Tech vets go toe-to-toe on the latest tools that can improve instruction, boost productivity, or just help make users' lives a bit more organized.
* By Chris Riedel
* 01/20/10
Which technology tools can help improve teaching and learning? Which can boost productivity? Which are just plain useful for keeping organized? Education technology veterans shared their lists of apps intended to make life in and out of the classroom faster, easier, and, well, better.
At the FETC 2010 conference in Orlando, FL last week, speakers Hall Davidson and John Kuglin were joined by Leslie Fisher for a game of one-upmanship as each gave a packed house the rundown on their favorite new--and not so new--apps, platforms, and gadgets in a session dubbed the "Sandbox Shoot-Out."
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As a former secondary and post-secondary educator and current director of educator outreach for the Discovery Educator Network, Hall Davidson spends a lot of time thinking about how to use technology in education. For his list, he focused on software for capturing information and using it to enhance instruction.
* Jing: This screen capture software lets users record still images or video from of the desktop. Files can be saved to a hard drive or hosted on Jing's servers. Davidson described it as great for sharing lesson plans, recording classroom activities, and creating interactive curricula. Using a Webcam, teachers can even record and embed videos in Google Earth. The free version saves Flash-based files only; the paid service offers additional options.
# BT-1 Bluetooth Web Cam: Available for around $150, this Bluetooth-based wireless Webcam has an effective range (judging from the distance Davidson was able to use it) of around 15 feet to 20 feet. He said the camera is great for capturing action without being tethered to a computer.
Further information: bt-1.com
# Photo Booth: Although a number of photo editing ad effects tools exist for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux, Davidson singled out Apple's consumer-grade tool called Photo Booth. As the integrated Mac OS X software for recording videos and stills from the iSight camera, Photo Booth has several stock effects, including the ability to use a custom backdrop (from either an image or video file) to put teachers and students anywhere in the word--or anywhere in history.
Further information: apple.com
# Poll Everywhere: A Web-based polling tool that allows users to create polls and receive results from participants via SMS (text), as well as Twitter and the Web. Results are displayed in real-time, and the service is free for up to 30 participants. Polls can be embedded into other media, including PowerPoint presentations
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