Tuesday, July 15, 2014

ThingLink

ThingLink is a great Web 2.0 classroom tool that can be used individually, with a small group, or even whole class if the picture is detailed enough.

So how does it work? It's simple. You upload just the right picture that supports the lesson. For example, if the activity is to complete a biography of a scientist predominant in the world of physics, upload a picture of Albert Einstein. Have students create "tags" all over the picture. When the tags are clicked on, information they have put in at that tag (in text, video, music) appears.

Check out this very simple example of Albert!

 Albert Einstein ThingLink


Now here's one I created about Barbara Kingsolver, one of my favorite authors because of her beautiful blend of science and fiction. 



 If you feel you need more information about how to create a ThingLink, here's a YouTube video.

Or try this...ThingLink tutorial 2!

You can even set up your "stream" and follow other people who have created ThingLinks. Visit this web page to start following ThingLinkers now!


2 comments:

  1. Both your links seem to go to the Barbara Kingsolver ThingLink.

    I'm wondering what value is added by this. I imagine if the picture had different things to explore, and clicking on one part gave more information about that part, that might be worthwhile. But just clicking on Albert Einstein's nose doesn't seem meaningful unless you then tell me something about his nose.

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  2. Thanks for letting me know about the links! Fixed! As I said in class, you teach the students to pick pictures strategically so they can purposefully place tags and information on the visual to correspond with the visual. You would only place a tag on Jimmy Durante's nose because that is what he is famous for! A great audio of his hachachacha sound would be a great addition on that tag.

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