Blog and Education
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
BP15-web2.0-tools
Yacapaca for Teachers
Assessments are ready for you, you can add or create your own, is really a great tool!
The days of taking tests with pencils and paper are so dated. Yacapaca is what we wish we had in schools, if only the technology had existed- a virtual arena that allows students to take tests, submit assignments, and receive grades, and for teachers to grade and view student statistics. Teachers also have the control to create their own quizzes and assignments. The program focuses on positive reinforcement and learning (for example, when a student answers a question incorrectly, the program explains what the incorrect selection is). Finally, Yacapaca is unequivocally free, for both teachers and students.
BP13_Peer_blog_review_TXtranormal_Carrie Keebler
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
Chuito said...
This is a good one, o yes! so much fun you can write your script and create a whole new story , really a great one! Is a little slow but the idea of rewrite stories is a plus!
bP12_Peer_blog_review_Teachers and Blogging_K.williams
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
BP10_2009112_Peer Review of Kaye William's Web 2.0 Tool "Teachers and Blogging"
Every educator knows that the first year of teaching can be the most stressful. It is the time when you put into practice all the concepts, strategies and management ideas that you have identified in the courses you took to complete your degree. As such, it is essential that you have an outlet to help 'work' the inevitable frustrations out. Why not consider blogging? Instead of journaling in a book, create a blog and share your experiences. The major advantage with this is that you will have others respond to your thoughts, feelings and experiences which will enhance your blogging. In looking back on my first year, I now wish I had this tool; it would have been wonderful to be able to express myself and have other educators, or just people in general, respond or share their own ideas and opinions. However, as an English teacher, I envision using blogs to expand the classroom learning. For example, we are reading a class novel and I would love to include blogs to expand not only the classroom discussion but also the students' critical thinking through expanded assignments such as reflections and essential questioning; this would allow the students to share their work not only with their classmates but also with their school mates, family and friends connecting their learning to the real world. According to Zawilinski (2009), broading the audience for student writing and thinking, providing a space for collaborating outside of the typical classroom discussion, problem solving on the Internet and learning to communicate safely--all can be developed within the context of blogs. It would be another way to incorporate web 2.0 tools to address learning in the 21st Century. If effectively done, how wonderful would that be?
Zawilinski, L. (2009). HOT Blogging: A Framework for Blogging to Promote Higher Order Thinking. Reading Teacher, 62(8), 650-661. http://search.ebscohost.com
Posted by KeW at 3:05 PM
Chuito said...
Wao is a blog for wake up calling, is teachers and student get connecting true blogging; teaching will be easier,we use internet everyday, lets do something positive we are that time on line blogging is an awesome idea to promote brainstorm and active new ideas, great web 2.0 tool, thank you for share!
BP11_Peer_blog_review_comicstripcreator_C.Mills
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2009
BP14_2009113_Web 2.0 Tool_Comic Strip Creator
I have spent countless hours scouring the Internet for Web 2.0 tools. The Emergent Technologies in a Collaborative Culture (ETC) course requires researching and blogging about Web 2.0 tools but my motivation for locating excellent tools goes beyond the requirements of this course. My Action Research project draws upon Web 2.0 tools and the introduction of several of them to my students. Additionally, having extra tools in the teacher’s toolkit is a good thing. I have had a lot of fun researching, experimenting with and evaluating these tools.
I have always been intrigued by comic books. Growing up, my older brothers had quite the collection of Superman, Batman and the Archies. I wanted to find some type of a comic strip layout tool I could introduce to my classes. I teach Video Graphics and I am looking for small interesting projects that include a writing component. A short comic strip about school life just might be something the students are interested in.
In researching the Web I found several different comic strip tools. Most were not free so that caused me to move in another direction. I did find one that I think meets the needs of this particular project. It is called Comic Strip Creator. It is available as a free download but works only with Windows. Since there is only one Mac computer in my entire school (a loaner from Apple), this will not be a problem. After downloading the program I could not get it to work. I sent the company an email and they responded the next day saying I needed to “turn off” any anti virus software installed on the computer. It installed like a dream after I did this.
Comic Strip Creator is great. I laid out this comic strip in about 3 minutes. In addition to downloading the program, there is also a download for clip art and backgrounds. I used both of them in this example. And finally, a word to the wise… be careful when searching for the site. The correct url is listed below. Changing the .org to .com may “strip” you of all rights as a teacher!
http://www.comicstripcreator.org/
POSTED BY CMILLS AT 5:03 PM
Chuito said...
Amazing, Is free and kids who love cartoons will love it!. As an artist i see so many uses for this web tool thanks! Creativity with no limits!
NOVEMBER 15, 2009 11:31 AM
Sunday, November 8, 2009
BP10_Peer_blog_review_The Bee's knees_Toni Mcbride
Quizlet.com is a great web 2.0 tool for learning vocabulary. This lesson creator is not limited to language arts and can be structured to accommodate any discipline that requires new words to be learned.
As a history teacher, there are always new terms that the students need to learn. Using quizlet.com will help students master the terms at his or her own pace. The site is an interactive that helps with studying and testing.
With quizlet, you are able to create your own flashcard sets. Giving the option of allowing others to view flashcards, which is great for classroom use. You can cater the vocabulary to meet each class’s needs.
The quizlet web tool allows you to type in the vocabulary word but then gives the option of creating a specific definition or the option for using one of several definitions they have on file, a great time savior for the creator.
Once the vocabulary has been created, there are several study modes to choose from. Familiarize is an electronic version of the traditional flashcard where the student can view and review as often as needed.
The “learn” option gives the definition and allows you to add the word in the space provided. There is immediate feedback showing if the word added is correct or incorrect. Once the student has gone through the entire list, a percentage is given showing how many definitions were matched correctly and how many were not.
After the student has had the opportunity to learn the vocabulary, they then have the opportunity to quiz themselves with interactive review games. My personal favorite is play scatter. This review game gives the student several definitions and several words scattered all over the page and the student must lay the word over the correct definition for that set to disappear. Once all sets disappear and the screen is blank, a timed score appears. The student is then given the opportunity to replay the game and beat their current time. I love this example of positive reinforcement. If you use quizlet, I am sure you will become hooked as I did.
Quizlet.com. (2009). Welcome to Quizlet. Retrieved on October 21, 2009 from http://quizlet.com/
BP9 Flickr Lesson Plan
Photo Sculpture
Photo by about sculpture.com
Photo sculptures are a relatively new addition to the sculpture world. Traditional sculptors usually don’t feel that this pop art style of sculpture is real art but whether they are or not doesn’t really matter to the people that love them. Because they are three dimensional solid pieces of art they are classified as sculptures.
So what are photo sculptures? Photo sculptures are sculptures made from photos. Now, these are not sculptures made to look like a photo they are actual photos that are made into three dimensional art. They are often used for events and parties like weddings, birthdays and anniversaries. They can also be use to memorialize a loved one or pet that has passed away or to create innovative statues for your home or garden. Usually photo sculptures are made with either a wood or acrylic base that the actual sculpture is mounted to.
Making photo sculptures can be tricky at first so practice as much as you can with old family photos and photos of your loved ones so that you can figure out what works for you when it comes to making these photo sculptures. The more you practice making photo sculptures the more your skill at it will grow.
If you don’t have the resources to invest in a professional quality digital printer it’s a good idea to have the photo that you’re using for the sculpture professionally printed. The image needs to be super high quality because it’s going to be the main focus of the sculpture. High end professional printing equipment and paper can be pricey, so if you’re not 100% committed to making photo sculptures get the photos printed at a professional printing house instead of buying a lot of equipment you might not need later.
BP7 web 2.0 tools
metaPlace
Metaplace, when looking at graphics, is similar to a 2D Second Life. The general theme of the game is to create areas or “worlds” using plentiful, in-game materials that are, for the most part, quite graphically pleasing. There are other things to do as well, such as visit other peoples’ worlds, make new content, tweak your own worlds with content and, of course, making friends and all the other social networking things.
MetaPlace is a universe, a universe full of thousands of worlds, each as unique as it’s creator. Each world in MetaPlace is built by the community, and upon visiting the worlds; it is easy to see that the imagination of the community is quite extraordinary.
Upon signing up for an account, one goes through the limited character creation phase, then a short tutorial on how to maneuver through the very basics of the interface, before one is left with the choice to either go to their first world or to a public world.BP6 web 2.0 tools
BP5 web 2.0 tools
WebCanvas is a worldwide collaborative painting project. Anyone with a modern web-browser can move around an 'infinite' canvas. Using available painting tools is it’s also possible to draw and upload images. Furthermore it is possible to view other users painting if they happen to be painting within the same viewing area. A never ending canvas, you can learn from others and experiment a group artwork. The final art will never be final is always more and more is like leave a legacy but not alone in-group. As an artist is an incredible way to share culture background and talent from all around the world is a mix of talent and joy!
BP4 Social Bookmarking
A teacher could set up an account for each class, tag resources and make the URL available to the class. As the work is web-based it can be modified and updated from any Internet connected computer. Likewise students can access the resources from any Internet connected computer. A specific tag (within a group of tags) could be used to direct individual students to specific readings or resources. A collaborative account could be created, the username and password shared by a class or group of students who could then tag and share resources. Library staff could maintain a list of tags specifically relevant to their school's curriculum Many of bookmarking services also have RSS feeds, so students who use a news aggregator can see new postings automatically. Network with other educators around the globe who share your interests. Create social bookmark accounts for your school's academic departments. Teachers within the department all contribute to the growing database of web resources. Contact other people for professional networking, based on their social bookmarks. Allow yourself and your students to share bookmarks on research topics. Subscribe to someone's bookmarks via RSS and receive updates whenever they add new websites. Collaborate on projects with other schools, sharing bookmarks between all participating communities.
References
Brainify (n.d.) What's brainify? Retrieved November 5, 2009
from http://www.brainify.com/About/
Jackson,L (2009)
Education World Education.
Retrieved November 5, 2009 from http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/sites/sites080.shtml
Eby,G (2008) Social Bookmarking Educations -
Things You Need to Know. Retrieved November 7, 2009 from http://www.squidoo.com/social-bookmarking-education
Monday, November 2, 2009
BP3_20091102_PhotoArtgallery .com
Photo art Gallery is an amazing Web 2.0 tool, as an art teacher I see a great deal to add this to a lesson plan, I will use this Web 2.0 tool like a resource for create paintings and drawings or any art media. I learned how to use the tool through the site and I would use it to create an assignment. I can set up a Photo Gallery for my Classrooms, then my classes will use it to create some art work like a painting or color Drawing, even a sculpture. The quality of the images are great, the BW photos are so unique in texture and composition
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