The possiblities of Podcasting July 31, 2009

A podcast is an audio episode you can subscribe to through a computer or mobile device.  You can upload an episode to itunes.  Itunes will also check for new content and download it for you.  I also learned how to create a RSS feed of my podcast created through a resource called Gabcast.  Gabcast allows you to create five minutes of audio through the telephone.  I found this software very easy to use and a great tool as a teacher.  We also learned how to copy and paste the gabcast URL into our wordpress blog.  I thought this was a fabulous feature! 

Some of the ideas our grade level (3) came up with for using podcasts in our classroom include the following:

• Directions
• Book reviews
• Discussions
• Reports or field trips
• Autobiography
• EOG prep
• recorded reading (compare Monday to Friday)

I will use podcasts as a book review project with my kids.  I also found a project on the Internet while researching podcasts.  It is available at learninginhand.com.  The project is titled Our city podcast.  This is a single episode (as a class) where students from around the globe are invited to produce an episode all about their hometown.  I will definitely use this project while learning about communities this year!  This is a great way to have students tell others about our community and for students to learn more about other communities.

RSS feeds July 31, 2009

RSS is a “feed” or a “channel” where you can get updated news or information from a certain site.  You can either save RSS feeds to a website or to a desktop.  A couple of websites mentioned in the blog include Bloglines and Google Reader.  I used Explorer to save a few RSS feeds.  It is somewhat like a bookmarking tool because it saves that site for you.  The RSS feed is different in the fact that it gives you updated and new information.  Now that I know what the RSS feed button looks like, I am more aware of it on my computer.  It is very exciting to know what this button/tool is used for!

I will definitely use this tool while creating podcasts.  I do not think I will use RSS feeds much more than that in the classroom.

Pageflakes July 31, 2009

Pageflakes and iGoogle allow you to create a homepage.  I like the layout of Pageflakes; therefore, I decided to try it out!  I really like how you can choose categories for your page!  I think it would be great to have a class homepage where students could go check the weather, write a blog, or read a sports article.  My pageflakes homepage is included below along with my class web page.  My class web page has a different set up compared to my pageflakes page.  There are certain tabs and information included on the class page.  The class page includes the following information:  content learned during that quarter, terrific kids, weekly newsletters, specials schedule and good websites for extra practice.  I will link our class blog, movies made, etc. on both homepages. 

http://www.pageflakes.com/default.aspx —Page flakes page

http://qp.lincoln.k12.nc.us/quickplace/stjames_mpatton/main.nsf/h_Toc/3329AD79ACFBED2985256F26001100B1/?OpenDocument  —my class webpage

 

Digital photo and video July 30, 2009

I created several projects using digital photo programs.  The first program I used was Slide.  Along with Slide, I also used Animoto.  I found both programs to be user friendly.  I liked the design and presentation of Animoto better than slide (linked at the bottom of post).  The only complaint I have of Animoto is the pictures are cut off at the top and bottom.  I think regular photos uploaded from a camera would appear in full.  I will use Animoto to upload regular sized photographs (not pictures on the Internet). 

I also used Photo Story, which I think is fabulous!  Photo story is very user-friendly and has a nice appearance.  I like how I can add narration to my photographs.  I did not add narration for the project included below but I definitely plan to use this tool for future projects.  I prefer Photo story to Animoto and Slide.  I will use Photo story for student projects and to create slideshows of fieldtrips, celebrations, etc.  I like how Ashley used Photo story to capture her students information learned on a particular animal.  This is a great way to get students engaged and excited about learning!

Caption Tube, Bubbleply, and Overstream are programs that allow you to caption a video.  I chose to use Caption Tubeand found it very user friendly.  It took me the longest amount of time to choose a video.  Caption Tube allows you to go back and fix your captions if needed.  It also took me a large amount of time to Jing my video and upload it using Badongo.  After using Jing and Badongo, I know how to use it and the process should run more smoothly next time.  I think the caption video is a great tool to use with English Language Learners.  This gives them a visual picture and allows them to make connections with words.  I think Caption Tube could be used as an introduction to a new unit as well.  For example, I could use the Moon phases rap video to introduce this content.  I could include captions of each moon phase explained in the song.  This is a different way the tool could be used in the classroom.

http://animoto.com/play/D4zVGXByXHbL0R25NssplA —Animoto

http://www.zshare.net/download/6333762022c826c0/ —Photo Story

http://www.badongo.com/vid/1191760  —Caption Tube video

Digital Texts July 30, 2009

According to the article, Kim & Kamil’s chapter, there are a couple of things to consider when using electronic documents in the classroom.  One thing to consider is the design of the document.  What is the purpose of the reading task?  How much prior knowledge do your students have on the topic?  Another thing to consider is actually teaching strategies to students on how to view electronic documents.  Students need instruction in basic computer skills.  Students should also be exposed to expository text before using electronic documents. 

 I will be sure to teach basic computer skills to my students before asking them to read electronic documents.  My students will also be exposed to expository text before reading electronic documents.

Skype & Instant Messaging July 30, 2009

Skype involves a person making a high-quality audio “phone call” over the Internet.  Skype is a free program, which is amazing!  You can call someone on a different continent and chat for free!  WOW!  You can also see the other person if you have a webcam.  This is a great way for families to communicate with each other instead of paying high prices to a phone company. 

As I have been learning about Skype, I realize this is a great technology tool to use in the classroom!  Skype allows students to write, share and communicate with an audience.  Students can see and hear someone from a different country and culture.  This is a great way to get students accustomed to different cultures, people and perspectives.  The article read in class gives a resource to contact other educators who are interested in using Skype.  The website is www.epals.com, which I have already joined and will be using in my class. 

Skype also has an Instant messaging software.  This is a great feature to have because your microphone could break or you could have technical difficulties (which we all have).  It is also a great tool used to communicate regularly.  I have used AIM, an instant messenger, a great deal in the past.  I have used this program to communicate with friends.  You can put up an away message, which tells what you are doing.  This feature is somewhat like twitter in that way.  I may use Instant messenger in my classroom but it would probably be on skype versus AIM.  Other than using Instant messenger with another class (through Skype-possible technical difficulties), I do not see myself using this in the classroom.

Webquests July 29, 2009

I remember making a webquest during Undergrad for my technology class.  I do not remember having a program to use such as Trackstar or Zunal.  I found Zunal very useful and most like a webquest.  I found the trackstar to be a better tool for creating internet workshops.  I like how Trackstar lists the available websites on the left hand side of the page.  However, I could not add a “track” with only text, I had to include a URL for it to show on the page.  I could add a powerpoint, which would look more like a webquest with an introduction, task, process and evaluation page. 

 I decided to try Zunaland I personally liked the layout (for creating a webquest) much better!  I like how Zunal has each step of a webquest listed on the left hand side of the page for students to click and read.  Zunal also creates rubrics for the evaluation section of your webquest.  I found Zunal and Trackstar to be very teacher and student friendly.  Personally, I will use Zunal for webquests and Trackstar for Internet workshops. 

An advantage to using Internet workshops and webquestsis the fact that it engages students.  My former students love the Internet and think it is “cool” to complete projects using a computer.  The only disadvantage is that it is time consuming to make a webquest or Internet workshop.  I do feel like it is well worth the hard work and time put into making it.  An advantage to the disadvantage is that the projects will be used for a number of years and with a number of students!  I will use the webquest created below on planets and create at least one more this school year.

http://www.zunal.com/myaccount/zwebquestlist.php?cmd=resetall 

-My webquest on planets

Internet workshops July 29, 2009

The Leu article discusses the four procedures for creating an Internet workshop.  The first two procedures are completed by the teacher and the final two are completed by students.  The first thing a teacher should do is to find a site and bookmark it.  The teacher then designs an activity with at least one open ended question.  The third step is for students to complete the activity.  The final step is to have a mini workshop (by the end of the week) where students can answer/ask questions and share new insights. 

The article also discusses the purposes for creating an Internet workshop.  The four purposes include the following:  introduce a unit, develop background knowledge, navigating strategies, and develop critical literacies important to Internet use. 

I will definitely use Internet workshops in my classroom.  I already have my students do research to answer certain questions about a topic.  My students then wrote a paper and typed it.  However, students did not come back together and share in a mini workshop.  I will definitely use this last step.  It is important for students to share new insights and answer/ask questions as a group.  Other examples of Internet workshops given in the article that I would like to use in my classroom include the following:  author studies, comprehension activities, and math problems of the week (share strategies).  I have the option to either bookmark sites (using Delicious) or use trackstar to designate appropriate sites during Internet workshops.  I will further discuss my opinions/uses for trackstar in an upcoming blog on webquests!

Delicious bookmarks.. July 28, 2009

The Pandia article contains five social bookmarking sites for free.  The five sites include the following:  Furl, Netvous, Delicious, Magnolia, and Bluedot.  Furl has a different name and Magnolia is currently open to invitation only.  The first bookmarking site I used was Delicious and I love it!!

Delcious  allows me to put all of my favorite sites in a central location.  I also like the idea of having those bookmarks in the same location for use at school.  Delicious also provides a large social networkfor its members.  I think the social network is extremely useful to a professional educator.  Teachers are always looking for new ideas and resources.  The Delicious bookmarking page allows you to search pages other members have found helpful on a particluar topic.  Not only will I use this resource myself but I will also have my students use this site as well.  Instead of allowing my students to openly search for information on a topic, I will find sites and bookmark those on a class page.  I am super excited to have a more organized way of researching things myself and providing my students with search engines for Internet projects.

http://delicious.com/pattonml  -My Delicious page

Threaded discussion board July 28, 2009

I enjoyed using the threaded discussion board in class last Friday.  One advantage of using it is the fact that you can see comments on the same topic.  As a 3rd grade teacher, I will give each group a topic and have each group discuss the topic on separate boards (to avoid a large amount of threads).  I think students will enjoy seeing comments of others with this layout.

Blogs and threaded discussions are different in one major way.  One difference is that you can see comments on one page when using the threaded discussion board.  A threaded discussion allows students to read all comments and decide who to reply.  A blog allows students to comment on one person’s thoughts.  Students may comment on all blogs but each blog would be on a separate page.

The article by Morgan discusses using chat rooms with students.  Using the threaded discussion board brought up a great point.  A chat room is better to use with two students rather than a group.  A threaded discussion board is better to use with a group of students.  I thought it was very interesting to see comments made my classmates and be able to comment as well.  I will definitely use this tool in my 3rd grade classroom!