Wordle be gone?

Wordle has been a popular way to illustrate an idea with words for several years. Butler Online instructors who have taken INTON may remember using it as part of their final project. They may possibly include its use in their own courses as well. 

Sadly, it appears that this free tool is longer supported and may disappear altogether. Never fear, there are a number of other tools that produce similar results. Check these out if you are a Wordle fan or just curious - and let us know what you think.

http://www.edudemic.com/9-word-cloud-generators-that-arent-wordle/

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Snipping Tool

For  years Mac users have used the built in tool Grab for capturing screen shots and portions of screens.
With Vista and Windows 7, PC users now have their very own tool (not just Print Screen) to capture a screen or portion of a screen without purchasing TechSmith's Snagit.

Don't get me wrong, I love Snagit. Techsmith has expanded this application, to make it well worth its 49.95 price tag. But sometimes you aren't at your own computer, or you need to coax a student through an issue.

The interface of Snipping Tool is fairly straightforward, and allows users to save in the most common graphic formats.

Snipping Tool should already be installed on the PC with Windows 7 or 8. To locate, go to Start and choose All Programs. If someone (you or someone who needs help) can't find the tool, on their system, there are a number of sites including: http://www.techradar.com/downloads/snipping-tool-plus

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How to Insert Images into Google Forms

Watch the short video below to learn how to insert images into Google Forms.  This could be helpful if you quiz your students about pictures of people, places, or things.

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Getting Precise Captures in Snagit

So. . . you installed Snagit before the 50% off special expired - today is the last day to do so, by the way. Now you need some best practice tips. Rachael Clark just published Tips for Getting Precise Captures in Snagit on Windows. You can view her clear instructions on the Tech Smith Blog. You might find other tips there also.

In this post you will learn how to toggle the magnifier (I didn't even know there was one) on and off and use it to capture the precise area you need. Rachael also explains how to accurately align your captures.

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6 Creative Ways to Make Your eLearning Courses More Visual

I just read this article, 6 Creative Ways to Make Your eLearning Courses More Visual, and I happen to agree with most of it. The reason I wanted to post this article now is that all of the suggestions are easily to accomplish in Canvas, Butler's new LMS. In fact, the Canvas interface almost demands some of these. The list includes:

1) Theme or Brand Your Course

2) Use Infographics and Images of Words and Numbers

3) Embed a Short Video

4) Use High-Quality, Professional-Looking Photos and Images

5) Use Visual Menus

6) Do Some Formatting

 Take a quick look at the article to learn more about these techniques and to access some resources to help incorporate them. Let you course manager know if you need any help.

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Pixabay

Richard Byrne, host of Free Technology for Teachers, recently wrote about Pixabay, a public domain image resource. I encourage you to check it out. This vast resource is where I located the image at the left. One great thing about Pixabay is that you can choose what size to downloaded image to be. This feature will allow you to download and use the smallest file size possible. The spring graphic on the left was a mere 26.8 kb. As we move to Canvas, file size is very important. Instructors are limited in the amount of space available. ~ Thanks, Meg, for the resource.

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Snagit 50% off Regular Price

Do you use Jing Pro? If so, you probably know that, beginning Feb. 28th the pro version will revert back to the free version. This means many of your favorite features will vanish.

But, just in time, we have a Snagit deal to the rescue!


"Snagit is the perfect tool for recording MPEG-4 video and YouTube uploading - just like Jing Pro. With Snagit you have the freedom to record longer videos, blur sensitive information, scroll long webpages, and more."

Until April 15th you can purchase a Snagit single-user license for the upgrade price - a savings of 50% off the original price. Simply enter the promotion code below before you complete your purchase to get Snagit at the upgrade pricing. You do not have to have Jing Pro to take advantage of this deal. Anyone can purchase Snagit at this discounted price.
Use Promo Code: JINGPRO to get Snagit at 50% off
(coupon expires April 15, 2013)

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Google Image Search Hacks

7 Vital Google Image Hacks is a valuable informative post with seven tips for finding just the right image in a Google search. Did you know that "you can arrange your results by subject, add image-size indicators, look for images in certain colors or sizes, and focus your search on photos, sketches, clip arts and more"?

Note from the author: "Yes, I know Google Images is about to change, it’s just been announced today. However, it will take a while before the change rolls out to everyone, and many of these tips will stay helpful even with the new design."

I encourage you to try out some of these tips the next time you search for an image. Of course, be mindful of copyright laws if you plan to use the image in one of your courses. Oh, and don't check out this site while you are hungry! You'll see why.

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CyberLink Photo Director 2011 - Free

For a limited time, Download Crew has CyberLink PhotoDirector 2011 (Win) free of charge. This program has a list price of $99.95.

PhotoDirector 2011is "an all-in-one photography program for organizing, editing, enhancing, and sharing your digital pictures, one that compares with the likes of Adobe Photoshop Elements and Corel PaintShop Photo Pro." Sounds like a great deal to me. Who can beat free?

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LEAP!

I missed the most exciting (at least to me) presentation at last week's SIDLIT.
I am providing the link that will explain it in more detail.
Essentially this company Leap Motion, has designed a device for Macs that

• plugs into your USB port
• is roughly the size of a jump drive
• works with a number of programs
• interprets your motions into actions
• can be preordered for $70

Essentially the device will replace your mouse and keyboard, acting in much the same way that the XBox Kinnect device does for gaming systems.

Special needs, artists, engineers, repetitive motion issues,- this is only the beginning, I think

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PowerPoint 2010: Insert Screenshot

Did you know that you can insert a screenshot in PowerPoint 2010? I did know that but had not thought about the possibilities. Since the screenshot is inserted as a graphic you can add text, shapes, etc. and then, using screen clipping, save the edited screenshot as a graphic to use in any program or to email, etc. This article, PowerPoint 2010: Inert Screenshot, explains the process and even includes helpful screenshots.

Click here to view more screenshot tutorials courtesy of the Rapid eLearning Blog.

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Create your own Logo - Free

Are you considering how you might enliven your course for this fall - spruce it up a bit? Take a look at Logo Type Creator. I made the logo above in just a few minutes and for free. Of course, you can spend money for added features but that is not necessary. If you don't like the first free images offered simply refresh the page and three new ones will be randomly generated. Make a logo for your welcome message or for an announcement. You might want to use a special logo to indicate a video or audio link or particularly important information.

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Pics4Learning

Instructors often ask where they can find graphics for their online courses. "Pics4Learning is a safe, free image library for education. Teachers and students can use the copyright-friendly photos and images . . . in an educational setting." Graphics are sorted by category. Pics4Learning breaks down categories with a large number of "pics" into sub-categories. For instance, there are 10 sub-categories in the food category (yes, I am hungry right now).

Check out Pics4Learning next time you need a graphic for your online course.

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ThingLink to Tag your Photos

ThingLink is a great tool to add text, web links, and even videos to your images and graphics. You can embed the ThingLink in your ANGEL course or web site. Watch the video below to view a sample and see just how simple this is to to. Thanks to Richard Byrne for the great information.

 

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Pics4Learning

Do you need some fresh pictures for your presentations, or do your students need a resource for free, copyright-friendly images?

The Pics4Learning site offers such images for use in education. So you and your students don't have to worry about copyright issues.

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5 Free Graph Making Sites

(This was originally posted by Beth Cunningham on 12/21 in Butler Online's Advent Calendar)

Just the other day someone was asking about a site to create and/or have students create graphs. This post at I Love Free Software summarizes 5 graph making sites and the tools available at each.

These websites will help you with various chart tools such as chart making, online graphing, and more. You can create Pie Charts, Bar Charts, Line Charts or Area Charts, etc.

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Feeling GLIFFY?

(This was originally posted by Beth Cunningham on 12/16 in Butler Online's Advent Calendar)

Over the weekend, my son created a Venn diagram for school and used the jazzy new SmartArt tools in Word 2010. However, what do you (or your students) use when you need a Venn diagram, Flowchart, SWOT Chart or any other diagram that may fall outside the scope of Microsoft Word? Try Gliffy! Sign up for a 30 day trial and see if it will add value to your class ($5/month if you love it).

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Job Search

(This was originally posted by Tara Canfield on 12/12 in Butler Online's Advent Calendar)

The Ghost of Christmas Present visited me last night! I told him to "GET LOST--I have had enough of you and your wacky friends!" He wouldn't leave though, and he just kept yelling (drama queen!) something about how I need to get my "head right" and start spreading the word about present day job search tools.

I agree with him though. The job market IS harder to navigate these days, so what are people doing to highlight their skills and stand out from the rest of the crowd. One way is to create a visual resume. A great example of this is Heidi Lilly's visual resume on Slideshare. If you conduct an interviewing module in your class, as I do, then this would make a great project for your students!

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Add a Little SPICE to Your Holiday!

(This was originally posted by Beth Cunningham on 12/9 in Butler Online's Advent Calendar)

There's nutmeg, pumpkin spice, and now...SPICY NODES!

What a great way to add a little *kick* to your classes! Spend a few minutes with Spicy Nodes (www.spicynodes.org) and you're sure to be hooked! They're a great way to visually demonstrate an idea or concept in an interactive and interesting way! Here's a picture of my Node on "The Seven Principles of Undergraduate Education" but it's more fun to go to their site and give it a try.

We promise, you'll love it, and it has less calories than a pumpkin pie!

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Online Convert.com

(This was originally posted by Linda Wapelhorst on 12/3 in Butler Online's Advent Calendar)

Online Convert is a site that does just what its title indicates - converts files to another file type.

We have previously suggested using zamzar.com to convert files but Online Convert is much more user friendly and faster. The file is converted and immediately downloaded to your computer. You can convert documents, audio, video, graphics, etc. When you convert a grapic you have the option to change the size, make it monochrome, negative, etc. An added feature is the site blog that includes topics such as "Extract Still Image from Video" and "Rip Audio from a Video Clip".

This is definitely a site to bookmark (or add to your Symbaloo).

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