CLOUD TOOL EVALUATION

Craig Olson
OLTD 507
Fall 2014

NAME OF TOOL

POWTOON FOR EDUCATION

URL OF TOOL

http://www.powtoon.com/edu-home/

DESCRIPTION OF
TOOL

-cloud tool for making simple animated

presentations and videos
-finished product can be run from PowToon site or
uploaded to YouTube
-basic presentation is fun and cartoon-like with a
variety of different themes available including
soundtracks
-more serious, business-like presentations also
possible
-text and graphics can be created as well as
copied from other sources
-audio can be added from included songs or
external sources
STRENGTHS OF TOOL -relatively simple to use, especially for those
familiar with other slideshow applications such as
Powerpoint
-tutorials are provided
-use is quite intuitive
-finished products can be engaging with many
fun features
-conversion of Powerpoint shows to PowToon is
relatively simple
DRAWBACKS OF
-free account limits presentations to five minutes
TOOL
-requires fairly powerful hardware to operate
smoothly
-free version teases by showing inoperable
premium features in basic options list
-expert users may tire of the simplicity of options
and lack of sophisticated features
PRIVACY
-requires e-mail address from teachers and
PROTECTION OF
students
TOOL
-policy indicates personal information is not
provided to other companies without consent
-company is based in the UK and claims
compliance with Childrens Online Privacy
Protection Act
USE REQUIREMENTS
-free educator account requires name and an e-

mail address
-students can be added to their teachers
account via e-mail

NAME OF TOOL

TalkTyper

URL OF TOOL

https://talktyper.com/

DESCRIPTION OF
TOOL

-browser operated software that allows speech to

be converted to text when used with current
version of Google Chrome
-over twenty different languages available
including US and GB versions of English
-punctuation can be added by verbal instructions
or in editor
-dictated text can easily be copied into a
document
-allows students with written output or
keyboarding issues to create text
-accuracy is good and use is straight forward
-some students will be able to use tool
independently

STRENGTHS OF TOOL

DRAWBACKS OF
TOOL

PRIVACY
PROTECTION OF
TOOL

USE REQUIREMENTS

-only operates in Google Chrome

-students may be self-conscious about dictating
in classroom setting
-even when speech is clear, some mistakes are
made during translation
-use is anonymous with no registration required
-policy page warns of Googles involvement in
the translation process and recommends
avoiding discussing private subjects or disclosing
personal information
-a decent microphone
-Google Chrome installed
-a private, sound-proof location is preferred

NAME OF TOOL

Khan Academy

URL OF TOOL

https://www.khanacademy.org/

DESCRIPTION OF TOOL

-well known and popular site providing math

lessons and activities including over 6000
instructional videos
-able to function as a quasi-learning
management system
-practice exercises are adjusted according to
student performance and ability
-extensive video library of online lessons
-comprehensive dashboard allows teachers to
prescribe student learning and monitor progress
-badges provide motivation and students strive
for mastery rather than just passing
-curriculum content is US based
-no special education component
-mastery requirement of exercises can frustrate
students
-video delivery is limited to lecture style lessons
-some detractors question what students are
really learning and how
-registration requires at least an email address
-personal information is not sold to third parties
-servers are US based and subject to American
laws
-free account requires email and name to register
and connect with teacher or coach

STRENGTHS OF TOOL

DRAWBACKS OF TOOL

PRIVACY PROTECTION
OF TOOL

USE REQUIREMENTS

NAME OF TOOL

Google Apps for Education

URL OF TOOL

https://www.google.com/edu/

DESCRIPTION OF
TOOL

-suite of tools that allow teachers and students to

connect and interact through sharing and
collaborating on documents, spreadsheets,
slides, forms, and more
-features allow for use as a learning management
system
STRENGTHS OF TOOL -allows access to course materials from any
computer with an internet connection
-parents are able to view student progress
through sharing
-reliability is excellent
DRAWBACKS OF
-format does not appeal to all students
TOOL
-privacy concerns persist with Google and
mining of personal information

PRIVACY
PROTECTION OF
TOOL

-tool uses servers based outside of Canada

-Google may scan contents of student e-mails
despite privacy claims to the contrary

USE REQUIREMENTS

-service is free to educational institutions

-email addresses are necessary to share
documents, etc.

NAME OF TOOL

SUPERLAME

URL OF TOOL

http://www.superlame.com/

DESCRIPTION OF
TOOL

-website that allows cartoon balloons to be added

to photos

STRENGTHS OF TOOL -fun tool for adding some humour or commentary

to photos
-easy to use
DRAWBACKS OF
TOOL

-only processes one photo at a time

-limited features

PRIVACY
PROTECTION OF
TOOL

-registration is possible but not necessary

-use can be anonymous but photos are personal
information
-policy states personal information is not sold to
third parties
-no registration required
-use is free

USE REQUIREMENTS

NAME OF TOOL

YouTube

URL OF TOOL

https://www.youtube.com/

DESCRIPTION OF
TOOL

-unsurpassed collection of videos covering every

possible subject imaginable
-content ranges from amateurish to professional
and commercial

STRENGTHS OF TOOL -informational and instructional content is

extensive
-site is robust and videos run smoothly
-allows viewers to be contributors and
commentators
-exposes students to valuable teachable
moments
DRAWBACKS OF
-contains much content that would be
TOOL
inappropriate for most school age students
-comments section is a hotbed of bad online
behaviour and poor netiquette
-advertising is prominent
PRIVACY
-viewing requires no registration or sign in
PROTECTION OF
-to upload videos or to comment, registration
TOOL
requiring some personal information is necessary
-owned by Google so personal data is mined for
advertising and revenue generating
USE REQUIREMENTS
-web browser with Flash Player

NAME OF TOOL

Twitter

URL OF TOOL

https://twitter.com/

DESCRIPTION OF
TOOL

-social networking service which allows users to

exchange short messages of 140 characters or
less called tweets
-tweets can include photos, video, and links to
websites
-useful for keeping abreast of unfolding events,
gathering information, and for entertainment
-great way to monitor activities and thoughts of
individuals and organisations
-users can catalogue resources and links for
professional or educational purposes shared by
those they are following
-takes time to learn how to fully take advantage
of the tool
-exchanges can seem trivial when limited to 140
characters
-can be somewhat narcissistic and is full of
examples of poor netiquette
-content is completely open so there can be no
real expectation of privacy
-some personal information can be kept private
by using the profile privacy settings
-not meant for use by those under thirteen years
of age
-registration is required to fully participate but
viewing is possible without registration

STRENGTHS OF TOOL

DRAWBACKS OF
TOOL

PRIVACY
PROTECTION OF
TOOL

USE REQUIREMENTS