More Free Stuff!

Ellen Zimmerman, MTTHardin-Jefferson ISD

Goals for this Session• Explain and overview some of my favorite

freeware.

• Give clear explanations of what the software can do for you.

• Provide a Web site for you to go to later when you have time to play!

www.ezimmerman.us

Click on the “TCEA” tab.

What do you mean, freeware?

• Yes, it is really free!

• Some are from individual programmers, some from universities and some from everyday people.

• Shareware means the same thing, free.

• Trial versions either give you full use for a period of time or some have limited

use or watermarks.

Software Overview• Wink by Debugmode• Swiff Point Player• Microsoft Movie Maker• Microsoft Producer• Microsoft Photostory 3• Format Factory• Google Earth• Google Sketchup• Coffeecup

• Babarosa• Audacity• Finale Notepad• Photobie• CMap Tools• Scratch (MIT)• MSW Logo• Cute PDF Writer

Why Free Stuff?• Schools with limited budgets.

• Free exposure to a variety of software.

• Teaches students to “dive in” and not be afraid of trying new things.

• Something for the ones who finish work early to do.

• Most companies will work with education agencies to give you full working versions.

Is it Safe?• Add-ons and extras from reputable

software companies like Google.

• University sites like MIT.

• Through download companies.– Tucows.com– CNET.com– Snapfiles.com– FreewareFiles.com

• School virus protection is thorough,

be brave!

Backgrounds

• Creating your own PowerPoint backgrounds make a difference.

• Simple steps using images of your choice.

Background Demo

Wink by Debugmode• Screen recording software.

Wink by Debugmode

Add-ons and Extras• Swiff Point Player 2.0 – lets you add Flash

movies to PowerPoints easily!

Microsoft Producer

PhotoStory 3

PhotoStory 3 – Photo Arranging

PhotoStory 3 – Captions/Narration

PhotoStory 3 - Music Demo

Format Factory

Google Earth• Google Earth shows maps, aerial views and

actual photos that have been posted of sites all over the world. (Can be bandwidth hog.)

Google Sketchup

Created by Jared.

Coffeecup• Coffeecup is very simple to use webpage

software.

• Support is good.

• You do have to have administrator rights to use.

Coffeecup

Created by Chantal.

Babarosa• GIF animation software

• Trial version that allows full use.

Babarosa Demo

Created by Randy.

Audacity• Audacity allows for recording and editing

of sounds. It can be used to create audio podcasts or to overlay video sounds in Movie Maker or other software.

• The first time you use it you may have to “show” the software where the .dll file is.

• The .dll file should be in the Program files for the software.

Audacity Demo

Finale Notepad• Creates music using different instruments.

• Easy to use even if you don’t know music.

Photobie• Photobie is very similar to Photoshop.

• Frequently updated and simple to use.

Photobie Samples

CMap Tools • Very simple thought mapping software.

CMap Tools Sample

CMap Tools Demo

Scratch• Software from MIT to introduce all ages to

basic programming logic.

Scratch Demo

Created by Jesse.

MSW Logo• Students use math and programming

terms to move the “turtle”.

MSW Logo

Additional Freeware That I Love!

• CutePDF Writer will create PDF documents for you.

• Zamzar is a Web site that will convert your file formats to other formats. It is very useful for posting to the internet.

• Wikispaces is an excellent communication site. (DVR for e-mail!)

• iLyrics finds the lyrics for iTunes songs and saves them in the “Get Info, Lyrics” tab of your music.

• Lyrics Plugins for Winamp and Windows Media Player will scroll the lyrics for the song that is playing.

• Winamp Player is another music organizer.

My Two Cents…..

• Don’t get overwhelmed!

• Try one or two new things a month.

• If you don’t know what something is, Google it or ask a teenager!

• The real nerds today are the ones who DON’T use technology!

Thank you!Have fun trying new freeware and creating

lesson plans for your classes!

www.ezimmerman.us (Hosted by Siteground.)

ezimmerman@hjisd.net Ellen Zimmerman, MTT