Let’s ZoomIt!
ZoomIt is a nifty zoom and annotation tool that enables users to magnify their desktop with the mouse or the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard. It’s free, portable, and compatible with all versions of Windows. Once downloaded, ZoomIt runs unobtrusively in the System Tray until it is activated with personalized “hot keys” (keyboard shortcuts) to do one of the following: Zoom in on an area of the screen, move around while zoomed, and/or write on the desktop (with or without zooming) using a pen color and width of your choice.
ZoomIt is very convenient to use, does not require any additional windows to open or close, and even includes a customizable break timer that will blank your screen with a countdown when activated.
Download your copy of ZoomIt here.
I created a ZoomIt tutorial for a mini-training session I conducted for teachers at my school. Feel free to utilize this document and/or pass it along to your colleagues!
And for Mac users—of course, there’s an app for that! Yep, check out a preview about ZoomIt in the iTunes Store here and/or the actual ZoomIt web site here. Much like the Windows version, the ZoomIt app is an on-screen magnifier that enlarges the area of your display without changing the view of the current workspace. Another cool feature is ZoomIt simplifies taking a screenshot of a specific item on your desktop at a magnification level that will make it easy for others to see.
Classroom Connection:
In addition to using ZoomIt as a desktop magnifier, a timer and to write or draw on the screen, it can be integrated with one or more of the following instructional strategies:
- Text rendering
- Focus correction areas
- Pair share and timed group activities