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