Using Animoto in the Classroom

It’s unusual for me to write a blog post extolling the virtues of a single edtech tool – I usually prefer a rundown of several resource that can be used for any given subject, because there are so many brilliant tools out there to feature and usually so many advantages and disadvantages to using each one. But Animoto is a special case! It is incredibly easy to use, which is a huge plus for the classroom, but also presents a really wide and flexible range of possible uses, which isn’t always the case with the simpler end of edtech tools. If you’re not already familiar with Animoto, it’s a website that allows you to make your own videos by choosing a background template from a wide range of options, adding a piece of music, and then creating a completely unique compilation of photographs, video clips and text, which is then all magically pulled together into an incredibly professional finished product. The real beauty of Animoto is its sheer, joyful flexibility. Related: Teacher-Librarian • stefanotani

How to Create a ThingLink Tutorial My Reflections on ThingLink and Interactive Presentations Major shifts in the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) require students to have opportunities to practice and master skills in the areas of speaking and listening as well as the ability to compare, contrast, incorporate evidence, understand primary source documents, and create arguments. In terms of student engagement and creation in these areas, the possibilities are endless. When I was attending the PARCC ELC in Chicago recently, I attended a workshop on close reads using primary source documents. In a classroom, I would have the students create a Thinglink with required elements. Remember to remind students of copyright and creative commons licensing. Source: Paula Dillon 3.17.13 Related Resources and Articles Thinglink Tutorial Slide Show by JGoodburn from Burgettstown Area School via HelloSlide Make Interactive Images on Thinglink Education by Ruchard Byrne via Free Technology for Teachers

Top 10 Apps in an Established 1:1 iPad School The Stephen Perse Foundation has had a 1:1 iPad programme running for two years now. Whilst there are many subject specific apps utilised for learning, it is interesting to note how the top 10 apps are all multipurpose. The list below also includes an indication of how workflow is developing for the school and how an app is chosen when and where it is appropriate. For more information about how we are using the iPads as a tool for learning please visit SPFlearning.com Explain Everything Simply the most versatile education app available. Socrative 1.0 and 2.0 Socrative is a very simple and effective assessment tool that can be used during any part of the learning process. iMovie iMovie has always been a favourite with students, but it is interesting to see how it has developed as an educational tool. iTunes U iTunes U is often referred to as our learning platform. Showbie Showbie allows you to assign, collect and review student work. Edmodo Notability Keynote Book Creator Pages Like this:

50 Free Animation Tools And Resources For Digital Learners 50 Animation Tools & Resources For Digital Learners by Lisa Chesser, opencolleges.edu.au A purple monster with wild curls spiraling out of control explains the economics of oil production in the Sudan to students in Los Angeles, Sydney, Berlin, Jerusalem, and Riyadh. That is education and animation working together to teach students everywhere, everything they ever wanted to know. Some of the animation links catalogued here will give educators very basic tools and histories of animation while others have the animation already created and set in motion, it’s just a matter of sharing it with students. Educators need to decide which tool is best for them. One of the easiest ways to animate, however, isn’t with your own camera and modeling clay, it’s with your links to sites that hand you everything within their own forums. Use the first part of this list for creating original animation or using animation tools to create lessons. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

TeacherTube - Teach the World Home ExamTime - Changing the way you learn Marqueed - Simple image collaboration and markup tool. Share, annotate and discuss images. 10 Best Google Drive Add-Ons You Should Be Using Google Drive is a great alternative for individuals who don’t have a word processor or any form of an office suite. It allows them to make documents, powerpoint presentations, excel documents and more without the added memory being eaten up or having to load a software on your computer. For those who do have a word processing suite, Google Drive is a great way to have collaborative documents on your computer. For example, it is the office software that I make use of whenever I have a group presentation that needs a couple of extra hands. 1. Despite all of the advancements in communication technology, there are still some individuals who use fax machines. 2. UberConference brings conference calls to Google Drive. 3. In this era of everything being digital, there are still a couple of relevant communication elements that can be difficult to manage digitally. 4. This add-on allows individuals to add Google Maps to their documents. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

A Comprehensive Index to Educational Hashtags Teachers Must Know about If you are still trying to figure out what educational hashtags teachers are using then you do not need to go anywhere else, I got it covered here thanks to Chiew Pang document. Pang created an open document using Google Docs and named it " The Unofficial Index to Twitter Hashtags ". I have gone thorough the entire page and found it really helpful so I thought you might want to have a look as well. See also : Teacher's Guide to The Use of Hashtags in Education Here is the link for the entire document that Pang created and below are the hashtags it contains.