When I first started blogging with my class I simply used text and photos. As I got the hang of blogging, I started using different forms of media to make the blog posts more rich, interesting. Using a range of online tools is a great way to showcase student work.

Want to find out how to embed photo slideshows in your blog? Check out this post.

Below is a collection of some web 2.0 tools that you can embed into blog posts.

(these tools give you an HTML embed code which you can paste into the HTML version of the post/page editor or into a text box widget)

EMBEDIT.IN

embedit.in can be temperamental but it allows you to embed almost any sort of file or web page. You can choose whether you want to allow people to print and/or download your file. This is a very versatile tool. Here is an example of a PDF using embedit.in…

PHOTO PEACH

PhotoPeach is a great way to create a slideshow or quiz using your photos. Very quick and easy to use. You can add music and text to your slideshow (you have to pay to upload your own music). Below is a quick PhotoPeach my class made on a dress up day.

FOTOBABBLE

Fotobabble allows you to upload a photo and record a narration to “create your own talking photo.” Here is a Fotobabble that a student in my class produced for our Collaboration Corner blog.

PAGE PLUGIN

This site allows you to create all sorts of Flash tools such as clocks, calendars, countdowns, glitter text, banners, tshirt pics, photo puzzles etc. Free, no login required and very simple to make your tool and get the HTML embed code.

SLIDESHARE

Slideshare allows you to upload and share your PowerPoint presentations, Word documents and Adobe PDF Portfolios. You can also add audio. Here is a Slideshare one of my students made using pages of a story they wrote. AuthorStream is similar.

ANIMOTO

Animoto allow you to turn images into professional looking video slideshows. Videos can be automatically generated with music and you can narrate your video with text.  This is the link to get a free premium education account to use with your class (otherwise you can only have a 30 second clip for free)

This is an Animoto I made for my class blog.

VOKI

Create a personalised speaking avatar with Voki. These are great on a sidebar to introduce readers to your blog.



KIZOA

Kizoa‘s free account allows you to make a photo slideshow with special effects, music, text and transitions. Completed slideshows can be embedded, emailed, saved or shared online.

Here is a sample Kizoa.



VOICETHREAD

Voicethread is a place where you can narrate images, documents and videos. Others can join in the conversation too. Here is a Father’s Day Voicethread we embedded on the 2KM Blog a few years ago.

VIDEOS

Some places where you can find great videos to embed on your blog include SchoolTube, Kideos and Zui.

YouTube and Howcast are also very useful although need to be monitored for inappropriate content. Find the video you want and simply copy the HTML embed code into the HTML version of the post writer.

kideos


POLLS

Polls are a fun way to add something different to your blog. You can make one on Polldaddy, Blogpoll or Runpolls just to name a few! Here is a survey that we embedded on the 4KM and 4KJ blog once.