Two Great Tools in the Last Two Days

In the last two days I've come upon two different tools.  The first, the Google Cultural Institute, I had come across before and liked, but not like I like it now after seeing the Eiffel Tower collection.  I got the tip from Richard Byrnes' always good Free Tech 4 Teachers.  These collections are awesome.  The Eiffel Tower's views from the top are great if you've ever been to Paris or ever want to go.  The old plans and drawings along with the history of the contest that created it are great.  The British Museum Collection is awesome as well!  Have fun with the Google Cultural Institute
The other tool I came across is potentially a game changer for me.  If it works like it says it does, it's what I've been waiting for.  The tool is Touchcast.  It's an interactive video maker and viewer for the iPad.  There is a very helful review here in the The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW).  If you have iPads in your classroom, Touchcast could transform your classroom.  If you don't like me, you can use it for make your own quick but high res videos with all sorts of gadgets built in.  Touchcast calls them vapps and if they are as easy to build in as they are to use in the sample videos, they'll be great.  Take a look at their promo video and read the TUAW review and take it for a test drive.  It's free.  I'm going to play with it this Summer and I'll let you know how it goes.  Let me know what you find out.  Have fun!