LibrAdventures - A Map of Writers and Their Stories

LibrAdventures is a neat use of Google Maps that displays the place and the events that influenced famous authors and their works. LibrAdventures also includes some artists and film directors. You can explore LibrAdventures by selecting a name, a location, or an event from the drop-down menus at the top of the LibrAdventures homepage. You can also explore LibrAdventures by clicking placemark icons on the map.

Applications for Education
LibrAdventures could be a good resource for helping students see the connection between place and stories. You could have students create their own LibrAdventure-like maps on Google Maps.

H/T to Google Maps Mania. 

Video Creation and Editing 101

Creating videos is one of my favorite classroom activities for students. A well-planned video project can be used to have students sharpen their research, writing, and revising skills while developing video production skills. Below you will find a collection of tips and resources for learning to become a better video editor. If you're looking for a mobile video creation tool, take a look at this comparison chart.

In the video below WeVideo offers three key tips for shooting better videos.


The Vimeo Video School offers more than five dozen videos about creating better videos. Two of their videos are embedded below.


Quick Focusing Tips from Vimeo Video School on Vimeo.



Zoom vs. Moving Camera from Vimeo Video School on Vimeo.

Stillmotion is a video production company based in Oregon. They offer a series of videos all about how to tell stories through video. The series takes you through the planning, shooting, and editing of a video. The series isn't a how-to on the technical side of production as it is a how-to plan and think about the process of producing a great video. The first video in the series is embedded below. Below the video I've linked to the other videos and text outlines in the series.


Storytelling The Stillmotion Way: Part 1 from stillmotion on Vimeo.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

ClassDojo's Messenger App Now Supports Voice Messages

Two weeks ago ClassDojo launched a stand-alone messenger app. The app allows you to send messages from your mobile device to your students and their parents. The messenger app protects the privacy of you and your students by not relying on your cell phone number to send messages.

Today, ClassDojo announced the addition of voice messages to the messenger app. Voice notes in the ClassDojo messenger app can be sent to individuals or to groups of students and parents. The voice option is still in beta so you will need to sign-up here to receive early access.

Applications for Education
Text messages are great because they're quick and easy to send and receive. That said, there are times when voice does a better job of conveying your message. Sending a voice message could be a better option than a text message when you want to convey your enthusiasm for the improvement that a student is making in your classroom.