Video Converter Software

Ahh...the beauty of collaboration and of sharing! The following are some video converter applications; the result of a recent collaboration between techies in WV:

Name/ Website/ Comments

1. Any Video Converter http://www.any-video-converter.com/products/for_video_free
2. Real Player http://tinyurl.com/yhzteft
3. DVDSanta http://www.downloadatoz.com/dvdsanta/download.html
4. Prism http://www.nchsoftware.com/prism/index.html Look for the free version.
5. Easy Converter http://sourceforge.net/projects/mp4cam2avi/files
6. Zamzar http://zamzar.com/ No download and installation required. Upload files and receive a link via email from Zamzar to download your converted file.

WatchKnow - Videos for Kids to Learn From. Organized

Today I learned of a website possessing much potential for supplementing classroom instruction. It can engage students of all ages, in all curricular areas, in an audio-visual manner. The website: "WatchKnow - Videos for Kids to Learn From. Organized" The URL: http://www.watchknow.org

What is WatchKnow? From the website: "Imagine hundreds of thousands of great short videos, and other media, explaining every topic taught to school kids. Imagine them rated and sorted into a giant Directory, making them simple to find. WatchKnow--as in, "You watch, you know"--is a non-profit online community devoted to this goal."

After exploring this site, I have to agree that it is well organized and intuitive to navigate. With a library of over 12,000 audio-visual resources, there's a strong likelihood you'll find something that you can put to use!

Marion County educators: It wouldn't hurt to begin collecting a list of websites providing resources similar to those hosted at WatchKnow. You never know when access to the heavily used "UnitedStreaming" website we're all familiar with will become a thing of the past (hint, hint, HINT).

Other sites of this nature?

1. Thinkfinity
2. TeacherTube
3. dotSUB

Librarian? NO! Media Specialist? YES!

Gone are the days of the school librarians as we once knew them. They now must be fluent with technology, and often assist students in locating primary and secondary resources online. They also assist children with the development of multimedia projects. Many assist in maintaining school websites.

Is it fair to expect them to be responsible for helping all students to become fluent in technology skills? Yes, it is. It's also fair to expect regular classroom teachers, art, music, and physical education teachers to do likewise.

The link below will take you to a site (a wiki) offering a multitude of ideas that can be implemented by ALL educators. The opportunities for implementation are limited only by one's initiative and imagination. Here it is:

http://webtools4u2use.wikispaces.com