Tool 9: "jing's so swell, jing's so swell, jinging all the way..."

I have really enjoyed using Jing and Screencast to take pictures of my screen.  Jing took pictures of the different sites I visited, adding visuals to my posts.  This tool will be beneficial in the classroom when making a video or a print-out with pictorial directions for an activity students need to complete on the computer.  In addition, it will make the assessment of online participation easier since students can "jing" their score screen at the end of an assignment, activity or quiz.

I personally use Skype daily to talk to my parents, who are currently overseas.  It's been wonderful to video chat with them - see and hear them live (and for FREE!!).  It also allowed me to get a glimpse of where they live as they moved the camera around to capture their surroundings.  For the most part, the connection is good and the image and sound clear.  Although we're worlds apart, it's prevented distance from hindering our communication!

Skype can have a similar effect in the classroom.  Students have the opportunity to broaden their horizons by "traveling" to a new place or "meeting" a new person from a different part of the district, state, country or world.  They would be able to see and hear things that they might not otherwise have had a chance to experience.  Read-alouds, interviews, collaborative learning and research, mentoring, online pen pals or buddy reading are some of the other ways Skype could be utilized to enhance education.  Oh, the possibilities!