I have totally abandoned using installed image editing software…even excellent open source applications such as Paint.NET or GIMP. Instead I use online sources not only in the classroom but for more complex personal use. Here are some favorites roughly organized from more to less powerful.

For a pseudo Photoshop, try SumoPaint. The Flash-based layout is not as sophisticated as CS4 but experienced designers will recognize the tools and toolbar placements. With a nice compliment of brushes and filters, you can create complex, multilayered designs. Save your work to your free Sumo account and you can open and edit your work on any computer. For classroom use, SumoPaint works well in a high school environment.

My current favorite Web 2.0 site is Aviary. Aviary has a host of incredible free products and most are geared towards graphic design. The easiest to use is Falcon – Image Markup. This provides a way to complete basic edits such as cropping and also add text and callouts. In combination with their Firefox screencapture plugin, this works like a free version of SnagIt. If you need more advanced features such as image resizing, use Phoenix – Image Editor. Phoenix has numerous tools and supports multiple layers. In addition, Aviary has a vector editor, Raven, and an effects editor, Peacock. If you are interested in graphic design, experiment with Peacock…it’s a trip! You’ll look up and two hours will have gone by. For school use, Upper middle school and high school students can definitely use Falcon and Phoenix. A high school graphic design class would be perfect for Raven and Peacock.

Pixlr is a nice site to teach layering techniques. It is not as complicated as Sumo Paint or Aviary but includes multi-layer capabilities, typical editing tools and a nice array of filters. This site works well with upper middle school students who are ready to go beyond the basics of image editing.

My favorite site for student projects as well as quick edits and tweaks, such as red-eye removal, is Fotoflexer . Fotoflexer is not meant to be a full-fledged graphic design package. Therefore, you will not have the Photoshop-type layout. However, the tabs across the top have lots of goodies to create cool projects. One of my favorite things to do with students is create a digital collage. Students can import multiple images, add text and stickers and arrange the elements into an amazing creation. It’s easy and kids love it. Upper elementary through middle school age works well.

Picnik is another basic image editor with a selection of effects to apply to your images. It provides all the tools you need for basic edits. However, many of the effects are blocked unless you subscribe. For that reason, I usually use Fotoflexer. When using in student projects, students always want to use the effects that are blocked!

Try ditching you graphics applications and go all-out web 2.0! If you know some other web 2.0 image editors, please post a reply.

Twitter @markbrumley