This week we looked at a range of tools that are built into Microsoft, Google and Apple applications that make your collection and collation of research easier. 

A key feature of this term's mentoring resources are our new "One-Pagers". These quick reference guides will give you an overview of the tools available on the various platforms that can assist in the area that we focus on. This week's One Pager on Research Tools can be found above. 

The Microsoft wrap included features such as:

• Immersive Reader: Includes the function of having the text read aloud, changing the font size and backgrounds to the text, and changing the language the text is presented in. 

• Collections: Your one-stop show for collecting websites, images and online documents into one list, and then being able to export this list to your application choices such as OneNote or Word.

• Web Capture: This allows you to take a snapshot of a portion/full web page and then digital ink the image. You can then save it to your cloud storage or export it to your MS application of choice

• Microsoft Whiteboard: This allows you to collect ideas and artifacts in a collaborative board-like space using digital ink, typed texts, sticky notes and highlights.

The Google wrap included such features as:

• Google Keep: Using this app to collect notes on researched items, website links, and ideas and then import them into other Google applications such as Docs and Slides

• Google Search: Using tools such as "quotation marks" when searching to narrow down the search range, and the tools when searching images.

• Google Jamboard: Another great collaborative tool where you can collect and share research and ideas based on your topic with digital ink, notes and more.

The Apple wrap included such features as:

• Apple Reader: Built into Safari, it is a great tool for de-cluttering web pages and extracting the text component to highlight information.

• Mark Up: This allows you to highlight and digital ink web pages and then send them to your application of choice.

This weeks Micro PL focused on Video Tools that could be used within your own practice or that students could use as a way of presenting work. 

We took a look at three web based platforms that can be used on any device (PC, Apple or Chromebook) - Canva, WeVideo and Adobe Express (formerly Adobe Spark/Creative Cloud Express). 

In Canva, we demonstrated how you can use the library of templates, images and videos available from within the platform. We touched on how to add music, transitions and control the timeline of your produced video. How to import your own photos, video and voice content was also highlighted.

The demonstration of WeVideo showed how easy it is to set up a classroom within the platform itself. This enables you as a teacher to have vision over student work, set tasks with examples, and also control the download of the content. A great feature!

The demonstration included how to take library footage or your own, import it into the editor, and begin to trim, cut, edit, add music or sound to your project. WeVideo also has a great tool to allow you to record voice narration straight over your footage while it is playing. This gives you and easy way to guide what you are saying as part of your narration and when to say it.   

Please Note: While WeVideo is a paid subscription service. However as a teacher to use the product with your students at no cost for 12 months, you will need to apply for a license through the stem.T4L Learning library (WeVideo - Cloud storage and browser editing (sharepoint.com) )

Finally in Adobe Express (available through your free Adobe Creative Cloud account), the demonstration showed just how easy it was to create a narrated slideshow using the video tools. This included adjusting the layouts, themes, captions, and picture content. We also highlighted how easy it is to add voice narration to the movie simply by holding down the record button and talking. If you weren't happy with what you said, you just repeat the process. Its so easy!!!

Our Quick Reference Guide shows a range of other tools, including those Adobe tools that are more detailed in their use. You can find links to free PL around the Adobe tools in the slide deck. Included also are links to the tutorial pages for Canva, WeVideo and Adobe Express.

This weeks Micro PL focused on tools that can enhance or be an alternative to a speech presentations. 

We took a look at a number of apps across the Microsoft, Apple and Adobe platforms. 

In Powerpoint, we demonstrated how to add video and audio recordings from a devices webcam. Using the devices inbuilt hardware is a quick and easy way to generate content for your speech presentation.

We touched on features in Teams that enable you to put yourself in the bottom corner of the presentation in a live video presentation. This feature can highlight you directly and give a little more emphasis in your presentation than just the audio over the top.

We game brief demonstrations of the inbuilt voice recording apps in Windows and Apple devices. Voice Recorder (Windows) and Voice Memos (iOS/MacOS) allow you to make voice recordings and turn your speech into a podcast style presentation. They are very easy to use and easily accessible being part of the operating systems core apps.

Finally we gave a demonstration on how Adobe Character Animator could be used by students (or teachers) to deliver presentation content using avatars and puppets to deliver your speech. Being an app that needs to be pushed out to a school device through the UDM, there is a little more work involved. But using this tool gives a great result and an items that can be a little more attention grabbing during a pre recorded speech.