Tag Archives: Download

Crocodoc

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Crocodoc

taken from www.glogster.com

ABOUT:

Crocodoc is an Internet writing software that allows you to write alone, or collaboratively. You can work on a variety of projects, from essays to multimedia projects with videos, images, and other items embedded right inside. Because Crocodoc allows more than one person to type in a document all at once, it is a great meeting space for when your group can’t meet face-to-face. It also allows comment bubbles that you can create and respond to and allows all users with access to move and change the format. Unlike Google Documents, you do have to download Crocodoc onto your computer, but once it’s there, it works very similarly.

Supported

PC, Mac

Pros

  • allows for collaborative work with tons of features so you can share, peer edit, and build together
  • stores your documents for you so you don’t need a thumb drive

Cons

  • you have to download this, so you can’t use it on a school or borrowed computer
  • at this moment, it is not all that widely used. Others may convince you to use Google Docs because of the above con.

EXAMPLES

Because of the live-sharing feature of Crocodoc, there are no student examples. Instead click below to see Crocodoc in action:

Crocodoc3

 

 

Uses

You can use Crocodoc for almost anything you can image. You can embed a document into a website and use it as a presentation, or you can use it to collaborate with a group on a paper. It is great for peer review, or even for just writing stories you want to share easily.

Dropbox

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Dropbox

taken from http://cdn1.tnwcdn.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/04/Photos-Dropbox.jpg

ABOUT:

Dropbox is an open-source storage and sharing tool that exists both on your computer, and on the cloud. It’s as simple as downloading the application on your computer and saving all your files into the Dropbox folder. After that, all your files are backed up on the cloud, and you don’t even need a thumb drive anymore to access your files on any other computer with an internet connection.

Supported

PC, Mac, Mobile

Pros

  • Even if your computer crashes, your files are safe on the cloud and cannot be deleted unless you delete them on purpose.
  • You can share dropbox folders and files with other people, which means you don’t have to try and send huge files through email.
  • Dropbox is open source, which means it’s made for regular people, by regular people, and it doesn’t advertise to you like a social media would.

Cons

  • Dropbox comes with 1.5 Gigs initially, and while you can increase that by inviting your friends and family, you have to pay for a lot of storage space.
  • You MUST be wary of what you save to the cloud, just in case someone hacks into the Dropbox system. Do not keep social security numbers, passwords, taxes, or anything else that could compromise your personal safety.

EXAMPLES

Below is a video of how Dropbox works. A student example cannot be included because dropbox is someone’s personal file system.

Uses

You can use this to share large files. Some of your professors may even ask you to share files through Dropbox, though it will be more likely that this will happen with other students. Further, Dropbox could save your academic life: if your computer crashes (and it will at some point), your files are safe in the cloud.

Etherpad

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Etherpad

taken from http://ejohn.org/files/etherpad.png

ABOUT:

Etherpad is an open-source internet writing software which allows you to write in a document alone, or with someone else in real time. You can customize your own Etherpad to suit your needs, or you can use one someone else has set up. You can use plugins to expand your customized Etherpad, if you choose. Because of the availability of plugins, you can install a real-time chat box, or a draw(art) feature, and so on.

Supported

PC, Mac

Pros

  • Allows real-time collaboration so you don’t have to travel to meet someone to work on a paper.
  • Open-source, which means it’s not owned by a big corporation who is trying to sell you everything and harvest your data.
  • Saves your paper on the cloud, so that even if your computer crashes, it still exists on the internet.

Cons

  • If you don’t own your own computer, you can’t customize or download Etherpad.
  • It may be tricky for new users to know how they might want to customize Etherpad.

EXAMPLES

Below is a tutorial video for Etherpad. I have placed a tutorial here, rather than a student example because of the fluid nature of Internet writing software.

Uses

You could use Etherpad for group work of all kinds, for all classes that ask you to write anything. You can also use it to brainstorm any other kind of project, draw up an outline, or a plan.

Hightail

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Hightail

taken from http://www1.pcmag.com/media/images/395413-hightail-for-iphone.png?thumb=y

ABOUT:

Hightail is a both a storage and a sharing application. You do not need to be signed up for Higtail to receive files, but you must in order to share them, or contribute to them. Hightail works on the cloud and can store all your files for you, allowing you to share a high volume of files like film footage, music files, or videos. It is more for business than for school, but if you are making large multimedia projects in groups, this might be the right storage and sharing application for you.

Supported

PC, Mac, Mobile

Pros

  • Allows you to share large files without a need for email
  • You do not need to sign up for Hightail to receive files
  • Since it operates on a cloud system, even when your computer crashes, your files are still stored.

Cons

  • Since you have to download Hightail onto your device, you cannot use it from a school or borrowed computer.
  • Unless you password protect your files, they may not be private to you and your colleague.

EXAMPLES

Because Hightail is a sharing/storage application, it would be invasive to show a student example. Instead, here is a video about how it works:

Uses

You could use Hightail for any class that asks you to share or store large files. Hightail may be most useful to film production students, but you need not be working with that much content for it to be useful.

Vine

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Vine

Taken from: http://colorlib.com/sparkling/media-twitter-embeds/vine-logo/

ABOUT:

Vine is an application where you can view and create 6.5 second videos that loop continuously. Vine is set up to be a mobile application where you use your phone to record, upload the footage to vine, and edit in application. The editing feature is basic, but does allow some cropping, slow motion, and length adaptation.

Supported

Mobile (editing & viewing), MAC (viewing only), PC (viewing only), Tablet (viewing only)

Pros

  • Very easy to learn and to share
  • Potential for wide viewer-base

Cons

  • Built for heavy compatibility with a SmartPhone
  • Vines default to play on their own, which can be distracting

EXAMPLES

Below is a Vine a student made to show that she participated in the 2014 General Election:


 
Below is quick illustration of a Treble Clef

Uses for Vine

Vines could be used to enhance a presentation, or to make a creative video to prove a point. They’re so fast, they’re almost a .gif – you might use these inside a presentation for any class.

iMovie

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iMovie

taken from macworld.com

ABOUT:

iMovie is simple video editing software for your Mac – in fact – it comes pre-installed on all Macintosh computers, except iPads. It is easy to use, though requires more training than Windows Movie Maker. It comes with simple transitions, effects, and labeling to enhance your footage. You can film right from your computer, import your own footage, stills or music to create a video for whatever your needs might be. Once your movie is created, you can export it in several ways, in a variety of qualities, including straight to youtube.

Supported

Mac, iPad only

Pros

  • Has lots of professional looking transitions and effects.
  • export to anywhere
  • Easy to learn using a tutorial

Cons

  • May be somewhat overwhelming for beginners
  • Videos take up lots of space on your hard drive

EXAMPLES


Because it is impossible to link to an example of a work in progress – or a dashboard, as iMovie actually is – the link above is a short tutorial put out by KingTutsPro that you can watch to see how someone might build a simple video.

Uses

Videos can be used for a variety of assignments, or to enhance a digital assignment. You can embed them into larger projects or use them all on their own. You can pretty much make a video for anything you might imagine.

Windows Live Movie Maker

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Windows Live Movie Maker

 taken from http://windows-live-movie-maker.en.softonic.com/

ABOUT:

Windows Live Movie Maker is the most recent version of Movie Maker for you PC – in fact – it comes pre-installed on all factory built non-Macintosh computers. It is easy to use, requiring minimal training. It comes with simple transitions, effects, and labeling to enhance your footage. You can film right from your computer, import your own footage, stills or music to create a video for whatever your needs might be. Once your movie is created, you can export it in several ways, in a variety of qualities.

Supported

PC only

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Manageable amount of choices for beginner users
  • Export to anywhere

Cons

  • May be too simple for advanced users
  • Users must be careful about organizing and saving footage. If you move your footage after you begin creating your movie, you must either move it back, or start over in order to edit.
  • Videos take up a lot of space on your hard drive

EXAMPLES

Because it is impossible to link to an example of a work in progress – or a dashboard, as Movie Maker actually is – the link above is a short tutorial put out by Windows that you can watch to see how someone might build a simple video.

Uses

Videos can be used for a variety of assignments, or to enhance a digital assignment. You can embed them into larger projects or use them all on their own. You can pretty much make a video for anything you might imagine.

Prezi

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Prezi

PreziScreenShot

ABOUT:

Prezi is a free  presentation tool that allows you to zoom in and out of content so you can present with more than just flat slides. You can chose from a template, as you can see in the screen shot above, and insert your own text, video, photos, and more, or you can start from scratch and build your own presentation with a book cover backdrop, or a photo that correlates to your research. Prezi moves from frame to frame in a fun way that can make a viewer dizzy, so be careful, but Prezi also allows you to zoom in ways that can make a presentation on, say, the solar system, quite amazing.

Supported

Prezi operates on Mac, PC, iPad and iPhone

Pros

  • Interesting and exciting if designed well
  • Embedding capabilities allow you to be able to play youtube videos and other media right inside the presentation
  • Backgrounds and images are fully customizable

Cons

  • Can be too flashy and distracting if not designed well
  • Free Prezi version is always public

EXAMPLES


In the above post, the student used a template that goes along with her topic. She did alter the template a little, which Prezi allows the user to do. Also, because the free Prezi tool is public, the user can share her content anywhere on the web, which is how it is embedded here.


The above Prezi is a book recommendation presentation that plays with the zooming feature Prezi allows. This student chose to use Prezi in a way that would enhance his presentation and take advantage of the storyline featured in the book he talks about.

Uses

Prezi can be used to present information, an argument, or to give a proposal. It is best for shorter presentations, as your audience could easily get lost in Prezi’s frame-to-frame movement. You want to make sure that the Prezi you chose is designed well and correlates with your presentation. Don’t use Prezi just because you think it looks cool. Make sure you have a reason for using Prezi over another tool.

If you’re not sure if Prezi is right for your presentation, visit the website and take a look around. They have tutorials and examples in plenty.