Google Drive (Formerly Docs)

The resource for today is called Google Drive.

What is Google Drive?

Google Drive is a cloud storage system. You can store documents, photos, music, videos, and all sorts of other things on this drive. You can also create documents (like Word), presentations (like PowerPoint), spreadsheets (like Excel), forms (which are where kind of like surveys), drawings, collections, fusion tables (which are experimental), and scripts. 

Is it free?

Google Drive is free for up to 5GB of space. It's best to have a Gmail account for this, but it's not required. If you would like to upgrade and receive more space, it's $2.49 per month for 25 GB, $4.99 per month for 100 GB, OR $49.99 per month for 1 TB. 

What will Google Drive bring to your classroom?

This product can prove to be beneficial in all different grades throughout the education system. From using it in the Kindergarten classroom to collect information on families in a poll to using it in 11th grade classrooms to make a spreadsheet on mathematical statistics to a college student creating a presentation on a business proposal. This tool brings an easier way to create store your files in a cloud system for free, giving you access to your files from school to home to on-the-go. 

How do I use Google Drive?

Below, I will show you the various features of Google Drive.

On my own Google Drive, I have lots of files that I have accessed. Therefore, I have a wide variety of types of files. I have documents, forms, spreadsheets, PDF documents, and presentations. Below, I will show the front page of each type of file for you to see what it looks like. How to use each document is relatively simple and (at least, I do not believe) does not require a walk through description of how to use each one. Therefore, I will only show examples rather than detail how to use each type of format.

This is an example document.

This is an example PDF.

This is an example presentation.

This is an example spreadsheet.

This is an example form. The first one is what we see, the second is what they see (those who fill it out).

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How can I use Google Drive in my classroom?

Below is a list of ways that this tool can be utilized in the classroom:

-Allow pier editing with the documents
-Create a presentation on a virtual field trip
-Assign homework using the document feature
-Collect website evaluations in a spreadsheet format
-Use documents to create a brainstorming document
-Presentation on oneself to allow others to 'get to know' you
-Use the drawing feature to brainstorm for a research project
-Use google forms for surveys on what students want to read next
-Write a poem in the documents section to share with other classmates
-Use spreadsheet to share data on fitness (heart rate, blood pressure, etc)
-Use spreadsheet for reading response documents for student questions during reading
-Create a commercial about a new product that you want others to buy using presentation
-Assign homework that is collaborative due to the ability of Drive being accessed anywhere
-Vocabulary words - describe word, definition, how you use it, part of speech, etc. using spreadsheet

-Work on phonics/grammar instruction by creating a document with many errors for students to correct

Honestly, the possibilities are ENDLESS.

How would YOU use Google Drive in your classroom? Answer in the comments on this post!

Prezi

The resource for today is called Prezi.

What is Prezi?

Prezi is an online virtual whiteboard where presentations are turned into cloud format. According to the website, "Prezi creates a visual storyboard format, with flow and narrative being intertwined with text." Prezi also has a feature where you are in a "meeting" of some sorts. This meeting allows up to 10 people to view and edit the same presentation at a time, allowing for collaboration on the production at hand. 

Is it free?

Prezi is free for anyone. There are other options, though, that come with different features. For example, the FREE version of Prezi makes your presentations all public, allows for 100MB of storage space for your Prezis, and the core features of sharing and editing. For $59.00 a year, you can go up to the Enjoy option. This option features private presentations (choose who to share with), you can use your own logo rather than the Prezi logo, premium support (receive help in less than a day), and 500MB of storage space for your Prezis. Finally, you can choose the Pro option. For $159.00 a year, you receive the same as Enjoy BUT you also have the ability to work offline securely and get 2GB of storage space for your Prezis.
Public = FREE
Enjoy = $59.00/year
Pro = $159.00/year
Beyond these, there's also educational promotional pricing. You receive the ENJOY license for free rather than $59.00/year OR the PRO license for $59.00/year rather than $159.00/year.
To start out with any of the above mentioned plans that are for cost, you may have a 30 day free trial to test it out. Otherwise, you will be billed yearly.

What will Prezi bring to your classroom?

This product can prove to be beneficial in all different grades throughout the education system. From using it in the Kindergarten classroom to create a presentation to tell others of your interests to using it in 4th Grade classrooms to tell about a famous American inventor to a college student creating a presentation on another Web 2.0 tool and how to use it. This tool brings an easier way to create "PowerPoint type presentations," visual aids, and slideshows in the classroom environment without having to hassle with the transitions between slides, giving your presentation a more fluid look with fun interactions. 

How do I use Prezi?

Below, I will show you the steps of using Prezi.

This is the main page when you log on to Prezi. As you can see, I have two Prezi presentations. The Storybird Prezi will be at the bottom for an example.

You will also be choosing a theme when you hit NEW presentation. This is where the planning comes into play. Find a style that best fits your presentation. If it's a walk through, you might choose something that has a solidified path. If it's a crowning type presentation, choose something that goes up like a crown.

This is the main page of a new presentation. Each one has a specific placement for the items you will add. For example, there's a space for a title, subtitle, and places for the information. In this presentation, there are 5 places for information to be input.

I inputted all my information for the presentation. As you can see, I have text and images, but I could have added videos and so forth. The addition of features is relatively simple, just double click and type, add pictures, videos, and so forth.

Should you want to change anything, you can also insert shapes, images, PowerPoint slides, YouTube videos, files, and other flow charts. You can also choose your frame for each object in the presentation. Finally, you can change your theme for the presentation based upon the different looks that have been popular around the Prezi world.

   

Here is an example Prezi presentation:

Storybird by Christina & Sara (The Story Birds) on Prezi

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How can I use Prezi in my classroom?

Below is a list of ways that this tool can be utilized in the classroom:

-Show rules of classroom
-Use for mind mapping with groups
-Present a timeline through the transitions
-Create a family tree using the tree template
-Create Prezi presentations on famous explorers
-Use for graphic organizers about topics in the class
-Use in scientific method discussions and presentations
-Presentation on the different countries around the world
-Create a presentation to introduce yourself to the classroom
-Use to tell and create stories in the early childhood classrooms
-Create advertisements for a book, character, or famous person (persuasion)
-Create a presentation about a science project showcasing the scientific process
-Use for vocabulary lessons with the word, a picture of the word, and the definition
-Create a webquest using Prezi presentations about topics across a variety of academic areas
-Create Venn Diagrams for the classroom when comparing two different books about the same topic

Honestly, the possibilities are ENDLESS.

How would YOU use Prezi in your classroom? Answer in the comments on this post!

Animoto

The resource for today is called Animoto.

What is Animoto?

Animoto is a video creation service that can either be used online or on a mobile device. You upload pictures or video clips that you want to include in the presentation, add music and words to explain what is happening, and then you click the "produce video" button. According to Animoto's website, once you hit the produce video button, it does it's "magic and in minutes brings it all to life with a beautifully orchestrated production you can share with family and friends."

Is it free?

Animoto is free for up to 30 seconds of video with limited styles & music tracks. For $30.00 annually, you can receive the Plus account and that allows you to have full length videos, allows your Animoto presentations to be downloaded, but you're still limited to specific styles & music tracks. For $249.00 annually, you will receive the Pro account. This includes full length videos, 1,100+ music tracks to choose from, downloadability, and free HD upgrades.
You can (as an educator) apply for the Education Video Slideshows by Animoto program. Teachers will then receive all-access privileges (receiving the 

What will Animoto bring to your classroom?

This product can prove to be beneficial in all different grades throughout the education system. From using it in the Kindergarten classroom to create a video about the alphabet to using it in 7th Grade classrooms to tell about a famous American inventor, to a college student identifying their time and what they have learned in their internship. This tool brings an easier way to create "PowerPoint type presentations," visual aids, and slideshows in the classroom environment without having to hassle with the transitions between slides, text, and adding your own music (finding it, as well!). 

How do I use Animoto?

Below, I will show you the steps of using Animoto.

STEP 1: Sign up for Animoto - I signed up for the free account that gives me 30 seconds of video.

STEP 2: Choose a style for your video. This is where you choose the backgrounds.

STEP 3: It will bring up your choice of background, asking if you want to purchase it or IN SMALL PRINT it says make a 30-second video for free. This is what I chose.

CLICK ON:

Step 4: Watch the video that pops up if you'd like, or you can go ahead and do what you want. I chose to watch so I could see what Animoto was all about.

Step 5: Choose your music. You can either choose music from their library or upload your own music from your computer.

Step 6: Choose your photos. You can either choose to upload from your computer or use their images and video clips.

As you're adding photos and text, there's a WHITE BOX that appears around the approved things (photos, text, and videos) before they end up going over the time allowed. As you can see, I stayed within my 34 seconds allotted.

 Then, when I added text, I went exactly up to my time allotted - 34 seconds.

Next, hit preview your video - if you are happy with the way it turned out, hit publish! YOU'RE DONE and have created a fantastic presentation in no time.

Below is the video I ended up creating.

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How can I use Animoto in my classroom?

Below is a list of ways that this tool can be utilized in the classroom:

-Show the rules to new students
-Summarize a story in 30 seconds
-Presentation on oneself to allow others to 'get to know' you
-Create different movie trailers for books that have been read
-Create a video report on an animal, containing pictures and text
-Teach complex topics in various subjects (how to use notation, etc)
-Identify the rules for special education students through presentation
-Create a commercial about a new product that you want others to buy
-Allow students to show their understanding of a topic in the classroom
-Create a video about a science project showcasing the scientific process
-Create photo brochures of countries that are being studied in a foreign language classroom

-Use as a teaser of what the days events will hold - specific subjects you're going to go over
-Vocabulary words - describe the word, definition, how you could use it, part of speech, etc.
-Assign homework using the Animoto program, as it can be accessed from school or from home.
-Create an presentation on an Amendments by finding pictures to represent the Amendment assigned

Honestly, the possibilities are ENDLESS.

How would YOU use Animoto in your classroom? Answer in the comments on this post!