The Snipping Tool: Snip, Crackle, Pop

Summary

The Snipping Tool is one of the coolest applications I’ve seen yet. It is similar to the “print screen” option, but it allows you to be much more selective and provides tools to enhance the snip (such as a highlighter to highlight important information within the text and/or picture). 

What I learned

Rather than taking a snapshot of an entire screen like the “print screen” option, the Snipping Tool employs a cropping feature that allows you to select precise information.  This tool is particularly more useful than the “print screen” option when using dual monitors, which is what I have in my office. When you select “print screen” when using dual monitors, it shows an image of both monitors and shrinks it to fit on one page, therefore making the information nearly impossible to view. With the snipping tool, I can highlight information on either monitor without having to worry about view ability or showing both screens. I’m so happy that I’ve learned about this tool! I’ve honestly used it every day at work this week for various reasons.

How I would use it

I currently work in an office and I spend every single day in front of a computer. This week, I have used the Snipping Tool to teach users how to perform tasks and I’ve used it to take a snapshot of an error message that popped up while using one of our government programs. This was extremely handy because I was able to send an image of the error message to IT instead of typing it out for them.  In addition to using it in an office setting like I just mentioned, I also think this would be a useful tool for classroom use. For example, if I was giving a lecture on source citations and wanted to show them an example, I could take a snip out of the online MLA handbook and insert it into a Powerpoint or upload it on the Smartboard. Below is an example of such a snip: 

 I could also use the Snipping Tool to show an excerpt out of a novel we are reading in class, since most novels have electronic versions. If students have questions about a particular passage, or if there is something in the passage I would like to point out, I could upload it to the Smartboard for all students to see while we discuss it. An example of a book excerpt would look like this: 

 This tool has endless possibilities for classroom use and I can see myself using it often. 

Standards reflection

The Snipping Tool application touches on at least three of the NETS standards: one, three, and five.  NETS standard one is applicable because I would be using the snipping tool to facilitate student learning.  Even though I could easily come up with my own quote example and print it on paper for students to view, the snipping tool allows me to show students a quote taken from a real-life example off of the internet. Standard three is represented because I would be demonstrating a fluency in technology by incorporating the snipping tool into my lesson plan. And finally, I would be demonstrating the effectiveness of a digital tool as shown in NETS standard five.