SNIPPING TOOL (WIN/MAC OS)

Snipping is the latest and coolest tool that I have added to my computer savvy tool belt! Have you ever tried to copy an image to a clipboard and then had to edit it in another program to remove any unwanted text or graphics? Well look no further.  Snipping is a tool that allows you to choose exactly what you want to capture in a picture without any extra cropping. Just drag the cursor around the text or graphics you want to capture and then the snipped information will appear in a window box for you to edit.

What I like about Snipping:

• There is no editing in another program. What you capture is what you get in the image.
• You can use the Snipping Tool to create step-by-step imagery of how to do something.
• It helps create a visual for individual learners where verbal directions are sometimes just not enough.
• The editing tool allows you to block out, highlight or mark in pen the image details that are important.

My favorite way to use this tool would be for giving directions.  This summer I learned about a writing website called Storybird – www.storybird.com.  I love this website because it allows the participant to write a story about an image that is provided by Storybird and the story can even be published on the Storybird website for others to read. I think snipping the images and using them in step-by-step directions can help the participant verify that what they are doing is correct.

For example:

Step 1: Go to www.storybird.com 

Step 2: Click on the blue button “Start a Storybird Now”

 

Step 3: Choose an image from block “a” OR select a word from block “b” to find an image related to a topic or word you would like to write about

 

 
 

Step 4: Choose the images for your story by dragging the images to the middle board

 

Step 5: Add your story/text to each page in the white space beneath each pages picture

 

 

Step 6: Save your work using the title of the book

Step 7: Publish your book

 

 

Learning about the Snipping Tool gives me some perspective about imagery and creativity when it comes to giving directions or creating visuals for learning. Both the Snipping Tool activity and the step-by-step example in using Storybird in the classroom relate to standard one of the ISTE.NETS.T, Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity.