After receiving more than 200 entries the finalists in the 2009 Interactive Classroom Makeover Contest have been announced. One classroom from each of the three categories will receive a digital makeover worth over $30,000.
Learn more about the contest and rules and cast your votes by Noon EST on December 4, 2009.
I’ve been a fan of Animoto ever since @kconger introduced it to me about a year and a half ago. I’ve used it to make fun videos for friends and family and for end-of-event presentations for things like a conference we hosted and for church camp. I even got the 10 free bumper stickers back when they were offered.
The Animoto Video Contest finalists and winner have just been announced. Wow, folks are doing some really “cool” things with Animoto. I knew that I could now upload and add video into my Animoto files, but I haven’t gotten around to actually trying it. I’m not sure that I would have thought to be as creative as these folks, though. Take a look at the contest page and see if you aren’t inspired. I’m hoping students will begin using this to complete some of their assignments, too.
(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
SimplyBox is a free service that allows you to visually capture any part of a web page. As you collect items that you captured, you organize them in boxes. You can then share these items or boxes with friends, colleagues, … the world. The result is: efficient and visual collaboration around content. They call it “content networking.” (Source)
Overview
Research
Student Collaboration
Connecting Beyond the Classroom
THINKING OUT LOUD
Episode 004
Tom Barrett, developed the below presentation. It is full of strategies and tips for effectively integrating VoiceThread with teaching and learning.
Today is the final day of Staples’ sale on school supplies. You can get 500 sheets of copy paper for 1 cent, 8 pencils for 1 cent, and other deals that you’ll have to see to believe.
Tom Barrett, developed the below presentation. It is full of strategies and tips for effectively integrating Wordle with teaching and learning.
I received a nice package from the fine folks from the iConnect iLearn Too Conference. I enjoyed keynoting for them and then interacting with everyone throughout the event (and beyond…right Plurk buddies?!). They sent me a thank you note, conference t-shirt, the much sought after Web 2.0 keyring and other conference goodies. It was a well-timed surprise considering how tired I am after returning to the office today after our family vacation.
