Instructify

Ever wander what that gadget is that lets sportscasters draw on the screen while they analyze plays? Its called a telestrator, and now that you know what it is called you can go impress your friends and coworkers with your new knowledge. Go impress them now. I’ll wait.

According to the telestrator wiki page that I just scanned before writing this, a telestrator will set you back about $12,000. Not only is that a little cost prohibitive, but I also can’t see why you would need a telestrator in the classroom. Unless your class is a sports anchor broadcasting class, in which case, where can I sign up?

So let’s scrap the whole TV angle and stick to finding something more web-based that you can use in the classroom. What we need is something that allows you to write and draw all over websites, graphics and photos. The answer is Twiddla.

Twiddla is a highly user-friendly online collaboration tool perfect for student group projects. It lets you and as many people as you choose converge on the same thing. Then you can all proceed to go crazy, marking it up and adding shapes and media. You can chat with your “co-browsers” in both audio and text without having to add any new plug-ins or programs to your computer. Best of all, not only is it free but users don’t even need to register—just hit the go button and invite your friends. – NICK YINGLING

Twiddla

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