Penzu
URL of the Tool:
www.penzu.com
Please select the one, primary category for this tool:
Communication Tool
Please describe this tool in your own words:
Penzu is a web 2.0 communication tool that allows the user to
compile, collect, and share their thoughts, notes, ideas, and
expressions. Users can also incorporate images into their Penzu
entries. Penzu is in essence an online diary and personal journal with a
focus on privacy, which means that everything written by the author is
automatically private. The user controls the publishing of his/her
content.
What do you need to know before using this tool?:
If incorporating images is going to be used, the user
should be familiar with saving images in the correct
formats to their computer as well as an understanding
of copyright as it pertains to fair use of images.
What do you need to have before using this tool? (Resources):
There are no required resources necessary prior to using this tool.
How do you use this tool? (Write the basic steps using a numbered list):
1. Go to www.penzu.com
2. Click on “Free Sign-Up”
3.Enter the following information
a. Last Name
b. First Name
c. Email address
d. Password
e. Confirm Password
f. Check the box agreeing to terms of use and privacy policy
g. Click on “Submit”
4. Begin writing in your first journal
a. You may give a title on the first line labeled “Enter Title”
b. Start your text on “Start typing here”
c. You may move down the sheet of paper by pressing enter
5. Penzu automatically saves your document, but to confirm a save you can click on the second icon from the left on the tope of the page (file folder icon) next to the “plus” sign (+).
6. You can also share your document. Click on the envelope icon. You are given two options – (a) enter the email address(es) for each person or (b) click on “public link” option at the top of the black area then click on the “Get Link” icon. This will generate a link to the Penzu you have just created. You can copy and paste this link or even tweet it by clicking on the “Twitter” icon on the right (if you have a twitter account).
Please create an example with this tool and either embed in your blog or submit the URL:
https://penzu.com/p/29b29774
Please describe a scenario of how you might use this tool in a teaching environment (about 500 words):
Educators can use Penzu in several ways:
• Teachers can have students use Penzu as a personal journal to improve their writing skills. Journaling can be done a periodic basis (daily, weekly, etc.) then the link shared with the instructor for one-on-one feedback with the student.
• Teachers can use Penzu to have students summarize learning outcomes and identify takeaways from each lesson given during a course. Educators can identify the parameters for what needs to be recorded via Penzu and the link sent to the instructor for grading and feedback.
• Educators can also develop their lectures or notes for classes using Penzu. Incorporating images helps to add relative content into one uniform area. Once completed the instructor can save the link into their Learning Management System (LMS) or Course Management System (CMS) for students to view.
What are the advantages of using this tool in a teaching environment?:
Penzu is a great tool to promote development in writing skills. It is accessible
from anywhere once you have created an account and is currently free for the beta version. Students are not limited to their own computer and can even use Penzu from their Blackberry, Ipad, Iphone, and other equipped mobile devices.
What are the disadvantages of using this tool in a teaching environment?:
The free version of Penzu is currently in Beta. Many of the unique features for
Penzu (customization, text formatting, and tagging) are only available in the Pro
version which is currently $19 per year (not very costly at this time, but not free
either).
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