Now you can learn to podcast and get 2 college credits at the same time. I will be offering a online podcasting course this spring through Ottawa University. During this 3 week course, you will learn how podcasting can be integrated into their classroom curriculum. You will also learn how to create, edit and publish a podcast, along with some basic techniques that will be beneficial in producing an educational podcast. Register now, seating is limited!

Course runs from March 3 - 17

Download Course Information (course on page 8)
Download Application Form and Payment Form

One of the most powerful tools that I use for teaching online course is screen recording or sometimes called screen casts. Screen recording  is a digital recording the computer screen. Not only can you capture the video but audio can be captured also, allowing narration to take place. Really good screen recording software can very expensive, but recently I found an online screen recording tool that is free. Since ScreenToaster is online, it works with any platform (Windows Vista, Mac OS and Linux) and also allows the final project to be converted to Flash so they can be shared online. Now, the only problem with ScreenToaster is that it is currently in its Beta stages...so you have to register to get an invitation key. For more information or to register [Click Here]

Recently, I have been trying to locate software that can be used to do green screen video. During my search I stumble across some software call ManyCam. ManyCam software can be used with any web-cam, and it allows to work with multiple applications. The software also allows you to add cool graphics to your web-cam videos and pictures. Some of the great features of this software are:
* Add still graphics or animated graphic to the background of video and pictures
* Add avatars and animated objects to videos and pictures
* Add special effects to images and videos
* Add face accessories to images and videos (hair, eyebrows, masks)
* Add text to your web-cam video window with any application.
* Draw on top of your video and stills

The great thing about this software is universal it is. Not only can it capture live form you web cam, but you can also import video, still images and capture your desktop.

ManyCam is FREE and is a great addition to any classroom or personal computer.  For more information or o download you own copy [Click Here]

Recently, I had the chance to try out a couple more small laptops called netbooks. Last month, I tried out the Dell Mini 9, which was a very nice netbook for the price. This month I tried out the ASUS Eee PC 1000 and the Acer Aspire One, both of which have received very good reviews...but to be honest, there is nothing better than to try them out for yourself.

The ASUS is the largest of the netbooks, boasting a 10 inch screen. It also offers a larger keyboard than the rest, making it a winner in my book. The ASUS comes loaded with the choice of operating systems, Linux or XP Home edition. It also uses the faster 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor along with 1GB of DDR memory. The chassis has an Ethernet port, a single USB port, plus a pair of audio ports. There are two additional USB ports, an SD card reader and a VGA output. Like many of the netbooks, the ASUS also has a built in webcam. (Additional upgrade options available)

Pros:
Lager screen and keyboard
Brightest screen
6 cell 7 hour removable battery
Faster surfing
Faster booting
Great sound for the size
1.3 mega pixel web cam

 

The next netbook is the Acer Aspire One. Having owned an Acer in the past, I confident that it would not let me down. The Acer offer the user an 8.9" screen, which is reflected in a smaller keyboard...about an inch smaller that the ASUS, which I found to be the biggest downside to this laptop. But, like the ASUS, the Acer is packed with the 1.6GHz Atom processor and 160 GB hard drive or an 8GB SSD storage drive and an 802.11g/b wireless card and a webcam. The Acer also comes loaded with Linux or Windows XP Home along with three USB ports, SD card reader, an Ethernet port and a VGA-out. There's a Kensington lock too, naturally, as well as a headphone and microphone port. (Additional upgrade option available)

Pros:
Chasiss had solid feel
1 year warranty upgradable to 2 year warranty
Bright crisp LCD screen
6 cell 7 hour removable battery

Between the two laptops, my favorite is the ASUS Eee PC 1000...which really surprised me. Not only did the larger keyboard make my surfing and typing a breeze, but it also had a more solid feel. The mouse design also made navigating easier because the mouse buttons were located at the bottom of the mouse, while the Acer put them on the side. I also noticed that it ran faster. Now the faster operation could be because the ASUS was running Linux on a solid state hard drive while the Acer was running XP Home on a 160 Gig SATA hard drive.

Pricing for the laptops run around $349 dollars on up depending upon upgrade options and operating systems.

For additional information on these netbooks, go to:
ASUS [Click Here]

Acer [Click Here]

 

 

 

Here is a great Web 2.0 tool that will have many uses in your classroom...no matter what age you teach. Wordle is a great tool for generating something called word clouds. Either type or copy and paste in your text and let Wordle generate a unique word cloud. The clouds created give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. Wordle lets users change fonts, layouts, and color schemes. The images you create with Wordle are yours to use however you like. You can print them out, save them or do a print screen to save your project. Wordle would be a great way for students to check what words are being over used in their writing by simply past their text into the Wordle text box. Another way to use Wordle in the classroom is to have students create special word walls (Examples: adjectives, synonyms, antonyms)