Where the rain meets forest

     Here is my first digital story! Creating a digital story takes hard-work and a lot of time, but in the end, you wind up with an awesome final product! I had a blast creating this, my friend's 9 year old twin sisters had a blast creating some of the pictures you'll see in the story! This is a project in which both teacher and students will enjoy creating. I created this digital story based on a Rainforest unit I created for a Language Arts course I took last semester. If I were to teach this unit in the classroom, I would go about incorporating this digital story as follows: 

1. Create a class KWL(Q ) chart to activate prior knowledge
2. Share "Where the rain meets forest" digital story 
3. Fill out the Q section of KWL chart for students who have additional questions after digital story OR L section of chart for what students learned from digital story
4. Since this digital story gives a snipet of each topic or aspect of the rainforest, a culminating activity that students could engage in throughout the unit is researching more in depth about each aspect and present it to the class through their own digital story. For example, a group of students can focus on researching information about the climate and create a digital story on the research they have gathered. Another group can focus on the various animals and plants and present their findings about how these animals and plants adapt to living in the rainforest.

     It would be interesting to know how many students know or have an idea of what digit storytelling is, so I would like to conduct a quick survey to see where students stand. From there, I would show the students different examples of digital stories that others have created and explain that there is a central theme, a collection of images and pictures and finally, narration (telling the story). I think that this project should be done together-teacher/student. Mostly, having the teacher be a facilitator but still teaching students what they need to do in order for them to successful and enjoy creating their digital story. 

     What are some ways or steps you would have your students go about creating a digital storytelling project in your classroom? Or, if you have a classroom, how have you had your students go about creating a digital storytelling? How did you introduce digital storytelling?

iPhones, blogging, Twitter used in the classroom???

     Let's think about how technology has evolved throughout the past century. I remember the days when I would click on my AOL icon to get onto the Internet and I would hear the dialing sound, wait between 5 (on a good day) and 10 minutes to get logged on and wah-lah, finally be connected!!

     Today, internet connection is instant since the majority of places have Wi-Fi or if you have internet already on your mobile device.
     Children are being born into this world of technology as parents are buying their kids cell phones, iPod's, iPod touch's, iPhones, smart phones, and many more devices. Can you agree with me that it is rare seeing a child playing with action figures, dolls or any other type of toy? These have been replaced with Nintendo DS's, Leapfrog devices and iPads. Surprising?
     What's great is that these devices are accompanied with being able to download educational resources, games and activities that children enjoy playing and that may reinforce concepts taught in school. For example,  I have downloaded several apps on my iPad that students are able to practice math facts, learn about various science topics, view images, and many more.
      Technology is evolving and WILL continue to evolve. It has become a part of this generation's culture.
Since I am currently taking two technology courses, I have seen the countless ways that technology can be incorporated in the classroom! Teachers use blogging, Edmodo-fake Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Prezi, Wikispaces, and so much more!
     However, it is important to educate our students on how to use these technology tools appropriately because we all know that once something is posted or seen on the internet, it is there forever and that's your first digital footprint. It's important that students:

• see how a specific type of tool is used by the teacher- Modeling
• see examples of how the tool is used in an appropriate way- Examples
• practice using the tool in an appropriate way (when it is not used appropriately, this is the perfect time for the teacher or parent to help the student be aware of how it was used inappropriately)
• respect others as they would in person-the same respect is given online

Please share your thoughts!!

Check out this blog post too: Social media is not the problem

How have teacher's used technology with you? 

If you could choose a technology tool you'd like a teacher to work with in the classroom, which one would it be?

   

Screencasting Part 2: Prezi Basics

2nd Screencast: Prezi Basics

How can screencasting be used in the classroom?

The videos and articles below offer a great deal of ideas as to how screencasting can be used in the classroom. 

For example: 

• Offering additional on particular concept or topic
• Additional steps and support for certain homework assignments

Creating Simple Screencasts to Enhance your Classroom

5 Ways Teachers can use Screencasts

Screencast: Twitter in the Classroom

How Kids Teach Kids About Math

First time screencasting!

Image Credit

Check out this screencasting wiki-page introducing what screencasting is and the types of programs and software that can be used to screencast: Screencasting 584projects

Screencasting is quite simple.

• You can select and capture an image
• You can record exactly what is going on on your computer screen
• Your voice can also be recorded

How do I begin screencasting? 

What do I need to screencast?

On  this wiki page: Screencasting 584projects, there are several programs listed and described that enable you to screencast. Some do not require download while others do; however, they are very simple to use and quick downloads. 

Below, you will find my first screencast:

 

Wow, creating tutorials and screencasting is not easy! I did several screencasts before I finally uploaded two videos. I found myself having to script what I was going to say in order to fulfill the 5 minute limit that Jing enables me to work with. I suppose that would be the only downfall to using Jing-the fact that it only allows you 5 minutes. Then again, many of the best attention grabbing videos are less than 2 minutes. However, I am not a screencasting pro yet! 

     You might notice that on the Prezi Basic screencast I am speaking quickly. Only reason being is Jing allows you to see how much time you have left and whether you are about to reach your 5 minute limit. I was close to reaching that limit which is why I was speeding up towards the end! 

     Please post any questions you have about Prezi if you did not understand something on the screencast!

  2012 Snagit Overview Video
Above, is a link that briefly describes the program Snagit! Check it out!

**Embedded second screencast on another blog post**

Zoom In & Zoom Out with Prezi!

Prezi

What's great about Prezi??

• With Prezi you are able to zoom in and zoom out to point out and emphasize your ideas!
• In the classroom, students can collaborate and work with each together. This feature allows students to edit and work on their Prezi in different locations
• Prezi allows you to easily upload videos from Youtube and images from Google or they can be uploaded from your PC!
• You can also add PowerPoint presentations!
• One does not necessarily need internet connection to present their Prezi
• You can download your Prezi onto your PC, open it and present it offline!
• You can add a story line to your Prezi by creating a journey through your slides to create eye-catching effects! 

• You are provided with a white canvas to begin your presentation
• You may be wondering what the blue circles are on the top left-hand corner??
• Well, that is called the Bubble Menu which is the tool that helps you create your presentation!
• You can control the way your Prezi looks by changing color font, frames, adding images, videos, and much more
• Zoom in and zoom out using the buttons on the right hand side  

What is Prezi?

Check out the video above to learn more about Prezi

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This is a Prezi I created for a religion course I am currently taking this semester. 

I had a great time creating this Prezi and even though it was rather time consuming, I learned about how to use the Bubble Menu and the different effects to make the presentation stand out! Check it out!

Suu Kyi on Prezi

More Tools!

21st Century Educational Technology and Learning

This week in 21st Century Educational Technology and Learning, there many great tools introduced to the educators to use with students. 

I checked out Remind 101! It is great because the teacher is able to send out text messages to the students reminding them about readings, upcoming tests and quizzes, etc. Many children now a day walk around with a cellphone in their purses or pockets-24/7-if I may add. They never let go of their phones! Therefore, what a better way to directly send your students a text message with a quick reminder. I wish I knew about this when I was in high school! However, a few questions that popped into my mind when I was researching this tool was:

-Are there any charges to the sender's phone or the recipients phone?

-What would parent thoughts and opinions be on this?

-What would the school say about this form of communication between teacher and student?

Remind 101

I am taking another technology course this semester and we were introduced to Socrative which is an awesome tool for surveys, quizzes, etc! What is neat about this tool is that as the teacher you can create a class survey, have each student log in with a class assigned code and anonymously have students begin to answer the questions to the survey! Since the teacher created the survey or quiz, he/she can still see individual responses-the rest of the class cannot. Check out this instructional video!  

Socrative Video

Putting a Stop to Bullying

I was able to create this word cloud on Taxedo. I had a lot of fun creating it because I was able to customize it any way I wanted it to appear. You are provided with various options to choose from such as the theme, colors, fonts and shapes you would like to design your cloud. 

What a great tool to use with students as an activity to a lesson! Various ways this could be used in the classroom are: Creating a word cloud with the students-If a new vocabulary word or concept is being introduced, the students can brainstorm different words that come to mind when the concept or vocabulary word is mentioned-activating prior knowledge. Then, the teacher can begin to type their responses or ideas into the format provided, customize it to your liking and shazam! You've got your own word cloud! 

Another way this could be used in the classroom is to have students create a cloud about themselves-it could be a word cloud that describes them, what they like to do, what their favorite color is, favorite movies, etc. This could be a great way for the teacher to get to know her students!

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A few week ago I came across a petition from a student in Ann Arbor, MI asking Motion Picture Association of America to give the film Bully a PG-13 rating instead of an R rating. 

MPAA: Don't Let the Bullies Win!

Bully Trailer

This really struck me because like many of us, I have been bullied in school-elementary and middle school years. I could only think back and wish that those students who bullied me and to those who bully others could be exposed to this kind of film. I signed this petition because I hope that students who are bullying and who watch this film will realize that their words and actions really do hurt others, to open their eyes to see the pain and discomfort they cause others. To those being bullied, that they will see hope and to never give up and never change who they are. 

This is a huge topic being discussed within the education community. Bullying has now spiraled into cyber-bullying where students are bullied via the internet. 

Cyber-bullying: Cyberbullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. This is something that is happening within our environment-the schools. I feel that it is important to step in when we see any kind of bullying occurring in the schools because it could save the life of a student. I hear many sad stories about students committing suicide because they are being taunted and bullied at school. This shouldn't be. 

How can we as educators take action to step in when we see a student being bullied?