It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that Jing...

Image by angermann via Flickr

Okay...sorry...I had to...

So I posted the tutorial on how to use Jing in your classroom, and was called out by my advisor Dr. Leu. The question was....exactly how would you use this in your classroom?

So I put together four examples of how to effectively use screen captures...and Jing...in your classroom.

1.  In the first example, I created this video to help participants of the Allow it to be YouRTube talk we did at NCTE. We wanted to walk participants through using iMovie and the built in webcams on the MacBook to create video clips for podcasts and blogs. In a very simple sense...you can use video to walk users through a difficult or challenging interface or program.

http://www.screencast.com/t/MyyZLDXHMtT

2. The second example is of Google Docs and the other Google Account features. For our work in the lab we often write collaboratively with each other, and other colleagues. We also frenetically use Google Calendar to keep tabs on each other. Google Accounts does all of this for us. But, in bringing new followers over to this system, we need to give them a quick intro as to what to do. So I created this video for teachers and peers to get that introduction. So...you can use screen captures and Jing to give a walk through of online interfaces.

http://www.screencast.com/t/YPMC4qcDQiN

3. Instance #3 is an image of a search results page. For our work on online reading comprehension we often look at how individuals make choices when they come to the results page of a search engine. Printing out the results page and having students identify and examine the choices being made as they read through is a great activity. But, having a static image that all students can go to online is also helpful...hey, you could build it into an assessment.

http://www.screencast.com/t/ielj9Udnsi6

4. Finally, idea #4 is fueled by a recent situation here in the Lab. I've been looking for a recipe for energy bars. I've been making my own breakfast bars lately...really good might I add. So, some people in our lab cannot eat them. I went online to find a better recipe to make protein rich bars. I created a video of the search, and clarifying search for a recipe.

I would show this video to students to have them critique strategies and skills that I employ while searching for these recipes.

http://www.screencast.com/t/DXnyIcDDTYT

W. Ian O'Byrne