Adobe ConnectNow is a free web-conferencing tool which offers screen sharing of the host's desktop, whiteboard utility, video conferencing, remote control of another user's desktop (with permission), and does not require regisration of invited participants.

 

This beta tool is free, but requires registration and a very small download of Adobe Air to run on your computer. For more information, click on the Adobe icon above.

 

 

 

Dimdim is a free web conferencing service where you can share your desktop, show slides, collaborate, chat, talk and broadcast via webcam with 20 people simultaneously.  No download is required, although you must sign up to create an account. Collaborate with your colleagues in real time. All they really need is an internet-capable computer. To join in a conversation, participants would need a headset. 

 

Click on the Dimdim icon above, and in the new screen, scroll to the bottom right and click on the video camera in the Video Tutorials box. The first short 2-minute tutorial will explain quickly how Dimdim works.

 

Doodle

Have you ever tried to schedule a meeting time convenient for a large number of people and been inundated with emails back and forth until you finally settle on a date? Use Doodle to schedule a convenient meeting date by polling your invitees to determine the best date. The application is free and does not require a membership.

Click on the icon above and in the new screen, click on the Schedule Event button. Follow the easy on-screen prompts to complete your poll and share via URL with your invitees. This application will save you hours of time!

 

 

If you have a Gmail account (Google Mail), you can chat face to face over video in an actual conversation with someone who also has a Gmail account. Besides having a Gmail account, you will also need to download a small program from Google.

 

Learn more by clicking on the GMail logo above.

 

Jing is a free software from Techsmith which permits users to create screen shots of a static desktop image or record onscreen activity as a 5-minute movie with narration which can then be shared with others via the web.

 

It is perfect for creating tutorials or capturing an online video which is not downloadable. Screen captures and videos are stored for free on Techsmith's Screencast site. Think about creating a Jing to demonstrate how to solve a math problem, how to create an outline, or how to navigate a web page.

 

Click on the Jing logo above, and in the new screen, locate the Watch a Video to See How link  or visit the Jing blog to discover ten things you can do with Jing.

 

 

Create your own discussion board to gather input from colleagues or as part of an assignment for students by usingQuickTopic. This online tool is free and if you wish to try it out, click on the forum titled "Discuss 21st Century Learning" below.

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Discuss 21st Century Learning

 

Remember The Milk is a free online list-creator which provides users with a robust program to create tasks, prioritize them, categorize them, share them, and embed them in your Google calendar.

 When creating a group project for your students, have them create a task list in Remember the Milk.

 Learn more by clicking on the Remember The Milk icon above.

 

 

Skype, through a simple download, offers users the ability to communicate through voice and video calls by using their computer, a webcam, and a microphone. This service is free, but many people also use Skype to call landline and mobiles with a monthly subscription, which, for example, would cost $9.95/month for unlimited calling to 36 countries throughout theworld.

 

Click on the Skype logo above to learn more about this popular communication tool.

 

Tiny URL

Sending a long URL in an email sometimes results in what is known as a broken link because the link extends to more than one line, losing its hyperlink capability. To prevent broken links, shorten your URLs through the use of a free online service, Tiny URL. The user enters a URL in a text box, clicks the Make a Tiny URL button, and a shortened URL appears immediately. The URL never expires and can be used as a substitute for the long URL.

Visit TinyURL to view the site, but don't try it out unless you have an actual URL!

 

 

Transfer BIG Files is a free online application which permits web users to send large files to each other without using email, which sometimes prevents delivery of large attachments.

 

Simply upload your large file to TBF, enter an email address, and the recipient will receive a link to the uploaded file which he or she can then download. File sizes are limited to 1 gig, and remain in storage for up to 5 days.

 The program is completely web-based, but if you wish to see a dashboard of uploaded files and have other capabilites, you could download the TBF client tool.

 Click on the icon above to visit the site.

 

Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service whose users communicate with others in text-based posts up to 140 characters in length. Users can choose whose Tweets they wish to follow, and with careful selection, could actually create a powerful professional learning community. Tweets can be sent and received via the Twitter website, via cell phone, or though third-party applications such as Tweetdeck or Twirl which reside on the  desktop.

 Click here to view a short Commoncraft Video titled "Twitter in Plain English." If you wish to visit the Twitter website, click on the Twitter logo above.

 For an excellent overview of the educational aspects of Twitter, view "7 Things You Should Know About Twitter"from Educause.

 And finally, check out "25 Ways to Teach with Twitter," just in case you aren't convinced!

 

Weebly is a website-building tool which permits the user to create a web page which is hosted by Weebly. Simple to use, it requires no knowledge of HTML code.

 Users can choose from a variety of templates, and embed videos, pictures, and maps with a simple click and drag tool. It's easy to add new pages to your website because Weebly automatically creates the link for you.

 

Create a practice page or click on the Weebly icon above to create an account. Then you can begin building a website for your classroom!

 

 

Students and/or teachers can use this free application to set a timer for their discussion or group work. The countdown appears on a full screen and a buzzer sounds as an audible reminder that time has run out. Click on the icon above, and in the new screen, set the timer and click "go" to see how it works. No membership required!