Resources that are worth a mention

by jjakes on March 2, 2011 at 12:31 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

Software

Pulpmotion is really worth a look at. It is a photostory style package and complements the original software called Pulpmotion which is mention in a previous post (sample outcome from PodKids). The company Aquafadas have created a number of packages that are worth downloading as demos.

Screen Capture Packages

iShowU works in OS 10.4 +

ScreenFlow 2.0

Snapz Pro

Hardware

Easi-Speak Microphones

Excellent for capturing interviews around school and then placing mp3 files into Garageband for production. Please ensure that file name had .mp3 in lowercase!!!!

Korg Nano Key & Kord Nano Pad

If you are interested in finding out more about these, particularly if you are an Apple RTC, then please contact joemoretti@mac.com

I have just had a quick look at these and they look and feel really good. They won’t improve my musical ability but will mean that I can carry around a set of 6 keyboards and Macs to do projects without have to spend a week in hospital afterwards. The Key and Pad models plug straight into Garageband and are very simple to set up.

Comments

Manga High

by jjakes on September 24, 2009 at 7:58 am · Filed under Uncategorized

During my journey to Newham CLC today, Radio 4′s Today programme discussed a website called Manga High which was heralded as a way to extend pupils maths engagement and put thier maths into a context of solving problems.   I have looked at the site and think that the graphics and the activities may well appeal to students and as the resource is currently free to use I think it would be a great resource to try out especially with GCSE students.  The URL is www.mangahigh.com.

I would be really interested in peoples opinions of the site especially Maths Teachers, so please leave a comment.

Today Programme Link:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8272000/8272076.stm

please look at 7:25

Comments

OpenMind Software

by jjakes on June 17, 2009 at 10:17 am · Filed under Apple, PC, Software and tagged: All Key Stages, Apple, Application software, Knowledge Creation, Knowledge Management, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Mind map, Mind Mapping, MindView 3, Project management, Timeline, Windows

Inclusive Visual Learning Tool
Improve your Visual Thinking Skills with Mind Mapping

MatchWare’s OpenMind software, now called MindView, is a comprehensive visual learning tool. By presenting material graphically, it allows students to brainstorm and visualize their ideas, organize their information, and expand on individual topics by making notes and attaching additional information.

OpenMind then instantly turns information into a PowerPoint presentation or an easy to follow linear outline in Word, making OpenMind an invaluable visual thinking skill tool for any student.

Timeline Software
Create professional timelines instantly!
Need to create timelines within minutes? Then look no further – OpenMind is a timeline software application that allows you to create timelines instantly!

Start by entering your events and dates. Then add pictures, text etc. to enhance the explanation and visuals. Print as a poster or save as a picture. It’s as simple as that.

Create historical timelines, schedules, chronologies and project plans with MindView 3 timeline software. This easy-to-use timeline software, with hundreds of ready-made templates and quality clip art, enables anyone to make professional timelines with ease.

Comments (1)

Pixel Rulers

by jjakes on June 17, 2009 at 9:04 am · Filed under Apple, Free, PC, Software and tagged: Apple, Free, Mac, Microsoft Windows, ocr national, Pixel, Ruler

Recently when helping design resource work to support OCR Unit 21 I came across these two free downloads that place a pixel ruler on top of any application so that graphics can be measured and positions of the graphics on the screen can be established.

The one for the Mac is called Free Ruler.  This ruler gives you both horizontal and vertical scales which can be moved around the screen to give accurate measurements.

The one for Windows is called Pixel Ruler.  This ruler gives you one ruler which can be used either horizontally or rotated 90 degrees to use vertically.

They are both useful tools.  If anyone readin this tries them then please leave a comment.

Comments

Simply Box

by jjakes on June 17, 2009 at 8:51 am · Filed under Apple, Free, Web 2.0 and tagged: Apple, Browser Driven, Handhelds, IPhone, Research

This is a fantasic free tool to aid the development of research skills.  It is a free resource and can be used within collaborative tasks with a group of registered users.  For those of you who are keen on the iphone they are about to launch a version for this platform too.

The information is stored online but there is a toolbar download that needs to be made so that the resource is available for students and staff to use.

Please check out this link to watch a screencast of the system.

Comments

Inkscape

by jjakes on May 20, 2009 at 9:52 pm · Filed under Apple, Free, PC, Software and tagged: Free, Graphics, ocr national, vector

This is an Open Source Graphics package for people to investigate and is available for both Mac and PC environments.  It has capabilities similar to Illustrator, CorelDraw, or Xara X, using the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format.

Inkscape supports many advanced SVG features (markers, clones, alpha blending, etc.) and great care is taken in designing a streamlined interface. It is very easy to edit nodes, perform complex path operations, trace bitmaps and much more.

The download is available through this link:

http://www.inkscape.org/download/?lang=en

and there is a showcase of graphics created in the package whihc can be reached by clicking on this link.

Comments

Wordle

by jjakes on May 15, 2009 at 2:59 pm · Filed under Web 2.0 and tagged: Cloud, Kids and Teens, literacy, Web 2.0

This is a fantastic Web2.0 resource.  It produces word clouds which can be edited in terms of colour schemes and shapes.  The resource is free and the user copies and pastes some text into the interface which is then analysed and a word cloud created.  This is a great resource to get students to play with words.  Below is a word cloud of the poem In Mrs Tilscher’s Class by CAROL ANN DUFFY.

This is another that was created using Chapter 1 of Oliver Twist

Comments (1)

Flip Video

by jjakes on May 15, 2009 at 2:35 pm · Filed under Apple, Hardware, PC and tagged: Camcorder, Digital zoom, usb, Video

FlipVideo

There is only one way of describing this – Excellent, easy and an important feature is excellent sound quality.

Technical Details

Comments

Korg Keyboards

by jjakes on May 15, 2009 at 2:24 pm · Filed under Apple, Hardware, PC and tagged: Apple, GarageBand, Korg, Macs, Music

Korg Nano Key & Kord Nano Pad

I have just had a quick look at these and they look and feel really good. They won’t improve my musical ability but will mean that I can carry around a set of 6 keyboards and Macs to do projects without have to spend a week in hospital afterwards. The Key and Pad models plug straight into Garageband and are very simple to set up.

Comments

Easi-Speak MIcrophones

by jjakes on May 15, 2009 at 2:21 pm · Filed under Apple, Hardware, PC and tagged: Apple, audio, Hardware, microphone, MP3 recorder, PC

Easi-Speak Microphones

Excellent for capturing interviews around school and then placing mp3 files into Garageband for production. Please ensure that file name had .mp3 in lowercase!!!!

Comments