Ever wanted students to label a diagram of an instrument? Asked them to research biographical details of a composer? Had them investigate a variety of instrumental ensembles; small and large?
Thinkglink is a tool I have used for all of these things and more.
Thinkglink is a tool I have used for all of these things and more.
Again this is a free tool. It allows you to log in with facebook or google; again saving you from remembering passwords or setting up accounts. Using the free aspects of this app you can search the web-base for public thinglinks that have been created and shared by others. An interesting way to introduce the benefits of using this app is to search through examples of thinglinks that already exist.
Thinglink works by uploading an image. This image can be your own original image or one from the internet. Once the user has uploaded an image there are several options for adding data. This can best be screen in the pictures below.
This first picture is what the user will see after logging into their account.
At the top right hand corner is a red cross button. This is the button you select to create a new thinglink. As per other programs and apps, the user is given numerous options for uploading an image. I have used a variety of different methods and each is as easy as the other.
In this example I have used and uploaded a picture of the instruments of the orchestra. My suggestion, is before you do anything else, save this picture.
Now the fun part begins. You are invited to "add tags". In a way it is no different to tagging people in images that you upload to facebook. An icon will show on the image and on the left hand side you will have a number of options for input of information.
By clicking on the black circle icon you are able to select the icon you would like to use. In recent times thinglink has made changes as to the features that are accessible in the free account. Whereas once a user was able to directly insert a you tube video that then uses a play style button/icon etc, now the options are either to update for a fee, or paste the url address into the link box instead. Either way the details and information can still be shared, and the video can be played.
In this way the user is able to share as much information as they wish. The icon is movable by using the mouse to click and drop. I have used this type of image for students to label the instruments of the orchestra. They are also able to include information on the instruments and their respective families. Finally, they have also included a youtube video or similar of the instrument being played to make aural connections.
The final product will look something like the following:
Now you, or your students, are able to hover over each the icons to display the information they wish to see. Below are some examples of what can be seen.
This is a great way to get students engaged in their learning and research. The only thing that remains is the numerous options for sharing your finished product. Depending on your destination, you are offered the usual ways of sharing: email, link, embed code etc. I have most recently used embed codes to upload to google sites or blogs. Below is the thinglink upload using embed code.When embedding as a gadget into a google site be sure to use the embed size recommended for best results. When embedding into a blog using the html, this is not necessary, or at least not in blogger.
Thinglink works by uploading an image. This image can be your own original image or one from the internet. Once the user has uploaded an image there are several options for adding data. This can best be screen in the pictures below.
This first picture is what the user will see after logging into their account.
At the top right hand corner is a red cross button. This is the button you select to create a new thinglink. As per other programs and apps, the user is given numerous options for uploading an image. I have used a variety of different methods and each is as easy as the other.
In this example I have used and uploaded a picture of the instruments of the orchestra. My suggestion, is before you do anything else, save this picture.
Now the fun part begins. You are invited to "add tags". In a way it is no different to tagging people in images that you upload to facebook. An icon will show on the image and on the left hand side you will have a number of options for input of information.
By clicking on the black circle icon you are able to select the icon you would like to use. In recent times thinglink has made changes as to the features that are accessible in the free account. Whereas once a user was able to directly insert a you tube video that then uses a play style button/icon etc, now the options are either to update for a fee, or paste the url address into the link box instead. Either way the details and information can still be shared, and the video can be played.
In this way the user is able to share as much information as they wish. The icon is movable by using the mouse to click and drop. I have used this type of image for students to label the instruments of the orchestra. They are also able to include information on the instruments and their respective families. Finally, they have also included a youtube video or similar of the instrument being played to make aural connections.
The final product will look something like the following:
Now you, or your students, are able to hover over each the icons to display the information they wish to see. Below are some examples of what can be seen.
This is a great way to get students engaged in their learning and research. The only thing that remains is the numerous options for sharing your finished product. Depending on your destination, you are offered the usual ways of sharing: email, link, embed code etc. I have most recently used embed codes to upload to google sites or blogs. Below is the thinglink upload using embed code.When embedding as a gadget into a google site be sure to use the embed size recommended for best results. When embedding into a blog using the html, this is not necessary, or at least not in blogger.
You now have your interactive image for classroom use. You are only limited by your own imagination or that of your students.
The link for thinglink is below. Good Luck.
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