Quietube

Quietube - Video without the distractions

Showing a YouTube video to your classes and want to get rid of the ads, suggested videos and inappropriate comments? Want to share a video with your students?

Check out Quietube.

Quietube will take an online video and remove the extra information on the page.

You can change the background to black or white. You can also get a short URL that directs students to the simplified page.

Quietube currently works on YouTube, Viddler, and Vimeo with more supported sites to come.

Quietube works through a bookmarklet.  A bookmarklet is a small computer script.  You drag it to your bookmark toolbar in your web browser.  When you find the video you want, you click on the bookmarklet and Quietube does the rest.

A similar site is SafeShare.

If you would like to share only selected clips of YouTube videos, check out TubeChop and Splicd.

Fakebook

This tool is for educational purposes and is not a social networking site.

Let's get students excited about research!

Do you want your students excited about doing research?  Here is a way to make them want to do their assignment and make it relevant to them as well.  "Fakebook" is an online program that teachers and students can use to create imaginary profile pages.  These pages can be created to introduce new material or as a research project for students on key historical figures, historical events, characters in a book, etc.  There is also a searchable archive of created "Fakebooks" for you to browse that include Math, Chemistry, Geography, Music and much much more.

Here are some added features the site boasts:

• Save your work for later viewing/editing.  You will get a unique URL for your Fakebook!
• Search the Fakebook archive for creations by other people.
• Print off a paper version of your Fakebook.
• Get the code for your Fakebook so you can embed it into your own blog, website or wiki.
• Get a HTML version of your Fakebook.
• A Helpsheet is provided to get your started.

What does this look like? Here is an example from the "Fakebook" site.

Click here to see the full page.

Excited?  Great!  Click here to get started.

QR Codes

QR Codes

Quick Response Codes

 

  Scan above to see where it takes you! Yes -- you can scan thru a projection or computer!

QR codes are optical labels, first popular with the automotive industry, that record data using black dots in a square pattern on a white background.

Download the QR Code Reader App for iOS or Android Devices.

 Access QR Code Generating Sites here or here.

Here is an example of the periodic table that will take you to videos about the element.

 

Other ways to use QR Codes:

 

Make a classroom Treasure Hunt were students complete questions around your classroom or school.

Have students create work and submit the QR Code as there final project. Display for parent night.

Post the homework or enrichment activity for the day outside your door for students to scan.

Add to assignments to hi-light webpages/databases.

Have students create codes for work and have students share their work by exchanging QR codes.

As always, stop by the library to discuss ideas and other uses of QR Codes with the campus librarian.

Scoop.it

Are all your websites bookmarked on one computer . . . your other computer?

Do you have websites that you would like to share with your students or colleagues?

Are you addicted to Pinterest and want something similar for your professional learning?

Check out Scoop.it.

from the website:
Scoop.it lets you share ideas that matter and shine on the Web through beautiful topic pages. Collect relevant content and add your insight to attract an avid audience. As a social media and content curation publishing platform, Scoop.it gives you an effective and efficient way to build your Online presence.


Not only can you store your bookmarks in one place that is accessible from any device with Internet access, you can annotate them, tag with labels, and highlight important sections.

You can create up to 5 topics for free.  Scoop.it will also suggest content for you to add to your page.

Ideas for Scoop.it:

Create a Scoop.it for your next class project to help direct student research.

Share useful articles with your department and stimulate discussions.



Check out my first Scoop.it topic on e-books.


Other bookmarking/curation sites you might want to check out:
Delicious
Diigo
Pinterest
Storify
Symbaloo

LiveBinders

Do you still have 3-ring binders full of materials you use in the classroom that you lug around everywhere?  Have you ever forgotten that binder at home or school and couldn’t access your information?  Now there is a solution for you to create those binders online so you can access your information from anywhere and share them with your department.

It is an easy way for you to collect and organize your resources.  You can save websites, videos, pictures, and even documents.  All you have to do is sign up for free and a tutorial binder is created for you.

Watch this introductory video and be amazed. 

For more information or to create an account, visit LiveBinders.

Voki.com

Voki.com

"Create and Customize a Speaking Character to express yourself, communicate and interact with your friends."

We could go a step further and add "for teachers to communicate and interact with their students and students with their teachers".

Click the ARROW on the lower left to play the Voki.

Click the link below if you are reading this from an email message. 
The Voki will play in a new window.
http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=7434335&height=267&width=200

Some ideas for the classroom: reciting student created poetry, restating the steps taken during an activity/experiment, tell a story from the point of view of a book character or person from history. The list can go on and on.

Voki Lesson Plan Database can be found at http://www.voki.com/lesson_plans.php

or in the Teacher Forum at http://forums.voki.com/forums/list.page

While Voki.com does offer a paid version, almost all lessons and activities can be done using the free version. Students in grades 8-12 should have no issues using their school Gmail account to create their own Voki account.