LIS 568: Here's the Thing(Link)

ThingLink is a cool new way to present information to students and users. I am currently using it in my small AIS class as a way for the students to organize and show their findings to the rest of their peers, using the LMS’s basic subscription. ThingLink will take any photo (its capabilities are most awesome when you use a 360º photograph) and allow you to annotate it. You can link to audio files, videos, websites, or other images or text, which opens up the world of presentations for both teachers and students. For instance, students can act as tour guides for their peers (and their lucky teacher-librarian) as they explore, say, the Bolivian Salt Flats. Annotating a picture, a student can offer an immersive experience that includes a recording of his voice explaining that flamingoes are among the only wildlife to grace the landscape; he can offer a link to a video showing the way the horizon seems to disappear after a rainfall; and he can add text or other images as he explains why we all need to know that this incredible place exists on Earth.

Picture by Boris G, 2013, Creative Commons 

ThingLink has a free option, but it does eliminate some of the “premium” inclusions, particularly and sadly the 360 photo upload capability. The teacher upgrade is as little as $35 for the year, but that does not include the 360 editor; it jumps to $120 for the year to include the 360º views. This is for one single teacher and their classroom, but coming from the library it may be worth it to introduce it to teachers and explore their interest before locking into the group rates. The trial period for the premium upgrade is 2 weeks.

Creating the presentations is a great way to further student engagement, but educators can also check out the amazing pre-made presentations that are available for inspiration. Building a 360º breakout sounds like the sort of project right up my alley!