I’ve taught my students--preservice, graduate, and inservice teachers--to search for free software tutorials on the web when they need to learn how to use a software application and don’t have local training--or the time to take advantage of it--available. However, I also make sure to always show them the Atomic Learning site (http://www.atomiclearning.com). Atomic Learning provides both software tutorials and resources for integrating technology in the curriculum at a reasonable price. The site does permit free access to some of its elements for non-subscribers, also.
I am comfortable learning to use software on my own. However, time is an important factor. Usually I need/want to become competent using a software application more quickly than I would build that skill on my own. So, I’ve used the site personally to learn how to use both Mac and Windows applications quickly. I’ve also used it to help me design workshops and classes that I’ve taught. I maintain an individual subscription to the site because it serves my needs and is so very easy to use.
If you currently use Atomic Learning or are considering using it, be sure to check out all it offers.
ATOMIC LEARNING PROVIDES VIDEO TUTORIALS FOR SOFTWARE AND RESOURCES FOR INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY IN THE CURRICULUM
Atomic Learning provides (1) tutorials for popular software and (2) resources for integrating technology in the curriculum. Best of all, Atomic Learning is web-based software and, thus, is available 24/7 anywhere that you have access to the web. Although designed for education--for teachers and for students--Atomic Learning includes tutorials for software applications that would also interest those outside the education arena. Tutorials--more than 20,000--for more than 100 applications are currently available. Approximately 2,000 of these tutorials are in Spanish.
The fact that the tutorials are short--most are approximately 1 to 3 minutes--means that the tutorials work well with dial-up access as well as with broadband. Plus, you can spend just a few minutes learning a bit more about an application or you can spend an hour or more to expand your knowledge and skills. Atomic Learning tutorials can be viewed in QuickTime or Flash.
Tutorials are available for learning to use Atomic Learning. Truthfully, their tutorials are so easy to use that you’re unlikely to need help. However, it’s a great way to roll out Atomic Learning to a district or a college/university and to be sure that the users learn about the resources available on the site in addition to the tutorials.
SOFTWARE TUTORIALS ARE EASY TO USE
Using the software tutorials is very easy. At the Home page, click on the Our Tutorials tab > click on Mac or PC or All to determine which platform you want > click on the application you want. That will display all the tutorials for that particular software application. You can choose to view just one or two videos to learn a particular skill or answer a question you have or you can work your way through all the videos for the application to learn it from the beginning to the end. It’s that easy.
INDIVIDUALS IN CHARGE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CAN FIND HELPFUL MATERIALS ON THIS SITE
If you’re planning to use Atomic Learning as part of a professional development program, you might be interested in some of the tools provided for you:
• tutorials for learning to use the Atomic Learning site,
• tools for tracking usage,
• training options,
• techniques for linking to the tutorials in email or web page communications,
• letters and a PowerPoint presentation for communicating with various audiences, and
• an Atomic Learning Framework for technology professional development.
TEACHERS HAVE ACCESS TO LESSON PLANS AND PROJECTS TO USE WITH STUDENTS
In addition to tutorials for learning software, Atomic Learning also provides curriculum materials such as Lesson Accelerators, Teacher2Teacher activities, Workshops, a video storytelling guide, and assessment tools. And, of course, they provide instructions for using these resources.
Lesson Accelerators are lesson plans that integrate technology into the curriculum. Atomic Learning provides a guide, needed resources, and tutorial movies to guide the students through the projects. Topics include art, mathematics, social studies, literature, health, science… plus many others.
Teacher2Teacher activities are designed by teachers to be used by teachers. They, too, integrate technology into the curriculum. More than 100 Teacher2Teacher activities are available.
Mail merge, newsletter, blogging, podcasting, charting, and other Workshops provide professional development that can be experienced individually or in actual workshops with other educators.
StoryBoard Pro is a free tool available from Atomic Learning. It helps movie makers plan their projects. There is also a Video Storytelling guide with movies that provides a complete course in video storytelling.
ACCESSING THE RESOURCES IS EASY
From the Home page, click on the Resources tab. That will open the list of Lesson Accelerators. You can immediately select one of the Lesson Accelerators or you can choose to view Atomic Learning’s tutorial on Lesson Accelerators. From this page you can choose to go to Teacher2Teacher, Workshops, StoryBoard Pro, Video Storytelling Guide, Assessment Framework, or Self Assessment.
SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INDIVIDUALS OR DISTRICTS, COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES
Individual subscriptions for a year are available. Group subscriptions--school, district, college/university--are based on a per-user cost. Subscribing to Atomic Learning gives you access to video tutorials for software, new tutorials every 45 days, closed captioning on many of the tutorials, lesson plans and projects for the classroom, anywhere/anytime access, usage tracking, newsletters and weekly tech tips, and help using Atomic Learning for training.
CHECK IT OUT
Atomic Learning is an outstanding product. If you’re not already a subscriber, check out some of their free materials. Be sure to investigate both the software tutorials and the resources for integrating technology into the curriculum. I’m sure you’ll find this site to be very helpful.
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