Assorted Web 2.0

Updated July 29, 2009

Goals

You will notice that the format is a little different this time. You have one assignment and may choose from a variety of tools. Enjoy!

1. Choose two or more Web 2.0 applications that you would like to know more about and learn how to access and use them.
2. Become more aware of the variety of Web 2.0 tools available to you. Complete the Assignment (below).

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify a course topic that could be addressed using one or more of the Web 2.0 tools you have chosen.
2. Discuss the potentials and limitations of using that/those tool(s) with students.

Part I: Your Assignment

Experiment with two or more Web 2.0 tools, blog about your experiences and share your new resources or creations.

(Estimated time to complete: approximately 60 to 90 minutes, or more if you choose additional activities.)

1. Skim through the choices below and see what interests you.
2. Choose at least two to try. You may certainly try as many as you like.
3. Optional: One of your two may be a Web 2.0 application not listed. This is your opportunity to be the expert!
4. Reflections (Applications to Instructional Settings). When you’re done, share what you’ve learned in your Blue 2.0 blog (or wiki, notes or other reflections tool).
   1. Which two or more tools did you choose? What was your experience with them? Be sure to include a link to your work if applicable.
   2. Identify one (or more) and explain how it/they might be used with students in a course.
   3. What benefits and drawbacks can you identify in using that/those tools with students in a course?

Part II: The Choices

First, here’s a list you can choose from or start from. Below the list, you can scroll down to find an activity for the tools.

• OCS – Instant Messaging available on UK’s campus
• Jing – desktop image and video capture
• Flickr – photo sharing
• LunaPic – photo editing
• Animoto – images to music to make a “video” look
• Slideshare and SlideBoom – Each is sort of a YouTube for PowerPoint

OCS (Office Communicator)

This tutorial now has it’s own section! Please click on Instant Messaging (& OCS) in the column at left.

Jing

Jing is a great little tool that will capture images and record video on your desktop. And it’s free. It does involve a software download. Created by TechSmith (the Camtasia people), Jing is easy to use and available for both PC and Mac. The Jing FAQ covers questions about this quick-capture-and-share tool. The results are very clear and easy to manipulate. Go to http://www.jingproject.com/ to get started.

Flickr

Flickr is is a photo-sharing website that can be used for personal photos or work-related projects. Library of Congress has posted photos on Flickr and invites public comment. More about that at http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/flickr_pilot.html. You can set up your own account by following the instructions for creating your account at http://www.flickr.com/.

LunaPic

You may have photo editing software on your computer, but you can also do some editing in a web-based photo editor. Want to try? Here’s one that’s fairly easy to use: LunaPic. Go to http://www.lunapic.com/editor/. Then choose a photo to upload and experiment.

Animoto

Here’s a fun tool that turns your photos into a “video” with music. Make a 30-second video for free; longer videos require a $3 fee (or a $30 fee for a full year, unlimited use, if you are really into it). Go to http://animoto.com/ and sign up for a free account to get started. Once you enter your information (be sure to read and click the usage agreement) then follow the instructions to upload photos (or retrieve them from another site, like your Flickr account) and set them to music (they have several music categories to choose from).

SlideShare/Slideboom

There are some nifty sites where you can upload and share your PowerPoint presentations. You may mark them as being downloadable – or not – and can share with everyone or only those you invite to view. You can also insert them into a blog or webpage much like a video from YouTube or blip.tv. Visit Slideshare at http://www.slideshare.net/ and SlideBoom at http://www.slideboom.com/. Choose one (or both) to try. If you upload a slideshow, be sure to share it with us. An additional note: If you try SlideBoom, you might want to download the free version of iSpring, which converts your slideshows to Flash media.