Part of the Goals 2010 Challenge Series, Goal 28 and the Cool Sites series

I remember being amazed at the advertisement displays when I first moved to Stuttgart. Around the city are what appear to be normal posters, but they change every minute or so to another advertisement. With these displays in mind I have imagined what a school bulletin board would look like in the future. I imagine walking down the school hallway and seeing digital boards displaying students’ multimedia projects. Comments are also displayed. A built-in webcam and microphone allow comments to be made by all those passing by. Captchas keep and other settings ensure that comments are safe. Touch technology allows the bulletin boards to be very interactive. No need to waste paper or have to throw away student work. This is my favorite part of the digital revolution. I can keep student work for years as reminders of teachable moments or creativity at work. So many projects lugged home each year and how many of us can keep every poster, science fair project, drawing, story, and so forth. So much work left behind by students, teachers, and parents.

We no longer have to discard student work.

Instead, with digital cameras, smart phones, and Web 2.0 tools we have the ability to save all work. Students can remember some of their best work and build on it year after year. These can be part of a portfolio and important for reflection. Parents can have a permanent record of their child’s creativity and growth.

Before the Digital Revolution & Web 2.0

Before the emergence of digital technologies, we took Polaroid shots, developed film, or used camcorders. I never enjoyed taking pictures, because many times I would ruin the film. Unfortunately, there are countless moments I have lost this way. Now, that rarely happens. It’s so simple to capture video and photographs with my Iphone. I can even edit my film and images on the Iphone. Additionally, I have a digital camera if I want better looking pictures. Instead of the PowerPoint slideshows I used to make of my students, I now have access to several web 2.0 tools. One of my long-term goals is to encourage my students to capture their special moments and keep their work for an ongoing portfolio.

Reflection is powerful. Sometimes, we forget and we need the reminder of fun times with friends or family. Sometimes, we just need to reflect on when we made a difference in our student’s lives. With Web 2.0 tools and digital technologies we can easily capture moments to reflect upon.

Top 4 Sites

These are favorites from the edtech community, therefore, I am giving a brief description and helpful links to facilitate using these tools more effectively in the classroom. I have also included the links to the free educator accounts for each of these sites.

Multimedia Mash-ups

Here are some fantastic free tools in case you happen to want to create various types of multimedia videos or presentations to capture moments with your students.

    • Empressr-Upload video, images and audio to create cool slideshows with impressive effects. Use the charting and table tools, import images from Flickr, embed your presentation on your blog, and create a backchannel with Twitter during your presentation.
    • SlideRocket- Store your slide presentations online and integrate audio, images, and video. You can also collaborate with peers on presentations and create presentations online. Embed this on your blog, publish to a url, or conduct a webinar. A content library is available.
    • Masher- Create a video by mixing video clips, music tracks, and images. These can be from your own library or choose from a huge library of audio, video, and music content, which are free to use. Easily embed it in your blog.
    • Video Thang- You have to download this but it supports various platforms. This video editing software takes your uploaded video clips, photos, and music and allows you do to add cool transitions, text, and effects. Moreover, you can do close-ups, which I haven’t seen in other video editing tools. You can then upload your video to Youtube or embed it.
    • JayCut- This exciting video editor launches the full features in February. However, this is really impressive online video editor that you can play with here. Online you can upload images, audio, and video clips. Add transitions, effects, and more. Easily collaborate with others on the same video. You can also edit videos on your smartphone.
    • Vuvox-Choose from 3 different types of effective presentations- express, collage, or studio. Upload your own video clips, photos, and music and add incredible effects. You can embed this in your blog.
    • Stupeflix-Mix images, videos, and soundtracks. Add titles, transitions, and themes. There is no library of free music but you can easily embed it. See this great example.
    • Capzles-make an impressive presentation with your videos, images, and music. Moreover, blog about the experience which goes on a horizontal timeline.
    • Magnoto- A mix between Wallwisher and Glogster. Display your photos, videos, text and audio in unique ways on a cool background. You have the freedom to move the parts around. People can comment on the different pages and subscribe to them.
    • Scrapblog-Create multimedia scrapbooks. Upload your images and play with the themes, stickers, backgrounds, text features, and frames. Embed this in your blog.
    • Mixbook- Collaborate on a photobook with friends. Create stories, photo journals, and more with your uploaded images. You can zoom in on photos, add backgrounds, and embed this in a blog.
    • Ahead- Works like Prezi. This is an online platform for dynamic presentations. Upload videos, audio, images, pdfs, and Word documents. You can embed this.

      Multimedia Slideshows

      • Yodio- Add narration to slideshows easily through your computer or by using your phone. Embed this easily in your blog.
      • PanRaven- Create digital stories with your uploaded videos, music, and images. The site has photo editing tools and lets you embed the presentation on your blog.
      • Slideshare- Upload your PowerPoint presentations, Word documents and pdfs to embed in your blog. You can narrate your presentation.
      • Authorstream- Upload your PowerPoint presentations to embed in your blog. You can narrate your presentation and play it as a video.

      More Resources

      For further information on these resources, please visit these websites:

      Challenge:

      Begin to document your favorite lessons by taking pictures, recording audio, or recording a video.

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      This is goal 28 of this series! If you’d like to join the challenge, please read this post!

      Don’t forget to leave a comment that you accomplished this goal using the hashtag #30Goals!

      How do you capture your students’ moments?