eLearning Tools: multimodal

Sunday, 25 May 2014

Edvertisement: Google Earth

Using in Class

Google Earth has an extensive array of classroom applications. It can be used for everything from exploring the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and teaching geologic map interpretation, through mapping global energy consumption or glacial change, to mapping journeys from literature or exploring "All Quite on the Western Front".

Basically, if your subject involves the world, then there is probably a way that Google Earth can enhance your teaching, and the tour feature would be fantastic for multimodal presentations.

How to get started

Google Earth is a desktop application, which you will need to install on your computer. You will need to download it form this site.

Once you have installed the program you will need to know how to use it. The playlist below has six videos which introduce you to Google Earth.

Resources

Now, armed with your new understanding of Google Earth, it's time to look at applying it to your classroom. I think the best place to start is the Google Earth Section of the Science Education Resource Center website. Beyond that there are countless other websites and resources, below I have collated a sample of some of them, but if you really want to explore, just search for Google Earth Lessons.

Sunday, 9 March 2014

Edvertisement: Voice Over Presenations

How to do this

PowerPoint

With PowerPoint you can record within the program. The video below shows you how.

Prezi

Prezi is a little more complicated. First you need to record the audio and get it onto your computer.

Here's a couple of ways you can do this:

Most phones come with a simple audio recording app, or you can add one. You can then email the recording from you phone to your computer.
All Windows computers have a sound recorded installed (just type "sound recorder" into the search box). You need to make sure that you have a microphone (most laptops have them built in).

The video below will show you how to add the voice over.