(Click for a full-sized PDF version)

This post shows an easy way to create word cloud graphics and screen capture video tutorials. The graphic above is a word cloud generated from topics presented at the CUE (Computer-Using Educators) Conference in California this March. We created it in a few simple steps:

• We created a text document with a list of topics  from the conference
• We repeated the topics to reflect how often they were presented at the conference
• We pasted this list into the free Wordle “word cloud” generator at wordle.net
• We chose colors and  a layout for the graphic that worked well for this post
• We took a screenshot of the image (you can also generate a PDF) and inserted it into our blog

These are a lot of words to describe a very simple process. Another way to describe is is by creating a screencast- a short video tutorial that captures what’s happening on your screen. We used the free tool Jing and a microphone to create the video below. Jing is available for both PCs and Macs and allows you to capture screenshots and quickly create and share video tutorials up to five minutes long. You can then post your videos to the free Screencast.com site with just one click. Here are some ways teachers are using Jing.

• YouTube EDU is a sub-section of YouTube that contains hundreds of thousands of  high-quality educational videos from sources like Staford, PBS, TED, and the Khan Academy.
• YouTube for Schools is a free service that allows schools to configure their networks so that students can watch only YouTube EDU videos and videos that the school has added to an approved list. Comments and related videos are disabled, and the only search results that will appear are for YouTube EDU videos.
•  YouTube Teachers is a site that shows you how to use YouTube in the classroom and includes hundreds of playlists created by teachers for teachers. The playlists are organized by subject and grade and are aligned with common educational standards.

See how Chicago and other school districts are changing their policies in this New York Times article. To learn more, click the links above, or watch this quick intro video.

With Poll Everywhere you can create free polls for up to 40 people in just a couple of minutes. Premium plans are available with additional features and for polling more users.

Below is an example of the a free poll that was created in just a few seconds. The first 40 people can vote via the Web or by texting or Tweeting their answer as shown below. You can also view the PowerPoint slides and instructions for this poll.

When people vote via the web, this is what they see:

The image to the right shows the results for this poll and how people responded. If you are teaching a small class where each student has free access to texting, a smart phone, or a computer, then the free version of Poll Everywhere might be all you need!