ICT Tip: Inserting your own voice recordings into Microsoft Word

This ICT tip could be best applied to the following subjects:

Quick overview: A video tutorial that explains how you can record and embed your voice into a Microsoft Word document. Relatively easy to do, all you need is a computer microphone and access to Microsoft Word.

What does it do? As the title implies, this ICT tip allows you to create a Microsoft Word document with both spoken and written instructions for your students. The document can then be distributed to your students with the audio embedded in it.

How can it be used in the classroom? This is a great ICT tip for teachers who need a way for their students to practice the oral comprehension of certain key phrases (i.e – language courses) by providing written and spoken cues in an electronic document. The students can read your words and replay the associated sound clip over and over again. The best part is that it’s pretty easy to do, even if you aren’t too comfortable with ICT. Works great for non-language classes if you wish to create documents with oral instructions.

Video Tutorial: In order to best explain how to this is accomplished, I created an on-line video tutorial which can be viewed below:

ICT Tip: Google Docs – Collaboration in your classroom!

This ICT tip could be best applied to the following subjects:

What does it do? Google Docs (http://docs.google.com) is a website application that works pretty much the same as the Microsoft Office applications that you are likely familiar with, such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. Although that’s not all it does, keep reading..

How can it be used in the classroom? Unlike Microsoft Office, the real strength of Google Docs is that multiple students can work collaboratively on one single document, whether it be a word processing document, spreadsheet, or presentation. With only one centralized document to work from, there are no conflicting revisions when working on a group project. Students also don’t have to physically be in the same place to work together. To clarify things further, here’s an easy to understand “Common Craft” video explaining the many advantages of Google Docs:

Note: If the above video does not play, then please click on this link.

Advacned ICT Tip: Google Docs allows you to export documents as Word (.DOC) PowerPoint file (.PPT) or Excel (.XLS) so that the end result can be opened up in a Microsoft Office application.

Important Note: A Gmail account (free) is required to use the Google Docs service. The address to sign up for gmail is http://www.gmail.com

ICT Tip: Manipulative Math, Utah State University

This ICT tip could be applied to the following subjects:

Quick overview: The Manipulative Math site (http://tinyurl.com/4brlam) contains many interactive “hands-on” math activities.

How can it be used in the classroom? When I was out visiting the Western Quebec Career Centre to provide an ICT workshop in May 2008, I picked up some great Math ICT resources from Judith Miller, one of the WQSB math teachers. Judith explained that while there are many ICT math resources out there, this particular resource (Manipulative Math, Utah State University) is popular in her Adult Ed classroom and provides a hands-on experience with her students. (Source: Judith Miller, Western Quebec School Board)