Instructional Inspirations: Online Apps & Tools

Animoto

http://animoto.com/

 Animoto provides an array of tools for creating videos in your classroom. Create your owns brief video presentations using photos and video clips.

Suggested use: Make a quick introductory video to play at the beginning of library instruction or use for quick tutorials or marketing library resources. 

• Check out this Animoto video MCC used to market IFS 101: http://animoto.com/play/XLfoDUdQPAuG1FPRyE6Veg?utm_content=main_link

Jing

http://www.techsmith.com/jing/

Jing captures anything you see on your computer screen as an image or short video and lets you share instantly.

Suggested use: Great for quick and "on the fly" tutorials!

Sceenr

http://www.screenr.com

Screenr is a free web based screen recorder that enables you to make your own videos and share them on the web.

Suggested use: Great for creating short videos to demonstrate database access and searching.

Xtranormal

http://edu.xtranormal.com/

Make your own movies! Choose your characters, type or record your dialogue and select your background. Lots of fun!

Suggested use: Great for tutorials! Because this tool is so easy to use, as part of a library instruction, have students create a brief video about the library - for example - make a 1 minute video on circulation policies at the library. 

• Check out this video on Scholarly vs. Popular using Xtranormal: http://youtu.be/o63WOuipAd4

Glogster

http://edu.glogster.com/

 Poster yourself - Make your interactive poster easily and share it with friends. Mix Images, Text, Music and Video.

Suggested use: Make presentations in place of a power point to use in library instruction!

• Check out this glogster created by Kelly Lambert at PC:   http://kellylambert.glogster.com/ifs102-information-skills-in-a-global-society/

Prezi

http://prezi.com/

Very cool FREE tool for making online presentations. Similar concept to PowerPoint but so much more fun. Check it out!

Suggested use: Use for library instruction and presentations instead of powerpoint. Prezi's can be posted and shared online making them viewable to others. Also a great tool for quick tutorials.

Join Me

https://join.me/

Instant screen sharing for online meetings and conferences.

Suggested use: A great "after class" screen sharing tool where students can "join" you online. You can see their desktop to assist with navigation, trouble-shooting, citations, etc.

Weebly

 http://www.weebly.com/

Create your own website using easy drag and drop website building tools including cloud hosting, images, multi-media and more!

Suggested use: Use for class presentations, as an e-portfolio, to organize class material online, in place of a libguide or create online tutorials. 

Project Information Literacy

http://projectinfolit.org/pilvideos/

Access videos and dialogs all about information literacy.

Suggested use: Show videos in class to introduce topics such as "Frustrations with the Research Process" or using Wikipedia.

Online Stopwatch

http://www.online-stopwatch.com/

Cool online timer with multiple format options.

Suggested Use: Use for "timing" in-class activities and group work to keep you and the students on schedule!

Wall Wisher 

http://www.wallwisher.com/

Wall Wisher for online posting of ideas, thoughts etc. Using post-its without the paper!

Suggested Use:

• ask students to post what they want to learn about the library
• post one thing you find frustrating about the library or about trying to do research in general
• post your topic or thesis statement
• use for assessment at the end of instruction (did they learn anything, etc.)

Suggested Use: The two following technologies are great for anonymous polling and assessment. Introductory questions can be used to gage the student level of "library knowledge" then to quiz students on concepts throughout library instruction and reinforce what you are teaching.

Clickers! (Audience Response System)

MCC uses Turning Technologies remote response devices to poll students and assess learning. Works with powerpoint slides in conjunction with Turning Technologies software. Although the software is free to download, you do have to purchase the remote devices and response receiver from Turning Technologies.

http://www.turningtechnologies.com/

Poll Everywhere

Free audience response system that uses mobile phones, twitter and the web to gather responses from users. Responses are displayed in real-time.

http://www.polleverywhere.com/

Return to Library Resources Home