Every week there are dozens of cool and new websites we review in eLIS. Below are some notable mentions that we hope you check out, and are also featured in our Brown Bag lunch discussion: "Our Favorite Free Online Tools and Resources."
Images and Drawing
Picnik http://www.picnik.com
Picnik is an easy to use site that allows you to quickly upload a photo or other image file to crop and resize for use in your course site, PowerPoint files, and other documents. You can also import images from your existing Flickr or Facebook accounts to work with. What is nice is that you do not need to create a user name and password to use this site; simply upload, resize, then download the new file to your desktop.
Sumo Paint (http://www.sumopaint.com). A completely web-based digital drawing and image suite, this tool combines elements of both Adobe Fireworks and Photoshop Elements. It has the ability to use layers, download work to local files and will also let you upload existing work. This tool runs completely in your web browser without downloading any software or creating a login account. This is a great tool for creating custom graphics and course banners.
TuxPaint (http://www.tuxpaint.org/) For folks used to working with KidPix and Pixie with their early childhood and elementary education students, Tux Paint is a free downloadable drawing tool for kids that provides a basic interface for drawing. Also available is a free stamp suite (clip art). While it does not have all of the bells in whistles of the full Kid Pix version, it is still a nice, lightweight option for students to be able to test and try.
Graphic Organizers and Project Planning
Webspriation (http://mywebspiration.com) If you are a fan of Inspiration software, you will enjoy the new web version called "Webspiration." Webspiration comes with similar clip art tools, and now also integrates social tools such as chat and the ability to share and collaborate on your document in real time with others. This site also features help documentation, tutorials, as well as suggestions on how to get started.
TimeGlider (http://timeglider.com/) TimeGlider is similar to the popular k-12 tool Timeliner. Like Webspiration above, TimeGlider integrates the ability to share timelines with multiple groups for comment. The application allows you to import images to further customize your timeline. Great for project planning and teaching sequences and events, this site also comes with helpful and easy to understand help documentation and tutorials.
Math Tools
Create a Graph (http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createAgraph/default.aspx) This is a web-based tool that allows you to create quick graphs, plots, etc. This tool allows you to print, save (download) or email your creations.
Seeing Math, Concord Consortium (http://seeingmath.concord.org/sms_interactives.html) Take advantage of this free and beautiful suite of advanced math tools for graphing algebra and geometric functions.
Science, Social Studies, Geography, etc
Google Earth - (http://earth.google.com/) Google earth is a downloadable application that allows you to explore not only the topography of the world, but also the solar system, ( including the Martian landscape), and so much more. From typing in an address as you would in Google maps, to viewing historical landscapes, or asking to see the most current weather complete with cloud formations and radar, Google Earth offers a comprehensive set of tools that can be used across the curriculum. Before getting started, we recommend viewing the quick video about Google Earth at http://earth.google.com/tour.html and its many features.
Visual Web Browsing
Cooliris (http://www.cooliris.com/) If you want a glimpse of what the future of the Internet might be like then check out Cooliris. Cooliris is a browser plugin that allows you to switch from the traditional text search mode to images and video. Can you imagine doing a keyword search in Google and only seeing the results as video and images? Once you click on an image, you are taken to the regular web site. A very different way of seeing the web, Cooliris is fun to try and allows you the ability toggle the visual view on and off so you are never more than a click away from your traditional web experience.
If you have a great resource you would like to share in an upcoming blog, please contact Rebecca Petersen.
Images and Drawing
Picnik http://www.picnik.com
Picnik is an easy to use site that allows you to quickly upload a photo or other image file to crop and resize for use in your course site, PowerPoint files, and other documents. You can also import images from your existing Flickr or Facebook accounts to work with. What is nice is that you do not need to create a user name and password to use this site; simply upload, resize, then download the new file to your desktop.
Sumo Paint (http://www.sumopaint.com). A completely web-based digital drawing and image suite, this tool combines elements of both Adobe Fireworks and Photoshop Elements. It has the ability to use layers, download work to local files and will also let you upload existing work. This tool runs completely in your web browser without downloading any software or creating a login account. This is a great tool for creating custom graphics and course banners.
TuxPaint (http://www.tuxpaint.org/) For folks used to working with KidPix and Pixie with their early childhood and elementary education students, Tux Paint is a free downloadable drawing tool for kids that provides a basic interface for drawing. Also available is a free stamp suite (clip art). While it does not have all of the bells in whistles of the full Kid Pix version, it is still a nice, lightweight option for students to be able to test and try.
Graphic Organizers and Project Planning
Webspriation (http://mywebspiration.com) If you are a fan of Inspiration software, you will enjoy the new web version called "Webspiration." Webspiration comes with similar clip art tools, and now also integrates social tools such as chat and the ability to share and collaborate on your document in real time with others. This site also features help documentation, tutorials, as well as suggestions on how to get started.
TimeGlider (http://timeglider.com/) TimeGlider is similar to the popular k-12 tool Timeliner. Like Webspiration above, TimeGlider integrates the ability to share timelines with multiple groups for comment. The application allows you to import images to further customize your timeline. Great for project planning and teaching sequences and events, this site also comes with helpful and easy to understand help documentation and tutorials.
Math Tools
Create a Graph (http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createAgraph/default.aspx) This is a web-based tool that allows you to create quick graphs, plots, etc. This tool allows you to print, save (download) or email your creations.
Seeing Math, Concord Consortium (http://seeingmath.concord.org/sms_interactives.html) Take advantage of this free and beautiful suite of advanced math tools for graphing algebra and geometric functions.
Science, Social Studies, Geography, etc
Google Earth - (http://earth.google.com/) Google earth is a downloadable application that allows you to explore not only the topography of the world, but also the solar system, ( including the Martian landscape), and so much more. From typing in an address as you would in Google maps, to viewing historical landscapes, or asking to see the most current weather complete with cloud formations and radar, Google Earth offers a comprehensive set of tools that can be used across the curriculum. Before getting started, we recommend viewing the quick video about Google Earth at http://earth.google.com/tour.html and its many features.
Visual Web Browsing
Cooliris (http://www.cooliris.com/) If you want a glimpse of what the future of the Internet might be like then check out Cooliris. Cooliris is a browser plugin that allows you to switch from the traditional text search mode to images and video. Can you imagine doing a keyword search in Google and only seeing the results as video and images? Once you click on an image, you are taken to the regular web site. A very different way of seeing the web, Cooliris is fun to try and allows you the ability toggle the visual view on and off so you are never more than a click away from your traditional web experience.
If you have a great resource you would like to share in an upcoming blog, please contact Rebecca Petersen.
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