DropBox

Drop Box is an easy way to store, sync, and, share files online. There's no complicated interface to learn. Drop Box works seamlessly with any operating system. Teachers can use Drop Box as a way to backup school files and share documents between colleagues.


Assignments

1. Create a Dropbox account
2. Create a shared folder
3. Upload a document to the shared folder. Documents shared can include a picture, text, and short video. 
4. Post a reflection to this post.  What do you think about Dropbox?  Do you see a benefit of using Dropbox in education?  Is this something you would want to use with students or fellow teachers? 

Social Media Sites

Social media -- tools that allow the sharing of information and creation of communities through online networks of people. Some examples of social media sites are Twitter, Facebook, Skype, Vimeo, YouTube, Flickr, Edmodo, Digg, and StumbleUpon.


Assignment:

1. Write a reflection and include your thoughts on using Social Media in the classroom. Is there an appropriate and purposeful way to use social media in schools?

12. Online Photo Sharing

December 1, 2011 - Online Photo Sharing
There are many online tools to help you organize, store, share and edit your photographs. This class will outline some of those services.


Assignments:
1. Create an account on Flikr.
2. Upload at least one photo to your Flikr account.
3. Make at least one comment on another user's photo on Flikr.
2. Choose 2 of the many other online photo sharing and editing sites.
3. Comment on this post. Include ways you could use online photo sharing as an educator, something you learned in class, or thoughts about one of the photo sharing sites you explored.


Photo Sharing / Editing Sites:
Picasa
Pics4Learning
Picnik
PhotoBucket
snapfish
shutterfly
SmugMug
Phanfare
Zenfolio
PhotoShop.com
Fotolog
MobileMe Gallery 
Top 20 Photo Storage and Sharing Sites
Top 10 Free Online Photo Editing Sites

11. Podcasting and iTunes

November 17, 2011 - Podcasting and iTunes
A podcast is a series of digital media files (either audio or video) that are released episodically and downloaded through web syndication. Podcasting provide an engaging learning environment for students. It provides activities for researching, organizing, editing, recording, and a medium to express their creativity.  Podcasting - Podcasting is used across the curriculum giving all students the opportunity to showcase their finished product. 

iTunes is a digital media player used for playing and organizing digital music and video files.  iTunes U is an innovative way to get educational material in the hands of students.

Assignments:
1. Explore the many podcasts available in iTunes and iTunesU.
2. Create a podcast using GarageBand.
3. Comment on this post. Include ways you could use podcasting with your students, something you learned in class, or thoughts about a podcast you viewed.

10. Google Apps

November 10, 2011 - Google Apps
Google Apps are used for communication, collaboration, and to help build a 21st century environment within the classroom.

Assignments:
1. Create a Google account. (If you have already created a Blogspot account, then you already have a Google account.)
2. Explore the many apps available with your Google account.
3. Create your own Google doc, Google calendar, and one other Google app of your choice.
4. Comment on this post. Include ways you could use Google Apps with your students, something you learned in class, or thoughts about a Google App you tried.

9. VoiceThread

November 3, 2011 -  VoiceThread
VoiceThread is a collaborative, multimedia slide show that holds images, documents, and videos and allows people to navigate pages and leave comments in 5 ways - using voice (with a mic or telephone), text, audio file, or video (via a web cam). Share a VoiceThread with friends, students, and colleagues for them to record comments too.

Assignments:
1. Create a VoiceThread account.
2. Build a VoiceThread using the storyboard you started last week and the digital media you brought to class.
3. Post at least one video comment, one audio comment, and one written comment on your VoiceThread project.
4. Comment on this post. Include ways you could use VoiceThread with your students, something you learned in class, or thoughts about VoiceThread.

View the video of our VoiceThread class on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNSVXOT1ToA

8. Digital Storytelling

October 27, 2011 - Digital Storytelling
Digital Storytelling is the modern expression of the ancient art of storytelling. Digital stories comprise images, music, narrative and voice to express the student thoughts from autobiographies to historical events across the curriculum.

Assignments:
1. Create a script and storyboard for your own digital story and bring it with you to next week's class.
2. Bring digital media (photos, video, music) to class next week that go along with your storyboard.
3. Explore the online resources for digital storytelling listed on the class website.
4. Comment on this post. Include ways you could use digital storytelling with your students, something you learned in class, or thoughts about a digital storytelling resource you explored.