Skip to Main Content

It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.

Library Guides

Virtual Idea Factory: Home

Hello!

Welcome to the Virtual Idea Factory where you can create visuals, manipulatives and more to enhance your online lesson plans and teaching.

Adobe Express

Adobe Express
Create videos, web pages, presentations or instructional materials. Sign in using your App State credentials to access features through the Adobe Creative Cloud license.

Create an Animation

Wick Editor
Wick is a free tool for creating simple animations or interactive games. No account creation is required.

Screen Capture Tools

Screencast-o-matic
Screencast-o-matic is a web-based screen casting tool that allows users to record their screens and use highlighted cursors and captions. The Pro Recorder service is now available for our entire campus community, including all faculty, staff and students.
Loom
Loom allows you to record your screen, voice, and web camera at the same time. It requires a free account.
Jing
Jing is a free download that allows users to capture anything on their computer screen, as an image or short video, and lets users share it instantly.

Photos For Class

Photos For Class
Collection of classroom appropriate images licensed by Creative Commons for public use.

Create Activities

Flippity
Flippity helps you create activities using Google Spreadsheets. Requires a Google account. No Flippity account required

Create a Book

Book Creator
A simple way to make digital books online. Requires a free account.
Flipsnack
Create books by uploading PDFs or using Flipsnack's tools. An account is required for use. A free option is available.
My Storybook
Create a storybook online. This is simple for young children to use. Requires a free account in order to save your storybook.

Create Simple Graphics

Auto Draw
Create a simple graphic. Begin drawing and Auto Draw will predict what image you want.
Word Clouds
Copy and paste a list of words to create a word cloud. This is simple enough for young children to use. No account required.

Create a Time Line

Tiki Toki
Create interactive timelines using Tiki Toki. A free account is required for use.
Time Toast
Create a timeline with Time Toast. An account is required. The public account plan is free with limitations.
Sutori
Sutori is an excellent tool for creating interactive timelines. It can also be used to create presentations, infographics, study guides and more. An account is required, there is a free option.

Create a Storyboard

Storyboard That
Drag and drop backgrounds, props and characters to create a storyboard. Requires a free account to save your storyboard.

Create Posters, infographics and more

Canva
Create social media graphics, presentations, posters and other visual content with Canva's drag and drop editor. A free account is required.
Piktochart
Create social media graphics, presentations, posters and other visual content with Piktochart's drag and drop editor. A free account is required.
Genially
Genially is a tool for creating interactive images, infographics, presentations and more. A free account is required.

Math and Science Manipulatives

Glencoe Online Virtual Math Manipulatives
A variety of virtual math manipulatives sorted by grades. For use in grades PK-8.
PhET STEM maniulatives
Free science and math simulations for teaching STEM topics, including physics, chemistry, biology, and math, from University of Colorado Boulder.

Finding Images

Free and Library Technology Resources: Images LibGuide
This LibGuide links to many free resources for creating, editing and finding images.

Librarian

Jackie Eagleson

she/her

Email Me

Contact:

eaglesonjj@appstate.edu

(828) 262-7424