Too Long Gone

It has been a while but it's not because I haven't been learning and using 2.0 constantly. Del.icio.us remains my friend and I have recruited many to the usefulness of it. I am happy to report that many of the teachers at my school are enjoying it's benefits. And it's not one of the sites that my district web filter blocks. Yeah!!!!


The newest toy I have come across isn't really Web 2.0 but useful and fun all the same. Photo Story 3 is such a fun and it's so easy that even the technology challenged can put together a photo story. I learned about it from our district technology coordinator and then asked her if she'd mind if I shared it with the teachers at my site. With her blessing I did three inservices for the staff, taught it to a fifth grade class and did a presentation at the PTA meeting for parents. The last was a shameless ploy to get them to finance microphones. Our principal had already convinced them to purchase ten new digital cameras for us. (Side note: We bought hot pink Cyber Shot cameras so they couldn't be confused with personal cameras. Besides a donation went to breast cancer research when you bought the pink ones.)



Back to Photo Story 3 .... If you haven't used this yet, it is a free download from Microsoft. It works on your computer if you have XP or higher (I think it is part of the package with Vista). One of the fun features is the option to email your Photo Story when it is completed. I have taken pictures in the morning, put one together and emailed it to teachers so that they can show it to their students before dismissal time. It, by no means, equipped with the bells and whistles of similar programs like Roxio, but for something quick and easy, Photo Story 3 is your answer.