USEFUL TOOLS

Resource: CamStudio (Open Source)

What is CamStudio?

CamStudio is a freeware, Microsoft Windows-based screen capture tool very similar to the commercial product, Camtasia. CamStudio allows the user to make videos of anything you can show on your computer screen.

CamStudio can output audio video, A/V, files in the generic AVI format and SWF – flash – format. Users would have to convert the AVI format to other formats with other software for it to be used on the web.

How Does It Work?

CamStudio can output audio video, A/V, files in the generic AVI format and SWF – flash – format. Users would have to convert the AVI format to other formats with other software for it to be used on the web.

CamStudio is able to record all screen and audio activity on your computer and create industry-standard AVI video files and using its built-in SWF Producer can turn those AVIs into lean, mean, bandwidth-friendly Streaming Flash videos (SWFs)

To download your own free copy, visit camstudio.org.

Resource: Telestream ScreenFlow

What is ScreenFlow?

This software is a Mac O/S-based shareware solution. Shareware means you can download it and try it out before purchasing. It costs $99 one time and in return you get a robust and easy to use piece of screencast software. "Record. Edit. Share. With Telestream ScreenFlow screencasting software, you can capture the contents of your entire monitor at the same time as you capture your video camera, microphone and computer's audio. Simple but powerful editing tools enable you to create incredible screencasts in no time.The finished result is a QuickTime or Windows Media movie, ready for publishing to your Web site or blog." - Telestream Web Site

How Does It Work?

"Demo your software. ScreenFlow provides all the elements needed to create professional-looking product demonstrations of software applications, including games. Developers can easily record a demonstration of their software with audio and even separate video. They can easily highlight areas of interest, add text, then edit the whole thing and save it as a video ready to be shared with the world. ScreenFlow provides an easy way to create leads and bring in revenue.

Demo your iPhone app. With ScreenFlow, iPhone developers have a tool to record their applications (using any iPhone simulator), and choose a finger as a mouse pointer as they navigate around their iPhone application. This makes a nice video demo of their iPhone application that they can use to spread the word about their great new app!

Educate your students Teachers can use ScreenFlow to record their lectures, tutorials, or instructions for students, or to create rich-media presentations. The beauty of ScreenFlow is that they only need to record their message once and students can access the video at any time that fits their schedule.

Train your audience. ScreenFlow gives corporate trainers the ability to combine a screen recorded video with Keynote or PowerPoint presentations and video conferencing. ScreenFlow makes it easy to provide online, on-demand video training as a cost-effective and flexible alternative to live training." - Telestream Web Site

To download a trial version, visit telestream.net.

Resource: Poll Everywhere

What is Poll Everywhere?

This is a free web 2.0 tool for audiences of 30 or less. They also have a pricing plan for larger audiences. "The fastest way to create stylish real-time experiences for events using mobile devices. Poll Everywhere replaces expensive proprietary audience response hardware with standard web technology. It's the easiest way to gather live responses in any venue: conferences, presentations, classrooms, radio, tv, print — anywhere. It can help you to raise money by letting people pledge via text messaging. And because it works internationally with texting, web, or Twitter, its simplicity and flexibility are earning rave reviews." - Poll Everywhere Web Site

How Does It Work?

You ask a question. Audience answers using mobile phones, twitter, or web browser. Responses are displayed live in Keynote, PowerPoint, or the web.

To start polling your students in class, visit polleverywhere.com.

Resource: WeVideo

What is WeVideo?

"WeVideo lets you tell your story with video. Our online, cloud-based editing platform is affordable, simple to use, and uniquely collaborative." - WeVideo Web Site

How Does It Work?

"WeVideo is redefining video editing relative to both traditional desktop and newer online video-editing offerings. Cloud-based video editing is done from your Internet browser, giving you anytime, anyplace video editing flexibility. And there is no software to download or update." - WeVideo Web Site

To start editing your videos in the cloud, visit wevideo.com / To view pricing plans, click here.

Resource: Prezi

What is Prezi?

"Prezi is a cloud-based (SaaS) presentation software and storytelling tool for exploring and sharing ideas upon a virtual canvas." - Wikipedia

How Does It Work?

"Prezi is distinguished by its Zooming User Interface (ZUI), which enables users to zoom in and out of their presentation media. Prezi allows users to display and navigate through information within a 2.5D space on the Z-axis." - Wikipedia

To start editing your videos in the cloud, visit wevideo.com / To view pricing plans, click here.