your moodle page.
 * Mobile phone compatible.

**__Cons__**

 * Once you get a login, it is confusing getting from Point A (initial login) to Point B (actually getting your moodle set up).
 * You need to download software to start your moodle page, which could be troublesome for some.
 * The larger the site and the more people accessing the site (like an entire school district) means more space, memory and server power are needed to run the moodle page.

**Moodle Stats**

 * < Registered sites ||> [|56,130] ||
 * < Countries ||> [|211] ||
 * < Courses ||> 4,914,747 ||
 * < Users ||> 45,996,227 ||
 * < Teachers ||> 1,103,130 ||
 * < Enrollments ||> 20,061,885 ||
 * < Forum posts ||> 80,336,405 ||
 * < Resources ||> 43,429,948 ||
 * < Quiz questions ||> 82,284,300 ||

__**In the Classroom:**__
EX: Romeo & Juliet Sample Unit: http://demo.moodle.net/course/view.php?id=596

1. Create online courses. 2. Blended courses - use Moodle to supplement face-to-face lessons. 3. Features: • Quizzes • Journals - 'learning logs' - students can reflect on their learning • Resources • Choices • Surveys • Assignments • Real-time Chats • Workshops • Etc.
 * Improves and encourages right-brained thinking.

__**Similar Technology:**__
1. Blackboard: http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=9345 2. D2L 3. Wikispaces 4. emodo

=__** Tech Tip # 14 Kylie Wurster **__=

= **Glogster.com** =

Glogster.com is a site where anyone can make a glog. A glog is simply an online multimedia poster or website. These posters can include images, text, videos, data, sound, and almost anything else you can think to upload.

There is a domain of the Glogster site that is dedicated to educational purposes called Glogster EDU, which will be referred to for the rest of the Tech Tip. The Glogster EDU site meets technology and content area standards for all grade levels, even post- secondary students, so this site can be very useful and beneficial in any classroom.

**HOW do you use a Glog?**

A.To begin you must register with edu.glogster.com as a teacher. As soon as you are finished with that, you can begin making glogs. Your dashboard (homepage) will look like this: This is also where you can add students to your class list, see student glogs as they come in, and receive messages.

B. Just click on the “Create New Glog” button to begin a new poster. That will take you a drag and drop interface, where you basically have control over anything that you chose to upload or link to.



Things that are available to add:
 * 1) First you can choose to change the background of your poster by clicking on the “wall” tab. You can upload your own image or choose from the glogster gallery.
 * 2) Next you can choose to “draw” on your poster. The draw function acts like a marker that moves with the motion of your cursor.
 * 3) The next thing that that you can choose to upload is any sort of data that you would want to share on your poster. For example you can attach a powerpoint file, or a .doc file to further discuss or enhance your poster.
 * 4) Audio and videos can also be uploaded, by linking it to your poster, or uploading it from a file saved on your computer.
 * 5) Images can also be attached to your poster through uploading them from your computer. You can also just provide a link to the image you want to share if its online.
 * 6) You can add text through text bubbles and other similar graphics, or you can just type in a word box.
 * 7) Lastly you can browse for graphics in the glogster gallery.

media type="youtube" key="MvC47fUANLk?version=3" height="315" width="420"

C. Once you are done with your poster you can choose to save or publish it. Once published it will be available for all to see!

**Pros/Cons**
Pros -Super fun to use! -Easy to learn, students as young as 4 are using it, but its function is applicable to students of all ages.
 * Meets Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles because it promotes different ways of representing material.
 * Students learn how to use technology while developing mastery of a given subject.
 * Teachers and students can communicate through this platform.

Cons Click here for more info: []
 * There are some features that you need a paid account to be able to use.
 * Some examples:
 * Data attachment
 * Access to student accounts
 * Private classroom settings
 * Project administration

How Glogster can be used in a classroom:
 * A teacher can create a glog that correlates with a lesson that includes different multimedia so that the student can interact with the material better.
 * Class projects
 * Assessment
 * Distance LEarning

Glogster can really be adapted to any lesson because its is so multi-functional Some examples of great educational glogs: []

There really are no other sites comparable to glogster. There are many sites for photo-editing, but nothing where you can create something with so many dimensions of media.

= **<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #800080; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif;">__ Tech Tip # 16 - Ryan Gutsche __ ** =

<span class="s1" style="color: #f00000; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 170%;">!! www.animoto.com !!
**__ What it is __** "Create stunning video slideshows" "Turn your photos, video clips, and music into video masterpieces to share with everyone"


 * Animoto** is a web application that produces videos from user-selected photos, video clips and music.

media type="youtube" key="6-apaZXsQrQ" height="315" width="560"

**__ How it works __** Animoto automatically produces beautifully orchestrated, completely unique video pieces from your photos, video clips, and music.
 * 1) Choose your video style
 * 2) Add your images or video clips. You can choose which to add by uploading them from your computer, portable drive, etc or by transferring an image from Facebook, Flickr, Photobucket, etc
 * 3) Choose music to add to video: upload your own mp3 or choose from our collection of tunes in several different genres
 * 4) Add text to your video
 * 5) Click "produce video" and give Animoto several minutes to create your masterpiece




 * **Easy Sharing** - Share your videos on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, MySpace, Tumblr, via email or with our free iPhone app. Embed Animoto videos in your website or blog with a single line of code


 * **Unique Styles** - The video style will determine the look and feel of your video. Every Animoto video is completely unique because the Cinematic Artificial Intelligence analyzes the nuances of your images, video, and music. You control the types of effects, backgrounds, and transitions by selecting a video style. Some styles are abstract while others are themed for a special occasion or time of year.


 * **Music library** - Music has a huge impact on your final video. Choose a slower song, and your video will appear more subdued. A fast song will add to the intensity of transitions and effects


 * **High definition** - Animoto videos come in several different resolutions. Animoto's web-friendly 360p videos load quickly and are perfect for embedding, sharing on social media, or downloading to a mobile device. 480p videos are perfect for burning to DVD, and 720p high definition videos will look stunning on any size screen


 * **Cinematic A.I.** - At the heart of Animoto is its newly developed Cinematic Artificial Intelligence technology that thinks like an actual director and editor. It analyzes and combines user-selected images, video clips and music with the same sophisticated post-production skills and techniques used in television & film. The technology takes into account every nuance of a song - the genre, song structure, energy, rhythm, instrumentation, and vocals. Whether it's punk, pop, hip-hop or a classical Mozart piece, every Animoto video is totally customized. Even videos generated with an identical set of images and music will each have a completely distinct set of motion design. No two videos are the same


 * __Pros__ **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 130%; line-height: 18px;">Available as an iPhone Application
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 130%; line-height: 18px;">Animoto does a great job at making the movie creation process simple and intuitive: extremely user friendly and an easy way to quickly produce custom movies set to music
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 130%;">Animoto gives you access to a library of music, properly licensed for commercial use*
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 130%;">It is very easy to share your new video. You can easily embed it, export it to video sites like YouTube, or post it on Twitter, Facebook, or other social networking sites in a few simple clicks
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 130%; line-height: 18px;">Teachers or educators can apply for an education account and receive Animoto Plus for free. Via email you will be sent a “classroom code” which gives you and your students 6 months of “all-access” to Animoto Plus. When your “all-access” runs out (after 6 months time), you can reapply for a new code, at no charge
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace; font-size: 130%;">Supports a range of image and video formats - JPG, GIF, PNG, TIFF for images and MP4, AVI, MOV, QT, 3GP, M4V, MPG, MPEG, MP4V, H264, WMV, MPG4, MOVIE, M4U, FLV, DV, MKV, MJPEG, OGV, MTS, MVI, M2TS for videos

**__Cons__**
 * <span style="color: #f00000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 130%;">Cannot fine tune every last transition and do all the production work yourself
 * <span style="color: #f00000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 130%; line-height: 18px;">Limited music selection (though Animoto boasts on how it is continuously added new music to their program; however, pro and reseller plans, the most expensive ones, do provide 1000+ licensed music tracks)*
 * <span style="color: #f00000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 130%; line-height: 18px;">Free version only lets you create videos up to 30 seconds long
 * <span style="color: #f00000; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 130%;">Upgrades cost money, and the lite or “free” plan is very limited in what you can do (Plus costs $5/month or $30/year)

__**How it can be used in the classroom**__ <span style="color: #008080; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">"Enhance your digital classroom with Animoto, the perfect tool for creating videos and presentations. It takes just minutes to create a video which can bring your lessons to life." Animoto (Education) in the classroom

__**Review of other similar technologies**__
 * 1) **One True Media.com** - make amazing videos by mixing your photos and video with our effects, text and music. With OneTrueMedia you can easily post your video online to facebook, twitter, youtube, or send through email. Free version has more video background styles than Animoto; however, they are not of as good a quality as what is provided by Animoto. Premium version is $4/month or $40/annually. Can only share up to 30 seconds of your video online with the free version. Can only share/post onto YouTube and Facebook with the premium membership
 * 2) **Slide.com** - Slide allows you to choose files from your computer, lets you search online for pictures, or let’s you import from a whole host of sites like Friendster, Bebo, MySpace, Photobucket, Facebook, Flickr, and more. You can also select multiple files at once to upload from your computer. You can change the style, modify the theme, add music and video, change the background, add special effects, change the size of the slideshow window, and even control privacy settings on who can and cannot see your slideshow. You also have several options for sharing your slideshow easily.
 * 3) **Smilebox.com** - is a completely free way to create slideshows online directly in your web browser. You can choose from hundreds of themes for your slideshow, and you can import music, videos, photos, and add text to your slideshow. You can share your slideshows either by email or blog. The other nice feature about Smilebox is that you can use it to create Facebook and MySpace slideshows, which can be automatically uploaded to those sites.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">Tech Tip#15: Misty Misal


 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">Voice Thread: __**


 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">What it is: __**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">Voice Thread is a collaborative tool that allows the user to work with slide show production in a facet of ways to present their masterpiece, or better yet, the masterpieces of their students. Beyond the capability of presenting their slideshow there is also the option of any Voice Thread user leaving a comment either by text, audio, or video.


 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">How it works: __**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">Voice Thread is a very user friendly tool. There is a free version with limited capabilities. There are four others: business, pro, higher ed, and k-12. The jest is that the user signs up as a Voice Thread subscriber. They then go to the "create" option, download their file and voila', the job is done (just make sure the file isn't too big for the free version).


 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">Pros: __**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">It is very easy to use. The masses of presentations that are complete are displayed on the web site and easily accessible. There is a free version. It is a tool that is starting to be used on the Penn State campus and others in conjunction with Blackboard and other online tools.


 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">Cons: __**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">The free version is limited. It is represented as a “collaborative slide show with five messaging features.” Depending on the format (a video clip) is too big and cannot be downloaded to the site.


 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">How it can be used in the classroom: __**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">This is a perfect venue to let students “show off” their work. There are teachers who have posted lessons from math to art for their students to use. There are teachers who have created a display case for the student’s art and poetry projects and given parents and family the opportunity to view and comment on their children’s work. It can be used either as a tool for the student or a bulletin board for the parents- either is equally effective.


 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">Review of others: __**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">The reviews posted on the Voice Thread site rave about this tool and its capabilities. The fact that it is versatile in just about any setting is what makes it stand out as such an exceptional addition to the teaching toolbox.

==**<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Xtranormal.com is a site that anyone can use to make animated movies. The site stresses that all types of movie-making will be the most important means of communication in the 21st century. The only thing you need to be good at to make a movie on this site is typing (all of the dialogue is done through typing, except for a few buttons for motions and camera angles). Anyone can follow xtranormal.com on twitter, facebook, or the site's blog. This site is a good tool for businesses and education. It is becoming more popular in these two fields. As far as a business goes, it's a great way to advertise or upload special videos about company training or other tutorials. In the field of education, it's a cool way to create an interactive lesson plan to make the students feel engaged. They can also create their own videos which is a great learning tool for them. However, there is a cost. **==

==**<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Xtranormal.com is really easy to use. You do need to make an account, that part is free. After logging in you may select your set, your actors, your sounds and music, and you may type your dialogue for the movie. It's basically just selecting options and then typing what you want the characters to say. You can make them have different accents, and you can change the camera angles or add motions/gestures to their acting. You can save your movie, and preview it many times. The preview isn't the best quality. Apparently it gets better when you actually publish the movie. **==

==**<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; text-decoration: none;">-If you pay as an educator or for your business you can reach a wide audience, and have more things available to you (access for the class and administrator features, unlimited publishing, create your own ads and make your logo known, ) **==

==**<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">__-__ ****<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">You only get 300 xtranormal points to start and play with and then you have to buy things. (It reminds you at the top how many points you have left) **==

==**<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; text-decoration: none;">-animoto.com- web 2.0 app, way to create a custom video presentation using a user's pictures and media materials **==

**<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; text-decoration: none;">-memoov.com- web 2.0 app, free animation creation service **
=__//TECH TIP #20- Steve Sweder- "PIXTON"//__= (www.pixton.com)

__**WHAT IS PIXTON?**__ __Pixton__ was invented by a husband and wife time who loved comics and thought it be great if people all over the world could create and share their own comics. Their creation allows people to create and share their own comic strips and comic books. Most recently, it was named an honoree in the "Youth" category at the 2011 Webby Awards.


 * __HOW DOES IT WORK?__** Pixton is a very simple website to navigate and use. There are clear instructions which direct the user how to make their own comic strip or comic book. First, the user selects what type of strip design they would like to use. After the style comic is selected, the user can select a background, characters, text bubbles, items, etc. After inserting all the desired characters and other items, the user can move the characters body parts or move the character around the comic box by simply clicking and dragging. The user can also change the character(s) emotions by clicking on the "emotions" button on the left side of the comic strip. If the user is happy with the project, they can save the comic and then decide to publish it on for the world to see if they wish by clicking "post". Also, if a user is not finished with the comic and wants to work on it later, they can always come back to it later and click on the tab on their profile that allows them to finish their already started projects.


 * __PROS-__**
 * FREE!
 * Easy to use
 * Fun and creative
 * Allows teachers and students to express themselves in a fun and exciting way


 * __CONS__**-
 * Free version has limited characters, backgrounds, items, etc.
 * Teacher version free for 30 days then must subscribe to payment plan
 * A little time consuming to perfect comics


 * __HOW CAN IT BE USED IN THE CLASSROOM?__** Pixton can be used in a number of ways in the classroom. Simply looking at the website and clicking on "Teachers" will give you various examples of how teachers have used the website in the past. It can be used for projects and instruction. As a teacher who is subscribed to the website, the teacher can control the environment and create their own webpage that students can post projects and comment on each others comics. The teacher can also comment and the webiste also provides a rubric to help assess the comics if a teacher needs help.

All these three similar websites were good but I found myself prefering pixton do to a wider selection of characters, gestures, expressions, items, and backgrounds. I also found Pixton easier to navigate.
 * __SIMILAR WEBSITES__**-
 * Bitstrips.com
 * Wittycomics.com
 * Toondoo.com


 * Tech Tip #21 - Fabiano Spadaro**
 * [|www.bitstrips.com]**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">

Bitstrips is a Website that allows users to create cartoons strips. There are two versions within the same website you can use: Bistrips, Daily Funnies Starring YOU! and Bistrips for Schools, Comics in the Classroom. I will focus on the second option, which will allow me to better explain how this amazing tool can be incorporated in your teaching routine. Bistrips is an excellent alternative to engage your students and keep their attention during the task. It is a different way to motivate them, particularly when it comes to teaching difficult subjects in which student can easily get distracted due to lack of interest.
 * __What is it?__**


 * __How it works?__**
 * The first step is to create a teacher’s account so you can easily set up your classroom. You must create a class name, a class code, which can be any word for your students to recognize when they log in, the class grade, language, and privacy settings.
 * You can enter your students manually or import them from specific files.
 * Then students can create an avatar using the character builder. This tool will allow your students to design their own characters according to their preferences and individuality
 * After creating an avatar, students can start creating comics using the comics’ builder.
 * With the teachers permission they will be able to share comics with the class and post comments on other student’s strips.
 * Teachers can create activities for the students to either complete during class or as homework.


 * __Pros__**
 * Up to 40 students for each classroom with class permissions set up features.
 * Easy to use control tools.
 * They can incorporate their own photos, which make designing faster.
 * It lets students demonstrate their learning in a more personal, creative way.
 * They can share comics in real time.
 * Peer feedback through the commenting tool.
 * Collaborative features.
 * Comics can be reviewed by the teacher before they are visible to the class.


 * __Cons__**
 * Free for 30 days; after that you must pay a monthly fee to keep your account active.
 * Extra fees for additional classrooms.
 * The character builder library features a large customizable tool that can distract students while designing their avatars, thus taking away time for you to teach the subjects.
 * It has only two languages: English and French.


 * __How it can be used in a classroom__**
 * Engages the students by making the process of writing visual, interactive and fun.
 * It can be used to teach any subject like math, social issues, English, history and foreign languages.
 * Through an activity library, you can assign to your class curriculum activities.
 * Teachers can used the review activities and provide feedback which can be submitted privately and individually or to the whole class.
 * It can facilitate student participation in assignments that traditionally would have been written with little to no images.


 * __The competition__**
 * www.pixton.com is probably the closest competitor to bistrips.com. It also creates comics which can be incorporated in your lessons. However, Pixton can get a little overwhelming when it comes to creating comics. The characters are not as fun as bitstrips, and it takes a significant amount of time to become familiar with “how-to” create comics, thus, taking away the time needed to learn the subject. After all, this is supposed to be somehow easy to create since teachers are not testing the students’ proficiency in creating a comic but rather the proficiency of the subject in question through comics.
 * Comic life. is another competitor. It allows you to download digital images of you or your friends and family and create a comic. It is a little more specific and more complex but has features like make a cartoon out of your own digital photo.
 * www.comix.com is another website that teachers can use to create comics in the classroom. Comix is much simpler to use than Pixton and Comic Life and it is the closes to Bisstrips.com.
 * Other competitors such as voki.com and blabberize.com are audio oriented, instead. Although, voki uses avatars than can also be created on-demand. It does not have the capability to create comic panels and interaction occurs between the avatar and the listener. It can be a great tool for assigning assessments or taking oral test and quizzes, however. As for blabberize, it uses photos instead of comics.

**Tech Tip # 19: John Radkiewicz**
Blabberize.com

__What it is__

Blabberize.com is a Web 2.0 application that allows you to use a picture of someone and make them speak by adding your own voice. This allows for stagnant pictures to come alive through animation. For example, you or your students can take a picture of Robert E. Lee and have him describe the Battle of Gettysburg from his perspective. This tool is very simple to use. The Blabberize.com website stresses the simplicity of their tool by writing, “It takes like 30 seconds. You should make one, too.”

__How it works__

As I said above, Blabberize is quick and easy to use. Start by going to www.blabberize.com and then scroll down and click “login/signup.” Simply enter your user name, email, and password and you will be signed up in seconds, or sign in as a guest by entering “guest” for both user name and password. There is no confirmation email and you can immediately login and get to work. You will then be taken to the “My Stuff” page. Click on “Make” on the top of the page. A prompt will appear asking you take find a picture. Click on “Browse” to select a picture that is saved on your computer. Once you have your picture uploaded you can crop the image as you please. Click “Next” and a red circle will appear on your picture. Mold this to fit around your person’s mouth. The buttons at the bottom of the screen allow you to add a mouth or remove a mouth. Click the next arrow and you will be prompted about what type of sound you’d like to enter. There are three options: From your microphone, from a recording on your computer, or by phone. Unfortunately this last feature is no longer available. After you add your sound, click “Save” and you are all done. Your creation is ready for viewing!

The following video will shows step-by-step how to create a Blabber: media type="youtube" key="VVJB9FyGmu0" height="315" width="420"

The website says that there is a premium version of Blabberize where you can make “premium blabbers” but I cannot find where I can sign up for this. I am also unsure of what make up a “premium blabber.”

__Pros__ __Cons__
 * Easy to use once you get the hang of it
 * Allows the person in the picture to describe events
 * Can be marked private
 * Easy to browse or search for other blabbers
 * The creators understand the educational uses of their tool and are going to release lesson plans on how to use Blabberize in the classroom in the near future.
 * You can “like” other blabbers
 * Students can login as a guest which doesn’t require an email account
 * Fun alternative to an oral presentation
 * The directions are a little confusing at times. For example, the stage where you form the circle to the person’s mouth is not explained on the page
 * Website was slow
 * Comments under the blabbers may be inappropriate
 * Accepts only MP3 or WMV sound files when using a recording already on your computer (Can use Zamzar to get around this)
 * Sound files must be kept to 2 MB or less
 * The option to add sound by calling in has been removed

__How it can be used in the classroom__

Blabberize can be used by both teachers and students in the classroom. The teacher can make a blabber to introduce a new topic or when they think it would be appropriate for the certain person to give their perspective of an issue. Students can use Blabberize in a similar way that the teacher does. For example, when learning about the American Revolution, students can pick an individual and have them give their perspective on it.

__Review of similar products__

> . While it is free to use, Voki provides a paid service called Voki Classroom (for $29.95 for one year or $44.95 for two years) which allows the teacher to manage their classes.
 * Voki – A free Web 2.0 application that allows you to create a speaking avatar. This application essentially performs the same task as Blabberize but Blr:s it?abberize lets you chose an actual picture rather than using an avatar. Voki offers lesson plans on how to use this tool in the http://youtu.be/oyGTcH0ZefM
 * Fotobabble – Almost the same service that Blabberize offers. The notable exception with Fotobabble is that it does not allow you to make the person in the picture’s mouth move up and down. This is a better tool to use for when the subject of the picture is not a person. This is a free service.

__**Tech Tip #19: Voki**__ __**By: Jackie Bittle and Ashley Stenger**__ __What is it? and How it works:__ Voki is a program for creating characters and adding text or your own voice for them to speak. You can customize your Voki to look like you or take on the identity of lots of other types of characters… animals, monsters, anime etc. Your Voki can speak with your own voice which is added via microphone, upload, or phone.

media type="youtube" key="oyGTcH0ZefM" height="315" width="420"

__Pros:__ > Access to Teacher’s corner with suggestions for lessons and recommendations for teachers. __Cons:__ __How it can be used in the classroom:__ __Review of others:__
 * You can use the free Voki to have access to lesson plans, a newsletter with updated Voki news, and create Voki animation using all features.<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oyGTcH0ZefM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>
 * Can upload audio lessons from computer files, by phone call, or by using computer microphone. You can also use audio voices they have uploaded and have them say what you type.
 * You can customize your avatar how you feel appropriate for your classroom.
 * You can publish your avatar anywhere else on the web.
 * With the free Voki each student must register. With a purchased version a teacher can have a classroom Voki and students do not need to register themselves.
 * The teacher can add multiple classes and multiple lessons and customize lesson plans, but only can this be done with the purchased version.
 * Advertisements clog up the free Voki. With the purchased version you get advertisement free sites.
 * The site has problems occasionally jumping into problems when something is clicked on or when you first log on.
 * There are lesson plans for the teachers to apply to their specific grade level and content area.
 * A great program for languages to show the correct pronunciation of works. Especially for ESL learners.
 * There are so many examples of teachers coming together on this site providing lessons with other teachers.
 * There are blogs and newsletters and so many opportunities for teachers to read possible lesson plans.
 * __Blabberize:__ a similar program that you upload your own photos and place speech to the photos. However, it does not have the lesson plans like Voki has.

__**TECH TIP # 22 Daniel Burrows**__

**Audioboo.com** **link**

Audioboo is a web and mobile platform that embraces the world of radio and social-networking. They allow you to record audio, or upload an audio file, and share it with the world via your web browser or smart-phone. It is very popular in Europe, getting support from the BBC and famous actors. Many use it to report news, as a social media device, or just to have fun. Some publishing companies have started posting audiobooks on the site, to preview the books. It is a growing movement and the possibilities are endless for its potential. media type="custom" key="11130412" - [|Top 10 Boos] Audioboo allows you to record an audio file right on its platform, either with a microphone for your PC or your cellphone mic. Audioboo is available for iPhone, Android, and Nokia phones. Also, you can upload an audio file in the following formats: AIFF, WAVE, FLAC, OGG, MP3, AAC files, as well as a few more. Next you can add a Title, and tags that mark it to others in the search bar. Then you can add a picture and location of where you are, or your Boo has taken place. Once you have a Boo, you can post it to twitter, facebook, or embed the player and your Boo into a blog.
 * What it is:**
 * How it works**

Here are the steps below.

Hit make a recording/ upload a file

Hit Mic and record, or upload a file. Select a file: then click "Happy? add a title" Add a title, image, and map. Then Hit Publish.

Here is your BOO!

My BOO! media type="custom" key="11130520"

The website has Boos from all over the place. You can browse the site and search different Boos, based on popularity and subject. The site also functions as a social networking platform. You can see who is following who, your favorite boos, and leave messages and private Boos.

-social networking -embedded player for blogs -can post to websites easily -Easy to use, and make video -Innovative possibilities. -Don't need an account. -Helpful site with forum for references. -Supported on Smart-phones
 * Pros**
 * -**Free (3 minute audios, can pay for upgrade for 30 mins)

- “Facebook/twitter” taboo. -3 Minute limit. -Not that big in the US (yet). -Web browser is in Beta, for audio recorder.
 * Cons**
 * -**Can not be private. (unless sending a private message to someone's account).
 * -**Paid upgrade.

Audioboo is a perfect tool if utilized properly. It should be used with care, like facebook and twitter, it is a social networking site. All Boos are global, so the works will be seen by everyone. -Can be used with any project involving audio to inspire learning. From: -It also adds a picture and lets you easily post it to a facebook or twitter. If you gave students a project involving creating a twitter or facebook, then the students could easily use Audioboo to put it on their site. -As a teacher: can post lessons, lectures, assignment details, or words of wisdom. If a student has an IEP/ is an ELL, can use it to reinforce directions for the student.
 * How it can be used in the classroom**
 * fireside chats
 * news reports
 * interviews
 * songs
 * narratives
 * speeches
 * poems

[] - only up to 30 seconds. [] - must download. [] - easy to use. No social networking.
 * Review of other**


 * Tech Tip #23 Audacity.sourceforge.net (Andrew Novak and Zak Winokur)**

Simply put __Audacity__ is a freeware (no pay ever) open source audio editing program. You can use it to record, splice, mix, and otherise edit sounds that you either record yourself or have already recorded and wish to edit. Since it is open source program anyone can can download the source code and make modifications or add new features that all other users can use.

How it works can be a little complex if you have never played with audio editing software before. However, it is not rocket science. There are a million things you can do with audacity but we will just give a VERY basic overview here and if you you would like to get more complex I would recommend visiting this website ==> [] media type="youtube" key="Mf7-2KSqj4s" height="315" width="420"

Pros! Cons <span style="color: #6b6b6b; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 1em; text-align: left;"> Uses in the Classroom <span style="color: #6b6b6b; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 1em; text-align: left;">// **Here are 10 great ways you could use Audacity with your students.** //
 * Free FREE FREEEEE!!!!!
 * Easy to use/teach how to use as far as recording software is concerned.
 * Sound quality is good.
 * Ability to access all options, anytime. (ITS FREE!)
 * Crashes regularly
 * Does not work as smoothly on Macs. (bugs?)
 * Limited compared to professional recording software.
 * To save to .mp3 format you must download additional LAME encoder software

Alternatives: Another free recording software we discovered was KRISTAL. We would recommend this program strictly for recording music as its complexity level is much, much higher than audacity. However, if you are adventurous you can download it at kreatives.org.
 * 1) <span style="color: #6b6b6b; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **Make an audio/radio advertisement** - My Grade 3 students are using Audacity to advertise products the school produces to support service learning for their Advertising unit.
 * 2) <span style="color: #6b6b6b; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **Promote language learning** – record kids speaking in one of their language classes then upload to Voki to create speaking Avatars. One of the Mandarin teachers at our school, Wendy Liao, did this very successfully with Grade 4 students.
 * 3) <span style="color: #6b6b6b; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **Create Podcasts** – limited only by your imagination. I recommend checking out what Kim Cofino and colleagues are doing with Podcasts at ISB . Celeste Hopkins and her Grade 2 students use Audacity to create podcasts of book reviews, reports and poetry readings. Mr Balcom ‘s students created music tracks for their video podcasts. Find a need and get podcasting!
 * 4) <span style="color: #6b6b6b; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **Record speeches** to provide evidence of learning, and upload to Glogster (a wonderful online poster tool) to share with a wider audience, as I’m doing with Grade 4 students for their environmental unit.
 * 5) <span style="color: #6b6b6b; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **Promote reading development** by recording kids reading books, as [|Colin Becker] outlines in his post on Emerging Readers.
 * 6) <span style="color: #6b6b6b; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** Create sound stories ** for images using free sound effects websites, as my Grade 2 students are doing for the school arts festival. You could easily use creative commons Flickr photos as your source of ‘sound-rich’ images.
 * 7) <span style="color: #6b6b6b; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **Record sound for PowerPoint slides** to enhance any presentation (hat tip to Colin Becker ).
 * 8) <span style="color: #6b6b6b; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **Record comments/opinions** to load to a Voicethread at a later stage. This can be useful if there are problems with multiple users on a Voicethread or to save time.
 * 9) <span style="color: #6b6b6b; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **Record compositions** or class singing to share with others (e.g. parents).
 * 10) <span style="color: #6b6b6b; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **Record soundtracks for animations** as my Grade 4 students did for their animation project on the systems of the human body.