Author Archives: freelearningtools

OBS Studio

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Unleash Your Inner Online Teacher: How OBS Studio Enhances Online Education

Forget the dreaded lecture hall! Online education is here to stay, and with it comes a treasure trove of possibilities. But let’s be honest, staring at a static PowerPoint for hours isn’t exactly riveting. This is where OBS Studio swoops in, cape billowing, as your free online education superpower!

Why is OBS Studio such a game-changer? Buckle up!

  • Free and Fancy: Unlike fancy paid programs, OBS Studio lets you create dynamic educational content without breaking the bank. It’s like having your own personal Hollywood production studio… in your living room!
  • Mix It Up: Think beyond the talking head. OBS lets you seamlessly blend your webcam feed with presentations, images, videos, even that awesome physics experiment you did with baking soda and vinegar (because, why not?). Suddenly, learning becomes an interactive adventure!
  • Live or Pre-Recorded? You Decide! Feeling the pressure of a live stream? No sweat! Record your masterpiece beforehand and polish it to perfection. Want to interact with your students in real time? Live stream away and create a virtual classroom that buzzes with energy!
  • Beyond the Classroom Walls: OBS isn’t limited to lectures. Imagine creating virtual tours of museums, hosting interactive science demonstrations, or conducting interviews with guest speakers – all from the comfort of your home. The possibilities are endless!

It’s not just about the bells and whistles, though. OBS Studio empowers educators to:

  • Personalize Learning: Cater to different learning styles by incorporating visual aids, audio recordings, and even interactive elements.
  • Boost Engagement: Let’s face it, a bit of pizzazz goes a long way. OBS Studio helps you create dynamic and engaging content that keeps students hooked.
  • Make Learning Accessible: Record your sessions and share them with students who might miss a live stream or need to revisit a concept.

Sure, there’s a learning curve. But with a supportive online community and plenty of tutorials, you’ll be a master OBS-ian in no time. Imagine the look on your students’ faces when their history lesson comes alive with a reenactment filmed using green screen technology (thanks, OBS!).

So, ditch the tired lecture format and unleash the power of OBS Studio! It’s a free tool with the potential to transform online education from dull to dazzling. The future of learning is interactive, engaging, and most importantly, fun. And with OBS Studio, you hold the remote!

Anim8or: Your Easy Doorway into 3D Animation

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Dive into 3D with Anim8or: A Beginner’s Animation Software

The world of 3D animation can seem intimidating, filled with complex programs and hefty price tags. But what if you could create your own 3D cartoons and characters without breaking the bank? Anim8or is a free and user-friendly software that makes 3D animation accessible to beginners.

Here’s what makes Anim8or perfect for getting started:

  • Free: Anim8or has been around for many years and won’t cost you a dime. While it is not Open Source, you can find plenty of free tutorials and resources online to answer your questions.
  • Simple Interface: Unlike some feature-heavy programs, Anim8or has a clean and uncluttered interface. This makes it easy to navigate and find the tools you need without getting overwhelmed.
  • Step-by-Step Workflow: Anim8or guides you through the animation process. Start by creating your 3D models in the intuitive “Object Mode.” Then, switch to “Scene Mode” to add lights, backgrounds, and position your characters. Finally, breathe life into your creation with the animation tools in “Scene Mode.”
  • Learning Resources: The Anim8or website offers a wealth of tutorials to get you started. From basic modeling techniques to character animation, these resources will take you from beginner to creating your own short animations. There are also many helpful video tutorials available online on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
  • Great for Beginners: Anim8or is a fantastic introduction to the world of 3D animation. It’s perfect for hobbyists, educators, or anyone who wants to experiment with creating their own 3D characters and stories.

With its ease of use and beginner-friendly features, Anim8or is a great launchpad for anyone who wants to explore the exciting world of 3D animation. So, download Anim8or, follow the tutorials, and get ready to bring your 3D creations to life!

Why Moodle is a great option as a FREE LMS.

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Unleash the Power of Free Learning: How Moodle Can Facilitate Your Education

In today’s digital age, education is no longer confined to classrooms. Moodle, a free and open-source learning management system (LMS), empowers educators and learners alike to create dynamic and engaging online learning experiences. Let’s delve into how Moodle makes education accessible and fosters a collaborative learning environment.

Free to Learn, Free to Teach

Moodle stands apart from its competitors with its free-to-use philosophy. Unlike proprietary LMS platforms that charge licensing fees, Moodle’s open-source nature allows anyone to download and install it without any financial burden. This makes it a perfect solution for schools, universities, and even individual educators who want to create online courses without breaking the bank.

Flexibility at Your Fingertips

Moodle goes beyond simply offering a platform to host course materials. Educators can leverage a vast array of tools to design interactive courses. From uploading lectures and presentations to creating quizzes and forums for discussions, Moodle fosters a rich learning experience.

Engagement Through Interaction

Moodle isn’t just a one-way street. Learners can actively participate in discussions, collaborate on projects through wikis and assignments, and receive immediate feedback through quizzes and assessments. This interactive approach fosters a deeper understanding of the subject matter and keeps students engaged.

A World of Customization

Moodle’s open-source nature extends beyond its free availability. The platform’s core code can be customized to suit specific needs. Whether it’s adding unique features or integrating with existing tools, Moodle offers the flexibility to tailor the learning experience to any discipline or requirement.

A Community of Support

Moodle boasts a large and active community of educators and developers worldwide. This translates to a wealth of online resources, tutorials, and forums where users can seek help, share best practices, and contribute to the platform’s ongoing development.

Beyond the Classroom Walls

Moodle’s versatility extends beyond traditional educational settings. Training companies can leverage it to deliver online courses and certification programs. Businesses can use it to onboard new employees or provide ongoing professional development opportunities.

The Future of Learning

Moodle is a powerful tool that democratizes access to education and empowers educators to create dynamic learning experiences. With its free and open-source approach, Moodle is poised to play a vital role in shaping the future of learning for educators and learners around the globe.

Free Tools Transform Classrooms: How Google Workspace Empowers Educators

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Free Tools for Educating the Future: Google Workspace Takes Classrooms Digital

The world of education is undergoing a digital revolution, and Google Workspace for Education is at the forefront. This suite of free tools empowers schools and educators with the technology they need to create collaborative, engaging, and secure learning environments.

A Suite of Familiar Faces

Students and teachers are likely already familiar with many of the applications included in Google Workspace for Education. Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Meet are all part of the package, seamlessly integrated for a smooth learning experience.

Collaboration Made Easy

Gone are the days of bulky textbooks and siloed learning. Google Workspace fosters collaboration through real-time document editing, shared folders, and communication tools like Chat. Students can work together on projects, share ideas, and receive instant feedback from teachers, all within a secure online space.

Safety and Security for All

Schools can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Google Workspace prioritizes student safety. Robust admin controls allow educators to manage user access, data security features keep information protected, and there’s no advertising within the platform.

The Free Option: Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals

The best part? Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals is completely free for qualifying schools. This core offering provides everything schools need to get started with digital learning, including:

  • Google Classroom: A dedicated platform for creating and managing assignments, sharing resources, and communicating with students.
  • Google Meet: Host virtual classes, hold online meetings, and facilitate communication between students, teachers, and parents.
  • Google Drive: Cloud storage for documents, assignments, and other files, accessible from any device.
  • G Suite apps: Enhance learning with familiar productivity tools like Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

Beyond the Basics: Upgrading Workspace

While Fundamentals provides a solid foundation, Google offers paid editions with even more features, such as enhanced security, enhanced video conferencing capabilities, and access to third-party classroom add-ons. Schools can choose the edition that best suits their needs and budget.

Revolutionizing Education, One Classroom at a Time

Google Workspace for Education is a game-changer for schools, empowering educators and propelling students towards a future fueled by technology and collaboration. With its free tier and user-friendly interface, Google Workspace is making the transition to digital learning accessible and affordable for all.

Score Free Microsoft Office 365 for Your School!

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Score Free Microsoft Office 365 for Your School!

Students and teachers rejoice! Microsoft offers a free version of Office 365 specifically for schools. This means you can access familiar apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, along with some bonus tools, without spending a dime.

Here’s the good news:

  • It’s completely free: No hidden fees, no subscriptions – just free access for eligible institutions.
  • Packed with essentials: Get all the core Office applications to create, edit, and collaborate on documents, presentations, and spreadsheets.
  • Bonus features: On top of the classics, you’ll also get access to Microsoft Teams for communication and collaboration, and additional classroom tools.
  • Always up-to-date: With the cloud-based version, you’ll always have the latest features and bug fixes.

How to get it?

Schools can sign up for Microsoft 365 Education using their school email address. Check with your school’s IT department to see if they’ve already activated this free program. If not, they can handle the sign-up process.

Is there a catch?

There are actually two different free tiers:

  • The basic tier provides access to the core Office applications and some online tools.
  • Schools can also choose to upgrade to a paid plan for additional features like increased security and management options.

But the good news is, that even the basic tier offers a ton of value for classrooms, making Microsoft Office 365 an incredible resource for learning and productivity, completely free of charge.

Summer lessons and activities for High School students.

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high-school

There has been a lot written about the importance of continuing learning over the summer months. Many decades of research shows that students often lose a large portion of what they have learned the previous year. This, however, can be circumvented by extending learning over the summer. Summer classes and lessons can also aid in getting a student head of the next school year, thus giving them an edge on the rest of their peers. We have gathered some great resources to help you prevent a “lazy summer” for your child.

3 Tips for Parents to Engage Teens in Summer Learning – Summer learning loss is not a new or complicated phenomenon. After students spend most of the year cooped up in classrooms and studying for tests, most of them are ready for a break when May and June come along. But this drop-off in learning can hurt students. Taking summer courses is an option that can give students an edge.

There are a variety of free courses available for all areas and abilities. There are 1000’s of free courses designed to provide educational opportunities to help students progress during the summer months, when traditional schools observe summer break. Some of our favorite options are Udacity, Coursea and Saylor.

Easy way to to archive your Gmail for easy retrieval.

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One of my favorite aspects of Gmail is the ability to archive. Archive allows you to clean up your inbox by transferring old messages to the All Mail section of your account, without needing to delete or organize your emails. Once you send a message, all you have to do is click on the archive button. Archive works like an online filing cabinet for your email. If you ever need to access an old email, you just have to use Search to find your archived email.

gmail-archive

While clicking on send then archive is pretty efficient, there is a faster way. If you edit your settings (click on the gear in the upper right hand corner) and select the “Send & Archive” option under the General settings tab, you can now send and archive in a single click.

gmail-send-archive

Use Adobe Reader to Annotate a PDF.

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This tutorial walks you through how to complete a PDF worksheet online. This will allow you to save your pdf and send it by email. First make sure that you have Adobe Reader installed on your computer. For this tutorial, I am using Adobe Reader X. Next, download the PDF. As an example, I will be using a worksheet that I downloaded from Tlsbooks. If the PDF is locked you can use PDFunlock to unlock it.

adobe-comment

Now you just need to open the PDF with Adobe Reader. Once the worksheet is open, click on the Comment button in the upper right hand corner of the screen. You now should have options to add text, highlight text, circle text, etc. Just click and type to add text, or drag-select text to add a highlight, strikethough or underline to the selected text..

Here is a quick video tutorial to show to fill out a PDF worksheet.