Armory

Introduction

Looking for some new and exciting ways to put your project together? The internet is large and has many examples but here are a few tools to help along the way.

Use this page as your "Armory" throughout the year when reading to complete assignments. Some of them are things I haven't even gotten to use myself so buckle up and enjoy! Also, if you find something good you think would fit well into the armory, let me know and I'll add it in!

WEB PUBLISHING TOOLS

Weebly

Ever wonder how "mrharrold.com" gets made? It's actually a lot easier than you think. A free web tool called Weebly.com allows you quickly and easily create professional looking sites without any knowledge of web code. The tricky part is coming up with your content, but after that you can add text, images, links, YouTube videos, files, embedded documents and almost anything with an HTMl embed code!

TES/BlendSpace

Looking to create a scavenger hunt or a series of a different videos/documents/images for students to discover. Another excellent tool is "BlendSpace". This is a great way to easily organize all of the content you've found and created for your presentation. Blendspace is totally free but does require you to set up an account in order to save your work.

Wix

While I don't use it personally, some people swear by it. This rival to Weebly is another great tool when it comes to getting your website up and running. One thing that Wix specializes in is the use of different themes and animations which come pre-built. If you're looking for a design and theme with a lot going on, check it out!

LessonPaths

The internet is a scary place but LessonPaths lets your organize it (at least for a moment). Create a "playlist" of relevant content on the internet that takes your audience through different videos, Google Docs, websites, and other sources all to teach them. You can upload your own content or use existing stuff, but LessonPaths allows for an clear, active pathway through the chaotic internet. Once again, it's free.

WordPress

Another gold standard especially if you're looking to put together a blog is WordPress. With themes, templates, and lots of ways to connect and organize your information, WordPress is a well-established and professional platform for putting together your page. Again, this site is made using Weebly.com but many educators and students will heap high praise on this tool. Give it a look!

ThingLink

One tool, which isn't a full website but a great way to tie together multiple forms of media, is ThingLink. Whether you use the app or the desktop version, ThingLink allows you hyperlink an image with videos, audio, text, or other websites and publish it online. This tool can help you create a one-stop shop for all your media.

Video Editing Tools

Jing (or Camtasia or Snag-It) or Screencast-O-Matic

Looking to make some videos like Dr. Harrold's? If you're lucky enough to have Camtasia or Snag-It, you're in great shape, but if not, check out Jing. It's free and lets you make great screen capture videos. You will need to download the software for it to work, but it's easy to use and a great tool.

A nimoto
If you're looking to create an excellent array of images, music, and special effects, check out Animoto. Though the free version will only give you thirty second clips, they're of high quality and can set you out above a typical slideshow. If you like what you see, you may want to go above and beyond to purchase a subscription. Check it out!

iMovie

Free for all with a recently purchased an iPad, or iPhone, iMovie allows you to shoot, edit, and publish movies right on your device. Even if you've never used video before, this tool will contain all the elements you need to make a robust product. It also allows you to quickly and seamlessly make movie trailers without any editing at all.

TouchCast

TouchCast is a brand-new app that lets you create interactive videos, broadcasts, and programs right on your iPad. You can record, and then add interactive websites, tools, polls, and widgets directly onto your video! Your audience won't just be watching, they'll be doing. The app is free and is easily one of the most robust tools I've tried for the cost.

Ted Ed

Looking to turn videos into lessons? This free tool allows you make a lesson out of any existing YouTube video whether you posted it or not. Link a video, write your own supplemental material, add some check for understanding questions and you're done!
Unlike Popocorn Maker, this tool does not involved editing the video, its simply a great way to organize your video lesson. Like all the tools, it is free to edit.

XtraNormal

Want to make your own animated story? Check out XtraNormal, a free site that lets you have the computer do the work for you. Type your script, program your actors and watch the show! There's a free version for limited screen time, and then paid subscriptions for longer videos. Be sure to give it a look; there's lot of funny examples ready to go.

Adobe Spark

Adobe Voice is a great tool that lets you create high quality slide shows with audio and narration. This app is currently only available on the iOS system in the App Store and works great on the iPad. Check it out as a streamlined version of putting together a great digital story.

WRITING AND DISCUSSION

Grammarly

Typing a paper and unsure if your grammar is where it should be? Run your paper through Grammarly to see how you're doing. The "free" version of Grammarly won't find your mistakes, but it will tell you if they exist. Consider it a game: how high a rank can you achieve before you send the paper in?

Google Story Builder

Ever see those stories online told with Google Drive people talking to each other? Ever wanted to make your own? No? Well check out this site anyway. It's a really unique take on storytelling through writing and collaboration. It's a great way to tell quick stories in a concise way, arguably the hallmark of a great story.

Today's Meet

Today's Meet is an excellent tool if you're looking to set up a backchannel to run during class or during a discussion. We've seen a lot of success with it when students are able to run a backchannel chat while simultaneously speaking online. A backchannel can provide an excellent way to hear from others who normally don't enjoy raising their hands or jumping in.

Kahoot!

Ever see those cool trivia games at Buffalo Wild Wings or other fine establishments? Ever wish you could design your own? Guess what? You can! Go to Kahoot! and check it out. Set-up is free, easy, and you'll have your kids playing review games in no time. You'd be surprised how competitive kids of all ages gets after just a few questions...

Socrative

This tool is halfway between a discussion board and a backchannel site. Socrative is a great tool for warm-ups, questions you want an entire group to vote on, or even delivering full group quizzes. One way I used Socrative was to collect information on student speeches anonymously in order to collect more honest feedback. As with nearly all of these sites, Socrative is free!

PRODUCTIVITY

Dropbox

It's now almost 2015, which means, according to a popular movie from the 1980's, it's the future. If you're still emailing files to yourself, or using a flashdrive, you're just asking for trouble. Dropbox is a tool which automatically saves and syncs your files automatically and instantly. What's that mean? It means you save a file on your work computer, and it's instantly changed on your home computer. Additionally, everything is available for you in the cloud at all times. All you need to do is log in! Dropbox is free for limited data but offers very cheap plans to hold all your stuff.

Google Drive

I'll admit I was a skeptic when I first heard about Google's apps to compete with Microsoft Office. Originally, they were just some free, cheaper versions of Word and PowerPoint you could access online. Now they can easily change your entire workflow as you can create, share, embed, documents all online with access to new add-ons coming out every day. One of my new favorites is a Chrome app that lets you leave audio feedback on student papers. Drive is free for limited storage, and can be upgraded very cheaply to hold all your data.

Evernote

Evernote is an iPad app which is the best way to take notes on an electronic device. While some still enjoy taking notes on paper and pencil, Evernote is a self-contained app which can manage all your notes clearly and easily. Rather than just making a pile of Word documents, or a long, scrolling Google Drive document, Evernote lets you keep everything organized and incorporate media if needed. If you're still using your "notes" app in class, give EverNote a try.

MISC.

Prezi

Want to make a visual aid for your presentation but you're sick of PowerPoint? Try Prezi! This free tool allows you to create presentations that appear professionally animated and insert your own images, videos, links, and everything.
It takes about 15 minutes to get used to the interface, but there are limitless possibilities once you're up and running.

Google Sketch-Up

While not immediately obvious as an English tool, Google Sketch-Up is an excellent, free, 3D modeling service. Design anything as simple from a square house, to a complex model of the house of Usher. The program also contains access to an existing library of many pre-built national landmarks which may be excellent for the social studies department.