I finally finished my multimedia project! Wow, it was allot of work, but I can definitely see the benefits of creating lessons like these.
The lesson I created was a Social Studies lesson on slavery. I inserted many different pi cures, videos, and other websites for students to get a clear picture of the content.
The software that I used was softchalk.com, and it was very friendly user. The steps given in the tutorials were very easy to follow. I really feel like my students will be engaged as I ensured to include videos, quizzes that give them immediate results, and even games for them to play. The software was really similar to creating a document in Word so it was not very difficult for me to learn.
The only confusing part came when I had to package my lesson, and submit, but after attentively listening to the tutorials offered through Softchalk, I was able to zip it all together.
I am definitely sharing this knowledge with my colleagues! I really think they will love it!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Timetoast.com
Timetoast.com is a timeline program for sequencing practice. Anyone can create an account by using their email address. You can even create a class acount or create Epals accounts for your students that hot have their own email accounts.
This is such a great tool for Social Studies. You get to choose a title for the timeline, and upload images from your computer.
While working, the timeline is a draft that can be viewed, but not shared. After, one can publish the timeline for others to view.
I really recommend this website! My students are creating their own personal timeline based on their live. They are having so much fun playing with it.
This is such a great tool for Social Studies. You get to choose a title for the timeline, and upload images from your computer.
While working, the timeline is a draft that can be viewed, but not shared. After, one can publish the timeline for others to view.
I really recommend this website! My students are creating their own personal timeline based on their live. They are having so much fun playing with it.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Digital Data
The only person that I was able to get information on protecting digital data in our district was our campus CIT. I tried contacting the district administration building, but unfortunately, no one ever returned my phone calls.
As we all know it is very important that we save and protect our digital data. My school issues each teachers and students an "H drive"; a personal storage space to save data. Teachers are able to look at students H drive. I always have my students save their writing in their H drives so that I can later go and revise them and grade them and give them feedback from there versus them printing them out and using paper.
Another storage space that is given is to teachers is called Lucy. Teachers are each given this storage space so they can download classroom pics, documents that they would like to share with other teachers like lessons or handouts.
Having these two types of storage spaces makes my job so much easier and much more organized.
As we all know it is very important that we save and protect our digital data. My school issues each teachers and students an "H drive"; a personal storage space to save data. Teachers are able to look at students H drive. I always have my students save their writing in their H drives so that I can later go and revise them and grade them and give them feedback from there versus them printing them out and using paper.
Another storage space that is given is to teachers is called Lucy. Teachers are each given this storage space so they can download classroom pics, documents that they would like to share with other teachers like lessons or handouts.
Having these two types of storage spaces makes my job so much easier and much more organized.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Creating my Website
This was my first time creating a website, and I can say that it was pretty difficult for me, but after finally publishing my website I was pretty pleased.
I used intuit.com. It's only $5 a month, and I really recommend to those who have never created a website because the customer service representatives are very helpful. I came across several problems, and all I had to do was pick up the phone and call them. There was maybe a 2 minute wait before someone was able to assist me. The representative were very knowledgeable of their product, and knew exactly what I was talking about.
The biggest problem I had was linking pages to one another, and other websites. It was like a foreign language to me trying to figure how to link everything together. But after finally talking to intuithelp line, my problem was resolved.
I am planning on keepig my website, and it is something that I know my students and parents will appreciate as it will be a great way to link my classroom to their homes.
Only problem is that next year I will be teaching all in Spanish as I will be the Spanish Dual Reading Teacher for 5th grade. Therefore, I will have to translate everything into Spanish.
I used intuit.com. It's only $5 a month, and I really recommend to those who have never created a website because the customer service representatives are very helpful. I came across several problems, and all I had to do was pick up the phone and call them. There was maybe a 2 minute wait before someone was able to assist me. The representative were very knowledgeable of their product, and knew exactly what I was talking about.
The biggest problem I had was linking pages to one another, and other websites. It was like a foreign language to me trying to figure how to link everything together. But after finally talking to intuithelp line, my problem was resolved.
I am planning on keepig my website, and it is something that I know my students and parents will appreciate as it will be a great way to link my classroom to their homes.
Only problem is that next year I will be teaching all in Spanish as I will be the Spanish Dual Reading Teacher for 5th grade. Therefore, I will have to translate everything into Spanish.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
VIDEO
So after finally publishing my video,I learned so much from all the mistakes I made.
First of all, prepare with your students way ahead of time. I had to retake so many shots of my students because they would forget their lines, or start giggling in the middle of the video shot. Eventhough I started preparing for my video way ahead of time (early in the semester), it still wasn't enough for my students to be mentally ready. I guess this goes with having good classroom management....
I also learned that when I was shooting my video, I had to leave enough time so that when the editing part came, I would have enough time for the transitions. My transitions needed to be a little bit slower and smoother. My plan is to count off seconds after the students said their lines to ensure timing for transtions.
In addition, I learned that making a story board in paper really helps to know exactly what each scene will entail.
The audio of the students was very low! Next time I will definetely have to invest in a microhpone...
It was so much fun making a video with the students.We will be broadcasting the video for the whole school to see this week. My students were very happy to see their names on the credits, and I'm sure they will even happier when their peers outside of the classroom see the video!
First of all, prepare with your students way ahead of time. I had to retake so many shots of my students because they would forget their lines, or start giggling in the middle of the video shot. Eventhough I started preparing for my video way ahead of time (early in the semester), it still wasn't enough for my students to be mentally ready. I guess this goes with having good classroom management....
I also learned that when I was shooting my video, I had to leave enough time so that when the editing part came, I would have enough time for the transitions. My transitions needed to be a little bit slower and smoother. My plan is to count off seconds after the students said their lines to ensure timing for transtions.
In addition, I learned that making a story board in paper really helps to know exactly what each scene will entail.
The audio of the students was very low! Next time I will definetely have to invest in a microhpone...
It was so much fun making a video with the students.We will be broadcasting the video for the whole school to see this week. My students were very happy to see their names on the credits, and I'm sure they will even happier when their peers outside of the classroom see the video!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Video
Making a movie is not so easy! I have this great picture in my mind, and have finally got the editing down, but the problem is the recording. I have used the flip and my camera, and have not been very successful at holding my hand still and the students voices are bearly heard. I am currently trying to borrow a camcorder so that I can hopefully be more successful at recording.
On the other hand, my students have had a great time putting the scenes together, and are very excited to start shooting. The students were split into groups of four. Each group was given a task. It was great to see all the team work around the room.
I think that this assignment has created a very positive environment. Even my usual off task students were so involved.
Tomorrow will be our first day to shoot the video...Hope that everything goes as planned.
On the other hand, my students have had a great time putting the scenes together, and are very excited to start shooting. The students were split into groups of four. Each group was given a task. It was great to see all the team work around the room.
I think that this assignment has created a very positive environment. Even my usual off task students were so involved.
Tomorrow will be our first day to shoot the video...Hope that everything goes as planned.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Film Fiesta
My district is having a Film Fiesta! Students are to create films/videos all about their communities, and the best 10 will be selected from professional reviews and YouTube popularity.
I am very excited to see all the wornderful videos that students will be creating.
Plus, this is a great experience for students and will help students empower their voice.
Below is the link to examples of videos made by students:
http://www.sfett.com/html_movie/Ican/i_think_iCan.html
I am proud to be at a district that embraces technology!
I am very excited to see all the wornderful videos that students will be creating.
Plus, this is a great experience for students and will help students empower their voice.
Below is the link to examples of videos made by students:
http://www.sfett.com/html_movie/Ican/i_think_iCan.html
I am proud to be at a district that embraces technology!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
