I enjoyed every aspect of this assignment, except for not knowing when it was due! Anyways, I really liked using Google Docs in a new way. I liked being able to see other students editing the spreadsheet while I was working on it as well. I tried to chat with my classmates, but no one else was in chat. This would be so valuable in the classroom for several reasons. Obviously, teachers could use this to collaborate on lesson plans, instructional calendars, newsletters, anything at all. Students could also use Google Docs to collaborate while doing group work. I think it would be great for students to use this tool and share with their teachers their work in progress. This way teachers can leave feedback and participate in the process, rather than just see the finished product. Also, Google Docs saves automatically, is free, and can be accessed anytime from anywhere with Internet access. Using BatchGeo was fun as well. It took me a couple of tries before I realized I had to copy the title line as well as the addresses. This could be used in several different lessons. For example, students could map their summer trips when they come back from summer vacation in the fall. (A new twist on "What did you do this summer?") Also, it could be used for family tree projects, or mapping battlefields. Statistics such as illiteracy rates, energy consumption, or even sports statistics could be mapped. Using Google Docs and BatchGeo together would be a great way to work with other schools from the United States, or even internationally. For example, several countries participate in Earth Day. It would be very relevant to collaborate with other schools about projects and map them on BatchGeo. In my opinion this is where true 21st Century Learning takes place. When students and teachers from all over the world are working together on a common project or goal. Here is my map of my classmates and I.
ISTE/NETS
1c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes. Using and sharing Google Docs is a great way to fulfill this standard.
1d. model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments. Again, Google Docs is a great collaborative tool to use with both students and other teachers in a virtual environment.
1b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources. Using both Google Docs and BatchGeo together is a great way to address real world issues while collaborating with others.
To create a locator box, use the following HTML code:
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Photostory
There were so many lessons to be learned with this assignment. To begin with, I had to find the correct version of PhotoStory to download. Once that was done I did my research on cyberbullying and created an outline for my movie. Then I imported pictures. Actually creating the movie was pretty fun, I liked it and look forward to creating movies for my class. I think this would be a great option for both introducing a new topic, or reviewing a topic. I was really nervous about changing the file type to be compatible with YouTube, but it was much simpler than I thought. I knew that a wmv file would work for YouTube and PhotoStory allowed me to save my project as that type of file. I also learned how to upload to YouTube, as I have never done that before either. Placing videos on YouTube will allow students to access them from anywhere they have Internet access. Here is a link to my PhotoStory.
ISTE/NETS
3d. model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning. This assignment required me to do all of these activities. Because we created informational videos I used digital tools to locate, research, and create.
3c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats. Using PhotoStory and YouTube are great ways to communicate with others.
3a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations. I definitely had to transfer my knowledge of file types, and how to import and export in order to complete this assignment.
ISTE/NETS
3d. model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning. This assignment required me to do all of these activities. Because we created informational videos I used digital tools to locate, research, and create.
3c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats. Using PhotoStory and YouTube are great ways to communicate with others.
3a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations. I definitely had to transfer my knowledge of file types, and how to import and export in order to complete this assignment.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Prezi
Wow! Prezi is an interesting way to present an idea or lesson. I don't think I like it better than traditional slides, but it is good to have more than one option. I do think that students will respond positively to both viewing and creating a Prezi. One thing I like better about PowerPoint is the outline option. That helps me to get and stay organized. In Prezi I had a hard time making everything proportionate. I also don't like the idea of a viewer hunting all over my presentation instead of following my predetermined path. In addition, creating my presentation in Prezi made me a little nauseous. I tried to use frames, but then I could not figure out how to connect my path to a frame. One advantage to Prezi is the ability to go from one idea to the next easily, or to return to an idea. With PowerPoint, this would require pushing through many slides to find the one you want. With Prezi, up to 10 students can also collaborate on a presentation on line. Overall, I think I like Powerpoint better, but it may be that I am just more comfortable with it. Here is my presentation.
Internet Safety on Prezi
1c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes. I think Prezi is a collaboration tool that will definitely reveal and clarify students' understanding and thinking processes while creating presentations.
2c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources. I think offering students the option to choose which presentation tool they would like to use is another way to customize learning activities.
3c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats. Since Prezi is a presentation tool it can be used to effectively communicate to others.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Motionpaths
I am glad we had this assignment because now I know I'll remember how to do triggers! I especially like the option of moving an image off of the slide altogether. This allowed me to reposition correct answers and remove incorrect answers. With a little practice I'll be able to make some great interactive presentations for my students.
My slide focuses on the Eastern Woodland Native American Region. Here is a link to it on SlideShare.
ISTE/NETS
3a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations. I definitely used my current knowledge of PowerPoint to help me complete this task and improve my skills. Teaching this skill to students will help them create more dynamic presentations.
2c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources. Motionpath will make it easier to customize learning for students, while addressing several learning styles.
3c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats. Using motionpaths is a great way to more clearly communicate ideas to students, parents, and peers.
My slide focuses on the Eastern Woodland Native American Region. Here is a link to it on SlideShare.
ISTE/NETS
3a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations. I definitely used my current knowledge of PowerPoint to help me complete this task and improve my skills. Teaching this skill to students will help them create more dynamic presentations.
2c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources. Motionpath will make it easier to customize learning for students, while addressing several learning styles.
3c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats. Using motionpaths is a great way to more clearly communicate ideas to students, parents, and peers.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Labels
When I first looked at this assignment I said "WHAT?" Then I looked at it a few more times, I looked at the examples and screencast, and still said "What?" So I decided to just get into PowerPoint and see if I could figure it out. It took me awhile, but I did figure it out. After completing my first slide I knew I would not be able to do it again if I needed to, I wasn't really sure how I did it to begin with. So I created a second slide, it is basically the same thing, but I wanted the practice. Again, it took me awhile to figure out how to add a second trigger, but now I think I've got it! I love the group feature, which I did not know existed before this assignment. It was so easy to change the color on all of my labels at once!
I think the ftp part of this assignment was just as difficult, if not more difficult than creating the slide itself. With a little help from my husband, I think we've got it figured out. Here is my slide.
ISTE/NETS
2 b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress. This activity allowed me to create a slide I could easily use in the classroom. I also managed my own learning by completing this task through trial and error. And I assessed my own learning. I knew I did not "get" it with my first attempt, so I did it again. This would be a great tool to use in the classroom for both teacher and student created presentations. I think these tools will help to make presentations more clear and dynamic.
1a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness. This activity definitely promoted creative and innovative thinking for me. To begin with my triggers were backwards and the hide button made my labels appear! I took the long way around to fix this, but in doing so I learned how to manipulate animations.
2c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources. Not knowing anything about customizing labels, creating groups, or using triggers, this activity addressed my individual working strategies and abilities.
I think the ftp part of this assignment was just as difficult, if not more difficult than creating the slide itself. With a little help from my husband, I think we've got it figured out. Here is my slide.
ISTE/NETS
2 b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress. This activity allowed me to create a slide I could easily use in the classroom. I also managed my own learning by completing this task through trial and error. And I assessed my own learning. I knew I did not "get" it with my first attempt, so I did it again. This would be a great tool to use in the classroom for both teacher and student created presentations. I think these tools will help to make presentations more clear and dynamic.
1a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness. This activity definitely promoted creative and innovative thinking for me. To begin with my triggers were backwards and the hide button made my labels appear! I took the long way around to fix this, but in doing so I learned how to manipulate animations.
2c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources. Not knowing anything about customizing labels, creating groups, or using triggers, this activity addressed my individual working strategies and abilities.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Ignite
Even though Ignite is an effective tool to keep presentations short and audience interest up, I think it is a little restrictive for a classroom environment. 15 seconds is not enough time to introduce (or review) an idea, and still allow time for discussion. Even as a student project I would probably allow some flexibility concerning timing and the number of slides.
Uploading to Slideshare was more user friendly this time, however my transitions did not upload correctly. It took me three tries to get the timing correct on PowerPoint. On Slideshare my presentation zips by in less than half the time! I'm finding that I'm not a fan of Slideshare. Here is my presentation, hope you can speed-read.
ISTE/NETS
1a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness. Both using the Ignite format, and asking students to use it, promotes, supports, and models creative and innovative thinking.
2a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. Again, using PowerPoint promotes both student learning and creativity. I think students presenting their PowerPoint presentation to their peers is a relevant learning experience in preparation for both college and the work force.
3c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats. PowerPoint, and possibly the Ignite format, can help teachers and students communicate effectively.
Uploading to Slideshare was more user friendly this time, however my transitions did not upload correctly. It took me three tries to get the timing correct on PowerPoint. On Slideshare my presentation zips by in less than half the time! I'm finding that I'm not a fan of Slideshare. Here is my presentation, hope you can speed-read.
ISTE/NETS
1a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness. Both using the Ignite format, and asking students to use it, promotes, supports, and models creative and innovative thinking.
2a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. Again, using PowerPoint promotes both student learning and creativity. I think students presenting their PowerPoint presentation to their peers is a relevant learning experience in preparation for both college and the work force.
3c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats. PowerPoint, and possibly the Ignite format, can help teachers and students communicate effectively.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)