Web 2.0 Tool #8: Screencast-O-Matic

Link to Screencast-O-Matic:     
http://screencast-o-matic.com/

Links to examples of Screencast-O-Matic in action:     
https://youtu.be/uSoclfXYvj4


https://youtu.be/I2EWsC4nopM 


Description of Screencast-O-Matic: 
Screencast-O-Matic is a Web 2.0 screencasting tool that captures computer screen output and spoken narration. When Screencast-O-Matic's recorder is launched, it appears as a black and white frame with an control menu that pops up. The control menu allows a user to choose what the recorder captures, the duration of the capture, and the area of the capture. The recorder can be set to capture (a) just the computer screen output, (b) just the webcam output, or (c) both. The free version of the recorder is limited to capturing 15 minutes of material; the paid, or Pro version, is unlimited. When it comes to capture size, a user can select one of the standard sizes -- 480p, 720p, and full screen -- or opt to drag the recorder frame any where on the screen and adjust the size manually. Once the record button is pressed, all actions happening inside of the frame are captured and recorded. Recording can be paused at any time with the click of a mouse or by Hotkey so that a user can take a moment to review captured material. If something is amiss, one can toggle back, and resume recording to cover up mistakes, which is a wonderful feature. Upon completion of a recording, a user merely clicks "done" and a file saving menu appears. The file saving menu offers users the following output options: save as a video file (.mp4), upload to Screencast-O-Matic.com, or upload to YouTube. I recommend saving the capture as a video file so that you can store it for safekeeping, and then upload it to YouTube.

The two Screencast-O-Matic examples embedded above demonstrate the two main reasons that I screencast: (1) to demonstrate something on a computer for my students and (2) to present content. The first screencast I created serves as a tutorial on how to create a student resume using Google Docs. Part of the audition packet requirements for entry into a Creative and Preforming Arts middle school is the submission of a student resume that showcases academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, and experiences gained in the intermediate elementary grade levels. I help my advanced instrumental music students -- third year players in sixth grade -- create their resumes. In the screencast, I explain how students can access resume samples to gain ideas from and open their own (which I create in advance) for editing. The second screencast captured a remote presentation of a PowerPoint slideshow I made to describe in detail my experience with the Data Action Model as it related to my instrumental music classroom for EDTC 615. Through Screencast-O-Matic, I was able capture through narration and animations the various phases of the Data Action Process for my classmates.

Screencasts definitely have a place in the 21st century classroom. Teachers can employ this type of Web 2.0 tool in order to ...

1. create training videos (how to operate a computer somehow) 
2. present content remotely / flip the classroom
3. record the giving of feedback on a Google Doc
4. ... and the list goes on and on.

Learn more about screencasting / Screencast-O-Matic and discover the many ways to include it in your classroom by visiting some of the linked articles below:

• Screencasting to Engage Learning
• Flip Your Classroom With Instructional Screencasting
• Technology in the Classroom: Why, How to Screencast 
• Screencasting in the Classroom
• Top Five Ways to Use Screencasting in the Classroom
• Redefining Learning Through Screencasting

Web 2.0 Tool #7: Prezi

Link to Emaze:     
https://www.prezi.com/

Link to example of Prezi:
http://prezi.com/vuvff8u75tba/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share

Description of Prezi: 
Prezi is a Web 2.0 presentation tool that is known for its visually appealing, 3-dimensional canvas style templates. Compared to the linear moving Microsoft PowerPoint, where viewers are only shown slide after slide sequentially until they reach the end, Prezi offers a more interactive experience. Typically, Prezis start with a wide-angle view of the entire canvas, where the layout of main ideas and supporting elements can be seen by the viewer -- almost like a mind map. From there, a presentations path is all but linear, moving down/left/right/up, depending on the chosen template. These subtle path movements appear almost as animations, taking the viewer on a journey, and are thus more appealing than PowerPoint's slide transitions to look at. A key feature is a viewers ability to zoom in/out to see the most minute details of included images or documents.

When it comes to making Prezis, creators are offered a lot of freedoms when designing, all in an effort to make the presentations as dynamic as possible to captivate the intended audience. Text, images, documents, YouTube videos, sounds, and voiceover clips can be added with ease. Prezi also has a searchable collection of royalty-free symbols/shapes that can be inserted. One key creation feature of this tool is that it can be operated by a single or multiple users -- up to ten in fact -- at the same time, making it ideal for collaborative group projects. Secondly, YouTube videos can be set to a path, which in turn makes them auto-play in real time. Finally, there is an option to upload existing Microsoft PowerPoint presentations and turn them into Prezis, which is an ultimate time saver.

The example Prezi presentation embedded above was created with beginning flute students in mind. It serves as a guided lesson for students to access -- both at home and/or in school -- when first learning how to assemble and hold the instrument. Detailed written instructions are supported with uploaded images. All images included are in essence labeled diagrams of me following the directions so that students can visual the concepts: putting a flute together, putting hands/fingers in the right place, etc. YouTube videos tutorials are also included so that students can watch an entire process, whether it be assembling or holding a flute, from start to finish. I plan to create more Prezis like this one for other instruments, where the design purpose is that of lesson instruction to convey processes in the instrumental music classroom.

There are many ways to incorporate Prezi into the classroom, where both students and teachers use the Web 2.0 presentation tool for a variety of purposes. Here are some articles that can help provide some integration ideas for Prezi in your classroom:

1. Teaching with Zooming Slideshows Through Prezi - readwritethink.org
2. 5 Awesome Prezis and 5 Ways to Use Them in Your Digital Classroom 
3. Toolbox Tip: Using Prezi in the Classroom
4. 17 Interesting Ways to Use Prezi in the Classroom
5. Using Prezi to Make Your Presentations Sizzle

Web 2.0 Tool #6: Google Drive Services

Link to Google Drive:     

https://www.google.com/drive/

Screenshots and links to example(s) of Google Drive Services:

• Google Docs: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12WA69d904o2J9evLKP7eF_4t64uSQz3RtqpHrz-DbsA/edit?usp=sharing

Student resume sample for admission into specialty creative arts middle school program.

• Google Forms: https://drive.google.com/openid=1AVRTOp4R8IT0IX3xkoo9ihix6QjnJS57A5I0T_5pteU



Google Form for parents/guardians to enroll students in the Instrumental Music program.

• Google Sheets: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zIS3GzeywM69lTde6LIsFhrfs_94OSjs1BLHLyxUHic/edit?usp=sharing

Student enrollment information collected via the Google Form above.

• Google Slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1suYTsJq1gh4zSu-j-zwBwjnL3MqXGplZEaB7rJz8fnk/present?slide=id.p

Description of Google Drive Services: 
Google Drive is essentially a cloud-based storage system that all Gmail users have access to for free through the email service. This storage system run by Google houses a variety of document types and allows users to create original documents through a suite of Microsoft Office like web programs -- Google Docs, Slides, Forms, and Sheets. This suite of web programs offers users the ability to organize, create on and offline, collaborate, edit, collect, share, etc. information. Google Docs is akin to Microsoft Word; Slides, to PowerPoint; Sheets, to Excel. Google Forms is the only outlier, as there is nothing else comparable to it in Microsoft Office. The data collection possibilities that Google Forms affords users are simply endless, which is why it alone is is a very attractive feature to educators and businessmen/women alike. Finally, three features that make these Google web programs exceedingly wonderful are their real-time collaboration tools, third-party apps, and automatic synchronization across devices. Groups of users can come together together live to create or edit documents/slides/spreadsheets. Third-party apps can be installed to use with the programs to enhance them in many ways. Finally, the entire suite of services synchronize across devices as they are "cloud" based; there are both computer and mobile apps, supporting Android and Apple systems, to allow for the access and editing of files on/offline.

The screenshots and links to Google Drive services examples included above are just a few ways that I have incorporated these multifaceted creation web programs into my classroom. I will briefly describe each one in the bulleted list below:

• The Google Doc is a sample student resume for my sixth grade students to look at. All students that plan to audition for entry into the local Creative and Performing Arts Middle School for seventh grade are required to create an audition packet with a number of important documents included: a resume is one of them. I share this and other sample resumes with interested students to help them gather ideas and maintain a certain formatting for their own. Every March, I create and share individual resume documents with the interested students; as a group, we go to the school's computer lab to work on them. Furthermore, students can email me, add comments, etc. for assistance at home, outside of normal school hours.
• The Google Slides presentation was a collaboration between myself and another M. Ed. student in this program as part of the course requirement in EDTC 615 - Using Technology for Instructional Improvement: Research, Data, and Best Practices. Together, we created the above Google Slides to share a summary of our first Data Meeting with classmates. This web program permitted both my partner and I to add content in real-time, shift and/or add objects at will, create tables with highlights, insert pictures, make graphs, etc. The possibilities are endless.
• My primary use for Google Forms is to gather instrumental music enrollment information from students/parents at all three schools I teach in. I include links to a Google Form in English and in Spanish for each school on the preliminary information packets I send home with interested students at the beginning of every school year. I explain to students during my recruitment presentation that signing up online using the Google Form is the fastest way to get added to the class; on average, around 20 families between the three schools choose to sign up this way. The other 220 sum-odd responses I receive each September are completed the old-fashioned way --with a pen and paper enrollment form.
• The included Google Spreadsheet is a collection of student enrollment data that was automatically compiled from responses to the Google Form above. As mentioned, not many families decide to enroll their students online, so I end up using the Google Form myself to enter in and record every paper enrollment form I receive. Now, you may be thinking, " ... but that's a lot of extra work!" -- and you are right. However, the benefits of imputing this student data via Google Forms which will turn around and automatically compile the responses for me into a Google Sheet totally outweighs however tedious the entry process may be. I wholeheartedly believe that manually entering via a Google Form is a timesaver, and after all is said and done, I can focus more of my time organizing responses in a way that is meaningful to the program.

As you can see, the advantages of adding each of the Google Drive Services to your classroom in some way are immense. Even those educators not deemed conventional, "classroom-based" teachers like myself, instrumental music, can find ways to use them to enrich not only my life but also the lives of my students. To learn more about how to incorporate Google Drive services into your classroom, visit some of the linked articles/websites below:

1. Teach Web 2.0 Review and Uses of Google Docs
2. 100 Ways to Use Google Drive in the Classroom - amazing article, a must read!
3. 52 Tips and Tricks for Google Docs in the Classroom 
4. The NEW Google Forms: 9 Classroom Uses 
5. 16 Ideas for Student Projects Using Google Docs, Slides, and Forms

Web 2.0 Tool #5: Symbaloo

Link to Symbaloo:     
https://www.symbaloo.com

Link to an example of Symbaloo:
http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/mschapinsband

Description of Symbaloo: 
Symbaloo is a cloud based Web 2.0 bookmark curation tool designed to help manage and share links to websites and other online resources. It stands out from other bookmarking tools with its visually stimulating and impeccably arranged "webmix" organization system. A webmix can have well more than 52 tiles and as few as 16. This tiled system allows users to add resources, one by one, to a collection dedicated to a specific idea, subject, or theme. Each webmix tile can be titled and a picture/icon added to reflect the resource it represents. Tiles can also be color coded to promote further recognition of sub-themes within a topic. When a tile is clicked, a new tab or window will open directly to the resource. A completed webmix is thus a users favorite websites surrounding let's say band/orchestra resources that are (a) labeled and (b) all in one place for easy access from Internet-connected devices at any time. These webmixes can be shared with others via link, email, or embed code for websites.

The linked example Symbaloo webmix titled Ms. Chapin's Band embedded above was created with beginning and intermediate band/orchestra students in mind. Resources included range from online tuners to interactive music games, all to be accessed by my students effortlessly in one place. My students can learn a lot from the websites I curated and included in this webmix, and I plan on updating it to add more resources in the near future. It is now embedded on my classroom website so that students, parents, and other stakeholders can explore it. It has replaced my very boring list of websites to visit with something much nicer to look at.

Whether sharing resources with students, parents, or other teachers, Symbaloo is a fast and simple way to do it. Visit some of the links below to discover more ways to incorporate this amazing bookmark curation tool into your classroom, as the possibilities are endless:

• Symbaloo YouTube Tutorial Channel 
• Symbaloo Blog - collection of how-to articles, lesson plan ideas, tutorials, etc.
• Using Symbaloo in Your Classroom #topteachertool - 
• 11 Ways to Use Symbaloo in the Classroom - blog article with great ways to use Symbaloo

Web 2.0 Tool #4: Huzzaz

Link to Huzzaz:     
https://pro.huzzaz.com/

Screenshots of Huzzaz:

Huzzaz user start screen: options to "Create a collection" or look at those already made

Search for, select, and organize videos for playlist: when finished, click on the "embed" icon

Website Embed Codes: choose "HTML", copy and paste it onto your website

Link to example of Huzzaz:
https://huzzaz.com/collection/beginning-flute

Loading Videos...

Description of Huzzaz: 
Huzzaz is Web 2.0 tool designed for video curation. It allows users to collect the best videos available pertaining to a specific topic or concept, organize them logically, manage them over time, and showcase them for their intended audiences. This tool is so easy to work with that users are able create video playlists in a matter of minutes and embed the collections onto websites. To make a playlist, a user simply performs a video search within Huzzaz, which automatically pools video results by keyword from YouTube and Vimeo, to discover relevant videos to include in a collection. When the user is satisfied with a playlist, he/she has a few options for sharing it:

1. embed code for websites;
2. direct linking to Facebook, Twitter, and/or Reddit; 
3. email a link.

Aside from ease of operation, Huzzaz has a few key features that make it even better. Now, like most Web 2.0 tools, there is a free and a paid version to choose from. I have found that the free version features do everything that I require, so the "Pro" version is a superfluous expense. The first notable feature is that playlist videos auto-play one after another. There are no annoying and distracting advertisements to ruin and/or add unnecessary time to the viewing experience. A second time and energy saving feature is that when a playlist is modified or updated, the changes immediately transfer to websites where the collection is embedded. There is no need to create and insert a different code. 

The linked example Huzzaz playlist included above -- "Beginning Flute" -- is currently embedded on my classroom website. The playlist contains eight videos for my beginning flute students to watch at home so that they can develop competency and mastery of skills such as assembling, holding, and playing the instrument. I have also created and included a "Beginning Clarinet" video collection with the same hopes for my clarinet students in mind. The ultimate goal for the video resources portion of my classroom website is to not only have playlists dedicated to all the different instruments I teach but also playlists dedicated to musical concepts too. I feel that having the ability to create pointed playlists for my students to view at home that are free from commercial interruptions is second to none. Huzzaz is a truly amazing achievement as far as content curation tools go.

While my example is teacher created and geared toward providing students with outside help in the content area, there are many other ways to implement Huzzaz in the classroom where students take the wheel. Visit the linked articles/websites below to learn more:

• Huzzaz Makes it Easy to Create and Share Online Video Collections - origins of Huzzaz
• Video Tutorials - provided by Huzzaz 
• TeachersFirst Review and Classroom Ideas - flip your classroom, have students create, etc.
• Smart Strategies for Using Video in the Classroom - read about video curation

Web 2.0 Tool #3: Chirbit

Link to Chirbit:
https://www.chirbit.com/

Link to examples of Chirbit: 
http://www.chirbit.com/playlist/n2mfe

• Linked "Hyattsville Violin" playlist has a total of four selections; one is embedded below.

Check this out on Chirbit

http://chirb.it/pAx7De

• "Text to Chirbit"

Check this out on Chirbit

Description of Chirbit: 
Chirbit is a Web 2.0 tool dedicated to audio sharing on social media and websites. It provides users with a place -- and storage -- to record and/or upload audio files. Users can record audio files in real time on the Chirbit website using the microphone of their device, whether that be on a desktop/laptop computer, Smartphone, or tablet. Single audio files can be directly embedded onto Twitter and Facebook without an embed code; for websites, embed codes can be generated. Furthermore, single audio files automatically have QR codes assigned to them. These QR codes can be printed and placed throughout a classroom or school building as well as on worksheets, newsletters, etc. for students and parents to access. Another neat feature is that audio files can be combined into playlists and shared for a variety of classroom purposes, like to hold a collection of recorded student speeches for example. These audio playlists can only be shared by link, not by embedding. Finally, Chirbit does have a text to speech feature called "Text to Chirbit" and a video to speech feature for YouTube videos called "Video to Chirbit." I found the "Text to Chirbit" feature easy to use, but was not pleased with the speech output. The playback sounds very robotic and some of the words seem almost mispronounced, which is unpleasant to listen to; I would not use this feature in a classroom. The "Video to Chirbit" feature extracts the audio from a YouTube video of your choosing. A user merely has to paste the YouTube URL or video ID (string of numbers/letters after the "=" sign in the URL) and Chirbit creates an audio file.

The first example included above is an uploaded audio file I recorded using my Samsung Galaxy Smartphone. This audio file captures myself playing a violin exercise. I combined this audio file with three others into a playlist that I titled Hyattsville Violin. These four recorded violin exercises are the required audition pieces that rising my seventh graders must play as part of a Creative and Performing Arts audition. A link to the Hyattsville Violin playlist appears on my classroom website, and I encourage my students to access it regularly so they can listen to and practice along with the audio files while at home. I will continue to use Chirbit to record examples of pieces for my students to listen to and learn from. In the future, I would love to teach my students how to Chirbit or similar Web 2.0 audio tool at home so they can record themselves playing and share the audio files with me for feedback.

The second example included above is a "Text to Chirbit" that I created. Here is the text that I used to create this audio file:
                     "Hello class. This is Ms. Chapin, your instrumental music teacher. In instrumental
                      music, you will learn how to play an instrument of your choice and how to read music.
                      The class starts in September and stops at the end of May."
When converted to speech, most of the words in the sentences above are garbled and almost unrecognizable. Thus, while the idea of text to speech is a wonderful one, improvements would need to be made to the output in order to make this feature worthwhile in a classroom.

To learn more about how to include Chirbit and audio sharing in your classroom, visit the following linked articles/websites:

• https://www.chirbit.com/blog - Chirbit Blog provides articles, tutorials, use ideas, and more
• What's a Chirbit? - education blog describes step by step how to create as well as ideas for use, such as placing Chirbit QR codes around the classroom (word wall, etc.) or in centers
• Audio QR Codes: Make Paper Talk - Techie Teachers' Tricks cites several ways to include audio linked QR codes to classroom activities
• Can You Hear Me Now? Supporting Learners with Audio Resources from Chirbit - great ideas!

Web 2.0 Tool #2: PowToon

Link to PowToon:     

https://www.powtoon.com/

Link to example of PowToon in use:   

https://www.powtoon.com/c/eXVkiAQUmwK/1/m


Description of Powtoon: 
PowToon is a Web 2.0 tool that can be used with ease and creativity by both teachers and students alike to create professional looking animated presentations. A user simply "create[s] a new project" by following the PowToon three step storyboard process: (1) choose a look or select from a pre-made template, (2) build a story, and (3) edit content. The editing of content is a lot of fun as PowToon has an included a collection of dynamic backgrounds, captivating text types, full library of images (some animated), multitude of objects, several graph types, and sounds for users to play with. Furthermore, if a user cannot seem to find what he/she is looking for in the pretty extensive PowToon collection, then he/she can do a search within PowToon or upload their own backgrounds, images, and sounds. PowToon even offers users the option to record voiceover for an entire presentation or per slide, which is a wonderful feature.

The linked example PowToon included above serves as a model for students to view before they engage in a project based lesson. During the lesson, students create a "5 Facts About My Instrument" animated presentation of their own using the Web 2.0 tool. After watching the sample, students can explore "How-To" tutorials on the PowToon website and play with the tool before the design phase. Using PowToon to create allows students a lot of creative freedom, which is extremely empowering. I can see incorporating this tool seamlessly into many more project based lessons in my classroom as well as using it simply to present content to my students.

It is important to note that I created the "5 Facts About My Violin" example as a free subscriber, not as a "Pro Plan" member. At first glance, you will see that the "5 Facts" and other pre-made templates are marked for "Pro Plan" users only. However, just because they are marked as such does not mean that free subscribers cannot use them. The following screenshots will show you how to access these "Pro Plan" templates without paying, which is a huge bonus:

Notice the "PRO PLAN" distinction -- but have no fear!

.

Read the text in the dark gray box.

• It elaborates on the definition of "PREMIUM (locked)" content and explains that you can delete the object(s) and use the template without it. 
• Underneath the red "UPGRADE NOW" button it says, "Remove all Premium Objects". 
• Click that command and PowToon will automatically get rid of all the "PREMIUM" content that stands in the way, which you can readily replace with new things.

.

Compare the screenshot above to this one.

• While all the text remains, the pictures have been removed. It is the users job to add new ones in their place. 

The example above provides just a few ideas on how to incorporate PowToon in the classroom: (a) have students use it to create an animated presentation on information for a specific project based learning opportunity or (b) you--the teacher--use it to present lesson content to students. Here are several linked articles that can help guide you as well as find more ways to infuse this Web 2.0 animated presentation tool in your classroom:

1. 11 Quick and Easy Ways to Use PowToon in the Classroom - PowToon
2. Common Sense Review: PowToon - Common Sense Education
3. Creating Classroom Accounts - PowToon
4. Powtoon4Edu Blog - PowToon

Web 2.0 Tool #1: Animoto

Link to Animoto:
https://animoto.com/

Link to example(s) of Animoto: 
http://animoto.com/play/wgvqYxXESN9cvZ2V3AWSLA


https://animoto.com/play/TXxSEOniy8qERfoQc6OkNA (English version)
https://animoto.com/play/1yCvj3OcggkMRVNNMrFXHA (Spanish version)



Description of Animoto: 
Animoto is a Web 2.0 tool used to create short videos that incorporate text, photos (with or without captions), and video clips. With the free version, a user can choose to make either a slideshow or a marketing video; generally, the slideshow fits education project perimeters best. After selecting slideshow video, a user decides on a video style, or template, to use. There are over 100 templates to choose from, and 76 are free, so finding one that supports a project's purpose is easy. The next step is to actually create the video, and Animoto's user interface makes the process simple and straightforward. A user has free reign to add text, pictures, and video clips in any order he/she desires. Photos and video clips can be uploaded from the users computer, through services such as Facebook and Instagram, and/or from Animoto's included collection. It is important to note that the free version limits uploaded video clips to 10 seconds, and while this limitation is slightly inconvenient, proper planning and selection of clips beforehand can make this a passable hurdle. Finally, when a user is done creating, he/she merely clicks on "Produce" to finish the video and make it ready to share by link, email, social media account (Facebook or Twitter), or direct embed to a website.

The first Animoto example included above is a advertisement video I created with my advanced instrumental music students to promote their Winter concert. The students decided on specific text to include, choose pictures from Animoto's collection, and selected video clips that featured previews of the concert selections. The video was shared on my classroom website, broadcast live on the school's morning show, and sent via email to local police/fire departments as an invitation to attend the event.

The second Animoto example included above is a teacher introduction video -- one in English and the other in Spanish -- I created as a way to share some personal information about myself with students and their parents/guardians. I uploaded pictures of myself taken at different times throughout my life to show how I developed a love for learning and music from an early age. The videos are shared on my classroom website in a section dedicated to getting to know me.

These two examples provide just a few ideas -- event advertisement and autobiography -- for how Animoto can be used in the classroom. Here are a few linked articles that can help you further scratch the surface on the innovative ways to employ Animoto in yours:

• Bringing Lessons to Life with Animoto - readwritethink.org provides lesson ideas/plans
• 10 Ways to Use Video in Your Classroom - Animoto blog describes 10 ways to employ the tool
• Animoto Analysis - TeachWeb2.0 blog analyzes Animoto's strengths, weaknesses, and uses

Purpose of This Blog

Greetings!

My name is Ashley Chapin, and I am a Maryland-based elementary instrumental music teacher (band and orchestra) for students in grades 4 through 6 at three schools within the Prince George's County Public School system. 

I am currently enrolled in the Master of Education in Instructional Technology program at University of Maryland University College (UMUC). As part of my sixth course of study entitled "Hardware and Software in Instructional Development", I have been tasked to make this blog, which houses a series of mini-projects created with Web 2.0 tools that I can use in my classroom. The purpose of the completed blog is to serve as a tutorial of sorts, one that educators can access for ideas on how to infuse the featured tools in lessons. Finally, it is hoped that the posts demonstrate just how easy it is to integrate and how valuable these Web 2.0 tools can be in the classroom.

I hope you enjoy the mini-projects that I have created. May they provide you with some ideas and inspiration as you go forward to use them in your own classrooms!