Last Thursday, at the NEKLS School Librarian workshop, Liz, Sharon, and I divided the Tech Toy Box into three break-out sessions, with myself leading a discussion on “productivity tools”. I demonstrated the Blue Snowball Microphone, a Logitech HD webcam, and Flip video camera, with three free programs: Audacity, Skype, and the Flipshare software.
Blue Snowball Mic/Audacity
The mic records in stereo and has three settings that allow the user to record vocal tracks, loud musical instruments, or conferences/interviews/environmental sounds.
The open source software can be used to slice/fade sound files, mix up to 16 audio tracks, and apply a great number of filters. There is a great community that keeps this software updated and the additional plug-ins allow advanced functionality usually found in expensive software such as Adobe Audition.
The uses for high quality audio recording/editing seems endless in a school environment: podcasting, voice overs for video projects, school news, recording board meetings. My favorite idea is using this mic with an iPad for a highly mobile recording station for events like choir/band competitions.
Webcam/Skype
Skype just works. There is usually very little your IT department must do to allow it to function. Also, it is widespread. The soldier you want to talk to in Afghanistan, the student out for medical reasons, the parent you need to have a conference with in India, all likely already have Skype installed or can easily install it on their own. This makes the process of setting up a two way video conversation all the more viable.
The equipment is also key. Having a high-def webcam with built in microphone that requires no additional drivers makes checking out a shared device much more convenient. Interviews, conferences, and virtual field trips, with just a slight amount of planning, can be added to classroom curriculum.
Flip Video/Flipshare
The Flip camera is affordable and easy to use. This combination made it a favorite with teachers and students. As long as our needs were simple, no editing required, short recordings, playback through the A/V cables, then the device worked perfectly.
The Flipshare software adds functionality to the simple video camera. It provides editing tools, the ability to share videos on flipshare.com through email links, and allows uploading finished projects to social networking sites like youtube and facebook.
The days of the Flip Video are already coming to an end. Two factors have contributed to its demise: the prevalence of smart phones with their included video recording abilities and the parent company, Cisco, pulling the plug on the project (yesterday Cisco announced a 9% personnel cut). Eventually the flipshare hosting site will no longer be available.
Librarian/Technician
The “productivity tools” breakout session managed to touch on a theme suggested by our keynote speaker, Buffy Hamilton. To summarize her point: Educators and Techs both have strengths to bring to collaboration on technology in education. Educators are the experts on strategies for learning, where as techs, such as myself, scour the blogs and tech websites for the shiny new toys that seem like exciting new tools.
From our discussion I learned the only obstacle isn’t how to use these tools, it’s apparent that educators sometimes aren’t sure when to implement technology. Many are worried about dealing with the “digital divide” or the “haves vs have-nots”. There are no simple answers, but from this non-librarian/non-educator’s perspective, when it comes to reaching out to students, you must use every bit of fire power in your arsenal. Hopefully some of these tools can help.
Links:
- Blue Snowball Microphone
- Snowball with iPad
- Audacity
- Logitech HD Webcam
- Skype
- Flip Video
- Flipshare
- Cisco cuts Flip Video
- Cisco ending flipshare service
- Cisco cuts 6500 jobs
- Buffy Hamilton’s blog
Photo Credit: Taken on my iPhone, magnetic poet: unknown
Dan Alexander is the Technology Specialist for NEKLS. He can be contacted by email (dalexander (at) nekls.org). Please visit the staff page to learn about when to contact Dan. 
