Picasa can be used in a childhood setting by teachers, parents, and children. The program can be used to mangage and organize photos and be linked online. The photo albums can showcase the child's progress in whatever setting they are in. Children can create projects and save pictures. Collages can be made and text can be added to pictures. The pictures are automatically organized in a time sequence so it is even easier for teachers to document a child's progress over the year to share with the parents. Picasa is a free Google tool. Creating and viewing albums are easy to do with the program. There are even tutorials online. Children are very technologically savy in this day and age so they would be able to learn quickly. Breaking down the program into parts such as organizing pictures, making albums, adding text, and creating collage can help children learn bit by bit.

These are examples of how one teacher used Photo Story 3 in his classroom.

TotSpot integrates many aspects of technology together to create a Facebook-like network for parents and their child. The network is private and accessible to only account holders. Parents create an account then are able to add their children to the account on their own page. Pages can be shared through friend invite. The parents and children can upload pictures, videos, write journals, create developmental charts, and track milestones. Friends on the account can view items and make comments. With families living far apart and technology on the rise, families can keep track of their childrens' progress (even before birth!)

Photos Story 3 is a way to combine photos, voice recordings, music, and writing . Children can bring their favorite stories to life or create their own. By creating photo stories in the class or at home, these stories can be shared to many.

This site actually integrates two techological techniques. Scribd is a website where documents can be shared online. This particular scribd document is about Picasa and how it can be used in the classroom along with resources to learn more about utilizing Picasa.

Picasa is a great way to organize photos into timelines and albums either on your computer or online. Picasa can be used to edit photos and add text. Movies, collages, slideshows can be made. Photos and items made from picasa can be used by parents, teachers, and children. Teachers can document the progress and activities throughout the school year. Children can use Picasa for showing off their projects or documenting their own personal progress.

This certain blog page describes the use of Picasa in the classroom. Check out the rest of the blog because it's a great resource on how to integrate technology into the classroom. Others have made comments that are useful too.

KidVideos is like Youtube for kids. The contents of the videos are appropriate for kids with precreening and monitoring of comments. Children can watch videos in different categories and share their own online. There even contests on the website that the children can enter. Videos can be shared with the children's family. Children can have fun directing, acting, and producing their own videos and possibly creating their own show!