Tools and TechniquesJune 5, 2008

New Tools, New Techniques

The International History Detectives

Life ‘Round Here Voices for Darfur

Blog: a website that allows readers to comment on the content

WordPress MU (internal blog): blogs.micds.org◦ Public but only MICDS students/faculty can

comment◦ Every student and teacher has a blog◦ Students post to their specific classes◦ WordPress can accept text, images, audio and

video

Wiki: a webpage that can be viewed and edited by multiple authors

Media Wiki (internal): wiki.micds.org◦ Public but only MICDS students & faculty can edit◦ Requires some knowledge of wiki syntax

WikiSpaces (external): wikispaces.com◦ Public, Protected, or Private◦ No syntax necessary; accepts multimedia

Google Docs: free web-based word processor and spreadsheet which allow you share and collaborate online.

Users must have a Google account Can upload Word/Excel/PowerPoint files or

start from scratch (Office 2003 only) Spreadsheets can be turned into forms for

collecting information

VoiceThread: users can upload images, video, PowerPoint, PDF and Word files

Viewers can leave audio, video, and text comments

VoiceThreads can be public or private Teachers can purchase VoiceThread Ed for

classroom use; this simplifies adding users and managing projects

EASY BUT LIMITED HARDER BUT VERSATILE

Slideshare allows you to upload PowerPoint and PDF files to share on your blog or wiki

PowerPoints will not have effects or audio

Splashcast is similar but is far more versatile (i.e. images, audio, video, text, etc.)

Projects are truly multi-media

Skype is a free service for making VoIP audio and video calls

Ning social networks exist for all personal and professional interests

Delicious is a social bookmarking tool ePals is an email-based system for finding

schools/teachers for collaboration Twitter is a tool for creating a PLN (personal

learning network)