The Best Free Documentary Websites

I usually blog about web tools and mobile apps that we can use in education but since it is summer holidays now i am going to provide you with a list of free documentary websites that you can use to watch thousands of documentaries from different categories. Feel free to share the post with your friends and colleagues.

Here is the list of some of the best free Documentary websites.

1- Fandor

 

Fandor is a website that offers over 2000 indie movies that you can watch right from your computer. It also includes international movies and documentaries covering various categories such as comedy, drama, action and science fiction. All you need to do is log on with your facebook account. When you watch a movie you can leave your comment or review or even share the video on your website.

2- Sprdword

 

Sprd word is a cool website that provides great documentary videos that you would not find in the traditional media. You can browse videos by category,topic, alphabetically or by region. Apart from documentaries , you can also find links to short informative videos on the right panel of the website.

3- Documentary Heaven

 

Documentary Heaven is another free to use website that offers a various collection of documentary films that you can watch online. It does not require any sign up and it allows you to select films using category options such as activist, celebrity, conspiracy, mystery, war, technology… etc.

4- TopDocumentaryFilms

 

TopDocumentaryFilms is a website that offers free documentaries. It has up to 350 films that can be browsed through categories such as art, biography, comedy, crime, history, military etc. You can also select the most commented or controversial documentaries in the website.

5- Human Restore

 

 

Human Restore  is a repository of free engaging documentaries featuring different categories….read more in  Human Restore:Free educative documentaries

6- SnagFilms

 

 

SnagFilms provides the world’s most compelling documentaries .You can search for any documentary film using a set of different categories and a smart search bar ….read more in Free Documentaries for educators.

 

7- Free Documentary TV

 

 

Free Documentary Tv is a great website for watching free documentary films . It is developed by Holly who has a great passion and love for documentaries . Free Documentary Tv offers more than 1700 films covering a wide range of topics

 

8- PBS

 

 

 

PBS ( Public Broadcasting Service ) is a a great website that offers free in-depth lengthy documentaries on different popular issues.

9- SurfTheChannel

 

SurTheChannel  which is known as a tv show and streaming website offers a Documentary Section that features more 1800 documentaries. This service allows users to only sort videos alphabetically which is the only drawback of this tool

10- OneBigTorrent

 

 

OneBigTorrent is a great place for quality documentary torrents. “OneBigTorrent.org is a new place for sharing material that deals with or is relevant to issues of social justice, progressive and radical politics, independent media, ecology“.

11- Miro

 

 

Miro is a video player that provides several channels. You can subscribe to over “1500 web shows, documentary channels and podcasts. Channels include TED Talks, Frontline/World, NOVA etc. mostly in HD content”.

12- FreeDocumentaries, Bodocus and Docuworld.

 

 

These website provide free documentaries that are aggregated from Google Video. They are organized into categories such as politics, health, history, religion, business etc.

13- Joost

 

Joost is not as known as the other  documentary websites mentioned above but it does features some high quality videos. There are now about 27 channels in documentary section depending on your location.

DocToImage – CONVERT ANY DOCUMENT INTO IMAGE

DocToImage is a great web tool. It , as its name imply, allows users to convert documents files into JPG images. This is a good alternative to Microsoft users who feel helpless when it comes to sending and sharing their docs and files with non Microsoft users.



DocToImage is very simple to use and does not take long time for the conversion to take place. It also lets its users share the generated JPG image with friends and colleagues. I do recommend this tool for educators.

Some features of DocToImage

Here is a list of the main features that DocToImage offers to its users:

• It is free


• It is easy to use


• It has a user friendly interface


• It lets its users convert their docs and files into JPG images


• It supports Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.

How can i get started using DocToImage ?

It is as simple as it sounds. Just head over to DocToImage main page . In each conversion step you can select up to 4 document files. The files can be any Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents. Remember that the generated JPG image will be displayed in a new page which you can save on your computer .

Are users of Internet Explorer dumber than the others ?

Here is a recent interesting piece of news i have read in CNNTech website and want to share with you. The article is entitled Are Internet Explorer Users Dumbe ? My curiosity drives me to inquire for an answer and conviction. I know the facts in this article are relative but they are quite fascinating.



There has been a recent survey conducted over 100 000 participants by AptiQuant whiich is a  consulting company based in Vancouver. The survey was in the form of an IQ test that the participants had to undergo while monitoring which browser they used to take the test.  Guess what !! Chrome, Safari and Firefox scored slightly above average while Internet Explorer users scored below average.
This is not it , there is a counter part that refutes these findings and have even went so far to give evidence, I wont say more , i ll let you enjoy the article by yourself. Read more in Are Internet Explorer Dumb ?

Cartoonizer – cartonize your cat

Cartoonizer is acool web application . It allows its users to create funny cartoon version of their cats in seconds. What i like about this tool is the fact that it enables students and especially younger ones to be creative and expand their way of perceiving the surrounding things around them including pets.

 

Cartoonizer is very easy to use. You just need to choose from 9  different parts including the body, head, tail, eyes, ears, mouth, pupils, and whiskers. There are also various marking to apply to your cartoon such as stripes and shading.

 

 

Once you finish working on your cat you can then customize  and save it and get back to it to edit it anytime you want using the provided key. When you get the final version of your cartonized  cat you can then print it out or export it.

 

If you want to explore other cartoon tools then i invite you to check The Best Free Cartoon Making Tools.

Watch Documentaries – Free online documentaries

Watch Documentaries is a free website that provides documentaries on different topics. Most if not all of these documentaries are educative and can be used in classroom with our students. Unlike other documentary websites which only offer links to other site webs and in some cases those links get broken, Watch Documentaries host documentary video clips and let you stream them.

 

 

 

Documentaries are organized into different categories allowing users to easily browse and find the type they want. You can even search for particular ones using specific keywords. Under each documentary you will find a helpful description detailing what the documentary is about.

 

 

Watch documentaries lets you also interact with other users by leaving comments and sharing interesting documentaries with your friends and colleagues. I highly recommend this website for educators and i wish you can use it to prepare documentaries to share with your students in the classroom.

Webkey – Access your Android from any web browser

Webkey is a nice mobile app for Android. Like LazyDroid and Android Screencast, Webkey offers its users the possibility to view and control their phones through web browsers. Many people are not yet used to the mobile interface of phones and find it hard to manipulate phone screens but with tools such as Webkey they can now transform the mobile experience to the web.

Some features of Webkey

Here is a list of the main features that Webkey offers to its users:

• It is free


• It is easy and simple to use


• It has a user-friendly interface


• It lets you to remotely control your android phone.


• It also let you  control the phone through your web browser.


• It lets you download, upload files, get GPS location, read and write SMS, export contacts, messages, call list, notify SMS, calls,

How can i get started using Webkey ?

It is very simple. Just head over Webkey main page and install the app. Once installed it then provides you with a web address. You can use this latter to access your android from any web browser.
You can also check other free Android Apps to explore other utilities you can benefit from.

New Google Search experience for tablets - Official Google Mobile Blog

"As part of our effort to evolve the Google design and experience, we’ve improved thewww.google.com search experience on tablets. We’ve simplified the layout of search results pages and increased the size of page contents like text, buttons and other touch targets to make it faster and easier to browse and interact with search results in portrait or landscape view"..... read more in

New Google Search experience for tablets - Official Google Mobile Blog

Android Screencast – Control your Android through computer

Android Screencast is  a cool Android app. It allows its users to control their phones right from their computers. It resembles the other app i covered in an earlier post named: LazyDroid- Access your Android from your computer. Now if you think your phone’s display screen is too small for you then apps such as Android Screencast can do a great job . It is mainly a Java-based application that work on Windows/Linux/MacOS with any android device.

Some features of Android Screencast

Here is a list of the main features that Android Screencast offers to its users:

• It is free


• It is easy to use


• It has a user-friendly interface


• It lets you control your android through your computer


• It Supports mouse and keyboard control.


• It Supports video recording.


• It Supports basic file browsing.

How to install Android Screencast ?

Here are the guidelines on how to install This app as featured in Google Code:

1. Install the android sdk (download here)


2. Connect your device through USB cable and ensure it's detected with "adb devices"


3. Make sure you have Java Runtime Environnement 5 or later installed


4. Click HERE. You can launch it by typing "javaws <jnlp file>" from a command line.

There are plenty of other free Android apps that are very useful for your mobile learning , check out Free Android Apps to learn more.

LazyDroid – Access your Android from your computer screen

LazyDroid is a cool web desktop  mobile app. It allows its users to remotely  access phones from computers. If you are the kind of person who spends long hours in front of computer then checking the phone from time to time can be sometimes very annoying  especially when the incoming calls or SMS are not worth interrupting your online work. LazyDroid will relieve you and bring you your phone right into your computer allowing you to check your messages and calls and do everything else you can do on your mobile interface. Here is an excerpt from Android Market :

LazyDroid Web Desktop turns your Android into an innovative web interface An incredible web application that allows to take the control of you mobile phone from Wifi/Internet/Usb connection, simply using your web browser and accessing a website.

Some features that LazyDroid offers to its users

Here is a list of the main features that LazyDroid offers to its users:

• It is free


• It is easy to use


• It has a user-friendly interface


• It allows you to remotely access their phones from their computers


• It lets you send SMS, handle calls, access your contacts, access the camera,


• It also lets you  view your phone screen remotely, access the phone sensors, see and check the phone clipboard, and manage your phone’s files.

How can i get started using LazyDroid ?

Here is a short video tutorial to show you how to use LazyDroid

Application of LazyDroid in education

As an educator this mobile app can be very important for you. Install it to save time and benefit from a full concentration on your computer work . I know once you try it you will like it just remember that it is still  in beta version which means that you would encounter some bugs from time to time but it is worth the try.

Three Great Facebook mobile apps for iPad

Facebook is probably one of the best social gurus of the net and millions are using it on a daily basis. The iPad users are not yet happy with Facebook because this latter has not yet released an official mobile app for the iPad. There were rumors that such an app will soon be launched but nothing is sure. So if you are an iPad user and want to enjoy your  Facebook experience in an interface that is native for the iPad then here are three mobile apps that can help you do so:

Facely HD

 

 

Facely is similar to Facebook in that the profile page is organized in the same way as Facebook one. You can write status updates or upload pictures from your iPad. The only problem is that there is no way to share links. It has two version one is free and the other costs $0.99 and is ad free.

MyPad

 

 

MyPad is a great mobile app for facebook. In fact it connects with both Facebook and Twitter so i would consider it better than Facely. MyPad allows its users to to view content, write status updates, attach a link and even publish your  update to Twitter automtically. There are also many other interesting features that you can find once you visit the app’s page. MyPad is free but MyPad+  costs  $0.99.

 

FriendCaster

 

 

FriendCaster is a great app for Facebook. It does work in the same way as Facebook but with some lacking features like sharing a photo or a link from the status update box. On the other hand FreidnCaster lets you  view shared photos or videos from within the news feed, view the news feed in a stream, download pictures, “like” them or comment on them and many more other features.

If you ask me about my favorite app then i would opt for MyPad.

A List of Some of The Best Twitter Tools and Apps

Twitter has proved to be one of the best online  socialising tool. Millions are using it everyday. some use it to make friends, follow intersting topics, and others use it to  create learning communities and even promote thier websites. I know you know all of this and i also know that many of you have already registered there and some of you are even active participants there. The questions is : do you know that there are practically useful tools and apps designed solely for Twitter. With these apps and tools you can be able to do many more things easily and instantly way better than you have ever thought.

As educators, we do need to be aware of such tools and this is exactly why i am introducing you today to a collection of the best Twitter tools that you can use in your classroom or for personal purposes as well. Don't forget you can follow me and stay updated about my latest tweets at @medkh9.
Tweetcaster: a great twitter app for your mobile
Twinslator : Free tool to translate your tweets
Twiducate : Social Networking in Education
Twitter Search : You eye on the net
Paper.li : an outstanding tool for educators
A great functionality to improve  Twitter in Education

Official Google Blog: 2-step verification: stay safe around the world in 40 languages

"Earlier this year, we introduced a security feature called 2-step verification that helps protect your Google Account from threats like password compromise and identity theft"........read more in ;
Official Google Blog: 2-step verification: stay safe around the world in 40 languages:

Catch the London Underground with Google Maps - Official Google Mobile Blog

3Today, Google Maps added public transport directions for London within Google Maps, including Google Maps for mobile on iOS, Blackberry, and Android-powered devices. Now, whether you live in London or are just visiting, you can get public transport directions on your mobile device".

Catch the London Underground with Google Maps - Official Google Mobile Blog

The best ways to use phones in the classroom

Phone Technology has rapidly grown that almost everyone has  a mobile device. This mobile technology boom has tremendously affected  the 21st century education. Teenagers are using phones on a larger scale but not all of them are using them for educational purposes. Our role as educators is to help them use their devices as learning materials and not just as socialising tools. In this regard, i want to share with you a great slideshow that summarizes the ways we can use Phones in the classroom. The ideas are consice and to the point. I highly recommend this presentation for you.
This presentation is taken from the wonderful website Ideas to Inspire and by the way if you have no idea about what this website is all about then i am sorry to tell you that you are missing on a huge educational resource. Check out the Ideas to Inspire you will definately love it/ It provides awesome presentations and slideshows about how to use technology in education and many more things.

Click on the Picture to read the presentation

Mobile devices no more cancer worries for kids

Today as i was checking my mail i came across USA Today Your Life newsletter and as i was going over the articles included in this edition a catchy title drew my attention ; Cellphones don't increase cancer risk in kids, study says. The article was a great paper about study results proved scientifically debunking the cancer myth connected with the use of cellpones. There is an excerpt ;

The study's authors compared the cellphone habits of nearly 1,000 children in Western Europe, including 352 with brain tumors and 646 without. Kids who used cellphones were no more likely to develop a brain tumor than others, according to the study of children ages 7 to 19, published online Wednesday in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

If you want to read the whole article something which i highly recommend since we are educators  using mobile technology with kids then i invite you to check Cellphones don't increase cancer risk in kids

The Best Educational Websites

The following are some of the best resourceful websites  that offer a great wealth of information pertaining to teaching , learning and education . Click on any link to read the tutorial post relating to it  . Make sure you bookmark this page for i will be adding more links  to this list .

Teacher Resources :

• How to Learn The Basic Spelling Rules of English.
• gymnasium for brain: improve students thinking ski...
• A to Z Teacher Stuff ; Improve your teaching pract...
• Topmarks ; Free Educational resources
• Free Documentary Tv ; Free documentaries for your ...
• Academic Earth ; Free video lecturesand courses fr...
• Next vista for learning ; free educative videos
• takingitglobal ; social learning and individual aw...
• educational oasis
• Footnote ; a great digital archive for educators
• esl video ; online video quizzes for your students...
• blinkx : a great video platform
• primaryschooltv : safe educative videos for your c...
• snagfilms: free documentaries for educators
• teachers tv : free and Great resources for educators 
• SchoolWAX TV : Free Educative Videos
• Eduplace : free graphic organizers for educators
• Holt : teachers' best graphic resource website
• Neok12 : a resourceful tool for teachers
• Discovery Education : A Great Website For Educator...
• Classzone : Free Educative Resources at your hand
• Edutube in Education 
• edudemic a great online community for educators
• Snag learning : the best educative documentaries f...
• WatchKnow : High Quality Educative Resources at Yo...
• educational videos: enrich your classroom teaching... 
•   KidsTube : free educative video resources for your students...