Wideo
The first site I'd like to share is an online video maker. I selected this site because the name just sounds fun! Creating an account was super simple and FREE. The only thing that may be a drawback here is that the site is still in beta, which means it could be a here today, gone tomorrow type of site. However, I decided to give it a try. Here's a basic overview of how to use it.
Since this is the first time I've ever been to the site and I'm the type of person who is a little timid to try something like this without a base of knowledge, I clicked on the "Learn" tab at the top of the page. One on this page, you have 7 "How To" videos to choose from and watch. The first 5 of them are all 5 minutes or less in length, which makes for an easy quick intro to the different options that are available in Wideo. Video 6 is a 30 minute long webinar and video 7 is about an hour long. If you have the time and really want to learn how to use this program, watch these! On this page, there is also a link to download a storyboard. This is a great option to have when using with students.
Now, to create a video. You can start with a template from the template page or click "New Wideo" to see all the template options, including a start from scratch option. These two pages are very similar and take you the same place, so I'm not sure if both are needed. When you start from scratch, it opens in a new window with a short tutorial video. You can watch this or not. I found it helpful and would recommend my students watch it before getting started.
As I started creating my video, I loved that there are a ton of options to choose from when creating something from scratch. I also like that a tip box pops up on the side of the screen when you begin to animate your objects. Basic step-by-step instructions make it a no brainer to animate. LOVE! :) I did have a few glitches at first when trying to animate my text. However, I played with it a bit and would be able to coach someone through it, now.
I stumbled through a couple slides and came up with a very short intro that can be showed to staff at my new school. I simply saved it, gave it a title, and clicked share. I did find that in order to download your video, you have to pay for an upgraded account. However, you can embed or post a link to it without charge. So....here's my wideo!
As a person who is big on making to-do lists, I often find that my lists disappear, get buried under other paperwork, or aren't sticky enough to stay put. 42 Tasks is the answer. Registering is a breeze and this program is free. Also, there are apps for both Android and Apple, which is great for all users. To add an item, just type what you want to add to your list in the box, then click enter. A calendar with a few different options will pop up.
Select the day you want to add it to, choose which folder and time, then click save. The list seems to generate according to the order you add it, but simply click on the month tabs to go to exactly which month you want to see. There are a couple other options, such as selecting a background color. Limited choices, but the background doesn't matter much to me. You can also add notes to your agenda items and create different workspaces.
If you add something to the wrong workspace, simply click on the pencil beside it and change your workspace. Easy peasy! I definitely will be using this in my new position this year! I am also going to share it with my coworkers.
Another great thing about this is that you can add contacts to your workspaces. That way, you can work on a project together and add to one list instead of having multiple floating around in cyberspace. Due to connection issues, I wasn't able to download the app to my phone to see the comparison between the two. However, I am planning to download, so I can have the app at hand all the time.
Padlet is a site that I have used before in the classroom, but today I'm giving it a look from the prospective of an Instructional Coach. Since I plan to use this site next year, I went ahead and created an account. 2 steps and you are in! Once you have created an account, click on the plus sign and create your new board.
This is the the panel that shows up on the side of the page when you create your board. You can modify settings from here. I clicked on "Modify Wall" to get more options. Here's what I ended up with.
I really like that you can select different options for labels or add your own photo. Depending on what you are using it for, you can add a portrait that fits your topic, such as a picture of the capital building for a post on government. This is where I added a title and description as well. I also added a background. Settings for this are similar to that of the portrait option, add one that they give you or your own. One option that I really like is the layout option. If you can handle the chaos of the freeform option, your users can post anywhere. If that bothers you, like it does me, you can select the "stream" option and posts are made below the last thing posted.
The privacy options are great when using this with a class. I don't like to use things that can be searched for by the public when my students are using it. Personally, I like using things that are password protected. I feel it locks things down a bit more for my kiddos. I also liked being able to choose the URL that can be shared. Makes it a lot easier to type in. Or you can use the link given to you, and use a URL shortener to share a shortened link with users.
I used this site when it was called WallWisher as a brainstorming board with my students. Now that it is Padlet, and has more options, I really like it!
This is definitely a site that will be used during PD sessions for back channeling or during staff meetings to gather more information that may not have time to be shared.
Out of all the sites that I shared and explored today, I really like all of them. I plan to use them all next year and can't wait to get started!
I like the sites you chose to investigate this week! I really like the list making site, however, I would spend more time on the site creating my "to do" lists then doing the things on the list! :) But I really liked the padlet site and you are not the first student to review this -- you make some good points about password protection and security and I think that those are important when using a website such as this one. Great descriptions.
ReplyDeleteYour toolbox is full! Great write up on the shorteners, QR codes and bookmarklets -- seems that you are no stranger to these -- I like the idea of a website a week!