EdTechWalden

This site could be used in a number of ways, depending on the purpose and the needs of the audience. I am using it as a pre-training tool to provide some background for the purpose of the workshop.

This is a free visual thesaurus that offers various uses. I am using this as a way to introduce concepts being taught in the workshop and will encourage the participants to make their own.

Description: A place to upload Powerpoints and create slidecasts using narration. Why better: Brings together the dual coding ideas of Mayer (2001) with images on Powerpoint slides plus added narration online using slidecast.

This is a limited free site, but to upgrade is fairly inexpensive. This graphic organizer allows the use to embed text, files, photos, calendars, and locations. Additionally, this site allows the user to share and collaborate with others in real time or asynchronously.

SpiderScribe can be used as a graphic organizer to link together video production steps and concepts with pictures and links through mind mapping. This software is most effective linking together notes and files all in one mind map.

This video creation tool allows users to use their own videos and photos combined with Masher's library of video clips from BBC Motion Gallery adding special effects to traditional slide show information sharing. You can add words and music along with rips and curls to keep attention on your content. Unlike many downloaded applications such as iMovie and MovieMaker, this is all free, online, and instantly shareable via Facebook, My Space, email, and more. Build up your essential learning information simply by jazzing it using Masher.

This service allows you to create video slideshows similar to other video tools but with the added ease of drag and drop capability. Feel free to move your sequence around to your liking, and add text to the images. One sticking point is the offering of only a single soundtrack, no choice unless you upload your own music too. You can incorporate more than one audio import to your creation. Stupeflix is an essential learning tool for sharing information.

Exploratree provides a free online library of thinking guides to help users graphically organize their collected information. It is a product of Microsoft from their futurelab development team. You can print these forms out or use them collaboratively online. Customization is also an option with text, images, and shapes. Consider submitting a template to the site for others. This website offers group essential knowledge sharing toward generative learning.

Help kids put ideas and notes in order with any of these 33 graphic organizers. With names like Clock, Garden Gate, and Ice-Cream Cone, your students are sure to find more fun in sorting out their gained knowledge to find connections. These are printable or ideal to use with an interactive white board together. This web site is non-interactive on its own online as these are static visuals only. Essential learning comes together for younger learners with this website's offerings.

Qwiki helps you turn any website creation into an interactive multimedia experience. You can embed and share content on any blog or website and include tweets for continual commenting. Narration is auto-generated alongside maps and graphics. It converts pictures, videos, location data, and text into interactive media. Take the Internet and redesign it to provide the content you need together for you to share where ever. There is a mobile device app developed for this tool making it compatible with all Internet accessible products. This is a simple presentation development tool for essential learning.

Consider this a storytelling presentation tool with powers. Haiku Deck takes your ideas and helps make them look professional. It brings focus to your presentation by delivering the message you dream up. Make design selections form millions of Creative Commons options and customize with a range of fonts, layouts, and image effects. "Death by Bullet Points" is no longer allowed as Haiku Deck limits your text on each slide. Sharing is easy through Facebook, Twitter, and email. These can be viewed on any mobile device as well. Set your essential learning free to inspire others.

DIGI[cation] is a media friendly customizable e-Portfolio creation tool with easy to use templates. This tool allows commenting and downloading too. Not only can you publish your work and ideas, but also you can showcase development in learning while sharing. Use this to record your goals and document your progress while creating a positive online representation of yourself. Development of an e-portfolio leads toward generative learning through reflective knowledge building.