Tools and Resources relating to: Tell a Story

  • Adobe Podcast (Beta) - Adobe Podcast is an audio tool for people with stories to tell. AI-powered audio recording and editing, all on the web. Below are a few highlights. Edit words, not waveforms - Powered by Adobe Premiere Pro’s speech-to-text technology, Adobe Podcast lets you easily edit audio using a transcript. Remote recording - Recording with others is as easy as sharing a link. Everyone’s audio is recorded in high quality locally, then Adobe Podcast syncs it back together in the cloud automatically. AI-powered audio - Enhance Speech increases clarity by removing background noise and sharpening your voice’s frequencies. It makes it sound as if everything was recorded in a professional studio. Remove noise from voice recordings with speech enhancement - Speech enhancement makes voice recordings sound as if they were recorded in a professional studio.   Adobe Podcast (Beta) Note: There is a waitlist to access this resource since ...
  • Maya - Also known as Autodesk Maya, Maya this 3D modeling software allows people to create assets for interactive 3D applications, animated films, TV series, and visual effects. It is very similar to Blender. It is important to note that this software is only free for educational use, so you will need to confirm your status as an educator or student once a year. The software has a small learning curve, however, there are many tutorials available. Tutorials are not included with this listing because the software is frequently updated, making some tutorials inaccurate after a few months.   Autodesk for Educators Website
  • Unreal Engine - Unreal engine is a game engine that uses real-time 3D computer graphics and was developed by Epic Games. The software allows people to create games using assets created in Unreal itself and imported from 3D modeling platforms such as Blender or Maya. The software has a small learning curve, however, there are many tutorials available. Tutorials are not included with this listing because the software is frequently updated, making some tutorials inaccurate after a few months.   Unreal Engine
  • Unity - Unity is a cross-platform game engine. It supports development for a wide variety of platforms, including desktop, mobile, console, and virtual reality. The software allows people to create games using assets created in Unity itself and imported from 3D modeling platforms such as Blender or Maya. The software has a small learning curve, however, there are many tutorials available. Tutorials are not included with this listing because the software is frequently updated, making some tutorials inaccurate after a few months.   Unity Website  
  • Blender - Blender is 3D modeling software that allows people to create, render, and export 3D models. Create animations, still scenes, and rigged models. People often create models that they will then go on to use in game-creating software like Unity and Unreal Engine. The software has a small learning curve, however, there are many tutorials available. Tutorials are not included with this listing because the software is frequently updated, making some tutorials inaccurate after a few months.   Blender Website
  • Streamlabs - Streamlabs is a free-to-use live-streaming and recording software acquired by Logitec in 2019. Under its umbrella, there are a plethora of applications that can help people create content, such as Streamlabs for Desktop, Streamlabs Web Suite, Streamlabs Mobile, Streamlabs Console, and more. Its primary function is for streaming, but it also allows users to record their screen and voice and allows for many different customizations to make videos unique. There are many tutorials on how to use the application, and there will likely be many more as the software updates. Here's a beginner's guide on how to set up the software for streaming.   Streamlabs Website
  • DaVinci Resolve - DaVinci Resolve is audio and video editing software from Blackmagicdesign with a free-to-use version that is unique in its wide variety of features. DaVinci Resolve combines editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio post-production all in one software tool. Its interface is easy for new users, yet powerful for professionals. DaVinci Resolve lets you work with camera original quality images throughout the entire process. DaVinci Resolve lets you learn how to use tools similar to those used by Hollywood professionals. There are plenty of tutorials online for how to use this tool, though the platform is constantly updating with new features. Here's a short beginner's guide for DaVinci Resolve 17. This software works best on a computer or laptop, but an application for the Apple iPad has also recently been released.   DaVinci Resolve Website
  • SUNY Create - SUNY provides students, faculty, and staff with the opportunity to register a domain name and create a digital presence through various mediums such as blogs, portfolios, and wikis. You can easily install open source applications such as WordPress, MediaWiki, Drupal, Scalar, and Omeka to your own domain, and use this space to create your digital identity and express your creativity. (Note: SUNY Create is only available to SUNY students, faculty, and staff. Check with your own institution to determine if similar platforms might exist that you can take advantage of if you are not affiliated with SUNY.)   SUNY Create Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • bulb Digital Portfolios - Build a beautiful, powerful digital portfolio. No Coding Required. Bulb started as a platform for students to show they’re more than a test score; it still is the simplest digital formative assessment tool on the market. As the product has grown, it has turned into a global hub where all kinds of people showcase their skills through beautiful, multimedia content on an incredibly easy-to-use platform. bulb Digital Portfolios
  • Nearpod - Real-time insights into student understanding through interactive lessons, interactive videos, gamification, and activities — all in a single platform.   Nearpod
  • Screencastify - Screencastify is the leading screen recorder for Chrome. Install the extension to record, edit, share videos, and create video assignments in seconds.   Screencastify
  • Digital Skills Library - This Digital Skills Library is a collection of resources, tutorials, lessons, etc. which has been built by educators through EdTech Maker Space events focused on content curation of digital skills activities. Through hundreds of hours of service, volunteer contributors have helped to compile nearly 2,000 learning activities that support digital skills development.   Digital Skills Library
  • Escape Rooms: How to create a digital escape game – Florida State College at Jacksonville - This LibGuide offers useful background and setup information on using digital escape room games in an educational setting. Where to begin creating your first escape game is a personal preference. Some people start with a template, while others like to start from scratch. Either way, you will need to decide on a few necessary components. This guide has a few tips to help you get started.  You can also work with FSCJ Librarians to create a game for your class.    Escape Rooms: How to create a digital escape room - Florida State College at Jacksonville
  • Digital Escape Rooms – Lafayette College - This resource describes digital escape rooms for collaborative learning and steps for implementation. Escape rooms can be a fun, exciting way to unlock a mystery in a collaborative manner. In physical escape rooms teams work together to solve various clues and unlock codes so that they can essentially escape the room. Escape rooms can be engaging active learning activities that allow students to review course concepts with their peers during class. Escape rooms can translate well into virtual, synchronous settings by building them in a tool such as Google Forms and assigning students to specific groups or breakout rooms to solve the clues.   Digital Escape Rooms - Lafayette College
  • TED-Ed - TED-Ed is TED’s youth and education initiative. TED-Ed’s mission is to spark and celebrate the ideas of teachers and students around the world. Everything we do supports learning — from producing a growing library of original animated videos, to providing an international platform for teachers to create their own interactive lessons, to helping curious students around the globe bring TED to their schools and gain presentation literacy skills, to celebrating innovative leadership within TED-Ed’s global network of over 650,000 teachers. TED-Ed has grown from an idea worth spreading into an award-winning education platform that serves millions of teachers and students around the world every week.   Ted-Ed
  • ACRL Visual Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education - Visual literacy is a set of abilities that enables an individual to effectively find, interpret, evaluate, use, and create images and visual media. Visual literacy skills equip a learner to understand and analyze the contextual, cultural, ethical, aesthetic, intellectual, and technical components involved in the production and use of visual materials. A visually literate individual is both a critical consumer of visual media and a competent contributor to a body of shared knowledge and culture. The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) through the ACRL Visual Literacy Standards Task Force (VLTF) created a recent revision of the ACRL Visual Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education.   ACRL Visual Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education ---- Companion Document to the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education: Visual Literacy The ACRL Visual Literacy Task Force Zotero library shares additional supporting documents and resources.
  • DigitalLearn.org - DigitalLearn.org contains a collection of digital skills tutorials on topics such as how to use a search engine, how to get started on a computer, an introduction to email, online safety, video conferencing, Microsoft Word and Excel, and others. These courses are created by the Public Library Association and are available completely free to everyone! The courses are broken down well and information is presented clearly and at a pace appropriate for digital novices. The topics are taught through storytelling using real-world, practical scenarios. There are also interactive practice activities to reinforce learning. Most courses are either new, or newly updated.   DigitalLearn.org
  • Noun Project: Free Icons & Stock Photos for Everything - Noun Project features the most diverse collection of icons and stock photos ever. Download SVG and PNG. Browse over 3 million art-quality icons and photos. All images are available as free downloads. Purchase a royalty-free license to support artists and get more options.   Noun Project: Free Icons & Stock Photos for Everything
  • List of image galleries to promote accurate and equitable representation - This downloadable document contains a list of image galleries that promote accurate and equitable representation. On the list, you will find some galleries dedicated to specific populations (or combinations of populations), such as women, people of color, people from LGBTQIA+ communities, people with diverse abilities, people of different ages, and more! Created by Kevin Kelly, EdD, in support of the Peralta Community College District Equity Initiative. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA)   List of image galleries to promote accurate and equitable representation   Keywords: Diversity, Inclusion
  • Moovly | Online Video Editor - Moovly is an easy-to-use solution for the creation of videos. This online platform can be used to create animated videos, video presentations, and other multimedia content without being an expert. Create your own videos using a simple, library-based drag and drop interface.   Moovly | Online Video Editor
  • Lumen5 - Lumen5 is a video creation platform powered by A.I. that enables anyone without training or experience to easily create engaging video content.   Lumen5
  • Orbix360 - Orbix360º is a 360º VR Creation and Publishing company that enables its users to design and share 360º VR Experiences with images, sound, text, and navigation. The Orbix360° tool is meant to share not only 360 photos but also VR creations.   Orbix360°
  • OpenShot Video Editor - OpenShot Video Editor is a free and open-source, stable, free, and friendly-to-use video editor.  The program supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.   OpenShot Video Editor
  • Disabled And Here Collection – photos and illustrations celebrating disabled Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) - This stock library is a disability-led effort to provide free and inclusive images from our own perspective, with photos and illustrations celebrating disabled Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC).   Disabled And Here Collection   Keywords: Diversity, Inclusion
  • Getty Images - Find the perfect royalty-free image for your next project from the world's best photo library of creative stock photos, vector art illustrations, and stock photography. Embed Getty images for free for non-commercial purposes. Here's a collection of Getty images classified under inclusivity.   Getty Images
  • CoSpaces - CoSpaces is a mixed reality web-based application that allows users to create and engage with interactive media content. CoSpaces affords students the ability to demonstrate their knowledge in new ways by building virtual and augmented reality interactive worlds, simple or complex, that is approachable for the uninitiated.   CoSpaces Review Accessibility/Security Info  
  • InVideo - InVideo is a powerful, online video editor. It comes packed with 5000+ templates, iStock media, music library, filters, transitions and much more. No download required. Uses artificial intelligence to create videos from your text. InVideo.io - Storyteller-Templates   InVideo.io
  • Penn State Experience Catalogue - Whether you are looking for a demonstration of what’s possible in virtual reality, an immersive tour of a landmark halfway around the world or aspects of the microcosm, the Penn State Experience Catalogue has you covered. Our team curates this evolving list of videos and apps with varied disciplines and teaching goals in mind. This collection has a wide variety of examples of 360º + 180º Video, Augmented Reality, & Virtual Reality.   Penn State Experience Catalogue
  • YouTube for 360 Videos - A page of curated and high-quality 360° videos are available which features collections such as: Travel Music Wildlife Thrillseekers collection Gaming and more... Learn more about virtual reality (VR) and 360° video on YouTube.   YouTube for 360 videos
  • 123Apps – Online Video Cutter - The Online Video Cutter web app comes in handy when you need to cut a small video file. It does not require installation, and it works in your browser. This online software also allows you to crop and rotate videos in almost any format. Audio and PDF editing options are also available through the 123Apps, the company that's behind Online Video Cutter.   123Apps - Online Video Cutter
  • Wideo - Create stunning videos and presentations using templates. Templates are a great way to craft fast and awesome videos and we thought up a very simple editor that you can use to create videos for your company quickly. Wideo
  • Best Alternatives to Garageband - GarageBand is one of the most incredible computerized sound workstation, yet it's just accessible for Apple devices. That implies you can just utilize it on Macs, iPhones, and iPads, and not on Windows, Linux, or Android. If you are searching for a GarageBand alternative (such as Mixcraft, Walk Band, Logic Pro X, Ableton, etc.) to use on your Windows PC, check out these GarageBand alternatives.   Read Complete Article on Garageband Alternatives
  • Genial.ly - Genial.ly is an online tool that can be used to create still, animated, or interactive visuals, such as posters, infographics, quizzes, and presentations. This content can be used to enhance websites/blogs or as a communication tool (i.e. to make presentations, infographics, reports, posters, guides, and also interactive branching scenarios. You don’t need to be a programmer or designer to create stunning digital projects that are visual, interactive, and engaging.   Genial.ly
  • Using Game-Based Learning Online – A Cookbook of Recipes Author: The EGG - Games are likely to reinforce students’ commitment to the learning process. In an educational context, these characteristics and qualities can greatly enhance student engagement, motivation, and learning. This collection of recipes has been created to present game-based strategies to make online learning more stimulating and engaging for students. In this cookbook, an interdisciplinary panel of experts offers recipes for integrating different types of game-based learning activities in the context of remote teaching. An overview of game-based learning strategies are provided, including trivia games, escape games, co-operative games, crossword puzzles, and more.   Using Game-Based Learning Online – A Cookbook of Recipes Author: The EGG
  • Type Studio - Type Studio is an online text-based video and podcast editing software. It transcribes your video and audio files into text. Then you can edit your media based on the transcribed text. There are a few features that Type Studio comes with besides just editing. Translation: Translate your video and audio files into different languages. Automatically subtitling: Add subtitles to your video and make them more accessible. Repurpose content: Create your content once and distribute it on all social platforms. Video to article: Turn your video into an interactive article and embed it into your website.   Type Studio  
  • Venngage - Venngage is an online tool for creating infographics, reports, and data visualizations. Infographics make complex, important, or technical information easy to digest. Pick from hundreds of charts, maps, icons, and import data directly from your spreadsheets into numerous chart styles and infographic templates. This blog post titled, "Venngage: 7 Ways eLearning Infographics Make Education Easier," details the reasons why infographics can make learning for students more interesting, involving, and visual.   Venngage
  • Frame VR - Immersive presentations and meetings - right from the browser on desktop, mobile, and VR. FRAME is a virtual world environment. It is a beta product from Virbela, which is a full-fledged virtual world that requires an application that needs to be downloaded and installed on a computer. FRAME VR makes it easy to come together with your co-workers, students, or audience in an immersive online space, right from the browser.   Frame VR
  • Icebreaker.Video - Icebreaker videos are a great tool to help promote collaboration for icebreakers, meet-and-greet, or meetups. You can plan your meeting by choosing a topic and conversation games through a template or yourself. Prompt cards make this a fun and fast-paced meeting space. Tiered pricing available and easy to use.   Icebreaker.video 
  • Wikimedia Commons - Wikimedia Commons is a media file repository making available public domain and freely licensed educational media content (images, sound and video clips) to everyone, in their own language. It acts as a common repository for the various projects of the Wikimedia Foundation. The repository is created and maintained by volunteers. The scope of Commons is set out on the project scope pages.   Wikimedia Commons
  • Microsoft 365: Here’s how to get it for free - This blog post by c|net explains how anyone can use Microsoft's Word, Excel, and PowerPoint apps without spending any money.   Microsoft 365: Here's how to get it for free
  • SlidesGo - SlidesGo contains a great collection of Google Slides and PowerPoint templates, tutorials, and tips about how to design effective presentations. We also want to highlight the Minimalist styled templates that have a very simple and professional look and feel.   SlidesGo
  • Microsoft Sway - Sway is a Microsoft Office application with which you can create portfolios, presentations, websites, newsletters, interactive reports, and more. First of all, Sway is free - you just need to have a Microsoft account (Hotmail, Live, or Outlook.com), and it's easy to use. Formatting is very easy and the transitions they use in the presentation are very attractive and modern, offering three different variants of appearance (vertical, horizontal, or slide type). Microsoft Sway is a part of the Microsoft Office family of products. Sway sites are stored on Microsoft's servers and are tied to the user's Microsoft account. Sway presentations can be viewed and edited from any web browser through Office for the web.   Microsoft Sway   What is Microsoft Sway, and What Can I Do with It? How to use Microsoft Sway   Keywords: Flipped Learning, Presentations
  • Curriki - Curriki is an online, free, open education service. Curriki is a platform to develop and deliver open educational resources that also contain interactive activities. Curricula and instructional materials that are built using Curriki Studio are then made available to learners via the Curriki website. The majority of the resources on the Curriki site fall under a Creative Commons license. Educational materials are provided by the Curriki community and are peer-reviewed for quality and adherence to standards.   Curriki
  • 13 free sources for diverse stock photography – Walls.io blog - One way to combat the lack of diversity in the media we create is to use more inclusive stock photography. This collection of free stock photography sites will help you ditch the standard stock photography and locate more diverse visuals for your projects. ”Stock photos don’t just illustrate a subject matter but also shape the perception of communities. They can combat stereotypes and help shape realities. Or they can help preserve the, often discriminating, status quo.”   13 free sources for diverse stock photography   Keywords: Creative Commons, Diversity, Inclusion
  • How To Start A Podcast: A Complete Step-By-Step Tutorial - This guide from PodcastInsights walks you through how to start a podcast. Starting a podcast isn’t difficult, but there are a number of steps you’ll need to go through in order to get it launched. This podcasting tutorial walks you through every step of the process including: Choosing a topic & name Show and episode format Cover art creation Intro & outro music Equipment selection Audio recording & editing Submission to Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Promotion tips And much more…   How To Start A Podcast: A Complete Step-By-Step Tutorial
  • newtFire {DH} - The newtFire site serves as an incubator of learning and research collaboration between scholars and students in the Digital Humanities from multiple institutions, and is the project development site of Elisa Beshero-Bondar, Program Chair of Digital Media, Arts, and Technology (DIGIT) at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. This site contains numerous tutorials and exercises well suited for working within the digital humanities, computer science, and beyond. Current tutorials include: Git and GitHub | HTML | JavaScript | Network Analysis | Project Preparation | Python | QGIS | Regular Expressions | Relax NG | Schematron | SVG | TEI | XML | XPath | XQuery | XSLT   newtFire {DH}
  • Edublogger’s Guide to Podcasting - This guide will help you understand what podcasts are, why they’re popular, and how to access or create your own podcasts. We’ve also included a PDF with 50 ideas for student created podcasts. Podcasts are simply audio files that are published online. Podcasts can also include video or other sorts of file formats but within this guide, they talk about audio podcasts.   Edublogger's Guide to Podcasting
  • Anchor - Anchor is a free platform for podcast creation. It contains tools that allow users to record and edit audio, arrange it into podcast episodes, publish podcasts to listening platforms, and monetize content by collecting listener contributions or adding advertisements into episodes.   Anchor
  • QuickTime - QuickTime allows you to quickly make common edits to video and audio content including trim, rearrange, and rotate. You can also split a movie into multiple clips and manipulate each one individually. In addition, QuickTime also allows you to create screencasts by recording your Mac screen and capturing your screen from most iOS mobile devices. QuickTime is built into most Mac operating systems. QuickTime for Microsoft Windows is downloadable as a standalone installation.   QuickTime   Keywords: video, audio, podcasts, vlogs
  • Recast Studio – Online Video Editor - Recast focuses on helping creators to produce professional-quality videos in minimum clicks. Making video is time consuming. The entire process of editing the video is broken down to increase the speed of making the video, helping creators focus on the important aspects like storytelling and less on learning how to edit videos.   Recast Studio is built so that creators can spend more time doing what matters, such as publishing quality content.  Recast Studio is a cloud-based online video editor that help creators repurpose text, audio or video into dynamic social videos. Recast Studio’s online video maker comes with all the editing features like trim, crop, cut, rotate & flip videos and it has features like automatically adding captions to video, adding and animating images to videos.   Recast Studio - Online Video Editor
  • Crevado - One of the easiest free portfolio websites, Crevado lets you use a simple drag-and-drop tool to upload your projects and rearrange on the screen for true ease-of-use. The site is also automatically optimized for any device, so your portfolio can be viewed on a smartphone or tablet as well as a desktop. Best of all, you can customize your design to suit your preferences without writing any code.   Crevado  
  • Jimdo - Jimdo provides two products including the standard editor, Jimdo Creator, and Jimdo Dolphin which falls under a new category of website builder systems. These two products live side by side: Jimdo Creator enables building a website from scratch or running your blog or online store, and Jimdo Dolphin is used to get a beautiful website that's ready to go in just a few minutes.   Jimdo
  • Scalar - Scalar is a free, open-source publishing platform geared toward long-form scholarship with embedded multimedia. It also provides the capability for multimedia tagging and annotation, as well as for interacting with stories in a nonlinear way through different path structures. Scalar allows for the easy creation of a website using a book-type format. It was created by the Alliance for Networking Visual Culture at the University of Southern California.   Scalar    
  • Stanford d.school - Everyone has the capacity to be creative. The Stanford d.school is a place where people develop problem-solving skills using methods from across the field of design. Resources on this site include toolkits to guide learners through design challenges. Stanford d.school Stanford d.school - Resources How to Design an Education Escape Room    
  • VERO - Vero is a social media platform and mobile app company. Vero markets itself as a social network free from advertisements. Vero Members are a creative bunch and like nothing more than discovering new stories, people, causes, and projects to get behind.   Vero  
  • Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) - Open Broadcaster Software is free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. As of 2016, the software is now referred to as OBS Studio. There are versions of OBS Studio available for Microsoft Windows, Mac, and Linux. OBS is useful to create videos and add effects with webcam, screen, and audio capture. It is also one of the best tools for streaming live your meeting, events, conferences on Facebook, YouTube, etc. It also makes OBS easier to use, especially for those new to the world of live-streaming. Anyone involved in live streaming needs to use a live video encoder. Encoding can be done at the software or hardware level. Software encoders like OBS Studio provide the most versatility and are used by the majority of professional broadcasters.   Open Broadcaster Software
  • Google AR VR - This site shares information about Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) and how they can be used to bridge the digital and physical worlds. They allow you to take in information and content visually, in the same way you take in the world. AR dramatically expands the ways our devices can help with everyday activities like searching for information, shopping, and expressing yourself. VR lets you experience what it's like to go anywhere — from the front row of a concert to distant planets in outer space. Augmented Reality can put answers right where your questions are, overlaying helpful visual content and information on your real world. Virtual Reality can bring you anywhere, helping you learn about different places and ideas by experiencing them as if you were actually there.   Google AR & VR
  • GIMP - GIMP is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program.  It is a cross-platform image editor available for GNU/Linux, OS X, Windows, and more operating systems. It is free software, you can change its source code and distribute your changes. Whether you are a graphic designer, photographer, illustrator, or scientist, GIMP provides you with sophisticated tools to get your job done. You can further enhance your productivity with GIMP thanks to many customization options and 3rd party plugins. GIMP is an excellent free alternative for Adobe Photoshop, with a familiar interface yet slightly different learning curve. GIMP
  • Krita - Krita is a professional, free, and open source painting program. It is made by artists that want to see affordable art tools for everyone. It is the full-featured digital painting studio for artists who want to create professional work from start to end.  Krita is used by comic book artists, illustrators, concept artists, matte and texture painters, and in the digital VFX industry. Krita has several features that are unique or a first among free software painting applications: support for colorspaces other than RGB, like CMYK, support for HDR painting, painting assistants, a perspective grid. Anyone looking to replace Adobe Photoshop with a free and full-featured alternative having a familiar interface and workflow, Krita might be the answer.   Krita
  • Inkscape - Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor for GNU/Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X. It offers a rich set of features and is widely used for both artistic and technical illustrations such as cartoons, clip art, logos, typography, diagramming and flowcharting. It uses vector graphics to allow for sharp printouts and renderings at unlimited resolution and is not bound to a fixed number of pixels like raster graphics. Inkscape uses the standardized SVG file format as its main format, which is supported by many other applications including web browsers. It can import and export various file formats, including SVG, AI, EPS, PDF, PS, and PNG. It has a comprehensive feature set, a simple interface, multi-lingual support, and is designed to be extensible; users can customize Inkscape's functionality with add-ons. Inkscape is free and an excellent alternative for Adobe Illustrator. Its ...
  • Kanopy - Kanopy offers thoughtful entertainment free of charge by partnering with public libraries and universities. Individuals affiliated with a library or educational institution can utilize these resources to educate and raise awareness about important issues. It has movies categorized by genre. The user may also use the search feature to find relevant content based on the title or the subject matter.   Kanopy
  • Doodle Buddy - Doodle Buddy is the most fun your fingers can have on a Windows device! It's like finger-painting, but instead of getting your fingers messy, you get to create amazing works of art that you can share with friends. Even non-artists can create a masterpiece with thousands of colors, stencils, and stamps.   Doodle Buddy
  • Medium - Medium is a publishing platform with a social twist. The platform has 120 million readers that are able to directly follow the publisher or the writer they want and read their articles. The platform encourages writers from all over the world to become a member and publish on its platform. The social aspect of the platform makes it easy for readers to follow the writers. The more followers you have, more widely your work will get published. The writers can also choose to publish freely or for a fee. This management is done by the Medium platform that has either free membership of paid membership with only the paid members able to view materials that demand fees.   Medium
  • PicsArt - PicsArt makes it easy to step up your photo editing game, make amazing images, and share with friends. It lets you be truly creative with its almost limitless features ― and it’s starting a movement to help “go beyond the filter” and make awesome pictures. The Picsart suite of online photo and video editing applications also has a social creative community. The platform allows you to take and edit pictures and videos, draw with layers, and share the images on Picsart's and other social networks.   PicsArt
  • Metaverse - Metaverse is an easy way to create Augmented Reality Experiences on your computer and watch them come to life in the Metaverse app. When using AR always be aware of your surroundings, watch out for people, moving objects, still objects, and more. Have fun and be safe.   Metaverse
  • Effective Educational Videos: Principles and Guidelines for Maximizing Student Learning from Video Content - This is a research article available in CBE—Life Sciences Education (LSE), a free, online quarterly journal published by the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB), is packed with links to other relevant research about using and creating videos for learning. Below is an excerpt from the abstract. "Educational videos have become an important part of higher education, providing an important content-delivery tool in many flipped, blended, and online classes. Effective use of video as an educational tool is enhanced when instructors consider three elements: how to manage cognitive load of the video; how to maximize student engagement with the video; and how to promote active learning from the video. This essay reviews literature relevant to each of these principles and suggests practical ways instructors can use these principles when using video as an educational tool." Brame CJ. Effective Educational Videos: Principles and ...
  • LibreOffice - LibreOffice is a powerful and free office suite, a successor to OpenOffice(.org), used by millions of people around the world. Its clean interface and feature-rich tools help you unleash your creativity and enhance your productivity. LibreOffice is compatible with a wide range of document formats such as Microsoft® Word (.doc, .docx), Excel (.xls, .xlsx), PowerPoint (.ppt, .pptx) and Publisher. But LibreOffice goes much further with its native support for a modern and open standard, the Open Document Format (ODF). With LibreOffice, you have maximum control over your data and content – and you can export your work in many different formats including PDF. Beyond the many features shipped by default, LibreOffice is easily extensible through its powerful extensions mechanisms. Get even more features and document templates on our dedicated websites. LibreOffice is Free and Open Source Software, available for everyone to use, share ...
  • Hubs by Mozilla - Share a virtual room with friends. Watch videos, play with 3D objects, or just hang out. Hubs is a VR chatroom designed for every headset and browser, but it is also an open-source project that explores how communication in mixed reality can come to life. Step inside one of our virtual rooms or build one from the ground up. With Hubs, you can create a room with a single click. Mozilla HUBS is one of the newest technologies that offer a virtual world environment that is browser-based and therefore, very accessible to those who do and those who do not have sophisticated VR headsets.   Hubs by Mozilla
  • ScreenFlow - ScreenFlow is a video editing, screen recording and sharing tool from Telestream. It is specifically useful for educators who would like to record their presentations or any other computer software demos, then edit them, add info layers, voice over and other elements that would make the video more interesting and engaging.   Telestream ScreenFlow for Mac ScreenFlow Features for Education Easy to use, easy to learn: ScreenFlow is easy to use and easy to learn – even if you have no experience creating video. Record everything: Record your computer screen and / or your video camera and add your own narration. Easy video editing: Easily add zoom & pan effects, trim clips, add drop shadow & reflection, adjust audio levels, and more. Closed caption support with SRT import: Add, edit and publish ADA Compliant soft subtitles as caption tracks to your MPEG-4 movies ...
  • Animaker - Animaker is an online do-it-yourself (#DIY) animation video maker that brings studio quality presentations within everyone's reach. The software is cloud-based, and was launched in 2014. It allows users to create animated videos using pre-built characters and templates. In 2017, Animaker became the first tool to launch an animated vertical video creator. In February 2015 the software was officially launched based on a freemium model that allowed users a free account option.   Animaker
  • Twine - Twine is an open-source tool for telling interactive, nonlinear stories. You don't need to write any code to create a simple story with Twine, but you can extend your stories with variables, conditional logic, images, CSS, and JavaScript when you're ready. Twine publishes directly to HTML, so you can post your work nearly anywhere. Anything you create with it is completely free to use any way you like, including for commercial purposes.   Twine What is Twine?  
  • SUNY OER Services - SUNY OER Services (SOS) is a shared service organization operating out of the State Uniiversity of New York's (SUNY) Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS) who works directly with all SUNY campuses and faculty to provide assistance and knowledge to support OER adoption and sustained use as a driver of faculty choice and student success. Services include offering a ready-to-adopt OER catalog, facilitating the seamless integration of OER into the LMS, the remixing of OER from various sources, and the offline (print) production of OER. The services and resources offered by SUNY’s OER partners are at no cost to SUNY campuses or faculty. User-friendly technology to support adopting, adapting, and building of OER course content Professional development opportunities, online and on campus Networking across faculty and campuses to advance open educational practices Support in establishing sustainable OER programs Guidance around ...
  • GraphicSprings - A logo maker application that enables non-designers to create beautiful logos, whether that's for an entrepreneurial venture, school project, presentation or charitable cause. Another element available in the online interface is the ability to design graphics to use for digital badges (like the badges used in #EmTechMOOC).   GraphicSprings How to Edit Logo Graphic - this how-to video shows how users can easily edit graphics How to Edit Logo Text - this how-to video shows how users can customize their name and slogan        
  • Binumi - Video platform. Easy-to-use and free. Create a video in seconds from a vast video library. A collection of 4 million multimedia clips. Select frame-by-frame to create your storyboard.  Add voice recordings, edit in seconds. A great way to create. Videos can be public or private. Share on Binumi site, social media or YouTube. Mobile App too.   Binumi
  • SMORE - Create newsletters, or electronic flyers in seconds for free. Easy-to-use and engaging. Collaborate with your audience even add text, images, video or clickable buttons. Colorful backgrounds and choice of font styles. Professional look achieved quickly. SMORE generates a clickable link that remains with your design. If you need to edit, just re-publish to update. Tool also provides analytics such as how many times your newsletter or flyer were viewed.   SMORE    
  • Breakout EDU - This site is a "sandbox" of examples of digital breakout lessons Breakout EDU games consist of a combination of physical and digital puzzle elements that must be solved in a set amount of time to create escape room type of activities. Players of all ages are challenged to open the locked Breakout EDU box using critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. Breakout games are available in both physical and virtual formats. The site also features a variety of options to create puzzles and other interactive activities.   Breakout EDU
  • Clipchamp - With Clipchamp, you can edit, compress, convert, and record without compromising the quality of your video. It also allows you to create Facebook video ads, Youtube videos, Instagram promos, and Slideshow videos. Pick from the different available templates to meet your needs. Create your story now!   Clipchamp
  • Storyboarder - Storyboarder makes it easy to visualize a story as fast you can draw stick figures. Quickly draw to test if a story idea works.   Storyboarder   Keywords: video storytelling
  • National Geographic – Including VR & 360° Video Content - National Geographic pushes the boundaries of visual storytelling. The National Geographic site has a large collection of stories that relate to critical issues affecting the world today and the impact on your life. The online series includes content from all over the world, including podcasts, virtual reality, and 360° videos.   National Geographic National Geographic 360° Video Playlist   Keywords: simulations
  • Data Visualization: University at Buffalo Libraries Research Guide - This guide provides an introduction to best practices, tools, and educational resources for data visualization, including tools, best practices, examples, and resources. Data visualization is the process of representing information using visual means, such as a chart/graph, diagram, map, concept map, or picture. There are two fundamental types of data visualization: exploratory visualization and explanatory visualization. Data Visualization: University at Buffalo Libraries Research Guide    
  • How To Upload A Podcast (To iTunes Or Any Other Directory) - It’s a fairly common misconception that iTunes and other podcast directories host your podcast media files (typically an MP3). You don’t actually upload your podcast episode files to iTunes. What really happens is that you show iTunes where your podcast files are located in the form of an RSS feed. Then every time you upload a new episode, your feed is automatically updated – and iTunes updates your show listing with the new episode accordingly. This website shares the process to upload a podcast to iTunes (now Apple Podcasts).   How To Upload A Podcast (To iTunes Or Any Other Directory)
  • Knight Lab - Northwestern University Knight Lab is a community of designers, developers, students, and educators working on experiments designed to push journalism into new spaces. The Lab provides an open, collaborative environment for interdisciplinary exploration and conversation, where students and professionals learn together and from one another. Products from Knight Lab include easy to create timelines, StoryMaps, and a tool to juxtapose and compare images.   Northwestern University Knight Lab
  • PechaKucha - PechaKucha 20x20 is an alternative way to present information which was devised by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham in Tokyo in 2003. It is a simple presentation format where you show 20 images, each for 20 seconds. The images advance automatically and you talk along to the images.   PechaKucha   Keywords: presentations
  • Ultimate Guide to Easily Make Instructional Videos - A wonderful outline on how to create educational videos, including how-to videos, tutorial, and instructional videos.   Ultimate Guide to Easily Make Instructional Videos
  • Teleprompt.me - The web's only voice-powered teleprompter. Drop in a script and it automatically scrolls as you speak. This voice-controlled teleprompter uses Chrome's built-in microphone to scroll as you speak. Creating a text-based script for your videos also helps to later generate captions, ensuring your video's content is accessible to the widest possible audience.   Teleprompt-me
  • Seesaw - It is an app and website that offers instructors different assessment methods of students and ways to create interactive lessons for students.  Like other websites that allow for portfolios, students can create their own portfolios while allowing for communication between students, parents, and teachers.  Students can use online tools to demonstrate their creativity and learning.   Seesaw   Keywords: ePortfolio Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Creative Book Builder - Creative Book Builder allows you to create books in epub format, which can then be exported to iBooks and shared with others. Embed images, audio files, video files, and write text. The advantage of an epub document over a PDF document is that all of the media will be preserved and available for readers to interact with when the final product is published. (Excerpt from All about apps in YOUR classroom!)   Creative Book Builder
  • VEED - VEED is a simple video editor with a bunch of great features such as Trim, Crop, Add Text, Add Subtitles/Captions, Add Stickers, and much more. VEED works directly in the browser and does not require download any software. An additional feature is that VEED can turn a podcast into a video by simply adding artwork to the podcast. VEED also adds an animated waveform as well. This function allows you to share podcasts on social media since most social media channels are not able to natively share audio-only podcasts.   VEED
  • Shotcut - Use this free software to edit videos and add effects. Shotcut is a free and open-source video editing software available for Windows, Mac, and Linux devices. The platform works with resolutions as high as 4K and has broad format support. It is an ideal solution for creating video thanks to its array of editing features and audio/video effects. This video editor makes editing tasks simple and effective.   Shotcut
  • Remix Project – improving media literacy across the curriculum - The goal of the Remix Project is to improve media literacy across the curriculum so that all students are better prepared for the media-rich world of the twenty-first century. The Remix Project is a collaborative effort of the Hesburgh Libraries and the Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning from the University at Notre Dame. The Remix platform supports the creation of media as part of college coursework. Remix provides resources for students and faculty. The website provides step-by-step instructions for assignments, along with links to tutorials and other resources. The projects fall under four categories: Audio, Image, Video, and Data, with projects, such as infographic, scientific research posters, and public service announcements.   Remix project   Keywords: tutorials, lesson plans, audio, podcasts, video photos,
  • HitFilm - Video editing and all the power you need to make something cool. Free starter software, HitFilm, is perfect for beginners, film students, and YouTubers.   HitFilm   Keywords: video editing
  • Clips - Clips is an iOS app for making and sharing fun videos with text, effects, graphics, and more. From choosing backgrounds to using animated special effect and 3D, Clips makes the whole experience of capturing a moment and sharing it more fun. As Clips is in sync with iCloud, creating memorable moments is equally available on all Apple products.   Clips   Keywords: mobile apps, photo and images, social media, video, personal identity
  • Visual Learning Center by Visme - The resource to help you become a better visual communicator. The site contains a wide array of resources visual learners and presenters. These resources will help you become a better presenter, communicator, and storyteller by creating better presentations and infographics.   Visual Learning Center by Visme   Keywords: visual learning, digital literacy, blogs and wikis, visualize information, presentation
  • Snapchat - Snapchat is a popular messaging app that lets users exchange pictures and videos (called snaps) that are meant to disappear after they're viewed. It's advertised as a "new type of camera" because the essential function is to take a picture or video, add filters, lenses or other effects and share them with friends. It's like texting, but with pictures. Feeds are also created that lets others subscribe to be notified about newly added posts.   Snapchat   Keywords: photos, social media, messaging
  • Populr.me - Populr.me can be used for social media, business, education, or many other uses. Build websites with templates for networking, sales, marketing, etc. Drop in text, video, pictures, embeds.  Upgrade for additional features, or keep it free.  Great for building interactive syllabi, professional profiles, ePortfolios, and other online information.   Populr.me   Keywords: web editing, websites
  • Podbean - Podbean is used to listen to podcasts and can be used on a phone, mobile device, or desktop. You can use Podbean to easily record and publish your own podcasts.   Podbean
  • StoryMap - StoryMap, by Knight Lab, can be used to tell a highlight of a particular image or historical map (its tagline is "maps that tell stories"). Users can guide viewers through a series of zoomed-in highlights to a particular image or map, highlight areas of interest in the image. Each item that's designated can feature text, images, audio, or video. One example is Arya's Journey, for you Game of Thrones fans. You can view Arya's journey from the book series on a historical map.   StoryMap
  • Thinglink - Thinglink can annotate images with text, audio, or video. You can then share your annotated media in a website, LMS, or present online. Educators can use ThingLink for free. Sharing the content you create with your students can be done from your free account. Allowing students to create content requires a paid teacher account.   Thinglink   Keywords: interactive poster Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Visme - Visme is everything you need to tell powerful visual stories in the form of engaging presentations, infographics, and other visual content. Visme is a design tool to tell and present stories and translate boring data into stunning visual formats right in your browser. Visme is very easy to navigate and it offers free templates that can help you create more stunning and visually engaging presentations. Visme      
  • PixStori - PixStori™ is an app to record stories about your smartphone photos. It links voice and still images in a multimedia PixStori that can be instantly shared on social media, uploaded into searchable cloud collections of family or group memories, and collected as crowdsourced field data for organizations and businesses. It is Oral History meets Instagram. PixStori is a very useful app to combine pictures with audio. This is a great tool where we can take pictures with your phone and add audio to explain the picture, or even music and environment ambiance sounds related to it. This is a very easy alternative to recording videos and to create mementos of moments or voice note for poster/academic/class presentations. Every picture has a story to tell. Now you can tell that story in your own voice and share it now and for the future. ...
  • Articulate 360 - Articulate 360 includes both Storyline and Rise plus other authoring apps. With Storyline 360 you can develop custom, interactive courses that work on every device. It's powerful enough for experts, but easy for beginners to create almost any interaction imaginable. Choose Rise when you want to build fully responsive courses in minutes. All you need is a web browser to quickly create beautiful courses optimized for every screen size. Get the course assets you need to get going quickly. Articulate 360 includes a library of 3+ million photos, templates, characters, videos, icons, and more. (NOTE: Articulate is NOT a free resource.)   Articulate 360  
  • Vyond (formerly Go Animate) - One of the animation and whiteboard building websites. Vyond has prebuilt templates that customize for business or education. You choose backgrounds and props or can upload custom images. Vyond has a diverse selection of ethnic characters or you can customize to resemble an actual person. You can choose music from their library and narrate with your voice or use text-to-speech software. Note: Vyond only has a 14-day free trial. Although it is costly, it has many capabilities for animation.   Vyond   Keywords: animation, storytelling
  • OHMS (Oral History Metadata Synchronizer) - The Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History at the University of Kentucky Libraries has created a web-based, system called OHMS (Oral History Metadata Synchronizer) to inexpensively and efficiently enhance access to oral history online. OHMS provides users word-level search capability and a time-correlated transcript or indexed interview connecting the textual search term to the corresponding moment in the recorded interview online.   OHMS (Oral History Metadata Synchronizer)   Keywords: video, oral history, metadata, transcript
  • Wakelet - Share articles, videos, images, tweets, and other great content with one link. Save them for later and create collections, called wakes, at any time. Organize the web, the way you want it. Save, curate, and share from a wide variety of sources to create very visually pleasing presentations. Also very suitable for creating a personal portfolio. This page has a collection that serves as a Wakelet ePortfolio template and also includes a helpful video.   Wakelet   Keywords: portfolio, pictures, social media, presentations  
  • Adobe Premiere Rush - Unveiled at Adobe Max in October 2018, Premiere Rush CC is an easier-to-use version of Premiere aimed at YouTubers and other video content creators. You can capture, edit, color-correct, and more, then publish to YouTube, Instagram and elsewhere. Rush works on both desktop and mobile devices (iOS now, Android soon) - and it automatically syncs your projects to the cloud. See the intro video and basic tutorial below for help using this software. Note: there are fees to use this software.   Adobe Premiere Rush https://youtu.be/HcmHef3RvGE   https://images-tv.adobe.com/avp/vr/2bb6da60-1ec0-4a1b-8a9e-7194d1e28abb/45fb0b0b-40d1-495b-be88-cd945ce96844/c8e41bcf-2eef-449f-893b-6ddef345e7dd_20180908062846.854x480at800_h264.mp4   Keywords: video, edit
  • Adobe Education Exchange - Adobe Education Exchange is a free learning platform and community, designed by educators for educators. It's a great place to find materials to help you and your students learn about working with images, video, and audio media.   Adobe Education Exchange   After you've logged into "EdEx" you'll find: Lesson plans and other learning materials Self-directed workshop Live short courses Membership is free and, at the simplest level, you can simply browse the resources and take advantage of ones that fit your situation. To engage more deeply, complete a self-directed workshop or sign up for an online class. You can even become an active contributor, uploading resources you have created. As you get more deeply involved, your status changes from "Member" to "Contributor" - eventually becoming a "Trendsetter." You can also earn badges for several kinds of activities. https://youtu.be/2FTMCVBRQGc   Keywords: tutorials, Adobe
  • Pexels - Pexels provides high quality and completely free stock images for personal and commercial use. The site includes a large collection of photos, videos, wallpaper, and more.   Pexels   Keywords: Creative Commons
  • Biteable - Biteable offers you the possibility to organize and make videos. Pick from premade templates and just customize the text and visuals to meet your needs. The free plan allows you to create a limited number of videos per month. The pro version is a more robust environment to expand your creativity.   Biteable Keywords: video, animation
  • OER Community Course Experience - The OER Community Course Experience is created by the State University of New York (SUNY) OER Services. The SUNY OER Community Courses introduce you to the fundamental principles and effective practices related to Open Educational Resources. Throughout the learning space, you have the opportunity to explore and discuss methods and approaches to finding, adopting, customizing, integrating, creating, publishing, and licensing OER. In this course, participants have opportunities to connect in conversation with peers, and work with OER advocates from the SUNY community who can help you along your learning journey.   OER Community Course Experience   Keywords: Open Educational Resources, OER, tutorial  
  • Bubbl - A mind mapping and brainstorming tool. A mind map is a graphical representation of ideas and concepts. It's a visual thinking tool for structuring information, helping you to better understand, remember and generate new ideas. Bubbl.us works the same on all platforms, for both desktop and mobile. You will never need to download or install an app to use Bubbl.us. Simply, bookmark the page, or add it to your home screen on a mobile device. Web-based with nothing to download Save your mind map as an image Share and collaborate with others One-click presentation Colorful and engaging concept maps   Bubbl   Keywords: Mindmaps, Photos & Images, Visual Design
  • How to Improve Audio Quality with Audacity - This blog post from LearnUpon has a few practical tips on how to improve sound quality in audio recordings. The tips are targeted to using Audacity and they are also applicable to the use of other audio authoring tools. Poor audio quality is one of the most frustrating things you can subject your learners to. Not everyone has access to studio-quality equipment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have great audio in your training courses. In this post, we’ll show you how you can use a free audio program to create high-quality audio for your eLearning courses.   How to Improve Audio Quality with Audacity   Keywords: podcasts
  • Gliffy - Gliffy is a collaborative web-based diagram editor that can be used to create mind maps and other visual organizations of information such as; flow charts, org charts, schematic drawings, floor plans, technical drawings, concept maps, and more.   Gliffy   Keywords: Collaboration, Productivity Tools, Visual Design, mindmap
  • Knovio - Knovio is a web-based application that can record web camera video and attach that video to presentation slides from Microsoft PowerPoint or image files. Overall it's a great way to get “virtual lectures” created in a quick and efficient manner. Educators: Deliver highly interactive, video-led teaching experiences with video presentations. It's the fast and easy way to share lectures and research insights, teaching notes and classroom instructions. Quickly measure learning outcomes with a 360° view of student engagement and activity. and have students record their own video presentations. Students: Add your personality and passion to your next assignment using video, audio narration and interactive features. Record your assignments and share them with team members and professors. Rehearse and review your big presentations and create unique multimedia experiences for job applications and internships.   Knovio   Keywords: Media, Presentations, Quiz Recording, Screencast, Video
  • Final Cut Pro X - Final Cut Pro X is a professional quality, high-end video editing app for OS X from Apple Inc. and the successor to Final Cut Pro. It is a revolutionary app for creating, editing, and producing the highest-quality video. Final Cut Pro X combines high-performance digital editing and native support for virtually any video format with easy-to-use and time-saving features that let you focus on storytelling. (Note: this is not a free resource.)   Final Cut Pro X   Note: Final Cut Pro X is a proprietary software that is not free. Due to its popularity in the video editing industry, we do provide it as an EmTechWIKI resource.   Keywords: Media, Video
  • Camtasia - Record anything — your whole screen or just a window. Or, add video, images, audio, and PowerPoint presentations that you already have. A simple timeline makes editing video easy. Combine or split clips, trim, and speed up or slow down footage. Then, instantly preview inside the video editor. Give videos polish with professional video editor effects. Add highlights, animation, titles, transitions and more. Simply drag and drop the effects onto the timeline. You can: Create engaging video lessons without high learning curves. Improve learning with video Make videos for flipped, hybrid, or online learning. Interactive quizzes Add quizzes as part of the video and record results to see how students are performing. Track results See who is interacting with your videos to improve learning outcomes. (Note: This is not a free resource.)   Camtasia     Keywords: media, recording, screencast, video, podcasts
  • Active Presenter - An online video editor that includes all the tools needed to record screen, annotate, edit screencast videos and create interactive eLearning contents in HTML5.   ActivePresenter   Keywords: Video
  • Animoto - Animoto is a cloud-based video creation service that produces video from photos, video clips, and music into video slideshows.   Animoto   Keywords: Audio, Media, Photos & Images, Presentations, Video
  • VivaVideo - VivaVideo is a professional video editing app with tools to trim, merge, split, control the speed of a video, and play it in reverse. You can also transform clips and photos into memorable movies with text, music, transition, filters, themes, and stickers.   VivaVideo   Keywords: Video
  • Explorable Explanations – Learning through play - Explorable Explanation is a hub for learning through play that has been created by artists, coders & educators to reunite play and learning. It is a great tool to teach something interactively rather than the usual read-watch-listen-question-and-answer format.   Explorable Explanations   Keywords: Gamification, Simulations  
  • H5P Interactive Content Creator - Hello HTML5! Goodbye flash! You can create, share and re-use interactive content in your browser or integrated right into your LMS! Create Richer HTML5 Content in Existing Publishing Platforms. Share Content Seamlessly Across Any H5P Capable Site. Reuse and modify Content in Your Browser at Any Time. Explore over 40 different types of interactive content including presentations, timelines,  games & quizzes. See a few examples of H5P or visit their website for complete and detailed information.   h5p.org   Keywords: Flipped Learning, Gamification, Media, Photos & Images, Presentations, Productivity Tools, Publishing, Quiz, Recording, Screencast, Simulations, Video
  • TED Talks - TED Talks: ideas worth spreading include talks from speakers from a variety of backgrounds who provide thought-provoking presentations about a wide variety of topics. The short TED Talk videos average 10 to 18 minutes. This is a powerful tool for life long learning. The talks are given by people from all walks of life who share insights about a wide variety of topics.   TED Talks   5 Benefits Of Watching Ted Talks   Keywords: Lifelong Learning, Video  
  • PowToon - PowToon is a program for making small videos, presentations, and animations. It has several characters that can be animated, with different backgrounds and colors that make the construction of your presentation very easy. Web-based animations allow users to create presentations by manipulating pre-created objects, imported images, provided music and user-created voice-overs.   PowToon   PowToon Quick Start Guide - A series of engaging instructional videos about PowToons, from basic design to more advanced functions. 7 Alternative Technology in the Classroom Presentation Tools - This blog entry from TeachHub touches upon PowToon in the list of alternative technology in the classroom.   Keywords: Creative Commons, Media, Presentations, Video
  • Grammarly - This online grammar checker corrects mistakes and other writing errors across a variety of programs and directly in the browser.   Grammarly   Keywords: Lifelong Learning
  • GarageBand - A powerful music creation tool and music studio. It is easy to use to record, but editing, though easy for beginners, gets increasingly sophisticated the deeper you go. It requires a download and is available only for the Mac. There are only marginally comparable tools for PC available for free. You can find more fully comparable tools on the Windows platform, but they are expensive and have steep learning curves.   GarageBand   Keywords: audio, podcasts
  • Atavist for Education - Atavist is a publishing and storytelling platform to turn your ideas into stunning projects & portfolios.   Atavist for Education   Keywords: Blogs, Wikis
  • OpenSimulator – Design your own Virtual Reality space for education, meetings, or games - The open source movement allowed complex avatar-based, game-engine software to become available free of charge using OpenSimulator.  Contributions from artists and designers now makes pre-developed virtual artifacts and design spaces available to educators, meeting planners, and game designers; easy modifications and adjustments allow for custom virtual environments for an infinity of purposes. Server rental companies, such as Kitely, are now making it possible to have up to 40 avatars at any time on up to 4 virtual islands for $20 per month; and, you can put a virtual island on your own institutional server (for free, sort-of).  This link brings you to a theory-and-practice based resource on outlines education uses and possibilities with these environments that have been used by its author for over 10 years in her own teaching. Here's a student during the creative learning/practice stage in a course where she ...
  • Blogger - Blogger is a popular blogging platform run by Google. It is a blog-publishing service that allows multi-user blogs with time-stamped entries. Although there are more complex blogging tools available, the combination of cost (free) and flexibility makes Blogger an attractive option, whether you’re updating friends and family about your life, hosting your own advice column, or discussing political views. Your blog can have multiple contributors or you only. Generally, the blogs are hosted by Google at a subdomain of blogspot.com. You can also use Blogger to make podcast feeds.   Blogger   Blogger Help Page - This is the Blogger Help page put together by Google.   Keywords: Blogs, ePortfolios, Websites Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • SoundBible - SoundBible is a search engine for free and royalty-free sound clips and sound effects. This website updates weekly and all downloads are free.   SoundBible   Keywords: audio, Creative Commons, Open Educational Resources (OER), podcasts
  • Teachers’ Guide to Using Freely Available Videos - This excellent guide out of the University of Michigan is geared to helping teachers cut through the tremendous amount of freely available videos on the web, to find the gems that enhance learning across subject areas. This guide helps educators make sense of the educational content that exists online, by first suggesting dividing videos into 2 categories: instructional (useful for instructing or explaining concepts) and supplemental (to complement instruction, spark further inquiry, motivate exploration). The guide includes links to recommended sites for both kinds of content, an explanation of how to curate and evaluate video content, how to blend video into your curriculum, and exercises for flipped classrooms.   Teachers Guide to Using Videos
  • YouTube - Get started with YouTube, playing, watching, and creating videos. YouTube is a video-sharing site available in nearly every country and over fifty different languages. Anyone with an Internet connection can share content, whether they are organizations with large budgets or an individual with a video camera. The material is organized into channels and users can create their own private channels. YouTube is an extremely large platform that allows people to upload videos to the internet to inform, entertain, and share things with people around the world. Although many people think of YouTube as an entertainment-based website, the number of educational videos are innumerable. You can teach yourself almost any skill by watching Youtube videos. Youtube is a very useful tool to not only learn things but also to network with other people. So many people have connected through similar interests on Youtube. ...
  • Vimeo - Vimeo is a popular video sharing site. Anyone can upload a video to this site for free, by signing up for the Vimeo basic membership package that offers video storage and privacy settings. Vimeo hosts videos in the highest quality possible. You can upload 4K Ultra HD quality, video management tools, no ads before, during, or after your videos, and professional live streaming plans. With Vimeo, you can use powerful editing tools made for creators and brands, review videos with collaborators, drive engagement, and embed anywhere. It is possible to easily see how your videos are performing. You can also find quality videos created by others.   Vimeo   Vimeo Help Center - Help in several main areas and a search bar. Vimeo help on Uploading your videos 5 Reasons to Host Videos on Vimeo Instead of YouTube - Compares Vimeo and youtube for hosting videos.   Keywords: Audio, ...
  • Windows Movie Maker - If you are using Windows 10, you can use this free video editor and slideshow maker app. Use it to easily create video stories and share them with your colleagues, students, friends, and family. Transform everyday moments into works of art as you want. There is easy to use professional editing tools. Users can trim and merge video, write subtitles, add stickers, choose a theme, and insert transitions between videos. .MOV and .MP4 support is now available. NOTE: Microsoft no longer supports MovieMaker; however, you can still download software that works similarly to the original. The version linked to below is a free version but there are advanced features only after paying for the Pro version. There are sites that provide non-free versions and also versions that pass along viruses. Proceed with caution!    Windows Movie Maker   Windows Movie Maker Software Tutorials - Tutorials for ...
  • WeVideo – Collaborative Online Video Editor in the Cloud - WeVideo is the online video editor that makes it easy to capture, create, view and share your movies at up to 4K resolution for playback anywhere. Videos can be uploaded easily from DropBox, and edited online from multiple devices.   WeVideo   Review: WeVideo is a cloud-based video editor that makes editing in your browser fun and simple - An easy-to-read description of how this tool works. The Video Marketing Best Practices You Need To Know - This site offers a free download for the book, "Tips For Creating The 6 Most Common Business Videos"   Keywords: Presentations, Productivity Tools, Recording, Social Media, Video
  • iMovie - With iMovie for iOS and macOS, you can enjoy your videos like never before. It's easy to browse clips and create Hollywood-style trailers and 4K-resolution movies. You can even start editing on an iPhone or iPad, then finish on a Mac. And when your movie is ready, iMovie Theater rolls out the red carpet. There are styles for titles and credits, video filters for a cinematic touch, and special effects.   iMovie   26 best iMovie for Mac tips 2017 | How to edit video with iMovie for Mac - With tips about features and shortcuts. Apple iMovie (for Mac OS X) - Discusses the features of Apple's video editing software.   Keywords: Mobile Apps, Presentations, Productivity Tools, Simulations, Video
  • Second Life - Second Life is a virtual world used by many colleges and universities to provide immersive learning, real-time collaboration, a global community, and secure and safe virtual campuses. There are many campuses you can visit to get a feel for the power of a virtual world in education. Also, check out the many education-related environments relating to SecondLife.   Second Life   Returning to Second Life - An analysis from Ars Technica about how Second Life is currently used by its social media platform.   Keywords: 3D
  • CallingThunder – Immersive Exploration of Natural History of Manhattan - Calling Thunder is the first chapter in a series of immersive explorations into the natural history of New York. Calling Thunder focuses on the fascinating but little-known history of Manhattan. The site is quite creative and explores storytelling the use of 360-degree videos.   CallingThunder   Calling Thunder: The Unsung History of Manhattan - This video offers sights and sounds that Henry Hudson encountered in 1609 compared to today's Manhattan.   CallingThunder   Calling Thunder: The Unsung History of Manhattan - This video offers sights and sounds that Henry Hudson encountered in 1609 compared to today's Manhattan.   Keywords: Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR)
  • Facebook - Facebook is a well-known and free to use social networking platform. Utilizing Facebook can help you connect, share and market to people. User groups based on common interests, workplace, and more can provide you new methods to communicate. Now very often seen in news media, Facebook and other social media platforms are commonly used to give voice to social issues, customize marketing on an individual level, and further the spread of both news and fake news.   Facebook   Facebook tutorial - This tutorial will walk you through the set-up process, available features through the privacy settings and controls, essential to any social media platform. Branding in the age of social media - Learn more about branding yourself via social media from this Harvard Business Review article.   Keywords: Collaboration, Digital Footprint/Identity, Media, Social Media
  • Twitter - Twitter is an American microblogging and social networking service on which users post and interact with messages known as "tweets". Registered users can post, like, and retweet tweets, but unregistered users can only read them. Users access Twitter through its website interface or its mobile-device application software ("app"), though the service could also be accessed via SMS before April 2020. Tweets were originally restricted to 140 characters but was doubled to 280 in November 2017. Audio and video tweets remain limited to 140 seconds for most accounts. Twitter is a some-to-many microblogging service, given that the vast majority of tweets are written by a small minority of users. - from Wikipedia First reactions and breaking news flood Twitter as soon as they happen. With only a limited number of characters per tweet, Twitter users need to be brief and meaningful when composing. Official hashtags make conference tweeting is yet another ...
  • Google Sites - Google Sites is a structured wiki- and Web page-creation tool offered by Google as part of the G Suite productivity suite. The goal of Google Sites is for anyone to be able to create a team-oriented site where multiple people can collaborate and share files.   Google Sites   Sites Help - Information on creating, editing, previewing, sharing, publishing, and managing your Google site. 20/20 HindSITE: Best Practices for Google Sites - This site illustrates how organizations are using Google Sites, and includes a wealth of resources and tools.   Keywords: GoogleSites, Digital Footprint/Identity, Publishing, Websites, Wikis Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Wix - Wix.com is a cloud-based web development platform that was first developed and popularized by the Israeli company also called Wix. It allows users to create HTML5 web sites and mobile sites through the use of online drag and drop tools.   Wix   Wix Help Center - This site has many articles organized into twenty topics plus several trending topics. There is also an opportunity to search. Landing pages 101 - Landing pages are an important marketing tool. This site focuses on creating effective landing pages.   Keywords: ePortfolios, Productivity Tools, Publishing, Websites
  • Zoho - Zoho is a suite of online services developed and provided by the company with the same name. They offer a variety of products related to productivity and online services (such as a sites builder -Zoho Sites-, corporate emails, an online office suite, among many others). While their portfolio of products is very wide, most of them are offered for free through a free trial version with limited functionalities, some of them are for a limited time only. Their various products have different pricing alternatives according to the needs of the user.   While most of the tools are office-focused, they also have services aimed at non-profit organizations, educators, and individuals.   Zoho   Zoho Sites- Beginner's Guide - A video plus Instructions for how to set up your Zoho site. More advanced features are also covered.   Keywords: Productivity Tools, Publishing, Websites Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Canva – A powerful online graphic design platform - Canva is a graphic design platform that allows users to create social media graphics, presentations, posters, and other visual content. It is available on web and mobile and integrates millions of images, fonts, templates, and illustrations. Users can choose from many professionally designed templates, and edit the designs and upload their own photos through a drag and drop interface. The platform is free to use, and paid subscriptions like Canva Pro and Canva for Enterprise offer additional functionality. Users can also pay for physical products to be printed and shipped. This free presentation software gives you access to hundreds of beautifully designed layouts to create presentations on any topic. There are other online design tools like Canva but when it comes to creating high-quality graphics and designs quickly, easily, and for free there are few tools that can match Canva's offering. Whether you're ...
  • Piktochart - An easy infographic design app that requires very little effort to produce beautiful, high-quality graphics. Infographics can be presented on slideshows with Presentation Mode.   Piktochart   Piktochart Support Page - This site provides a wide array of help for Piktochart users, from initial design to troubleshooting problems. Piktochart: Using Infographics in the Classroom - A blog post detailing the reasons why infographics can make learning for students more interesting, involving, and visual.   Keywords: Flipped Learning, Presentations Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Easel.ly - Easel.ly is a simple web tool that empowers anyone to create and share powerful visuals (infographics, posters)... no design experience needed. How to Easel.ly Create Your First Infographic - A recording of a live training session for Easel.ly beginners.   Easel.ly Keywords: Flipped Learning, Presentations
  • Timetoast - Free timeline maker lets you create timelines online. Make educational timelines or create a timeline for your company website.   Timetoast   How to Create an Interactive Timeline with Timetoast - This YouTube video describes the ins and outs of how to make a timeline with this technological tool.   Keywords: Flipped Learning, Presentations
  • Slideshare - A service that allows you to create an online library and upload presentations that you've created elsewhere.   SlideShare   Getting Started with SlideShare - Designed with commercial users in mind (but also useful for educators and students), this site provides useful tips for all levels of users.   Keywords: Flipped Learning, Presentations
  • Microsoft PowerPoint - PowerPoint is a slideshow presentation program that's part of the Microsoft Office suite of tools. PowerPoint makes it easy to create, collaborate, and present your ideas in dynamic, visually compelling ways. Powerpoint is not freely available except as a mobile app. However, this is a standard application used in education and business. Many companies and campus have enterprise-wide licensing for the Office suite of tools.   PowerPoint   Basic Tasks for Creating a Powerpoint Presentation - Step-by-step instructions from Microsoft about how to design a slide show.   Keywords: Flipped Learning, Presentations
  • Prezi Classic and Prezi Next - A "zooming presentation tool" that presents information non-linearly. It is an infinite whiteboard where the audience can see and interact with an overview of a topic or zoom in to see the relationship between topics. Prezi allows presenters to provide not only the big picture but takes it a step further to allow viewers to dissect each component. this web-based presentation tool allows you to edit, collaborate, and present online. Prezi is a Hungarian presentation software company founded in 2009, with offices in Budapest, Berlin, San Francisco, and Riga.   Prezi   Prezi Next Vs. Classic: Your Questions Answered - Because Prezi has debuted a new version---Prezi Next---current users should compare the Next with what is being called Prezi Classic. Both versions have educational plans. 7 Alternative Technology in the Classroom Presentation Tools - This blog entry from TeachHub touches upon Prezi in the list of ...
  • Emaze - Caters to the current PowerPoint user, using slide-by-slide presentation, but offers some spectacular results with very little effort. Emaze allows the user to choose from a variety of 3-D templates which are pre-formatted and not highly editable, allowing the user to concentrate on the content and not the bells and whistles.   Emaze   Emaze - Getting Started Tutorial - An easy-to-follow tutorial about using Emaze to create a new presentation from scratch or import a PowerPoint.   Keywords: Flipped Learning, Presentations
  • Haiku Deck - Haiku Deck is a free app that makes presentations simple, beautiful, and fun.   Haiku   Haiku Deck - Editing and Creating Decks - An instructional video about getting started with Haiku Deck. 7 Alternative Technology in the Classroom Presentation Tools - This blog entry from TeachHub touches upon Haiku Deck in the list of alternative technology in the classroom.   Keywords: Flipped Learning, Presentations
  • Google Slides - Google Slides is Google's free presentation editor. Because it is included in the Google Docs/Drive suite, you can readily use it to collaborate on presentations with colleagues or students no matter where you are. Google Slides is very similar to Microsoft's PowerPoint (PPT). Like many online tools, it allows groups to work together to create and edit online presentations. Google Slides is web-based - it is easy to access it from various mobile devices.   Google Slides   Get Started with Google Slide - Getting Started with Google Slides provides tips for the beginner. 2017 Updates to Google Slides - Youtube Video - Created by TeacherCast, this YouTube video details the new updates and functionality of Google Slides.   Keywords: Collaboration, Flipped Learning, Presentations
  • Digication -   You are encouraged to use any available platform or tool to create your EmTech ePortfolio. A few of the many freely-available ePortfolio tools that you can use to build your portfolio can be located through EmTechWIKI and searching the ePortfolio category. Digication is a leading provider of ePortfolio and assessment management systems. Digication develops its platform with students, faculty, programs, and institutions' needs in mind, and enables institutions to close the loop that links student learning to institutional assessment and reporting.   Digication's Official Website   Digication Tutorials New Digication (This version is used in #EmTechMOOC) Quick-Start Guide for the New Digication ePortfolios will provide basic information about how to get started using the New Digication. Getting Started with New Digication video tutorials introduce many of the features you will use to create and edit your ePortfolio. Digication Student Guide contains more in-depth information about creating your ePortfolio.   Publishing and Permissions You ...
  • FolioSpaces - FolioSpaces, powered by "Mahara", enables you to create an online portfolio. It was developed by faculty at the University of Ballarat, AU. It is a fully-featured electronic portfolio, weblog, resume builder and social networking system, connecting users and creating online communities.  You do this by assembling a selection of your resume (curriculum vitae/CV), files, journals, and links to your files onto a web page and sharing the page. FolioSpaces ePortfolio also provides you with the tools to set up a personal learning and development environment.   FolioSpaces   Keywords: ePortfolios, Visual Design
  • Strikingly - Create a beautiful website for you & your business, in minutes. Zero code or design skills required. You can also convert a LinkedIn profile to a personal website in just a few clicks. Add a Blog section to any of your sites to start blogging right away. A separate page is created for each blog post.   Strikingly   Discover Strikingly Sites - A link to the Strikingly community to see what sites have been built recently.   Keywords: Blogs, Collaboration, ePortfolios, Publishing, Websites
  • Weebly - Weebly is a complete platform that allows anyone to start and grow an online business with curated website templates, powerful e-commerce and integrated marketing. More than 40 million entrepreneurs around the world use Weebly to grow their customer base, fuel sales, and market their idea. Designed for any entrepreneur who wants to reach a global audience, Weebly gives everyone the freedom to create a high-quality site and store that works brilliantly on any device.   Weebly   Weebly Website Builder: Get a Pro Website in 60 Minutes or Less - A short tutorial on how to build an effective website through Weebly.   Keywords: Blogs, Collaboration, ePortfolios, Productivity Tools, Publishing, Websites Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Tumblr - Tumblr is a microblogging and social networking website founded by David Karp in 2007, and owned by Oath Inc.The service allows users to post multimedia and other content to a short-form blog. Users can follow other users' blogs. Bloggers can also make their blogs private.   Tumblr   How to Use Tumblr for Blogging and Social Networking - This article talks about the classic uses of the platform Tumblr.   Keywords: Blogs, Collaboration, Mobile Apps, Photos & Images, Publishing, Social Media, Video, Websites Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • WordPress - WordPress is an open-source blogging and a website creation platform. WordPress (often referred to as WP) is very widely used and makes up about 30% of all published websites.  There is a subtle but important difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com. WordPress.org gives lots of freedom, but you need a self-hosted platform to deliver your site. This involves additional steps to set up a server and install the WordPress software or payment for a hosting service. WordPress.com allows free pages that are hosted directly on the WordPress.com site. Both versions of WordPress are user-friendly but some of the advanced themes are not an option that is available on WordPress.com. This is only available when you have your own server space to install your own version of WordPress. Themes and plugins are similar to webpage templates and provide advanced functionality for WordPress websites.   WordPress.com and WordPress.org   Beginner's Guide for WordPress - How to ...
  • EduBlogs - "Since 2005, Edublogs has grown into the largest educational blogging network in the world. We believe that blogging transforms the educational experience of students and have seen firsthand how Edublogs increases ownership of learning, engages students, and becomes a source of pride in the classroom. Edublogs is a project of the prominent WordPress company Incsub; the same team behind CampusPress and WPMU DEV. We pride ourselves on making user-friendly products and providing lightning-fast support."   Edublogs   EduBlogs Youtube Support Page - This page has several "How-To" videos regarding EduBlogs.   Keywords: Blogs, Collaboration, Publishing, Websites, ePortfolio Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • Audacity - Free audio recording and editing software that rivals many commercial tools. Record live audio through a microphone or digitize recordings imported from other media. Audacity's capabilities rival many commercial tools. The Save menu in Audacity saves files in the Audacity proprietary format (AUP). Select the menu Export > Export as MP3 format for easy playback of audio files created in Audacity.   Audacity   Audacity's Help Pages - Tutorials and tips on using Audacity. Audacity in Education - Wiki page by Audacity team with best educational uses and examples of uses by several institutions.   Keywords: audio, media, Recording, podcasts Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • AudioBoom - This tool enables you to record and instantly share audio. You can have free unlimited 10 minute recordings. If you want to use your smartphone or tablet, sign up, take the tour, and download the app.   AudioBoom   AudioBoom Help Center - Tutorials and help using AudioBoom tools.   Keywords: audio, media, recording, podcasts Review Accessibility/Security Info
  • SoundCloud - Discover, stream, and share a constantly expanding mix of music from emerging and major artists around the world. SoundCloud is described as a 'social sound platform' and is basically the same as Youtube but for audio files. With SoundCloud you can follow millions of people, musicians, radio channels and podcasts on a vast range of topics or you can create your own channel and upload recordings for people to listen to.   SoundCloud   Get Started on SoundCloud - Guide to starting and managing a SoundCloud account with support resources. Podcasting on SoundCloud - Resource page to get started with recording your podcasts.   Keywords: audio, media, recording, podcasts Review Accessibility/Security Info