OffiSync

There is a big push in education to use Google Docs.  There are also several school districts that use Microsoft, especially with the release of Live @EDU, Microsoft's free version of software to challenge Google.  OffiSync is a site that provides the ability to easier sync your Google Docs with Microsoft products (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).  OffiSync is a free download that integrates into the Office software.

OffiSync allows all the tools of Google Docs with Office, more specifically the sharing and collaboration aspect.  My school does not use Google Docs, but I am often viewing documents from Google Docs via Twitter, so this software would allow me to easily integrate them into my Office software.  To get a better understanding, you will probably be interested in the video below, that is also available for viewing on OffiSync's website.







For more information about OffiSync, and to compare the free and premium versions click here.

Artificial Intelligence Typing

A.I.type is a site dedicated to the typing suggestions that we are getting used to on our iPhones and other devices.  A.I.type though offers more then just a word.  It also offers sentences suggestions as well as word suggestions.  You can also get translation into your own language as you type as well.  This is a great tool for ESL students and teachers.  A.I.type is also a great tool for lower level students who need assistance with writing.  Part of me wonders though if a technology like this will remove the necessity to even know how to type.  This is the next best thing to voice recognition that will remove the necessity to know how to type.  A.I.type is a free download that works with several platforms that you can view in the image below.  You can see it in action on their home page.

Simple Diagrams..and I mean Simple

Simple Diagrams is a site dedicated to creating...well, simple diagrams.  Stick figures, word clouds, and arrows.  For students who can easily be distracted this seems like a great option.  It also puts the emphasis on the contact and not on all the bells and whistles a software can provide.  It uses simple drag and drop features.  It is a software that you download to your computer and not web based.  There are more features that are available for a paid version of the software.  More information on the Free Version and Paid Version (only $19) are available on the site.

Here is a screen-shot from their website of the Free Version.  If you decide to pay for the software you will receive access to some other libraries of images that you can use.  The Free version for us cash strapped educators seems to offer plenty for classroom use.  Maybe an educational library will be available in the future.

I am looking forward to how I might be able to use this for professional development.

Popplet

Popplet is a mind-mapping tool but with a twist.  It provides the ability to add pictures to create and organize your mind-map.  Popplet provides a way to share ideas.  It would be a great way to share pictures showcasing change over time and provide information about those images at the same time.  It would be a great tool to use for before and after photos as well.  If you have an iPad, you can purchase the Popplet iPad App as well.  Popplet provides an alternative to presentation using photos, it could be another method to digital story telling in the classroom.

The site is currently in Beta and you will need to request access to use the site.  You can view the video below to get a better idea of the capabilities of the software and see if it is something you might be interesting in testing out and discovering ways that it could be used in the classroom.

Software From Microsoft

Recently our school district, well, actually our entire state has gone to Microsoft Live @EDU.  Microsoft has a lot of lesser known useful tools that educators might find useful as part of their Windows Live Essentials and other software..  I wanted to share those here.

Windows Live Writer 2011 - This software is intended to provide a place to write blog post off of the web.  It can be integrated to Blogger, WordPress, LiveJournal and others (Not sure about EduBlogs).  It provides the ability to add videos, pictures and a Bing Map.

StickySorter - This program is similar other post it note type sites but with many more features.  You can categorize and organize (sort) your notes into groups.  You can also import data from other files like Excel.  You could easily use this site to organize dates, events, people, etc in a class assignment/discussion; especially if you are using a SMARTBoard. 

ZoomIt - This is a tool for screen-casting that also allows you to zoom in to particular areas of the computer screen for technical presentations.  The program runs from the hot tray and uses customizable hot keys to activate for use.  It also allows you to draw on the zoomed in area.