The screenshots in this blog were produced using SnagIt by TechSmith. Obviously it’s a cool tool because I’ve been using it since grad school, when I was pursuing a masters degree in Instructional Technology. My advisor-mentor-favorite professor recommended it to the class because many of our assignments had to do with designing tutorials for different computer applications. I have used it since, not only for the classes I teach, but also in preparing handouts and PowerPoint presentations for teacher computer workshops. Unfortunately, I can not show a screenshot of the control panel, because it disappears from the screen when you active it LOL so I had to use the good ole PrintScreen key.
TechSmith also has Camtasia, a video capture application that I’ve used in the past to create short clips. There are, after all, many people like me for whom a printed handout is not enough. My Computer Application class did their semester project using this tool to create tutorials for an application of their choice, ex. MovieMaker, PhotoShop CS, etc.
I also use Smartboard in my classroom. Even though we have projectors and screens in the computer labs, I find that it’s harder to get the students’ attention there when I want to give instructions. Although the interactive features of the Smartboard makes it appealing for students, I also limit their use of it — they also mess with my regular chalkboard so I only put the amount of chalk I will need for the week while hiding the rest. Having said that we teachers love it that our school installed Smartboards in select classrooms. I show movies and commercials, and also use the “camera” to project spreadsheets in Accounting class. Outside of regular classes I sponsor a chess club, and find the Smartboard a neat tool for interactive chess games.
