Semester Favorites

This semester we have created fantastic websites and learned about so many different FREE helpful tools and resources.  After reviewing the journey that I have taken in Education Technology, I found that there are two distinct tools that I have found myself using over and over again. I also have found myself using these tools in multiple different areas including my Core Teaching Course as well as just for fun.  The first tool is called WIX.  This is a website where anyone can crate their own website from scratch.  I have become completely obsessed with Wix, mostly because I had absolutely no idea how to create a website before this class.  I began this course using google sites but it was too complicated for me, so I took it upon myself to go searching for some different website creators.  Luckily, in class the next week Cyndi Danner-Kuhn (our teacher) told us about some options that she had found.  One she discussed was Wix.  From there, I was highly interested so I went home and began working with the website.  I quickly found how easy it was to manipulate the site.   Wix allows the user to have complete control over their site.  I was able to put images and text anywhere and I could insert images and videos with no difficulty.  From here I realized how simple website creating is and how you just need to know the beginnings, and from there it is a breeze discovering how to do anything from there.  Plus, Wix has a fantastic feature that is incredibly helpful.  Instead of having directions written out, the Wix creators have put all of their directions into videos.  The videos show you exactly step by step how to do anything when creating your website.  These step-by-step videos were a life saver.
The next website I became utterly obsessed with is animoto.  Here the creator is able to create fantastic slideshows that take about 5 min. to create from start to finish.  

At this website I created multiple slideshows to give a visual representation of my life.  Here is one of my own creations about my life.  Taylor's Life in a Nut Shell.
At this website, I was able to create simple yet powerful slide shows that help me give visuals to my lesson plans.  The beauty about this site is it is yet again a FREE resource.  But, this only allows you to create 30 second slide shows.  The great thing is that for educators, the website has discounts so that the teachers can use this resource at a lower cost and still receive all of the benefits of the resource.  This feature is such a blessing for teachers, because this way we will be able to use this website with our students and we could create an entire lesson plan including these slide shows. 
All in all, these two resources have been my all time favorites because they are so simple to manipulate and they are FREE!!