3 great tools to records screencasts on chrome book

September 26, 2014
When it comes to creating screencasts on Chromebook, several of the popular screencasting web tools (e.g Screencastomatic and Screenr) are out of the list because they require Java and  Chromebook does not run Java. That being said, there are , however, several alternative ways to for Chromebook users to create screencasts. Here are 3 of the best of them:

1- Google hangout
This is one the my favourite ways to record a screencast on a Chromebook. Using Google Hangout Air will allow you to share your screen with others and and everything you do on your screen will be automatically recorded and saved to your YouTube channel. Watch this excellent video tutorial from Brian Bennette to learn more about how to record a screencast using Google hangout.

2- SnagIt
The Snagit for Google Chrome Extension makes it possible for you to capture screenshots and screen video recordings within your Chrome browser. Using TechSmith Snagit for Google Chrome, you can quickly capture and save whatever you see on your computer screen.

To use Snagit extension you will need to install with it Snagit for Chrome app. Watch this video to learn more about how to use Snagit for screencasting. Jonathan has also a very good article with more illustrations on how to use Snagit.

3- Screencastify

Screencastify is a simple video screen capture software (aka. screencast recorder) for Chrome. It is able to record all screen activity inside a tab, including audio. Just press record and the content of your tab is recorded. So you can easily create a screencast for video tutorials, record presentations etc. It has experimental desktop capturing support. So it can record anything on your screen (not just tabs). Keyboard shortcuts can be configured.

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4 of the best Android apps for flipped classrooms

September 25, 2014
I have been receiving several requests to feature a list of the best Android apps for  flipped classrooms. I know I have repeatedly featured here different iPad apps for creating flipped lesson videos but the thing with Android is that I am not really a huge fan of it for the simple reason that its app store is lacking several powerful apps that are indispensable to us in education. Even when I was working on today's list I was really disappointed that apps such as Educreations, ShowMe, Knowmia  are not available for Android users. However, I did manage to cobble up 5 of the best apps that teachers can use on Android to create flipped lessons. Check them out below

1- Explain Everything

Explain Everything is an easy-to-use design, screencasting, and interactive whiteboard tool that lets you annotate, animate, narrate, import, and export almost anything to and from almost anywhere. Using Explain Everything, you will be able to create slides, draw in any color, add shapes, add text, and use a laser pointer. Rotate, move, scale, copy, paste, clone, and lock any object added to the stage.
Add existing photos, objects, import PDF documents from local storage, Google Drive, Dropbox or insert a fully functioning web browser window. Export MP4 movies, YouTube videos or save Explain Everything XPLX projects locally, to Google Drive and to Dropbox. No account is necessary to use Explain Everything and share creations.

2- Lensoo Create

" Lensoo Create turns your Android tablet into a virtual whiteboard with voice recording, video and smooth digital writing. Using Lensoo Create you can quickly share your ideas through email, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn from virtually anywhere. You can also download recordings on the website. Whether you are a teacher looking to instill knowledge, a student wishing to present your ideas or simply a person with an impressive skill to share, Lensoo Create is for you."

3- WeVideo

WeVideo is an awesome video editor that allows you to both capture and edit videos on the go. Using weVideo will also enable you to create amazing photo-stories and slideshows using the images you have in your gallery or the ones you have captured by the app. WeVideo provides a slew of interesting tools to edit your creations including : adding effects to movies, a set of pre-made themes, add titles and captions, add music and audio. The finished product can be shared through popular social media websites.

4- UTGreat

UTGreat is similar to Educreations on iPad. It provides you with an interactive whiteboard to created and record videos and illustrations.It supports text, images, and video conferencing. It is ideal for creating annotated narrations to share with students.

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Multimedia Resources

1-Video narrative - digital storytelling

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_storytelling 
http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Good-DocumentaryFilm
http://www.ehow.com/video_4755820_what-film-narrative.html
http://digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu/page.cfm?id=23&cid=23&sublinkid=36 http://freeplaymusic.com (free music that can be used in a video)

2-Video editing software
http://avidemux.sourceforge.net (Win, Mac, Linux - free) 
http://www.lwks.com (Win - free) 
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-live/movie-maker (Win) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_editing_software 
http://audacity.sourceforge.net (sound editing)

3-Screen recordings
Screen recorders are great for making tutorials. They can also be used to record other media that then can be insterted into your own video. Screen recorders often include video editimg geatures. Here are some screen recorders: 
http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html (licensed software) http://www.telestream.net/screenflow (licensed software, Mac only) http://www.ezvid.com/top_5_free_camtasia_alternatives

4-Animations
Animations could be used as a complement to live scenes and/or as a way to present formal results of the change project, i.e. point 2 above. Here are some web based animation tools:
http://goanimate.com
http://animoto.com 
http://www.xtranormal.com 

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23 iPad Google Apps Every Teacher Should Know about

Google has several officially released apps that teachers (and anyone else) can use on their iPads. All of these apps are available for free download from the iTunes app store. Recently,  Shake Up Learning published this wonderful infographic where she featured some useful Google apps for iPad. As is the case with all the visuals she shares, this graphic sums up the most essential Google apps every teacher should be aware of. These apps are arranged into 7 main categories:

1- Productivity apps

• Google Search App
• Chrome App
• Gmail App

2- Google Drive Apps

• Google Drive
• Google Docs
• Google Sheets
• Google Slides

3-Social Apps

• Google +
• Hangouts
• Blogger

4- Geography Apps

• Google Maps
• Google Earth

5- Multimedia Apps

• YouTube App
• Google Play Books
• Google Play Music
• Google Currents

6- Photography Apps

• Photo Sphere
• Snapseed

7- Other Apps

• Google Translate
• Google Voice
• Chrome Cast
• Google Admin
• Google Authenticator

This graphic is available for free download in both PDF and PNG format from this page. If you like this work and want to stay updated about Shake Up Learning's next releases, follow her on Twitter.

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