Both sites contain a huge amount of content on various subjects. The video source vary from user generated, to some that are copy righted, and so forth.
Extensive tagging is quite essential to organize and categorise the content. A feature of channels is also quite handy to classify user's videos.
Embedding technology is awesome and very convenient. I don't have to download a potentially big video, then upload it to my site.
An interesting item on both sites is the featured videos of the day. These are good starter feature for when one wants to "hung out" or pick a new interest because they will lead you on to other similar videos.
Teacher tube features documents as well in different formats pdf, word, etc.
I went hunting for science related videos. I found Bill Nye's numerous science videos. In class we have always used his VHS videos. We now have a new science wing that has updated technology and we can no longer continue using the vhs tapes. I have been using Bill's youtube videos in class and so far they are doing a good job as an alternative to the vhs technology. They have really helped us not to skip a beat as far as using Bill's videos.
I embed here a sample of some of Bill Nye's videos that I recently used in my classroom.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Thing # 17
I previewd the sites 60 Second Science and Websters Word of the Day. These two interested me because I teach science and I enjoy learning new words.
On both sites I found the podcasts were eazily accessible and were listed by titles. Since I have Opera Browser installed on my pc it comes with an in built podcast and RSS feeder downloaders. Listening is eazy via VLC Media player.
I have used podcasting in the classroom with my students. After reading, each student expressed themselves using the podcast and they enjoyed hearing their own voices.
I have also used podcasts in the format of an interview and the students listened to their responses.
Our class topics have ranged from subjects like science, English to hobbies and the lengths vary, running anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.
The students are also excited to download the podcasts to their i-pods.
On both sites I found the podcasts were eazily accessible and were listed by titles. Since I have Opera Browser installed on my pc it comes with an in built podcast and RSS feeder downloaders. Listening is eazy via VLC Media player.
I have used podcasting in the classroom with my students. After reading, each student expressed themselves using the podcast and they enjoyed hearing their own voices.
I have also used podcasts in the format of an interview and the students listened to their responses.
Our class topics have ranged from subjects like science, English to hobbies and the lengths vary, running anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.
The students are also excited to download the podcasts to their i-pods.
Thing # 16
I really liked library thing. It is a great site to review books the books that I would like to read before I buy it. Readers share similar collections and interests and find new books based on recommendations, favorite titles, authors, browsing and serendipity.
LibraryThing enables the reader to create a library-quality catalog of his/her books. One can catalog their entire collection or just the books they are currently reading.
With all the catalogs online, one can contribute book reviews, participate in member forums and catalog their personal library.
The users employ extensive use of tagging to facilitate cataloguing.
The $25 life time fee is extremely fair.
I can see myself using the library thing in my professional life as I continue to read and build up my library.
LibraryThing enables the reader to create a library-quality catalog of his/her books. One can catalog their entire collection or just the books they are currently reading.
With all the catalogs online, one can contribute book reviews, participate in member forums and catalog their personal library.
The users employ extensive use of tagging to facilitate cataloguing.
The $25 life time fee is extremely fair.
I can see myself using the library thing in my professional life as I continue to read and build up my library.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Thing # 15
I really liked Delicious because I can now view articles tagged by different people. This is very exciting because all the tagged items are categorized and/or centralized making for easier viewing.
I found to be very important the ability to centralize articles relating to various subjects from different websites. In addition I get to share my articles of interests with others and also I see what interests other people is also very good. And finally it's very good that I can upload my bookmarks and be able to access them from any computer.
I found to be very important the ability to centralize articles relating to various subjects from different websites. In addition I get to share my articles of interests with others and also I see what interests other people is also very good. And finally it's very good that I can upload my bookmarks and be able to access them from any computer.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Thing #7A
Green Roof, White Roof, Black Roof or Tiled Roof for anyone?
I read this article very intriguing because going green is the in thing now and for good reasons.
Today's roofing options are limited only by imagination. One can "plant a green roof, modern style, with a layer cake of membranes to absorb and direct water, and perhaps a mini farm to supply vegetable needs. Or, paint a roof white, to deflect as much as some 70 percent of sunlight, keeping a building cool without the air con."
In fact researchers at MIT have just announced that they’ve developed roof tiles that change color depending on the temperature. Hot summer day? The tiles turn white. Cold, drizzly autumn day? Black, which absorbs as much as sun, they say, as the white reflects.
This story is very interesting and you can read it here.
I read this article very intriguing because going green is the in thing now and for good reasons.
Today's roofing options are limited only by imagination. One can "plant a green roof, modern style, with a layer cake of membranes to absorb and direct water, and perhaps a mini farm to supply vegetable needs. Or, paint a roof white, to deflect as much as some 70 percent of sunlight, keeping a building cool without the air con."
In fact researchers at MIT have just announced that they’ve developed roof tiles that change color depending on the temperature. Hot summer day? The tiles turn white. Cold, drizzly autumn day? Black, which absorbs as much as sun, they say, as the white reflects.
This story is very interesting and you can read it here.
Thing #14
I found the website Pickink very interesting. It has very good professional tools for photo manipulation. In fact many professionals use it in their work, in addition to regular photo enthusiasts.
The site has a two tiers, a free one and a premium one that gives access to more features at a cost. The free one has a respectable number of features that anyone will still find useful. I liked collage, keepsakes creation and slideshows which I found very useful in sharing photo's with my family and friends.
The site comes with blog features where a lot of professionals and photo enthusiasts share their work, ideas, offer tips and suggestions and let others issue their comments.
The site allows users to upload pictures from their computers or import and/or export to popular sites like Flickr, Picasa, etc.
Photo editing is excellent and full of very good features. I could manipulate my photos' to have a professional finish. This site is a good kept secret.
Here is a range of effects I applied on the following photo.
Photo A (with no editing applied)
Here is the same photo with various features applied
The site has a two tiers, a free one and a premium one that gives access to more features at a cost. The free one has a respectable number of features that anyone will still find useful. I liked collage, keepsakes creation and slideshows which I found very useful in sharing photo's with my family and friends.
The site comes with blog features where a lot of professionals and photo enthusiasts share their work, ideas, offer tips and suggestions and let others issue their comments.
The site allows users to upload pictures from their computers or import and/or export to popular sites like Flickr, Picasa, etc.
Photo editing is excellent and full of very good features. I could manipulate my photos' to have a professional finish. This site is a good kept secret.
Here is a range of effects I applied on the following photo.
Photo A (with no editing applied)
Here is the same photo with various features applied
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Thing # 13
On-line Image genarators
Image generators are a great tool and I can see myself using it in the classroom. The students can manipulate images to show their creativity and make class projects more fun.
Rhino searching for green grass
Cool dog magazine
The web site I used for the above images is Fototrix.com. Generating the image was quite simple. The instructions were straight forward. I had to upload an image from my computer. The next page displayed my image and below offered different effects that I could apply to manipulate my photo. Finally I saved my images.
Image generators are a great tool and I can see myself using it in the classroom. The students can manipulate images to show their creativity and make class projects more fun.
Rhino searching for green grass
Cool dog magazine
The web site I used for the above images is Fototrix.com. Generating the image was quite simple. The instructions were straight forward. I had to upload an image from my computer. The next page displayed my image and below offered different effects that I could apply to manipulate my photo. Finally I saved my images.
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