Screencast-o-Matic and ScreenToaster are screen capturing utilities that are based on Java and other web-technologies. That means that they can be used from any computer with a Java-enabled browser. Jing is another example of such a tool that can be installed on both Max OSX and Windows.

Screen capturing utilities are most commonly used for narrating over visuals, creating screen casts and tutorials, and sharing them.

Link: http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/
Link: http://www.screentoaster.com/
Link: http://www.jingproject.com/

Avoiding the 5 Most Common Mistakes in Using Blogs with Students
Ruth Reynard

The author describes his experience with using blogs in graduate-level classes. He believes that they can be very useful in learning, but only when the students actually believe the same thing as well. The ones that are disinclined to use blogs, he has found, see them as either more busy work or dislike the aspect of making their ideas public. Their objections stem from the five common mistakes he has identified and he explains how to deal with each one. The five mistakes are:

1. Ineffective Contextualization
2. Unclear Learning Outcomes
3. Misuse of the environment
4. Illusive grading practices
5. Inadequate time allocation

Link: http://www.campustechnology.com/articles/68089/

Lulu is a marketplace for creators of content, so what you see is actually the product of a community that has grown up around Lulu’s electronic publishing technology. We give the creators and owners of digital content complete control over how they use their work. Individuals, companies and groups can use Lulu to publish and sell a variety of digital content including books, music, video, software, calendars, photos and artwork. Learn more about how easy it is to buy and sell on Lulu!

Link: http://www.lulu.com

7 Things You Should Know About Lulu

Lulu is a web-based self-publishing service, providing online access to the tools an individual needs to design, publish, and print original material, including books, brochures, reports, calendars, and posters. Self-publishing offers an alternative to traditional publishing by allowing authors and creators of content to decide what gets published and in what form, allowing anyone to publish a book inexpensively and much more quickly than with traditional publishing. Faculty can use the service to publish more timely textbooks and other material for courses, and by having access to the tools of production, students can see and understand the processes involved.

Link: http://www.educause.edu/node/162469