Over the course of the semester, I used many resources that I have never used before. I have used tools as simple as Pinterest all the way to things such as tools to make a screen-cast. Much of it was new to me, much I thought was helpful and useful, however, there were plenty of resources I didn't enjoy. For example, one of the tools I disliked most was Prezi. I thought it was over complicated for what it was meant for and not nearly as efficient as other tools such as google slides or better yet, PowerPoint. Prezi seemed to elongate a process that should have been simple because arranging everything in the presentation was so tedious.
Other tools I thought would be great for classroom use would be creating a screen-cast and creating a digital story. Both tools could be used for a number of things, however they were both simple and to the point. For instance, I could use a screen-cast for many uses. The first being if a student is sick, I could create and send the lesson I was working on in class to him using a screen-cast. The second is I could create screen-casts beforehand and simply show them to the class. This way I could prepare everything before and really rehearse my teaching. As far as digital stories go. I could do much of the same thing. I could create a video of me teaching a lesson and walking through the information for a student, or I could teach a lesson in class using my digital story. Both tools go hand-in-hand.
One tool I really enjoyed however is the pixton website. I used it in my TILP that I created. This tool is so awesome and so easy to use. Educators and students can use this tool with easy. Many students are really into comics and they are almost like an introductory for students to reading. I think they ca be used the same way in writing. In fact, they can be used multiple ways in writing. I found that this tool is a great way to put students thoughts into actions. They can write a story with pictures with ease.
The basic concept is that they create a story using comic frames, They can create characters, backgrounds and other things in each frame. They can add words and create a story rather quickly. This tool is awesome for those who aren't the best artists and are quick to want to dive into the story. It teaches students first person as well. It makes them think about what characters might say in the story. Also, by creating each frame, students pay attention to what needs to go in the background and what types of descriptors might be needed to use to describe a scene. I personally think that it is great to start with a comic and make it into a different form of writing. So much can be added to the students writing by having pictures to go along with it.
