Unsplash is a stock photography site of freely-usable images. It includes the Women of Color in Tech collection among other diverse and inclusive pictures.
Current known uses in the sector
These images are used on sector websites, flyers, event pages, as well as presentations, wherever visuals are used.
Unsplash can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to create representative visual information of diversity and Newcomers.
Video overview
Pricing
The photos are free to use.
Ease of use & Accessibility
The pictures are easy to access and download.
Mobile friendly
The pictures can be used in mobile settings.
Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption
Pixabay is a stock photography site of freely-usable images. You can download images from the Pixabay website, as well as directly within Canva.
Current known uses in the sector
These images are used on sector websites, flyers, event pages, as well as presentations, wherever visuals are used.
Pixabay can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to create representative visual information of diversity and Newcomers.
Video overview
Pricing
The photos are free to use.
Ease of use & Accessibility
The pictures are easy to access and download.
Mobile friendly
The pictures can be used in mobile settings.
Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption
Prezi is an online presentation and video maker that offers an alternative to PowerPoint and Google Slides. Prezi has three different products: Video (incorporating photos, gifs, and presentation slides), Present (more visually interesting experiences using a unique zoom transition animation), and Design (for charts, reports, maps, infographics).
Current known uses in the sector
Prezi can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to create engaging visual information for Newcomers.
Video overview
Pricing
Prezi has a free version that allows you to store up to 5 projects. They have additional pricing levels for individuals, students & educations, and businesses.
Ease of use & Accessibility
Prezi can be used through their website or downloaded software (Mac and Windows). Prezi Video automatically creates a transcript of your video, available on the video’s view page. You can also download the subtitles from the video admin page.
Powtoon is an online platform for creating short video presentations. You can select from royalty-free libraries of animation, live-action video, images, designed backgrounds, soundtracks, and moving graphics, or you can use your own visual content and add audio voiceovers.
Current known uses in the sector
Staff can create short how-to videos.
Used as an engagement tool, Newcomers can create video presentations to show their understanding of a topic or concept.
Powtoon can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to create visual information to help inform and engage with Newcomers visually.
Like many tools, it takes some time to become oriented to the tool and how to use it. Powtoon has a useful knowledge base with articles and how-to information.
Mobile friendly
According to Powtoon, “Currently, it is not possible to edit your Powtoon on a tablet or iPad and we recommend that you use either a desktop or laptop computer.” However, the article outlines a few things that can be done using their Powtoon Connect Apple and Android mobile app.
Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption
According to this help article, “If you have a free subscription plan, your privacy setting will be set to Public by default and cannot be changed. A public Powtoon is searchable in search engines. If you have a paid subscription plan, your privacy setting will be set to Unlisted by default. An unlisted Powtoon is not searchable in search engines.”
Loom is a screen recording tool where you are able to record your screen, add your video or voice, annotations, and share the video with others. Loom can be used on both Mac and Windows computers, as well as mobile devices.
Current known uses in the sector
As one teacher says, “The use of video in the classroom has allowed me to create effective online teaching and social presence through the creation of a course introduction video, welcome (meet the teacher) video and weekly announcements. It’s a great way to personalize learning! To help learners with cognitive load, I use screencasts to record lessons segmented into bite sized chunks. Video can be used to answer questions, create technical how-to videos, support absent students, provide feedback and more. As a benefit to students, video screencasts allow students to watch at their own pace, learn by example, and free up class time in a flipped classroom approach.”
Loom can also be a great tool for Newcomers to use to show their thinking or understanding of a topic.
Loom can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to create useful videos for a variety of situations.
Loom has Android and iOS apps which can be used to record with your camera, or to record the screen. It is it is not possible to record screen + cam simultaneously on iOS. On Android you can record Screen + Cam or Screen Only mode, but not camera only mode.
Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption
Audacity is a free and open-source multi-track digital audio editor and recording software for Windows, macOS, Linux, and other Unix-like operating systems.
Current known uses in the sector
Audacity can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to create audio content for and by Newcomers to use in classroom and other settings.
Video overview
Pricing
Audacity is free.
Ease of use & Accessibility
Audacity has a learning curve, like any audio editing tool. Those who use audio editing tools indicate that Audacity is easy to use compared to other similar tools.
The TextFree app allows you to create a second phone number on your smartphone or computer that you can use instead of a personal number for calling or texting clients (in particular if you’re using a personal smartphone for work purposes). To send messages and make calls, you need to be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular-data networks.
Note: because the app creates a “virtual phone number” some users have reported that WhatsApp may not recognize the phone number created by these apps. You can also Use A Landline Number to set up WhatsApp.
Current known uses in the sector
You can use this number to set up other digital messaging apps that require phone/text verification, such as WhatsApp.
TextFree can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate effectively with Newcomers who prefer texting as a way to stay connected and informed.
The app is easy to use, but does not appear to have accessibility features.
Mobile friendly
TextFree is a smartphone app available on Android and iOS.
Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption
TextFree is not a secure tool. You should take every reasonable measure to ensure that Newcomers are aware that they are not communicating through an entirely secure channel and to remind clients not to share personal information through these means.
Short Message Service (SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), also commonly referred to as texting allow you to send text and multimedia (image, video, audio) messages using your cell phone. It’s the most common form of digital messaging.
Current known uses in the sector
Communicating with clients for meeting scheduling, sending information and orientation materials, receiving texts from clients, etc.
Group texting – sending or broadcasting messages to a group of Newcomers
Texting (SMS/MMS) can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate effectively with Newcomers who prefer texting as a way to stay connected and informed.
Video overview
Pricing
Free with a cell phone plan. Unlike most forms of digital messaging, text messages do not require data usage or phone minutes, although they sometimes require an additional texting plan or are capped by the number of texts that can be sent for free.
Ease of use & Accessibility
Very easy, commonly used. Also can use accessibility features of your phone, such as voice assistants/commands.
Mobile friendly
Based on mobile devices.
Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption
Texting/SMS/MMS is not a secure method of communication. You should take every reasonable measure to ensure that Newcomers are aware that they are not communicating through an entirely secure channel and to remind clients not to share personal information through these means.
The TextMe app allows you to create a second phone number on your smartphone or computer that you can use instead of a personal number for calling or texting clients (in particular if you’re using a personal smartphone for work purposes). To send messages and make calls, you need to be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular-data networks.
Note: because the app creates a “virtual phone number” some users have reported that WhatsApp may not recognize the phone number created by these apps. You can also Use A Landline Number to set up WhatsApp.
Current known uses in the sector
You can use this number to set up other digital messaging apps that require phone/text verification, such as WhatsApp.
TextMe can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate effectively with Newcomers who prefer texting as a way to stay connected and informed.
The app is easy to use, but does not appear to have accessibility features.
Mobile friendly
TextMe is a smartphone app available on Android and iOS.
Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption
TextMe is not a secure tool. You should take every reasonable measure to ensure that Newcomers are aware that they are not communicating through an entirely secure channel and to remind clients not to share personal information through these means.
Always read app privacy practices and data access to ensure you are comfortable with the app.
The Text+ app allows you to create a second phone number on your smartphone or computer that you can use instead of a personal number for calling or texting clients (in particular if you’re using a personal smartphone for work purposes). To send messages and make calls, you need to be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular-data networks.
Note: because the app creates a “virtual phone number” some users have reported that WhatsApp may not recognize the phone number created by these apps. You can also Use A Landline Number to set up WhatsApp.
Current known uses in the sector
You can use this number to set up other digital messaging apps that require phone/text verification, such as WhatsApp.
Text+ can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate effectively with Newcomers who prefer texting as a way to stay connected and informed.
Video overview
Pricing
Text+ offers free SMS & MMS messaging to anyone in the US or Canada. Calls start at 2 cents/minute. Ads are used in the app.
Ease of use & Accessibility
The app is easy to use, but does not appear to have accessibility features.
Mobile friendly
Text+ is a smartphone app available on Android and iOS.
Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption
Text+ is not a secure tool. They do provide safety and security advice and information here and they have a privacy policy that outlines how your data is used. You should take every reasonable measure to ensure that Newcomers are aware that they are not communicating through an entirely secure channel and to remind clients not to share personal information through these means.
Always read app privacy practices and data access to ensure you are comfortable with the app.
Multilingual capabilities
Text+’s interface is in English only. It is unclear if you can text using different language settings/alphabets.