Technology integration doesn't have to be overly complex to be effective. Here's a simple idea that can be very powerful-- ask students to share something in a voice recording. This might be their reaction to some reading or explaining a concept in their own words. Think of how what you get might compare to what they would write.
image from pixabay.com
How is this done?
To record:
For students with smartphones, use the built in voice memo app (or try one of the many free apps available for iOS or Android).
For students with laptops, use the built in microphone to record to TwistedWave (web app) or Audacity (installed app).
Other students can borrow a handheld digital recorder or a mic to connect to a computer (from 118).
To share:
Smartphones-- install the Google Drive app (for iOS). Share the audio file to Google Drive
TwistedWave-- File..Send..Google Drive
Audacity-- save as mp3, then upload to Google Drive
Once in Drive, share the file just as you would a Google Doc.
The audio will play inside Google Drive.
Here's a screencast on using TwistedWave and sharing from Google Drive:
When explaining something computer-related, it is often helpful to capture either a still image of the screen (called a screenshot) or a video of the screen as you do your thing-- often recording your voice narration, as well (called a screencast).
I've mentioned various tools for doing this in the past, but I started using a new one recently, and I'd recommend it for two reasons:
It's easy to use
It automatically stores your screenshots and screencasts in Google Drive for easy sharing.
I made a how-to video. Here's an index so you can skip ahead if desired:
0:00 What is screencasting?
0:55 Signing into Chrome
1:45 Starting up Snagit
2:18 Granting permissions for Snagit
3:00 Capturing screenshots (still images)
4:24 Capturing screencasts (video of the screen)
For those who prefer the short and sweet written steps:
Sign into Chrome
Click the SnagIt Extension (white S in a blue square)
Grant the necessary permissions
Click the extension again
Use the sidebar menu to take screenshots and screencasts
These are automatically saved in Google Drive for sharing
(full disclosure on the video above-- I didn't actually use the extension itself to make the video, because I demo it in the video. You can't use a camera to take a picture of itself !).
I've been working with several classes using WeVideo this year so I thought I'd create a single help site with resources and documents. I'll be adding to the site as we continue to use WeVideo.
If you're wondering what the heck I'm talking about, you must check out WeVideo! It's a web-based video editing tool. It's easy to use and you can publish your final product to YouTube, Google Drive, Vimeo, etc.
Here's an example of a video done from my office webcam:
Please check out the help site and let me know if I can help you get started.
In my last post, I mentioned using the word "embed" to show a Google Map with less clutter. This is a workaround for a specific issue, what does embed actually mean?
It's easiest to explain by example. See the YouTube video playing here?
While you're watching the video inside this blog post, it's actually playing from YouTube. The video is embedded in the post.
Here's an embedded map, as another example. You can manipulate it just as if you were on the Google Maps site. Once again, the functionality of the map comes from Google Maps. This blog post just has a container (or "window") holding the content.
So how is it done?
First, check to see see if the content you want to put on your website, blog, etc, provides embed code. In addition to YouTube and Google Maps, you can find embed code from Prezi, LucidPress, SoundCloud, and many other presentation sites, Vimeo and other video sites, Twitter feeds, news sites and more.
Typical icons for embed code are< > or </>or < > HTML.
For example, here's how I found embed code for a video from the New York Times:
Copy the embed code provided. It will typically start with <iframe>, something like this:
Now, on the website or blog (for example, Weebly, Moodle, Google Sites, Blogger, etc.) where you want the content to play, click the icon to insert HTML or embed code. This is important, because you are inserting code, not "normal" text."
Paste in the embed code. You can adjust width and height and other settings by examining the code, if needed. Return to the normal editor, if necessary.
Have you ever wanted to hide the side panel and tools in a custom Google Map? While the panel does create a legend for the map, some find that it takes up too much room and adds clutter.
Here's how to hide:
Look for the word edit in the URL of the map. Change it to embed.
