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Monday, March 21, 2011

Introduction to Vcasmo, a web-based multi-media presentation tool for Judaic instruction, mentoring and teacher training


When mentoring our pre-service and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and clinically tested best practices, and demonstrate how these best practices can be applied in the real (i.e. physical) and virtual (i.e. online) classroom for both teaching and teacher training. The combination of face to face instruction in a physical setting and online learning is called blended learning. In this section of the blog we will describe how the internet can serve as a supplemental resource for instruction and the mentoring of pre-service and in-service Jewish educators. In this post we will begin our discussion on how  students in a Judaic Studies blended learning classroom can use Vcasmo to enhance learning. 





Assumption: The teacher or mentor teacher has a interactive white board (i.e. SMART Board, Promethean, etc.), a Tablet PC (also called a Slate or Blade), a computer presenter or computer with internet access attached to an LCD projector in the classroom. It would be ideal if students or mentees had access to their own laptop computers or Ipads as well.

Note: Although Vcasmo can be applied in the Judaic Studies blended learning classroom, it can be also be used for training pre-service and in-service Jewish educators for professional or staff development. It is our hope that Jewish educators around the globe will form an online community of practice, a CoP, a group of people who share an interest, a craft, and/or a profession, to enhance the delivery of instruction and training of Jewish educators. For example, here is a CoP you might want to join. 

Note: Vcasmo can also be used in a face to face classroom without adding the online component.

What is Vcasmo?

Vcasmo is a web-based multi-media presentation tool that integrates photos and images and audio into a video powerpoint or slideshare presentation.

Where is  Vcasmo  located on the web?

Where can you find helpful  tutorials on how to use Vcasmo?

 Click on the links below for tutorials on Vcasmo:




How can you place the pictures that others have uploaded onto Vcasmo onto your Vcasmo  account?

To place other people's pictures on your Vcasmo account you will need their permission. The easiest way to gain permission to add the pictures of others is to learn if their photos have a Creative Commons License

On the next post we will share resources describing how Vcasmo  can be utilized to facilitate learning in the classroom.

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