Tokbox, is a learning device that provides free video calling, video conferencing, and instant messaging services. Tokbox enables users to create video posts and send them to other sites such as Twitter or Facebook.
The number of participants to attend a video conferencing at one setting is not limited. It is determined by Tokbox that during a conference up to 25 computers is a justifiable amount. The video clips can be recorded and sent out as emails to other Tokbox users or to any email address.
As an instructional tool, Tokbox can be used by the teacher to communicate with parents to provide class assignments, progress reports, and upcoming events. The instructor can also use this for communicating with students who are absent, to provide the class assignments, provide clarification relative to the assignments, and to provide feedback. It is also an excellent tool to show what a final product should look like or for modeling an activity or strategy.
Students can also use this tool to visually communicate with each other regarding assignments, or just to chat. Students who are less likely to speak up in class to ask questions, like myself, will find this tool beneficial for this purpose. Tokbox does not require software to be installed to use the video conferencing features except the Adobe Flash.
I learned about this tool from another technology class and wanted to try it out by sending video clips and email messages to my family back home. This tool enables the users to take pictures, record messages, and to talk back and forth like talking on the phone. It makes life easier to reach other by talking with each other and at the same time able to see each other though they are in remote places. My adopted daughter, who is now in college, with limited computer skills wants to try this tool.
Slideshare is useful for sharing slide presentations and other document like pdfs. Slideshare allows the user to embed slideshows into their own blog or website. Slideshows can be shared publically or privately. Audio can also be added to the slideshows and can be linked to other social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. The user uploads slides, documents, ideas, and information to share information, or just be connected with friends or colleagues. This tool enables you to produce as many photos and share them with your friends and colleagues. It is inexpensive and there is no cost for establishing an account with Slideshare.
This tool enables others with the same interests to view your show conveniently. It is easy to use but uploading of materials may take time depending on the size of your file and the speed of your server.
Teachers and students can have fun taking pictures then uploading them to slideshare for a slideshow presentation. There is no limit to the number of presentations that can be created. Presentations can be presented directly from the website or the URL andl can be embedded into your blog page. Slideshows can be created for presentations in social studies, science, language arts, and even math. Teachers can also create a slideshow of vocabulary words. Teachers can also use the tool to create lesson plans that can be shared with other teachers.
Slideshare is free and good for to present presentations. Slideshare.com is one way to upload pictures and produce slideshows. For me, it is one way to view my photographs without spending money to develop the pictures. Slideshare is considered the “largest community for showing presentations on the web.”
For those of us with limited technological skills, this is the tool for us. All we need to do is create a FREE account. Download your selected pictures to a folder in your computer. Upload the pictures in the order you want to show them. Then step by step follow the easy directions which are very easy to follow. The final product is worth the time and effort you have spent.
What is Voice Thread? Voice Thread is a collaborative, multimedia slide show that holds images, documents, and videos. It allows people to navigate slides and leave comments using voice, text, audio file, or video.
I heard about voice thread before but never thought about using it. This semester, I am require to submit my assignment using video or pod casts and thought of exploring voice thread to check its features especially and what it offers regarding it uses on doing and submitting of assignments. Using it with my first assignment was confusing . After I watched the short video on its introduction and the steps on how to create a voice thread, brought me the feeling confidence that I am able to do any slide show and record my scripts using microphone. I consider voice thread as a good tool for teachers to use for educational purposes.
Teachers can use voice thread to send comment either ways, using voice, text or video. It is really good for interactive purposes. It allows teacher to interact with students or vice-versa and students with fellow students. Slide presentations can be created saved and shared. This is a good tool for doing a project. Students can interact with each other using this tool by recording or texting comment and exchange with each other information about their project or topic given from the teacher. Teacher can give feedback and comments on their final product using this tool too. I think this tool work best for both special education and regular students. Students cannot use their hands to make comment can do the comment using audio. Students have difficulty speaking can do the comment using text.
I like this tool because it gives you different choices to use to do the comment or create your multimedia slide. Most of our students are visual learner. This is the reason why I favor this side as an educational tool for teacher to use for learning and teaching.
The last technology tool that I chose to assess is Google. Google is considered to one of the top search engines in the world. It offers a wide variety of services including but not limited to internet searches, services for creating blogs and sending and receiving email messages. Google also provides social networking tools, organizational tools and chat tools as well as services for mobile devices.
The features of Google that are useful for classroom instruction are gmail which can be used for written communication between teacher, students, and parents. You can also use document in gmail to do survey or send assignments to students or note to parents. Students can use google in class to use the internet to search for article, resources, search images, post their blogs, to communicate with their classmates locally and abroad, download photos, create and to organize site that can be used as a portfolio of their work. It has a very nice web photo album and calendar feature too. The best part of this was that it was free!
Before, I have my gmail account but I did not use it often. I used it only for email and chatting. This semester I am amazed with what it has to offer. I am introduced to document features in gmail that can allow you to do certain things such as create survey, spreadsheet, drawing and slide presentation. The interesting and important aspect of Google gave and motivated me to try that out. Now that I am aware of the good qualities that it has, and that I am motivated, using it will be more frequent. Google is an excellent tool for educational purposes. I will also utilize it mainly as a teaching tool for my students. Google allows teacher to interact with students, or vice-versa, and students with fellow students. Slide presentations and spreadsheets can be created, saved and shared. I like how it can link to a lot of sites, it being by Google. I can see this technology as one that can be put good use in my classroom.
