These are the slides for today’s presentation at the NCTIES Conference. Examples of how both teachers and students have used these tools are included. The full set of notes and resources from this session are available on the wiki. Thanks to everyone that attended, participated, tweeted, shared resources and ideas, etc.
Our kids and I have a lot of fun with AudioBoo. AudioBoo is a service that makes podcasting and audio blogging a snap and can positively impact your classroom (See previous posts1, 2, 3 and 4). Although the service has previously pretty much been limited to iPhone users it is now available to everyone. Here’s a screencast demonstrating how to use their recently released BrowserBoo feature which makes it possible to record to AudioBoo through any web browser.
Here’s the sample Boo that I created during the screencast above.
You can browse through my AudioBoo profile page to look through many other examples of boos that the kids and I have published.
I strongly encourage all teachers to take a look at AudioBoo. Whether or not you choose to use it as a teacher I believe there are students in your classroom that would enjoy using it and benefit from engaging this learning modality.
Sign-up for your AudioBoo account, friend me and other educators, and begin enjoying the valuable contributions this can bring you and your students.
Educators, what are some strategies for connecting the classroom with the outside world?
NOTE: I’d like to share responses in an upcoming workshop/presentation and on my blog and wiki. You can submit your ideas using the form below, share your text/audio/video reply in the Comments section of this post or respond via Twitter, Plurk or on your blog using the tag #thruwalls. You can also view the compiled database of suggested strategies on my wiki, Learning Telecollaboratively.
Share this post using http://tr.im/104.
Conversation tag: #thruwalls
(Cross-posted from BILD Institute)
Several of you are new Mac users and have asked me to suggest software that can be used on the Mac operating system. Here are some of my favorites followed by resources that I strongly recommend you look through.
Firefox browser – Safari is a nice browser and has its strengths, but I greatly value the ability to customize and extend Firefox through the use of downloadable extensions, add-ons, themes, etc.
Adium – Use all of you different instant messaging services (AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, and more…except Skype) in tool.
Skype – Free video conferencing. Oovoo is good, too.
Tweetdeck – I appreciate being able to use multiple Twitter accounts and Facebook all in one place. It’s also helpful that it syncs with iPhone.
Skitch – Fast and fun image editing and sharing.
Comic Life – Software for creating and sharing comics and artwork.
Cyberduck – Nice software for those that FTP.
Additional Resources
5 Apps to Get More out of Your NEW Mac
20 Websites Every Mac Fan Must Bookmark
Tom Barrett, developed the below presentation. It is full of strategies and tips for effectively integrating VoiceThread with teaching and learning.
I was a big fan of Jott and used it a lot when it was a free. However, its services are not valuable enough to me to merit being added to my list of monthly communications expenses (phone, Internet, cell, etc.). For a long while I’ve not been using anything, but I recently decided to ask my PLN if there were any free alternatives to Jott. Several asked if I’d share the responses, so here they are.
Here are the replies that I received from my Plurk buddies.
These are the responses from my Twitter friends.
Thanks to everyone that provided feedback and suggested resources. I’ve not had a chance to look at these, but I hope to share my reviews once I have.
This Suggested Surfing is a follow-up to my recent post, Tough Times Call for Frugal Choices and Assistance for Classrooms in Need.
I Love Schools.com – A Helping Hand for Teachers.
Elmer’s Glue Crew – Partnering for a Better Tommorow.
Feedback
Please share additional charitable organizations and resources for helping classrooms in the comments.
Here are some additional resources aimed at helping teachers, schools and students receive beneficial resources and financial assistance. This Suggested Surfing is a follow-up to my recent post, Tough Times Call for Frugal Choices.
Kids in Need– Ensuring that every child is prepared to learn and succeed by providing free school supplies nationally to students most in need.
A Gift for Teaching – Improving public education by transferring our community’s surplus materials and resources free to teachers for their students in need.
Art Skills – Poster making supplies with a program for teachers to earn free classroom supplies.
Feedback
Please share additional charitable organizations and resources for helping classrooms in the comments.
Here’s some Suggested Reading to help those facing tight budgets.
Online Charities for Classrooms in Need
There are many online websites aimed at helping teachers, schools and students receive beneficial resources and financial assistance. Here are a couple with which I’m familiar.
Feedback
Please share additional charitable organizations and resources for helping classrooms in the comments.
Google’s new 411 service, better known as Goog-411, is free, fast and easy to use.
