BP18_2009113_Week3_Reflective_Media_Asset

BP17_2009113_Web_2.0_Tool_bubbl.us

Being a science teacher, writing and organizing is often apart of my instruction and lessons. Although students practice these techniques in Language Arts, they often forget that skills do transfer across the curriculum ("Why do we need to write in science?"). I found this bubbl.us tool that allows students to prepare for writing assignments by organizing their thoughts/paragraphs for essays via concept maps. This tool is so easy to use (yes, it is free also) for teachers and students. The help tool allows you step by step, in the moment assistance to make the process painless and fun! The bubbles are labelled as 'family' members to distinguish between them. You can create a child or sibling balloon depending on where you click on your original bubble. You can also control other aspects of the bubble from the original bubble as well. Did I say easy and fun already?

The user can also collaborate on concept maps in addition to share work with others (so no need for teachers to recreate something that has already been made). I have made a concept map for Cells and asked that the students use the words in a reflective writing assignment on what we've covered.

The next assignment will be that they use this tool to organize their thoughts for an essay on a science article/prompt from USAToday.com as I have partnered with them to get students to read in science.

Here is a link to an article sample that I would have them use. http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/0711-identical_twins_identical_problems.htm

They are used to writing their responses on paper, however this would be much more efficient, easy to access, cut down on clutter and allow them to share with as many people as they like.

I am going to have fun with this as well as share it with the reading and language arts teachers in my building.

BP16_2009113_Response:Blog_Tech-Tools_CN

BP2_20091101_Getting_Started_With_Blogger

As one of the Web 2.0 tools, blogs can be use in classroom environment as an educational tool. There are many ways that a blog can be beneficial. As a technology teacher I encourage blogs in the learning environment because it provides excellent opportunities for students to read and write it opens the doors for student discussion about a certain topic. It gives the students the opportunity to apply critical thinking skills. With a blog, people have an equal opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions on a regular basis.

Blogs provide a space where teachers and students can work together to develop academic skills. Teachers can offer instructional suggestions; positive feedback and students can practice and benefit from peer review.

In my school we run different types of blogs, an example of that is a Class blog that serves as a communication portal between the teacher and the student. These types of blogs are being used to inform students of class rules, homework assignments, and they also act as a question and answer board. A class blog opens a window of opportunity for students to talk about topics outside of the classroom. Students have the opportunity to be reactive and reflective to one another. Students even may collaborate with students from other classes or other schools to complete an interactive project or to get feedback from other students. In a class blog the teacher can create a showcase of students work and the students can reflect on their own work.

BP15_2009113_Response:Blog_Modern_Learning

bp12_2009112_Flickr

Flickr Fun Storytelling.

In Kid's Church, I often taken my students outside to observe God's creation. They use their eyes to observe unique things about His creation, point those things out, and then come back to the classroom for further discussion about the significance of those things through God's word. I think it would be incredibly powerful, and much more fun for my young learners to capture the beauty that they're seeing with a digital camera and come back to the computers in our classroom to upload and share their digital pictures.

Instead of having the students go home with color sheets, it would be great to have all the students work together to create one magnificent digital storybook! Then, we could work with the church to perhaps embed a link on our church web site for the students to really show off their work.

I've found a resource for learning how to create a digital storybook from flickr images, which we could use to make this happen. Clickhere or on this link to view tutorials.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words. I believe that encouraging students to capture, organize, and share pictures that they've taken is a great way to engage, and solidify learning. The same way students have for decades processed stories by drawing or coloring images on a page, flickr picture books can become a great, modern way for students to create their own picture books reflections, and share their perspectives with the world!

As an extension to this, I want to note that in Kim Heumann's post about new Web 2.0 technology she discusses ebooks, which is yet another great way to incorporate pictures into the classroom:

The pictures are a great starting place for a brainstorming session to create a short story to match the illustrations. During our reading lessons we always take a picture walk of the books we read together, but also as part of something else we do instead of centers, I teach my students to read the pictures of a book. For the students who can’t read yet, reading the pictures really empowers them. This would be something that every student would be able to contribute to.

Image used by permission, Jupiter Images, Inc.

BP14_2009113_Post_Response:Review_of_Carrie_Keebler's_Web_2.0_Tool_"Xtranormal"

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2009

BP15_2009113_Peer Review of Carrie Keebler's Web 2.0 Tool "Xtranormal"

There are so many Web 2.0 tools and applications available, it can be overwhelming finding tools that will work in the classroom. However, after sifting through the numerous Web 2.0 choices, I discovered an application I am excited to use in my classroom.

Xtranormal is a text to video program that can help students think critically about writing. Basically, the program allows the user to type a script for one or two people, and then the site animates the text. When the program starts it allows the user to choose the number of characters in the movie (one or two), the way the characters will look, and the setting of the movie. After the basics have been chosen, the user can then go on to type the script, choose camera angles, change character voices, and determine different types of animation for the film.

The educational benefits of this program are far reaching. Xtranormal forces the user to think about the script they are writing. What is the purpose of the movie? Who will be viewing the final product? How will the users know they have accomplished their goal for the film? These are questions I would hope my students would think about when they are writing.

Other educational benefits of Xtranormal could extend beyond Language Arts. Social Studies teachers might use the program to have students explain a famous historical figure. Math teachers could have students create a film that explains how to solve a specific math problem. Science teachers could use the program to have students explain different types of rocks. The possibilities are endless.
Posted by Carrie Kleber at 9:57 PM

cmills said...
Carrie,

Based on you review of Xtranormal I will check it out as a possible tool for my classes. I teach Video Graphics and it sounds like a program my students would like. I am also looking for ways to incorporate more writing in my curriculum and it sounds like Xtranormal would provide that opportunity as well.

Sheryl Floyd also commented that she might use it in her Video class. This is all the more reason why I am going to check it out. Thanks!

November 11, 2009 5:22 PM

BP13_2009113_Post_Response:FSO_Grad-Student_Chronicles

Saturday, November 14, 2009

BP11_20091114_Web 2.0: KerPoof

Web 2.0 is transforming the possibilities in education for students in today's classroom on all levels of our educational system. The Web 2.0 tool that peaked my interest this week was Disney's KerPoof Studio. This website was designed to provide children and students educationally stimulating activities. There are places to create stories using story starter idea boards, create movies, draw and much more.

Teacher's can also create an account with KerPoof Studio and use it as a tool within the classroom. By creating a teacher account educators can access and share lesson plans that have been designed to utilize in conjunction with the tools on KerPoof. Seven states have their standards posted on the site as well as the National Technology Standards for students.

I have already set up an account with KerPoof and have set up a class list for my students. I am planning activities now for them to do. I will be able to check on each student's activity progress. I think I may also use this site for our after-school program. I would like to help the students create movies and this site provides an elementary version movie making program.

I look forward to utilizing KerPoof and many other web tools into my grad school studies and classroom practices. Diversifying my lessons can provided a more exciting learning experience and help the students become more involved and interested in their lessons.

BP12_2009113_Post_Response_FSO_Grad-Student_Chronicles

Sunday, November 8, 2009

BP8_20091108_Web 2.0: Survey Monkey

Getting to know 20+ students each school year is a challenge. I try to find out something about each one as the school year goes along. Some things I find out late in the school year that would be helpful to know at the beginning of the year.There are lots of getting to know you games and ice breakers that help get the kids out of their shells a little bit at the beginning of the year but the knowledge of who the kids really are is still a mystery. I was thinking of how I could get to know more info about the kids without having to take up a large amount of class time to do it and I thought that a survey would be a good way to find out about the kids.

I created a survey in my last course and thought that it could be a beneficial tool to use to get to know my students more quickly at the beginning of the year.The Web 2.0 tool I liked was Survey Monkey. It allows you to create a survey very easily and quickly. You can create your own questions, design your own rating system and provide a space for comments as often as you would like throughout the survey.

My idea:

My plan is to begin thinking of things that I would like to know about my students early in the school year so that I am better able to address their needs. I would include things like who they live with, how much they like school, etc. I would then take a look at the information I’ve gathered and use it as a way to connect with the kids early in the school year.

Future idea:

I think creating a survey for my parents to complete may help me create a better home/school connection.If I designed a survey asking parents what they expect for the school year, how they feel about school, etc I can better connect with the parents of my students and in turn hopefully create a better working relationship with the families.