tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87080095744375263172024-03-04T20:34:13.407-08:00Fantastic Digital ToolsCTAE and Computer Science Resources by Alexandra Vlachakis, Computer Science EducatorFantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-49198637362500358902014-12-07T10:08:00.003-08:002015-03-09T09:22:12.588-07:00Hour of Java Code Tutorial Videos<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5a5b54; line-height: 24px;">Next week, participate in the </span><a href="https://rdr.edmodo.com/rlWwMFV6ZmLfVzDvBvWyMT1iMT8hL29gVvjvMUVvBwR0ZGp2AGHlAQZfVzEmVwbkAQR3AwH1ZwDmYPWyqPV6Vz1eqS9Vo3Ilo2MQo2EyETIwZwNkAS8lZQR0YGRlYGN0VvjvMaDvBwR0YPWjnlV6VwRjYwp3YwH0YwRkBI8kAQR3AwH1ZwDmKmR0BGRlKmH0A2MvZ2AvBJAyLJZvYPW0MFV6VwV1ZQNkZwDmVvjvqTxvBvV2ZGHmAwtlAlVfVaE0VwbkYPW1VwbvnUE0pQcpY1jiq3q3YzAiMTHho3WaVvjvLlV6VwHvsD" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; line-height: 24px;" target="_blank">Hour of Code</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #5a5b54; line-height: 24px;"> by following a coding curriculum. These programs are designed to familiarize students with JAVA, a language that is used in the professional world, the curriculum consists of three simple assignments:</span></span><br />
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<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello World - Your very first Java program, but with a twist</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Transforming Images - Build your very own Instagram</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Create Your Very Own Flag</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5a5b54; line-height: 24px;">Hosted on <a href="http://www.vocareum.com/hourofcode/">Vocareum</a> <codelms>, an online coding management system that is integrated with </codelms></span><span class="il" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 204); color: #222222; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">Edmodo</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #5a5b54; line-height: 24px;">, you can access this curriculum using your existing </span><span class="il" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 204); color: #222222; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">Edmodo </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #5a5b54; line-height: 24px;">username and password. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #5a5b54; line-height: 24px;">Sign up by sending your name, email address to </span><a href="https://rdr.edmodo.com/rlWwMFV6BPjvMPV6VzIxoJ9xol5wo20vYPWxpvV6ZGDkAmL1AGV0ZljvMUZvBwR0ZGp2AGHlAQZfVzI0VwbvoJg0K0uiqKWiMxAiMTIRMJZlZQR0KmVjZGDgZGVgZQDvYPWzqPV6ZGDfVaOeVwbvZGNhAmphAGDhZGR5KmR0ZGp2AGHlAQAsZGD5ZGWsAGD3MzVmL2V5L2IuLlVfVaEyVwbvZwHjZQRlAQZvYPW0nFV6VwLkAGZ2BQV3VvjvqUDvBwRfVaHvBvWgLJyfqT86nT91pz9zL29xMHO2o2AupzI1oF5wo20vYPWwVwbvMvW9" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; line-height: 24px;" target="_blank">hourofcode@vocareum.com</a> or visit <a href="http://www.vocareum.com/hourofcode/">www.vocareum.com/hourofcode/</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #5a5b54; line-height: 24px;"> and get ready to bring the 21st century to your students!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #5a5b54; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"><b>Introduction to the Vocareum Platform:</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #5a5b54; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"><b>Instructions Hello World Assignment:</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #5a5b54; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"><b>Instructions Transform Images Assignment:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Instructions Create Your Own Flag:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for your feedback Mrs. <span style="color: black;">McAnlis.</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>These directions will clarify the ones posted in Vocareum. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Let's make your own flag.</b>
<b>We will start by changing the colors of the background</b></span></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Go to panel1.setBackground(Color.blue) and change blue to any of these colors: <br />
red, green, blue, yellow, cyan, magenta, orange, pink, black, white, gray, lightGray, or darkGray. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now change the colors on panel2 and panel3.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Click Build </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Click Run </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Go to the FILE tab and click on myflag.jpg</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> Now let's change the shape of the flag:</b>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Locate pane.setLayout(new GridLayout(1, 3)); and change the 1 to 2 and the 3 to 2
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Locate JPanel panel3 = new JPanel(); </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Press enter to go to the line right below it </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Type the code JPanel panel4 = new JPanel();
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Locate panel3.setBackground(Color.blue)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Press enter to go to the line right below it </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Type panel4.setBackground(Color.blue); </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Change the Color.blue of this new panel to another primary color.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Type pane.add(panel4); below pane.add(panel3);
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The "String outfile" names the name your flag will have when you have finished it.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Click Build and Run to create your new myflag.jpg
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Click on the "Files" tab and click on the "myflag.jpg" to view your flag after build and running it.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Have fun. Get Creative.</b>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Pick a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_flags_by_design">COUNTRY FLAG</a> and try to make it or invent one of your own.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Show us your flag! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use the Snip tool in your accessories folder in Windows to take a screen shot or Command-Control-Shift-4 on MAC</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ask your teacher to email your screen shot to <a href="mailto:fantasticdigitaltools@gmail.com">fantasticdigitaltools@gmail.com</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We will post the best ones on Mrs. V's blog <a href="https://www.blogger.com/fantasticdigitaltools.blogspot.com"> Fantastic Digital Tools</a></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #5a5b54; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #5a5b54; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">These details will also be posted to the </span><a href="https://rdr.edmodo.com/rlWwMFV6ZwNfVzDvBvWyMT1iMT8hL29gVvjvMUVvBwR0ZGp2AGHlAQZfVzEmVwbkAQR3AwH1ZwDmYPWyqPV6Vz1eqS9Vo3Ilo2MQo2EyETIwZwNkAS8lZQR0YGRlYGN0VvjvMaDvBwR0YPWjnlV6VwRjYwp3YwH0YwRkBI8kAQR3AwH1ZwDmKmR0BGRlKmH0A2MvZ2AvBJAyLJZvYPW0MFV6VwV1ZQNkZwDmVvjvqTxvBvV2ZGHmAwtlAlVfVaE0VwbkYPW1VwbvnUE0pUZ6KP9pY3q3ql5yMT1iMT8hL29gKP9bo21yV1jipUIvoTymnTIlKP9bo3IlYJ9zYJAiMTHgL29goKIhnKE5VvjvLlV6VwLvsD" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;" target="_blank"><span class="il" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 204); color: #222222;">Edmodo</span> Hour of Code Community</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #5a5b54; font-family: arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">. </span>Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-34849974979689441772014-10-29T11:54:00.001-07:002014-11-06T08:46:08.529-08:00STEAM Lab & Makers<span id="docs-internal-guid-4ee5e87a-5ea6-fcc9-d452-47c1ddf25492"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #4a86e8; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why the world needs makers?
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Who are Makers?</b></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-61aa6223-5eb1-a258-6bf3-3b8f875848f2"><span style="color: #282828; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Independent inventors, designers, tinkerers, computer hackers, and traditional artists are all makers. The great thing about the maker movement is that n</span></span></span><span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">o coding knowledge is required.</span><b style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </b><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Being a maker is about going back to basics and learning to build with tools you already have or re-purposing things that have been discarded. </span></span></span><span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">Challenge your students to learn on their own by making something with a topic you have in your class. You will be pleasantly surprised what they will accomplish. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #282828; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How can you make your classroom into a maker lab?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">You can start by adding some projects that let students learn to think and problem solve. Let me list a few examples of tools we use in my classroom that help students become problem solvers, inventors and develop their imaginations.</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1; white-space: pre-wrap;">Animation</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1; white-space: pre-wrap;">Web and App Design</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1; white-space: pre-wrap;">Robotics: Mindstorms and/or LEGO WeDOs, Raspberry Pi's</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1; white-space: pre-wrap;">Movie making</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1; white-space: pre-wrap;">Python and Scratch Coding</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Free Programs You Can Use To Challenge Your Students</b></span></span></div>
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<li style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://scratch.mit.edu/">Scratch</a> - block coding </span></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming">Coding on Khan Academy</a></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://appcrawlr.com/android-apps/best-free-apps-stop-motion">Stop Motion Animations</a> - play dough, LEGOS, cut outs</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-live/movie-maker">Movie Maker</a> - for creating movies on a Windows computer</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://www.apple.com/mac/imovie/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">iMovie</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - create movies on a MAC</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://notepad-plus-plus.org/">NotePad++</a> for HTML or other coding</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.15;"><a href="http://appinventor.mit.edu/explore/">APP Inventor</a> - create APP's for Android devices</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ideas Made Easy</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are some of my favorite websites for inspiration:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.instructables.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Instructab</span></a><a href="http://instructables.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">les</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://makezine.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maker Magazine</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/vlachakisa" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pinterest</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visit our SCHS</span> <a href="http://fcsteamlab.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">STEAM LAB </a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Need more visit a </span><a href="http://makerfaireatl.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maker Faire</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span></li>
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<b style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Simple Suggestions To Help Make Your Classroom Into a Maker Lab</b></div>
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<li><span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">How about centers? Keep in mind that centers work in high school too. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you set up 1-3 different maker centers that help break up a unit in your class</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">What can you challenge your students to make with LEGOS or play dough?</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">What can you make in class to help kids learn math? Can you teach coordinates with Scratch or coding. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be creative and think about the multiple solutions it would take for your students to solve coding problems in Scratch or other coding programs. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #282828; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">How about stop motion animation what can you ask students to animate?</span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How About Starting with an </span><a href="mailto:info@vocareum.com" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;" target="_blank">Hour of JAVA Code</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Our Raspberry Pi Adventure</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I will leave you with a little Raspberry Pi video my son made for his Science Project in 5th grade. At eight years old he taught himself Scratch so by 5th grade his teacher agreed to let him be a maker instead of a scientist. This was the result.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">More Information From Silvia Martinez's Book on</span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.inventtolearn.com/buy-the-book/" target="_blank">Invent to Learn</a></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The technological game-changers of 3D printing, physical computing and computer science can fuel transformations in the learning environment. K-12 educators can adapt these powerful technologies and “can do” [maker classrooms] can help revitalize learner-centered teaching and learning in all subject areas.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.inventtolearn.com/author/sylvia-martinez/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #676871; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author of Invent to Learn</span></a></span><br />
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Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-4899674999824467962014-10-27T18:22:00.001-07:002014-11-06T08:39:05.363-08:00Diffrerent Types of Online Teaching<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Blended Learning</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">First let me provide a video about blended learning to explain what has happened in the way we teach and learn. I highly recommend you watch it before you read my post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today I learned that I will have the privilege of teaching for Georgia Virtual schools come Spring 2015. It is an exciting time to teach online. Classroom environments are changing and it is important that as educators we learn to teach effectively online. Plus, this opportunity will allow me to reach more students and hopefully get more students excited about fields in Computer Science and Technology. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am also currently enrolled in GaTech's online Masters of Computer Science and it has been an insightful experience. I have become very aware of effective vs. ineffective methods of teaching online and I am fascinated by the learning and teaching that is encountered in these virtual classrooms. The nature of the classroom can either be engaging or not and it really boils down to the instructors and how much time they dedicate to making students feel like they are part of a class. Does it sound similar to a typical classroom in a school? </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Classes</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am going to also explain a little about two types of online classrooms: synchronous vs. asynchronous. </span><a href="http://elearners.com/" style="font-family: inherit;">eLearners.com</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> writes in their article </span><a href="http://www.elearners.com/online-education-resources/degrees-and-programs/synchronous-vs-asynchronous-classes/#sthash.2BhISHBP.dpuf" style="font-family: inherit;">Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Clas</a><a href="http://www.elearners.com/online-education-resources/degrees-and-programs/synchronous-vs-asynchronous-classes/#sthash.2BhISHBP.dpuf" style="font-family: inherit;">ses</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">Synchronous online classes are those that require students and instructors to be online at the same time. Lectures, discussions, and presentations occur at a specific hour. All students must be online at that specific hour in order to participate.</span></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Asynchronous classes are just the opposite. Instructors provide materials, lectures, tests, and assignments that can be accessed at any time. Students may be given a time frame – usually a one week window – during which they need to connect at least once or twice. But overall, students are free to contribute whenever they choose."</span></blockquote>
The classes I take online for GaTech are actually a blended approach to these two types of online classrooms. We meet once a week with a professor on Google Hangouts but get all our assignments via video lectures and online posts. During the Google Hangout, we have with our professor, who by the way can have over 200 students a semester, he allows us to ask questions. The session is then recorded and it becomes available for us to view. The video contains links to cued video of the questions he answers. The class I take also has an online forum where students help students. We post questions about a particular assignment or lecture and help each other out. Peer help is one of the things I thought I would miss the most while taking online classes but luckily these online forums make this possible. Plus, imagine having over 200 computer scientists available to answer your questions. This would obviously be impossible to attain in a regular classroom.<br />
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I will leave you with a video that gives you examples of the benefits of blended learning. The video explains how a whiteboard can no longer reach all of our students and he asks how then do we accommodate for these 21st century students?</div>
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<br />Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-61989676356568294602014-09-22T15:50:00.001-07:002014-09-29T05:20:07.676-07:00Digital Toolkit That Ignites Student learning #BYOT<br>
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<a href="http://tech.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/AppExplosion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://tech.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/AppExplosion.jpg" height="170" width="320"></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Are you ready to fire-up student engagement in your classroom? Want to launch your BYOT program into orbit? 5...4...3...2..1...Blastoff! Fasten your seat belt and join me as I review some of my favorite digital tools that might just help you ignite your #BYOT curriculum.</span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 1;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Evernote</span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 16px;"><a href="https://evernote.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">https://evernote.com/</span></a></span><br>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Organize your life! Does it get better than that? I can't tell you how much I love this APP. Every meeting, presentation or classroom project for me starts with this APP. It is just amazing what you can do with it. You can take notes, record voices, video, pictures and so much more. I only wish that I had a tool this powerful when I was in school. </span><br>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Rover App</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.theroverapp.com/">http://www.theroverapp.com/</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;">See flash on your iPad. Pretty sure that about says it all. If you are an iPad user you will know how frustrating it is not to be able to see Flash files. This APP saves the day. </span></span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 1;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Google Slides</span></b><br>
<span style="line-height: 1;"><a href="http://slides.google.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://slides.google.com</span></a></span><br>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This simple slide show maker is one of my favorites and it auto saves in your Google Drive. When I need to create a fast and simple presentation this is my go to APP. When I need students to concentrate on a topic or I need them to learn the material better we also use Google Slides. It makes learning fun and it is super easy. No bells and whistle just a simple here it is presentation tool.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>PixandTell</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pixntell/id532075424?mt=8">https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pixntell/id532075424?mt=8</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">PixnTell is an iPad app for quickly creating simple narrated photo stories. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1;">This app is very user friendly. This is a cute example from a third grader, "Elephants are really big!" </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 1;">Stop Motion or Fun Motion (Android)</span></span><br>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://www.cateater.com/inapphelp/wp/stopmotion/">http://www.cateater.com/inapphelp/wp/stopmotion/</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">This APP makes it super easy to create stop motion movies. I use stop motion to help students understand difficult concepts. They use paper, scissors and drawings to animate simulations of just about anythi<span style="font-family: inherit;">ng. Use </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 12px;">of stop motion animation in education is imaginative, innovative and creative way for kids to learn about a s</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 12px;">ubject matter. Plus, it is </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 12px;">adaptive to more than one style of learning.</span></span><br>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br></span></span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 1;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Edmodo</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://edmodo.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://edmodo.com</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This LMS system is one of the most popular ones. The best part is that it is free and their APP makes it possible to grade or assign projects for students anytime and anywhere. They can also turn in all their assignments digitally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1;"><b>Remind 101</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 16px;"><a href="https://www.remind.com/">https://www.remind.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1;">During our school year I am constantly in need of messaging my students, swim team, Interact club, boy scout groups, etc. The best tool to keep them updated is Remind 101. It allows me to message everyone without having to give out my cell number. A much safer approach to letting everyone know of changes or reminders of happenings in our classroom, teams or clubs.</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Quizlet</span></b></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://quizlet.com/">http://quizlet.com/</a></span></div>
This APP's claim to fame is study everywhere. They also state that over a million students, from every country on earth, use Quizlet daily. I am here to tell you that it is probably true. My students and I agree that you can find flashcards on just about any subject they need</div>
<span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"> on quizlet. Go ahead try it. You'll be pleasantly suprised how much you will find. </span>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Show Me</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.showme.com/">http://www.showme.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This very cool app creates beautiful tutorials with the tap of your finger. When I go over a hard topic I upload these for my students to use as study guides or for explanations. My programming class especially loves to use it to study for test.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><b>Dropbox and Google Drive</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://dropbox.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://dropbox.com</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://drive.google.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://drive.google.com</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.15;">These two cloud computing saving areas are great. They both offer plenty of free storage room and can help you back up your files. They also easily install on your computer which makes using them as simple as saving to a folder locally. My favorite part about both of these is that no matter where I am I can access my files. Plus, they both offer an automatic upload picture feature. Google even puts my pictures in cool photo books by date and theme. So fun and keeps my pictures very organized.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><b>Blogger</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><a href="https://support.google.com/blogger/answer/1623800?hl=en">https://support.google.com/blogger/answer/1623800?hl=en</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">The site you are on was created in Blogger. It is quick and easy way to get a blog up. I use blogs as a classroom newsletter or as a research/reflection area for my students. Blogger blogs can be made private or shared only by a group of individuals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>iMotion</b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://www.fingerlab.net/website/Fingerlab/Fingerlab.html">http://www.fingerlab.net/website/Fingerlab/Fingerlab.html</a></span></div>
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This little APP creates time-laps video. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Sticky</b> </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://www.stickynotesapp.com/">http://www.stickynotesapp.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This simple little APP inspired by sticky notes is great for taking notes or asking students to do a little research.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Pintrest</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://pintrest.com/vlachakisa">http://pintrest.com/vlachakisa</a> -- this is my account</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Creating Pintrest Boards on classroom topics is a bit of an obsession for me. Now picture students developing an obsession for pinning topics we are studying in class. Can you picture a parent complaining about their child spending to much time pinning about the Civil War? </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The key is to find simple APPS you can use in your classroom that enhance your curriculum. I encourage you to try some of these and see how much more students learn by creating. You'll be pleasantly surprised how much fun you and your students will have discovering and learning with BYOT in the classroom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One more note...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If BYOT is not an option in your classroom because your students don't own phones. Try buying or getting some cheap or recycled Android phones donated to your classroom. You don't need a phone service provider to use a smart phone since they work on WiFi. Click here to see an <a href="http://www.forsythforfamilies.com/2013/12/04/chattahoochee-elementary-schools-byot-technology-drive-through-january-31-2014/">example of the letter </a>Chattahoochee Elementary uses to get phones donated to their school. </span><br>
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Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-28639613613390225312014-07-22T22:28:00.002-07:002014-07-22T23:04:53.190-07:00Hour of Code<h3>
<b>Programmers NEEDED!</b></h3>
By the year 2020 more than 1,000,000 jobs will be needed in computer programming but only 400,000 computer science students will be available to fill those positions.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="line-height: 1;">“Computer programmers are in great demand by </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="line-height: 1;">American businesses, but there are not enough</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="line-height: 1;">graduates to fill these opportunities.”</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">~ Senator Marco Rubio</span></div>
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<b>My School's Hour of Code</b></h3>
On October 14, 2013, 30 of my programming students visited two elementary schools to teach 3rd to 5th graders how to code. On that same day thousands of other kids around the world participated in an hour of code. The initiative is all part of Code.org's campaign to allow every kid the opportunity to experience computer programming. The following is a video of our day and some resources you can use to run your own hour of code next year. Please lower your sound the video did not load correctly and it may be a bit loud.<br />
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<b>Recommended Programs to Run Your First Hour of Code</b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://code.org/learn" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">code.org/learn</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - I recommend teachers and students start at this link. This area will let students access Code.org's programming tutorials. Most are self explanatory.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/editor/?tip_bar=getStarted" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scratch </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-- This is a great programming site and the link I have provided for you includes tutorials were kids and adults can learn how to program. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://code.org/educate" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">code.org/educate</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - More information on starting an hour of code in your school.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://code.org/educate/20hr" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">code.org/educate/20hr</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - Sign up for a teacher account on Code.org</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Duck Lights - A Rasberry Pi and <a href="http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/22370366/#editor" style="text-decoration: none;">Scratch</a> Science Project</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> -- This is my 5th grader's science project using Scratch and Rasberry Pi. This is a more advanced project but a great way to get kids excited about programming and electronics. My 5th grader taught himself Scratch at age 8. I wish I could take credit for all he knows but he learned it all on his own. Thanks for MIT's kids helping kids Scratch community. Please check my blog more information on this project. </span></span></div>
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Advertise Your Hour of Code</h3>
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A good video to help get everyone in your school get excited about programming. </div>
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“I think everybody in this country should learn how </div>
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to program a computer because it teaches you </div>
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how to think.” ~ Steve Jobs</div>
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<br />Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-81250837916596390142014-01-30T21:31:00.002-08:002014-02-01T12:54:05.295-08:00How To Turn ON An LED light with a Rasberry Pi<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After teaching computer programming to high school students for a few years, I realized students need more tactile examples to keep them motivated. Therefore, I decided that with my Intermediate programming class, I would start teaching Python using Raspberry Pi's. It has turned out to be a great experience and a perfect motivator since they are having fun learning. Since Python can control functions on their Raspberry Pi's, I have seen students get very excited about learning how to code. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My class started out with this easy light up an LED project since most of my students didn't know anything about electronics or circuits. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below I have listed the basic items, vocabulary and steps you can use with your students. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the next tutorial I will show you how to program the GPIO software on the Raspberry Pi to make the LED light blink. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Class Time Needed</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">45 - 50 minutes (students did the vocabulary the day before)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Vocabulary</u></b></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Solderless Breadboard, Basic </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Circuit, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">LED (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Light Emitting Diode)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">, Volts, Amps, Ohms, Negative v. Positive charge, grounding cables</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /><u>Classroom Setup</u></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a class of 21 and almost every student has purchased their own Raspberry Pi but I allow my students to work in groups of 2-3. Each group needs all of the materials below. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My students turn in a video of their LED lighting up digitally on Edmodo for a grade, therefore, I have added a digital video camera (most used their phones) to the list but this is optional. I have also included links to all the materials so you can get more information or to purchase these.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Materials</u></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.newark.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-modb-512m/model-b-assembled-board-only/dp/43W5302">Raspberry Pi Model B</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.oddwires.com/400-tie-point-solderless-breadboard/">Breadboard</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.oddwires.com/5mm-yellow-led-20-pack/">LED light bulb</a> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.oddwires.com/premium-jumper-wire-pack-female-male-6-inch-30-wires/?gclid=CK3T4rrBp7wCFZRr7AodVgkAug">2 Wires preferably different colors</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.oddwires.com/40-pin-header-breakaway-4-pack/">Header Pins to make the wires male</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pololu.com/product/312">2 small jumper cables</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.newark.com/mcm/mws5-0501000uc-m/ac-dc-conv-external-plug-in-1a/dp/27W9241http://www.newark.com/mcm/mws5-0501000uc-m/ac-dc-conv-external-plug-in-1a/dp/27W9241">Power Supply for the Raspberry Pi</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Digital Video camera (optional)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Assembly (see video for explanation)</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Power your Raspberry Pi (see above link for recommended power supply)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Connect your 2 wires to the Raspberry Pi. Starting from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the bottom closest to SD card </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">connect pin 1 with the black wire on right </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- connect pin 3 with red cable on left</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Connect your jumper cables to the breadboard </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- grey cable to the blue line on the breadboard (this is the ground cable)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- red cable to red line on the breadboard</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Connect your LED light to the breadboard </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- the longer end will go where the grey cable is connected</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- the short end of the LED light will go the where the red cable is connected</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Connect your red and black cable to the breadboard. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- the black cable will go into any area of blue line and the red cable to any area of the red line</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- the red and blue lines on the breadboard let electricity flow straight so if you put the cable anywhere on that row it will make the entire row active</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. If you connected everything correctly you should immediately see the LED light up.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. If it doesn't light up check your LED light (go back to step 4), check your red and black cables are in the right pins and areas on the breadboard (go to step 5), etc.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Programming and Software</u></b></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No programming is needed for this lesson just power and the supplies to make the LED light up. The Raspberry Pi will light up without any modifications to your operating system or any need for software.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Resources</u></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #839096; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<a href="http://www.rs-components.com/raspberrypi"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where to buy A Raspberry Pi</span></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.101science.com/Radio.htm#1">101science.com</a> - Good Electronics Explanations</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.technologystudent.com/elec1/elecex.htm">Introduction to Basic Electronic Concepts</a> - This site helped my students learn how to draw a circuit and the basic needs of assembling a circuit.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/vlachakisa/rasberry-pi/">My Rasberry Pi Pintrest Bookmarks</a> - inspiration and good resources on what to do with your Rasberry Pi</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Alternate Assessment</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Students in my class turned in videos of their lighting up LED's via Edmodo. A small quiz was posted on Edmodo the day after to check student learning.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Questions</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Feel free to post questions or comments.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-91854613859454018102011-10-31T10:13:00.000-07:002011-11-06T12:31:29.698-08:00Using Social Media to Illuminate Classroom DynamicsSpark the light bulb over your students’ heads again and again. Join the revolution to end the ongoing battle with classroom boredom. Open new channels of curiosity with your students by learning how to use social media to engage students with 21st century communication and collaboration skills.<br />
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Above is the description of what Kate Matthews, Technology Teacher at Tyrone Elementary, and I will be presenting at the 2011 <a href="http://www.gaetc.org/attendee-info/conference-docs/item/gaetc-2011-program?category_id=31">Georgia Education Technology Conference</a>. Our presentation will include examples of how I use <a href="http://twitter.com/">Twitter</a>, Blogging, <a href="http://diipo.com/about.html">Diipo</a>, <a href="http://www.sophia.org/">Sophia</a> and <a href="http://classparrot.com/">Classroom Parott</a> in the high school classroom and how we both use <a href="http://fayette.edmodo.com/">Edmodo</a> at the elementary and high school levels. <br />
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This is the Prezi presentation we will be using during our session. The presentation includes resources and video examples of how we use social media in our classrooms.<br />
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<div class="prezi-player-links">
<a href="http://prezi.com/32kesjss_dol/using-social-media-in-the-classroom/" title="GaETC Conference November 2011">Using Social Media In The Classroom</a> on <a href="http://prezi.com/">Prezi</a></div>
</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">The following materials were created by the Edmodo team as well as educators to support teachers who are preparing to rollout Edmodo in their classroom. The files are from the <a href="http://help.edmodo.com/teacher-rollout-resources/">Edmodo</a> help center.</span><br />
<div style="color: #444444; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 7px;">
<a href="http://help.edmodo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Sample_CodeOfConduct.doc" style="color: #336699; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sample Code of Conduct</span></a></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 7px;">
<a href="http://help.edmodo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Edmodo_Guidelines.docx" style="color: #336699; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sample Edmodo Guidelines</span></a></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 7px;">
<a href="http://help.edmodo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Sample_Parent_Intro_Letter.doc" style="color: #336699; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sample Letter to Parents- Introduction to Edmodo</span></a></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 7px;">
<a href="http://help.edmodo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Sample_Parent_Invite.docx" style="color: #336699; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sample Letter to Parents- Invitation to Edmodo</span></a></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 7px;">
<a href="http://help.edmodo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Parent_Guide.pdf" style="color: #336699; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Parent Guide to Edmodo (for parents)</span></a></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 7px;">
<a href="http://help.edmodo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/ParentAccounts.pptx" style="color: #336699; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Parent Guide to Edmodo (for teachers)</span></a></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 7px;">
<a href="http://help.edmodo.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Student_Guide.pdf" style="color: #336699; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Student Guide to Edmodo (for students)</span></a></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Helvetica Neue', 'Nimbus Sans L', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 7px;">
<a href="http://bit.ly/ndcnyR" style="color: #336699; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="How to set up a Student Account"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">How to set up an Edmodo Student Account (video)</span></a></div>
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Lastly, featured below is the full segment of the Heavy Head Syndrome (HHS) video we talk about in the beginning segment of our presentation. It is kindly demonstated by Peppermint Patty while she attends school.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jgX22qP7dh0" width="420"></iframe>Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-15256629605504883262011-10-28T08:39:00.000-07:002011-11-02T22:42:42.204-07:00No Phone Booths, No Problem – Save Your Students With These Super 21st Century Tools<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44hQYO5Asj9yuNJM4jXIwtwSGVxQ9TJJN__zR4YkNVe2wUHnW0HQDn0l1U2ETnP3Tie46QDo-ZmHAR-xE9F6tC1eTt9jTQBem6KWfq8AsjHzt5OYwrA6dI9tyzbXIT2wZZvK7FSC6zRg/s1600/super-teachers.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.einstruction.com/products/mobile-interactive-whiteboards/mobi-mobile-interactive-whiteboard">Mobi™ Mobile Interactive Whiteboard</a>, <a href="http://www.einstruction.com/products/student-response-systems/cps-pulse">CPS Pulse™ responders</a>, <a href="http://education.ti.com/calculators/products/US/Nspire-Family/GaETC,%20Physics,%20Economics,%20Computer%20Science,%20Math"><span style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal;">TI-Nspire™</span></a> calculators, and multimedia can help spark student engagement in the classroom. On November 3, 2011 at the Georgia Education Technology Conference a group of my colleagues and I will be showcasing these 21st Century tools being used in our classrooms. The presenters are Keelan Seabolt, physics, Chris Cannon, economics, Beth Sims, 9-12 math, and myself in computer science.<br />
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The following are the resources, tools and lessons we will be showcasing during our presentation at the GaETC.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Economics</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Lesson Topic</span>: Opportunity Costs and Production Possibilities Curves<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Standards</span>: SSEF1d, SSEF2a<br />
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This lesson is used as an introduction to the concept of opportunity cost and Production Possibilities Curves. Students use the MOBI pad to interact with graphs as the class creates their own production possibilities curve based on a fictional "Robinson Crusoe" story.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Physics</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Lesson Topic</span>: Newton's Laws and Scientific Observation with a Classroom Responder System<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Standards</span>: SP1a,e, SCSh1a,b,c, 3e, f<br />
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The <a href="http://www.einstruction.com/products/student-response-systems/cps-pulse">CPS Pulse™ responders</a> presentation will show various uses of the responders in a science classroom. First, will be a demonstration on collecting and organizing useful student information through the responders. Second, a lesson on free-fall acceleration and scientific observation and hypothesizing will be shown that utilizes the verbal engagement and instant feedback functions of the responders. Finally, a more formal assessment (similar to a ticket out the door activity) will be shown that is used during a lesson on Newton's Three Laws of Motion (GPS Standards - SP1d) and allows for quick grading and breakdown of student responses.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">9-12 Math</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Lesson Topic:</span> Transformation characteristics of the five parent functions, using graphing technology.<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Standards:</span> MM1A1b, MM1A1c, MM1A1e<br />
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This lesson is used as the introduction to the staticconcept of graph transformations among the different parent functions using the <a href="http://education.ti.com/calculators/products/US/Nspire-Family/GaETC,%20Physics,%20Economics,%20Computer%20Science,%20Math"><span style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal;">TI-Nspire™</span></a> software and <a href="http://education.ti.com/calculators/products/US/Nspire-Family/GaETC,%20Physics,%20Economics,%20Computer%20Science,%20Math"><span style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal;">CX Handhelds</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Computer Science</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Lesson Topic:</span> Networking 101<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Standards:</span> BCS-CMW-8, BCS-CMW-9, BCS-CMW-10, BCS-CMW-11<br />
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In this lesson students used digital video cameras to create tutorials on how to setup a wireless home network. First students storyboarded their video and wrote down the steps to setting up a wireless home network. They used <a href="http://www.howstuffworks.com/home-network.htm">How Stuff Works</a> and other online resources to help storyboard and then write their scripts. Students also used cue cards to remember the steps to setting up a home network. A rubric was listed on <a href="http://www.edmodo.com/public/computing-in-the-modern-world/group_id/377225">Edmodo</a> where they could look up the guidelines to complete their video tutorials. The following are programs they used to edit their video:<br />
<a href="http://www.stupeflix.com/">Stupeflix</a><br />
<a href="http://windowsmoviemaker.com/">Windows Movie Maker</a><br />
<a href="http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/">iMovie</a>Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-82666428118529294632011-07-12T19:07:00.000-07:002011-07-12T20:38:20.075-07:00The Science of Learning, Boredom, Curiosity & Video GamesIf you have attended any of my workshops or read my blog entries you have probably learned that I am a big advocate of engaging students by using multimedia, technology and project based learning. Today I stumbled upon this video by Judy Willis were she explains her discoveries, as a neurologist turned educator. Willis decided that she wanted to find out why there was an increase in students being refered to her for ADD and other neurological problems, and to do so she became a teacher. In this video she explains her findings on "the science of boredom, lessons learned from video games, how to capture student attention, and the most important lessons for 21st-century learning." I hope you find her research as insightful as I did. You can find out more information about Judy Willis on her site <a href="http://www.radteach.com/">Radteach.com</a>.<br /><br /><object id="flashObj" width="326" height="399" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=852899507001&playerID=85476225001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAEB37iok~,WCM8Fxf9urWXvPHVqwbTgBZpf-N7C4SW&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true"><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com"><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashvars="videoId=852899507001&playerID=85476225001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAEB37iok~,WCM8Fxf9urWXvPHVqwbTgBZpf-N7C4SW&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="326" height="399" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" swliveconnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object>Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-41440263699304497332011-06-14T09:21:00.000-07:002011-06-14T19:41:53.892-07:002011 Fantastic Digital Tool Kit Workshop<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlF29q4pg5KqYyCFuw5C6uUsN8qdh9qZX_PcDxJ_YnUoHWKarhFjs8ggbNAdhqFGh9qvELLm4x3WE0zBuiBSEkWPg8dAV-j6izZuWBihClGdGUJcnnph6qFKY2lUcUcb84diI0w6a2ds/s1600/361710524_68e8565015.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlF29q4pg5KqYyCFuw5C6uUsN8qdh9qZX_PcDxJ_YnUoHWKarhFjs8ggbNAdhqFGh9qvELLm4x3WE0zBuiBSEkWPg8dAV-j6izZuWBihClGdGUJcnnph6qFKY2lUcUcb84diI0w6a2ds/s320/361710524_68e8565015.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618122954991733394" /></a><div><br /></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 17.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:15px;"></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 17.0px Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:15px;"></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Arial">During my June 15, 2011 Field of Dreams workshop participants learned about digital multimedia tools that I have found to work well with students to engage them through project based learning. I am always in search of adding additional tools to provide students to learn effectively and communicate their ideas more dynamically. My 2011 workshop showcaseed a few new fantastic digital tools I’m really excited about.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Times; min-height: 19.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Arial">Utilizing multimedia digital tools, such as the ones I am including below, can help students reach a higher level of learning. They can be used in the content areas such as science, social studies, math, business and computer science. The key to give students an authentic learning experience and to focus on higher order thinking skills (HOTS) is to provide them the opportunities to create, communicate and connect. For example, a student creation of a video or audio file to emphasize the learning of material you are teaching. <a href="http://www.edutopia.org/measuring-what-counts-memorization-versus-understanding"><span style="text-decoration: underline ; color:#930800;">Research shows</span></a> the process of creating reaches a higher level of understanding and, as a result, helps students retain or learn difficult material better. As <a href="http://edorigami.wikispaces.com/Bloom%27s+Digital+Taxonomy"><span style="text-decoration: underline ; color:#930800;">Edorigami</span></a> states, "[It is] about [using] the tools or technologies... to facilitate learning." Over 2,000 years ago Sophocles said it best,"We learn by doing. That is the thing. For though you think you know it, you have no certainty until you try." </p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Arial"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 15.0px Arial">I think Sophocles would enjoy the tools that are included in the <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IdXWoMb3AwjqkAarnOAvL8EGEqo2S7nsz6KIkBT8FTo/edit?hl=en_US&pli=1"><span style="text-decoration: underline ; color:#00009d;">2011 Fantastic Digital Tool Kit Workshop Agenda. </span></a></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; min-height: 17.0px"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 17.0px Arial"><span style="font: 15.0px Arial">1. </span>Using Video to Teach In your Classrooms Requires Pre-Planning</p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc"> <ul style="list-style-type: circle"> <li color="#00009d" style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; "><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E8WIEUt28uw11zYIYkksIvuoRKzDcvVXgWiuQ8o9-Zw/edit?hl=en_US"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Storyboarding</span></a></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color:#00009d;"><span style="text-decoration: underline">glogster.com</span></li> <li color="#00009d" style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; "><a href="http://www.boxuk.com/blog/using-sketchboards-to-design-great-user-interfaces"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Using Paper And Pencil To Storyboard</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> </span></li> </ul> </ul> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 17.0px Arial"><span style="font: 15.0px Arial">2. </span>Downloading your videos from YouTube or anywhere on the web</p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc"> <ul style="list-style-type: circle"> <li color="#00009d" style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; "><a href="http://keepvid.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Keepvid.com</span></a></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #00009d"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Youtube Editor</span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #930800"><a href="http://realplayer.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Realplayer</span></a></li> </ul> </ul> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 17.0px Arial"><span style="font: 15.0px Arial">3. </span>Picture Slideshow Creators</p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc"> <ul style="list-style-type: circle"> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #00009d"><a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-xp/help/digitalphotography/create-story-from-still-photo"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Photostory 3 </span></a></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #00009d"><a href="http://photopeach.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Photopeach</span></a></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #930800"><a href="http://animoto.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Animoto</span></a></li> </ul> </ul> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 17.0px Arial"><span style="font: 15.0px Arial">4. </span>Audio Creators and Editors</p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc"> <ul style="list-style-type: circle"> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #00009d"><a href="http://audacity.sourceforge.net/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">audacity.com</span></a></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #00009d"><a href="http://audioboo.fm/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">audioboo.fm</span></a></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #00009d"><a href="http://www.spreaker.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">www.spreaker.com</span></a></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #00009d"><a href="http://www.jamstudio.com/Studio/index.htm"><span style="text-decoration: underline">www.jamstudio.com/Studio/index.htm</span></a></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #00009d"><a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Add-narration-to-your-movie"><span style="text-decoration: underline">windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Add-narration-to-your-movie</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> </span></li> </ul> </ul> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 16.0px Arial"><span style="font: 15.0px Arial">5. </span>Video Editors</p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc"> <ul style="list-style-type: circle"> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #00009d"><a href="http://explore.live.com/windows-live-movie-maker?os=other"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Windows Live Movie Maker 7</span></a></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #930800"><a href="http://www.vidinotes.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">VidiNotes</span></a></li> </ul> </ul> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial">6. Extra Cool Teacher tools</p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc"> <ul style="list-style-type: circle"> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #00009d"><a href="http://www.alefo.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Alefo</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> </span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #00009d"><a href="http://bagtheweb.com/tour/what-a-bag"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Bag the Web</span></a></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #00009d"><a href="http://www.thechieftains.com/discography/disc_celticharp.asp"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Brain Flips</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> </span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #00009d"><a href="http://www.printwhatyoulike.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Print What You Like</span></a></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #00009d"><a href="http://prezi.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Prezi</span></a></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #00009d"><a href="http://www.thechieftains.com/discography/disc_celticharp.asp"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Ahead</span></a></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #00009d"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">slideshare.net</span></a></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial; color: #00009d"><a href="http://www.amap.org.uk/about/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Debate Online</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> - video <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/Delib/developing-arguments-critical-thinking-teachers-pack"><span style="text-decoration: underline">example how on how to use it in classroom</span></a></span></li> <li style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 20.0px; font: 15.0px Arial"><span style="color:#00009d;"><a href="http://www.stickam.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Stickam.com </span></a></span>- live broadcasting</li> </ul></ul></span><p></p><ul style="list-style-type: disc"><ul style="list-style-type: circle"> </ul></ul></span><p></p><ul style="list-style-type: disc"><ul style="list-style-type: circle"> </ul></ul></div><div><div style="background- margin-top: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-right: 0px; font-family:Times;font-size:medium;color:transparent;"><span style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background- font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;color:transparent;"></span></div></div>Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-26323402712002991592011-06-05T12:49:00.000-07:002011-06-05T21:56:51.037-07:00InDesign And Movie Maker WorkshopTomorrow I will have the pleasure of meeting and teaching some phenomenal marketing teachers in <em>Gwinnett</em> county. I will be teaching them how to use InDesign and Movie Maker 2011.<br /><br />InDesign is a fantastic piece of software made by Adobe that allows you to create interactive layouts. The files from InDesign can be used to post on web pages as .swf files, saved as .pdfs, to print beautifully layout magazines, and much more. InDesign is a great program to use to advertise your CTAE program on the web or at school in print. It is also being used to create interactive magazines such as Martha Stewart's Living, Wired Magazine and Sports Illustrated. These three videos will demonstrate how this program and iPad's are revolutionizing the way we currently look at magazines.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Wired</span><br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/T0D4avXwMmM" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Martha Stewart's Living</span><br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/StHnDd6KZk4" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Sports Illustrated</span><br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ntyXvLnxyXk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br /><br />During the workshop I will also be teaching how to use Movie Maker 2011. Another great program that luckily comes free with the Windows operating system. This program can also be used to promote your programs or to do alternative collaborative lessons in your classroom.<br /><br />I am using this post to provide everyone with the resources I will be using during this workshop. Feel free to share resources you have or give me some feedback on how you use InDesign or Movie Maker in your classrooms.<br /><br /><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TQyx2k8AxidCTiI8VYjpYuUMoFR2dwpYG9bjrVuGBfc/edit?hl=en_US">Workshop Agenda</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/indesign.html">Adobe Video on How Marketing Fashion Designers Use InDesign</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Adobe InDesign Resources:</span><br /><ul><li><a href="http://help.adobe.com/en_US/InDesign/6.0/WS136D91ED-FAC8-4f4e-82A7-CF406D0131BB.html"> CS4 Tutorials </a></li><li><a href="http://help.adobe.com/en_US/indesign/cs/using/index.html">CS5 Tutorials</a></li><li><a href="http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/exchange/index.cfm?l=3&s=5&o=desc&exc=19&event=productHome&Submit=Filter">Free InDesign Exchange Documents</a></li><li><a href="http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/exchange/index.cfm?searchfield=newsletter&search_exchange=19&search_category=-1&search_license=&search_rating=&search_platform=0&search_pubdate=&num=25&startnum=1&event=search&sticky=true&sort=0&rnav_dummy_tmpfield=&Submit=">Newsletter Templates</a></li><li><a href="http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/exchange/index.cfm?event=extensionDetail&extid=2128024">Simple Newsletter Template</a></li></ul>Tip: If you do not have an <a href="https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/membership/index.cfm?loc=en_us&nf=1&nl=1">Adobe account</a> I highly recommend that you set up one. It is free and it will allow you to download and access their resources.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DECA Programs Resources:</span><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=deca+logo&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=4W4&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=SSjsTcHlEcfKgQeeoPnXCQ&ved=0CDkQsAQ&biw=1077&bih=923">Images for DECA Logos From Google</a><br /></li><li><a href="http://www.deca.org/">DECA Website</a></li><li><a href="http://decaimages.gigabitprint.com/">Purchase DECA Images Website</a></li><li><a href="http://www.deca.org/resources/">DECA Chapter Resources</a></li><li><a href="http://www.issuu.com/decainc/docs/dd4_mar-apr_2011">DECA Dimensions Magazine</a><br /></li></ul><div id="ctl00_FormlessContentPlaceholder_ContentPlaceholder_C02" class="containerOneFourthNear"><div class="topic_body_full contentPiece"><div style="font-weight: bold;" class="section sectionNormal"><div class=""><span class="ui">Movie Maker 2011 Resources</span><p class="para"> </p> </div></div> <div class="section sectionNormal lastElement"><div class=""> <div class="section sectionNormal lastElement"><div class=""> <ul><li> <a href="http://explore.live.com/windows-live-movie-maker-import-photos-videos-using" class="navigationLink" id="pageContainer1_ID0EBJBBBBBA">Import photos and videos</a> </li><li> <a href="http://explore.live.com/windows-live-movie-maker-auto-movie-themes-using" class="navigationLink" id="pageContainer1_ID0EBHBBBBBA">AutoMovie themes</a> </li><li> <a href="http://explore.live.com/windows-live-movie-maker-video-editing-using" class="navigationLink" id="pageContainer1_ID0EBFBBBBBA">Edit the video</a> </li><li> <a href="http://explore.live.com/windows-live-movie-maker-audio-editing-using" class="navigationLink" id="pageContainer1_ID0EBDBBBBBA">Edit the audio</a> </li><li><a href="http://explore.live.com/windows-live-movie-maker-share-online-using" class="navigationLink" id="pageContainer1_ID0EBBBBBBBA">Share online</a></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Publish Your InDesign Files For Free On <a href="http://www.issuu.com/">Issuu.com</a><br /></span><p class="para lastElement"> </p> </div></div> </div></div> </div> </div><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TcLV1CsGCJg?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><br /><br />Finally, I will leave you with this great video. It will help you and maybe your students get more excited about using InDesign in your classrooms.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sokJfTv6BCU" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe>Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-16155574149449534562010-11-18T18:28:00.000-08:002010-11-18T18:43:16.512-08:00More Online Video Editing Tools<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmbZXCGV1m0daqYdiS1bf0MOIiI2WiBH5xrJY-qnrbhIROKNPfX8JwmqHtNGzW8mK6ICliAtnTk89aotp85LM-NAh7NRMCuexQnzvpbkbH6gRfIUJ9E1WRtaEIoEY-F9wFA-vyg6lzQM/s1600/template-monster-screenshot.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 552px; height: 323px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmbZXCGV1m0daqYdiS1bf0MOIiI2WiBH5xrJY-qnrbhIROKNPfX8JwmqHtNGzW8mK6ICliAtnTk89aotp85LM-NAh7NRMCuexQnzvpbkbH6gRfIUJ9E1WRtaEIoEY-F9wFA-vyg6lzQM/s400/template-monster-screenshot.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541085554049835874" border="0" /></a>The offerings for online digital tools keep getting better and better. <a href="http://store.templatemonster.com/?aff=veesolutions">Template Monster</a> is a website templates site that offers flash templates and other products that are ready-made web designs that can be used to produce quick, high-quality websites. I want to add that Template Monster has some really awesome <a href="http://www.templatemonster.com/free-templates.php?aff=veesolutions">free web and flash templates</a> that can be for personal use only. <a href="http://store.templatemonster.com/?aff=veesolutions">Template Monster</a> also has a very <a href="http://blog.templatemonster.com/">informative blog</a>. Recently the <a href="http://blog.templatemonster.com/">TemplateMonster Blog</a> posted an article on 15 online video editing tools. The article claims that it will save you time, effort and enhance your skills in video editing. I could not agree more with author Edward Korcheg. There were some online video editing tools that I was already familiar with (such as <a href="http://www.vidinotes.com/">Vidinotes</a>, <a href="http://studio.stupeflix.com/">Stupeflix</a>, <a href="http://jaycut.com/">JayCut</a>, <a href="http://education.animoto.com/">Animoto</a> and <a href="http://photobucket.com/">Photobucket</a>) but there were many new ones that I had never heard of that I'm adding to my digital toolkit. Korcheg has put together a great list of online video editing tools. Let me know what you think of them.<br /><br /><a href="http://blog.templatemonster.com/2010/11/16/15-online-video-editors/?aff=veesolutions">15 Online Video Editing Tools</a> on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blog.templatemonster.com">Template Monster Blog</a>Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-6215605618061481812010-07-19T13:45:00.000-07:002010-07-19T14:28:20.245-07:00The Fantastic Digital Video Toolkit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXsLjvWTpkFH475T8TgUfWAnU-D5trJL0RtGCSrBh7k8QKtpoJs05a4m05U6bzszuXbjFP4MugCyoKeqCGi68V9P460H8TZAY-BzWyH-WvBqElbVej8qDYwFzOdWQu6ToMIIg-9jGoz0/s1600/gactesplash.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXsLjvWTpkFH475T8TgUfWAnU-D5trJL0RtGCSrBh7k8QKtpoJs05a4m05U6bzszuXbjFP4MugCyoKeqCGi68V9P460H8TZAY-BzWyH-WvBqElbVej8qDYwFzOdWQu6ToMIIg-9jGoz0/s200/gactesplash.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495732173508779794" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Avatar? District 9? Those Hollywood blockbusters don't even compare. The Fantastic Digital Video Toolkit showcases a variety of free online video tools, tips and resources that will unleash your students' inner director and might just land them that first Oscar.</span><br /><br />I previously posted about the above <a href="http://fantasticdigitaltools.blogspot.com/2010/05/fantastic-digital-video-tool-kit.html">workshop</a> when I was teaching at the <a href="https://www.ctaern.org/">CTAE Field of Dreams,</a> 2010 summer workshops at Perry High School. Well, if you didn't have a chance to attend this workshop on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 I will be presenting some of these tools at the <a href="http://www.gacte.org/">63rd GACTE</a> Conference in the Waverly Galleria room. I will begin by briefly talking about what I call the 5 P's of Video Production and then showcasing some of the following digital video tools. I look forward to seeing y'all there.<br /><br />~Alex<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5 P's of Video Production</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. </span><a style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;" href="https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AWWcbBEofuB7ZGdqeDM1MnFfMmY5NmZzc2Z0&hl=en">Pre-production</a> - brainstorming<br /><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline; font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;">2. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AWWcbBEofuB7ZGdqeDM1MnFfMGdiam14OWd4&hl=en">Pre-planning</a></span></span></span> - story boarding<br /><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline; font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;">3. <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1aXnaUpxkWqfFMlIsuM_mCElwZMN6eTefIMOKatZy5bY&hl=en">Production</a></span></span></span> - scripting and filming<br /><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline; font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;">4. <a href="https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AWWcbBEofuB7ZGdqeDM1MnFfM2MydHc5a2Rk&hl=en">Post Production</a></span></span></span> - evaluating<br /><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >5. </span><a style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;" href="http://schooltube.com/">Publishing</a><br /></span></b></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Digital Video Toolkit Programs</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Windows Movie Maker</span><br />How To Use Movie Maker Tutorial From School Tube<br /><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/moviemaker2.mspx">http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/moviemaker2.mspx</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is it: </span>Windows Movie Maker is a video creating/editing software, included in Microsoft Windows Me, XP, and Vista. It contains features such as effects, transitions, titles/credits, audio track, timeline narration, and Auto Movie. Windows Movie Maker is also a basic audio track editing program. It can apply basic effects to audio tracks such as fade in or fade out. The audio tracks can then be exported in the form of a sound file instead of a video file.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Windows Live Movie Maker (Newer Version of Above)</span><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Live_Movie_Maker">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Live_Movie_Maker</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is it:</span> <a href="http://explore.live.com/windows-live-movie-maker">Windows Live Movie Maker</a> (codename Sundance) is a video creating/editing software that is a part of Microsoft's Windows Live initiative. It is intended to replace Windows Movie Maker that is currently included in Windows Vista, similar to the way Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Live Mail replaced Windows Photo Gallery and Windows Mail, respectively. Windows Live Movie Maker is a complete rewrite of the Windows Movie Maker application, focusing on the needs of Windows Live Photo Gallery users; as such, it requires Windows Live Photo Gallery (Wave 3) to be installed. The program includes a redesigned ribbon interface similar to Windows Paint in Windows 7. Windows Live Movie Maker is not compatible with versions of Microsoft Windows prior to Windows Vista.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stupeflix Studio</span><br /><a href="http://studio.stupeflix.com/">http://studio.stupeflix.com</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is it: </span>Your photos and videos have never looked so great. Mix images, videos and soundtracks. Add titles, transitions, oohs, and ahhs.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Shwup</span><br /><a href="http://www.shwup.com/">http://www.shwup.com/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is it:</span> Your and everyone else photos can collaborative create a video together. Super simple and you and your students can create videos together online for free.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Photo Peach</span><br /><a href="http://photopeach.com/">http://photopeach.com/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is it: </span>The idea is to help you <strong style="font-weight: normal;">tell better stories online using photos</strong>. With PhotoPeach you can create a rich slideshow in seconds to engage your friends or family. We also support background music, captions, and comments so you can elaborate on your story further.<br />Example: <a href="http://photopeach.com/album/14lfmkf">Tweety</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">YouTube Video Editor</span><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/editor?popart=681928">http://www.youtube.com/editor?popart=681928</a> - Take a quick tour to learn how to use it.<br /><br />What is it: YouTube has <a bitly="BITLY_PROCESSED" href="http://www.youtube.com/editor?popart=681928">a new video editor</a> that lets you create videos using excerpts from the videos you've already uploaded. You can also add a music file from the AudioSwap library, but YouTube mentions that it might display ads if you use some of the audio files.<br /><br /><div class="left"> </div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Google video creation tool</span><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/SearchStories">http://www.youtube.com/user/SearchStories</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is it: </span>Make your own Search Story video in minutes<br />All you need to do is type in your Google searches, pick some music and — presto! — you've got your very own Search Story to share with your friends or showcase on our YouTube channel. This could be relevant for a class doing video editing ... there is not much control but it is fun and immediate.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">VIDDIX</span><br /><a href="http://www.viddix.com/">http://www.viddix.com/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is it: </span>VIDDIX is a videoplatform that allows you to connect all kinds of web content to your videos. This way you can really interact with your audience and deliver your messages more effectively.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Xtranormal</span><br /><a href="http://www.xtranormal.com/">http://www.xtranormal.com/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is it:</span> If you can type, you can make movies. This is a simple text-to-movie creator. To create one click the Make Movies tab at the top of the page. On the page that appears, chose the style and number of characters you want to use. The movie maker appears. You can change the set, actors, and background music. Start typing the dialogue for your actors. You can drag many actions directly into the text blocks such as camera angles, sound effects, facial expressions, and character animations.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Free Multi-User Online Editor</span><br /><a href="http://www.kaltura.com/">http://www.kaltura.com</a><br /><br />What is it: Kaltura is the place for group video making, using our sophisticated, yet simple multi-user online editor with many cool features and editing tools.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Discovery (Channel) online Video Editor and Mixer</span><br /><a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/sharkweek/video-mixer/video-mixer.html">http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/sharkweek/video-mixer/video-mixer.html</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is it:</span> AMAZINGLY simple ..... if you are doing a project with students on sharks then this is a MUST DO! This site is a great way to introduce video producing and storyboarding.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">National Geographic Wildlife Filmmaker</span><br /><a href="http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/filmmaker.html">http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/filmmaker.html</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is it:</span> National Geographic Wildlife Filmmaker. Just drag and drop animal clips, sounds and more ... to make your wildlife film .... and then share with others. This programs is a great way to introduce how sound and text affect your video clips.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Creating A How To Video</span><br /><a href="http://www.screentoaster.com/">http://www.screentoaster.com/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Free Video Editing Program</span><br /><a href="http://www.zs4.net/tutorials">http://www.zs4.net/tutorials</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vidinotes</span><br /><a href="http://www.vidinotes.com/">http://www.vidinotes.com/</a><br /><br />Made to expand the use of online videos. While online videos provide entertainment and understanding, learning from videos is not very practical. Vidinotes is the bridge from video to learning, allowing users to create their own notes of a video, including images taken directly from the video, then print or save their new document.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How To Cast</span><br /><a href="http://www.howcast.com/">http://www.howcast.com/</a><br /><br />To download how to videos for computer applications, web design, animations, accounting, business procedures and just about anything you have ever wanted to learn.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How Stuff Works</span><br /><a href="http://www.howstuffworks.com/">http://www.howstuffworks.com/</a><br /><br />HowStuffWorks explains hundreds of subjects, networking, computers, accounting, and all sorts of other great topics. It uses clear language and tons of illustrations you can download and use in video. For example my students love to watch the <a href="http://videos.howstuffworks.com/labratstv/labratstv-videos.htm">How Stuff Works Lab Rats</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">All About Video Formats</span><br />A Good Article On Video Formats<br /><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1c0AaAVlO9d-W_pvwfQlPNMXCKiXhk4oTbsNQFDWk8xs&hl=en#"> Conversion Central: 101 Tools to Convert Video, Music, Images, PDF and More</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;color:transparent;" ></span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://fantasticdigitaltools.blogspot.com/2010/06/download-your-favorite-videos-and-more.html">The New Real Player</a><span style="font-family:arial;"> - <span style="font-size:100%;">an article from my blog that will explain the powerful tools your can use in the new Real Player. To download the New Real Player program for </span></span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.real.com/"><span style="font-size:100%;">MAC or Window</span>s</a><span style="font-family:arial;">.</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.classroom20.com/profiles/blogs/649749:BlogPost:177332">100 Best YouTube Videos for Teachers</a>Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-38840133140596724002010-07-10T13:09:00.000-07:002010-07-10T13:17:01.129-07:00Podcasting In the Classroom<object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=13217363&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=13217363&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/13217363">Tony Vlachakis GaDOE Empowers Teachers to Teach with Tech</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/teachertips">Teacher Tips</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>. GaDOE will come to Georgia schools to train for free. You can contact him at the <a href="https://www.georgiastandards.org/Pages/ContactUs/contactus.aspx">DOE State office</a> or through <a href="https://www.georgiastandards.org/">GeorgiaStandards.org</a>. Yes, this is my husband. : ) </p>Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-37875648286869017352010-06-13T17:33:00.000-07:002010-06-13T17:57:48.846-07:00Download Your Favorite Videos and More with Real Player SP<span style="font-weight: bold;">Have you tried Real Player SP for Mac OS X</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> or Windows? </span><br /><br />As a teacher and presenter I have frequently experienced the frustration of one of my critical videos not working during a presentation or classroom lesson because video is online through a service live YouTube. Have you had that happen to you? Usually the culprit of my online video dilemma is due to a blocked firewall or failed Internet access. With <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://realnetworksblog.com/?p=1280">Real Player SP</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>you will remain calm for your presentation and that online video can always work for your presentations. That is because <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://realnetworksblog.com/?p=1280">Real Player SP</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>not only allows you to download video & music files, but it also has a converter. That means you can easily download videos for your classroom or use without having to be connected to the web. You can even do it from YouTube or your favorite video service or music playing site. Plus, you will have the option of converting downloaded video for use on your MP3 player, iPod, iTouch or iPhone. Oh! And did I mention you can also trim and clip video while previewing it on <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://realnetworksblog.com/?p=1280">Real Player SP</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>. The possibilities are just endless.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Real Player </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">SP Download Sites</span><br /><br /><a href="http://forms.real.com/real/player/download.html?type=rp11_mac">RealPlayer SP for Mac</a><br /><br /><a href="http://forms.real.com/real/player/blackjack.html?platform2=Mac&product=RealPlayer%2011&proc=g3&lang=en&show_list=0&src=macjack,macjack">Installation for MAC instructions.</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.real.com/realplayer">Real Player SP for Windows</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This video from Real Player will show you how to use it.</span> The program looks a little different on the MAC than on Windows but it is basically the same.<br /><br /><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OrBqEIbbYe4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OrBqEIbbYe4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to convert your You Tube videos in Real Player to MP3 or other formats.</span><br /><br /><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YjFZPecKrK8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YjFZPecKrK8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object><br /><br />Have fun and be sure to share your finds!Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-30936624955618095232010-05-09T19:52:00.000-07:002010-05-09T20:03:24.962-07:00The Fantastic Digital Video Tool Kit Workshop<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEC2htYCWfSffSO1N3mdLjjARUE9R-rxxCNoBScojdbqWglaIzm7IgHeBi8R_wzOZCXKUppMvEDCFmtxcMhCgv_vGhbj5wHk3cK0OJThSBDc10GpOe7BOrtvC-4Jx9Kui5cGzUp62EJ3w/s1600/Multimedia.gif"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEC2htYCWfSffSO1N3mdLjjARUE9R-rxxCNoBScojdbqWglaIzm7IgHeBi8R_wzOZCXKUppMvEDCFmtxcMhCgv_vGhbj5wHk3cK0OJThSBDc10GpOe7BOrtvC-4Jx9Kui5cGzUp62EJ3w/s320/Multimedia.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469471503034379074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >Avatar? District 9? Those Hollywood blockbusters don’t even compare. The Fantastic Digital Video Toolkit session will showcase a variety of free online video tools, tips and resources that will unleash your students’ inner director and might just land them that first Oscar.<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br />I am teaching a new workshop this summer at Field of Dreams called, The Fantastic Digital Video Tool Kit, at Perry High School. All of the programs I will be showcasing are free. If you are a CTAE teacher currently teaching in a Georgia school and would like to register for this great workshop please login to the <a href="https://www.ctaern.org/">CTAE Resourse Network</a> to register.<br /><br />A condensed version of the workshop will be presented at the </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >2010 GACTE Conference this summer for the Business Education Division</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >. I look forward to seeing you there.</span>Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-48663778848767937642009-11-29T15:58:00.001-08:002009-11-29T18:01:04.859-08:00Photo Sharing With Google's Picasa<div><a href="http://picasa.google.com/">Picasa</a> is Google's fast and easy photo sharing program. Google states, "Picasa & Picasa Web Albums make it easy for you to organize and edit your digital photos, then create online albums to share with friends, family & the world." The online program also provides you with plenty of storage and allows you to not only put your pictures on a safe <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_server">server</a> but also to share your images via email or online web pages. Picasa is also a great way to back up your pictures or to store pictures if you are low on storage space on your computer or your <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_server">web server</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Creating A Photo SlideShow On Picasa</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Below I will show you how you can use <a href="http://picasa.google.com/">Picasa's</a> <a href="http://fantasticdigitaltools.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-are-embed-tags.html">embed slideshow</a> to add a slideshow to display multiple pictures to your web page or blog via Picasa. If you do not know what an <a href="http://fantasticdigitaltools.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-are-embed-tags.html">embed tag</a> is take a look at my short previous <a href="http://fantasticdigitaltools.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-are-embed-tags.html">post</a> it will help you understand what you are about to do a little better.</div><div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLIUcqsFHGF-OXn2178bT3-dtqERMPt9GhlK1N9znnbgMEWyXs9JGPN_G3Ga3a-3n3l90wCDcEWc5iJcfb-ktPsSTTavBvgNxctpIW6xgGpiyNk4StUCWLWYU_1VBy8Yv3BT9-UrksS4/s320/Picture+10.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409709867377789266" /><div><b>Steps to making a web slideshow on Picasa:</b></div><div><i>Note: </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">If you are familiar with Picasa skip to step 3.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>1. First you will need a <a href="https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount?continue=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fig&cd=US&followup=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fig&hl=en&service=ig&ltmpl=default">Google Account</a> or <a href="http://picasa.google.com/">Picasa</a> account. Both are free and if you click on the links you can sign up. They will both give you access to <a href="http://picasa.google.com/">Picasa</a>. If you have a Google Gmail account then you already have an account. Just go to Picasa's web page and login with your same username and password as your Gmail account.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Upload your pictures to an album. You can use Picasa's online uploading program or install Picasa on your computer to do this. If you install the program be sure to look for the button that says upload your pictures online. I also suggest you watch the videos below so you can get a better understanding of how Picassa works.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>3. Once your pictures are uploaded go to your online album on the right side click on the </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><img class="SPRITE_link lhcl_spriting_alignMiddle lhcl_spriting_marginRight5" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/vlachakis.schs/img/transparent.gif" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; background-image: url(http://lh4.ggpht.com/s/v/57.11/img/lh_sprite.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; width: 16px; height: 16px; vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px; background-position: -459px -18px; " /><span class="lhcl_fakelink" style="color: rgb(57, 100, 194); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Link to this album</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3eGTaM_qh5Xtx7RejvFBQGFvRKtxwuANt3aLW3D4rzUUOXXmcDyUxV9bs7ND6TDT2AotgT3PJ975oK7Hq8gXgpYuccwiNdC9r1Cr103SDQKRhNvtUftw5iKdjRZ1Vs8xA8eqDAWfOD4g/s320/Picture+4.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409685183340869202" /><div>4. Then click on the <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(57, 100, 194); font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><img class="SPRITE_embed lhcl_spriting_alignBottom lhcl_spriting_marginRight5" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/vlachakis.schs/img/transparent.gif" style="border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; background-image: url(http://lh4.ggpht.com/s/v/57.11/img/lh_sprite.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; width: 16px; height: 16px; vertical-align: bottom; margin-right: 5px; background-position: -47px -170px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Embed Slideshow</span></span>. This tag will allow you to create your slideshow.</div><div><br /></div><div>5. A new window will open that will ask</div><div> you how you would like your slideshow to appear once you post it. You will need to chose the size and what you would like to include in your slide show like captions and links.</div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 69px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikNiEcW24Y0aQ6KKSm04aVTh-0-FilzXZS-7yAGwwLQ9gCMcuTtxKAe5EPfznPCHRz4sxrKvcw2slbGYNGAeehEr295MdW2xPE3Tq8uXWLQOixWQ7OaOGqwHvmYFpA8_3kGdYmcvqB2Q/s320/Picture+5.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409685242075709282" /><div>6. Next copy the <a href="http://fantasticdigitaltools.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-are-embed-tags.html">embed</a> tag by going to Edit copy on your browser or use the short cut key <b>Co</b><b>ntrol C</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 173px; height: 95px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nwYKLY-6nKnpG4FjorQ4CtWoiAQIexkXE13aHpBki6jXCQXp2eP5BkV5tLASU-fkBiqulES6XTn9Am4TaEk7cIhBzqtKIsk50geviAd_hBSGQbKmaPPiKPAfsF5d67pmSYJsJHorsSc/s320/Picture+6.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409686555116844194" /><div>7. Paste the <a href="http://fantasticdigitaltools.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-are-embed-tags.html">embed</a> tag into your blog or webpage HTML. On Blogger you will need to go to the Edit HTML section of your post to paste it. In Dreamweaver you will do the same thing add the code to your HTML area. </div><div><br /></div><div>8. Upload your webpage or publish your blog post and you've got yourself a very fancy slideshow embed in your page.<br /><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Picasa Introduction Videos</b></div><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/p/0773A93776AAE822&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/p/0773A93776AAE822&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="385" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br /><br />Click on the arrows to move to the next video on my playlist.<br /><br /></div>Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-15059007402964204892009-11-29T15:31:00.000-08:002009-11-29T15:57:55.393-08:00What Are Embed Tags?Embed tags allow you to add movies, music, flash files, pictures, widgets, your Twitter and Facebook feeds, and all sorts of gadgets to your web pages. Embed tags in HTML (the language used to write webpages) are written like this: <b>< embed src="helloworld.swf" > </b>You can read more about embed tags at <a href="http://www.w3schools.com/html5/tag_embed.asp">W3 schools</a>.<br /><br />Whenever you see embed tags it usually indicates that the gadget can probably be added to your blog or web page by adding the code following the < embed > tag on your page. A good example is the embed tag you find in a YouTube video. As long as the creator of the video hasn't disabled the embed code you can grab the video's embed code and add the video to your blog post or web page. In my next post I will show you how to add a picture slideshow using an embed tag to a web page or blog.Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-10511802060739496392009-11-24T23:24:00.000-08:002009-11-25T12:47:24.389-08:00Fun Classroom Learning With Video<span style="font-weight: bold;">Student Learning Is Easy When You Make A Video</span><br /><br />Do you have students who have difficulty learning something? Memorizing is an option, but how about putting students in a video to help them reflect on the standard they are trying to master. This month my first grader had to do just that. He had to memorize a poem for his grade level's poetry recital. He chose Jaberwocky, by Lewis Carroll. You might have also seen him tweeting his lines to practice on Twitter. The poem's rhetoric is difficult for any age group since the words in the poem do not exist. Needless to say it was a challenge to remember and learn it. So I decided to create a video to give him the opportunity to hear himself pronounce the words. With his video, he was able to see where he needed to work on his inflection and where he needed additional practice. The result, thanks to all his hard work, was he was one of three finalists from his class. We were very proud of him. I don't know about you, but I also see how this type of learning through video creation can have application to help ESOL or ESE students.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jabberwocky In The Tulgey Woods</span><br /><br />This is my son reciting his video and yes he's in the Tulgey Woods from Alice in Wonderland. We created the effect using Photo Booth 2.03 on a Mac. This fun application allows you to take video and add backgrounds to your video. It is a ton of fun to use and you could literally put yourself in any country or any location. The background could even be a computer motherboard. If you look at this previous post, you will see me experimenting with it at the <a href="http://fantasticdigitaltools.blogspot.com/2009/09/day-of-discovery-digital-learning.html">Discovery Education workshop</a>. Thanks <a href="http://www.discoveryedspeakersbureau.com/davidson/keynotes">Hall Davidson</a> for the great tutorial! I have included directions on how to do this effect on Photo Booth below.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwMSETxFRyZwIs56glfqMT3nIYxrcJOimo2jMXJiEqB32TAcfeLTN22vO7tGH7wmLBicr_RKMFz9cuDkO9oCg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Photo Booth Requirements:</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCggo9fH7vZHCsljbvQFhBwb1ZcQPzQmcNKQ1KYBu0210Sl2Vyqi0AtwxmSYdxQezjDNDoy4jNsfO6lngMpPo_h5Nz4N8KX0f6cnfKIZjvyjnspPa-pX3bmukS8W90i5dwDH8ttRbTyCE/s1600/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 95px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCggo9fH7vZHCsljbvQFhBwb1ZcQPzQmcNKQ1KYBu0210Sl2Vyqi0AtwxmSYdxQezjDNDoy4jNsfO6lngMpPo_h5Nz4N8KX0f6cnfKIZjvyjnspPa-pX3bmukS8W90i5dwDH8ttRbTyCE/s200/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408128568785983170" border="0" /></a><ol><li>You will need a web cam and a MAC. If you do not have a MAC see below for free alternatives for Windows.</li><li>Then you will need Photo Booth 2.03 or above. This program comes pre-installed with OS X.</li></ol><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Directions:</span><br /><ol><li>First be sure you have your picture ready. You will need the picture to be in .jpg, .gif, or .png format. There are some really cool pre-made <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVO3l1ufh-hjenhvvw3KL9vJPWN2nn_CCu_AC0g01lTxN42-eD5RJTTpOnZ2BcYhuhmYa2wC-6r4osTtcsmPdPnzMMIJh1Q3WOMKCsRhQ2lOXQDWYmGuJgY_UW_rclWUvvJPOSZgVaCIc/s1600/Picture+2.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 32px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVO3l1ufh-hjenhvvw3KL9vJPWN2nn_CCu_AC0g01lTxN42-eD5RJTTpOnZ2BcYhuhmYa2wC-6r4osTtcsmPdPnzMMIJh1Q3WOMKCsRhQ2lOXQDWYmGuJgY_UW_rclWUvvJPOSZgVaCIc/s320/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408129428050178674" border="0" /></a>backgrounds already preset in the program that you can use too.</li><li>Go to the video camera feature it looks like<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMF4PkbjICH0FPvDYo07xwC4dOGAZe82QcrQUrFPqQypUhV_Z4ZQ5D_BMe07e-uoSGi9L3vA5AzSYTTinQCMpVAac4hhRSnkduCree_GnhSNt2pBE2PP8Bfl3Lrt1vSmo8DaWalfxlWk/s1600/Picture+4.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 52px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMF4PkbjICH0FPvDYo07xwC4dOGAZe82QcrQUrFPqQypUhV_Z4ZQ5D_BMe07e-uoSGi9L3vA5AzSYTTinQCMpVAac4hhRSnkduCree_GnhSNt2pBE2PP8Bfl3Lrt1vSmo8DaWalfxlWk/s320/Picture+4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408129576498007954" border="0" /></a> a movie rail.</li><li>Use the arrow keys to scroll to the drop your background here feature<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YxS9_vsgVguJeBdDAT3eFG10XXTV9tBflI9xAk2y4Mj3056P6mPdACpbAEA_x7HOgRfHK0N-wzBeyrOz4LaaEMQKHm7uJl_oLV6E00O5qQ6cll9h8HT6bg7Sx-7jadhN2KUUxEgAlkA/s1600/Picture+3.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YxS9_vsgVguJeBdDAT3eFG10XXTV9tBflI9xAk2y4Mj3056P6mPdACpbAEA_x7HOgRfHK0N-wzBeyrOz4LaaEMQKHm7uJl_oLV6E00O5qQ6cll9h8HT6bg7Sx-7jadhN2KUUxEgAlkA/s200/Picture+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408129517472228370" border="0" /></a></li><li>Drop your background (your picture)<br /></li><li>Click on the video camera to record your video</li><li>The program will ask you to step out of the frame and then back in</li><li>I recommend you have a clean background. Think green screen like they do in the movies. The cleaner the background the better the quality of your film. </li><li>Have fun!</li><li>If you make anything neat be sure to share. I would love to see your ideas. My students are working on Networking Web pages so you might just see a follow up post using their Networking video examples.<br /></li></ol><span style="font-weight: bold;">Windows Users:</span><br /><br />If you are on a Windows machine there are quite a few programs you can try. Any of the programs below can offer the same kind of affect however some of them only take pictures and do not allow video. Also you will need a webcam and your web browser will need Adobe Flash installed. Some of these sites work best if you sign up for a free account and some do not work on a MAC.<a href="http://www.snapstrip.com/"><br /></a><ul><li><a href="http://www.snapstrip.com/">Snapstrip</a></li><li><a href="http://www.cameroid.com/">Cameroid</a></li><li><a href="http://www.photoboof.com/">Photoboof</a></li><li><a href="http://www.cyberlink.com/downloads/trials/youcam/download_en_US.html">You Cam</a> (Download a 30 day free trial)</li><li><a href="http://www.sigost.com/">Sigost</a></li><li><a href="http://www.seenly.com/seenly.php">Seenly</a></li></ul><br />Enjoy!Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-40726419194392833532009-10-26T19:09:00.000-07:002009-10-26T19:48:44.247-07:00Adobe's Photoshop.com: A Free Online Photo EditorIn our budget minded classrooms it is always nice to find a great application available for free online. Adobe has this wonderful web app (application) called <a bitly="BITLY_PROCESSED" href="http://photoshop.com/">Photoshop.com</a> that allows you to edit pictures very much like the very expensive flagship program, <a bitly="BITLY_PROCESSED" href="http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/photoshop/">Photoshop</a>. The real real version of <a bitly="BITLY_PROCESSED" href="http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/photoshop/">Photoshop</a> as you might know <a bitly="BITLY_PROCESSED" href="http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/photoshop/">can cost you $699</a>. Luckily for our classrooms Adobe offers <a bitly="BITLY_PROCESSED" href="http://photoshop.com/">Photoshop.com</a> the slimmer version online for free. Plus they offer <a bitly="BITLY_PROCESSED" href="http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/photoshop/">Photoshop</a>'s awesome tools with 2 gigabyes of storage space. My students will be signing up for free accounts on <a bitly="BITLY_PROCESSED" href="http://photoshop.com/">Photoshop.com</a> and using it in my classroom since having this web app available will help them continue to develop their picture editing skills when they exit my class. Many times I have students exit my program and then never get to use the expensive Adobe software I teach them on. This web app will hopefully help them continue to strengthen their photo editing skills and allow them to use it to create projects for other subjects.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How To Use <a bitly="BITLY_PROCESSED" href="http://photoshop.com/">Photoshop.com</a></span><br /><br />This video will explain the basics of how to use <a bitly="BITLY_PROCESSED" href="http://photoshop.com/">Photoshop.com's</a> picture editing tools. It might be a good video to download using Real Player's download feature so your students can refer to it while they use it in your classrooms.<br /><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0yN3fc06Hhw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0yN3fc06Hhw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Q&A About Adobe's Photoshop.com</span><br /><br />This Q&A section is from Adobe.com. It might help you with some of the requirements needed to run this program from your classroom computers. The other exciting news about this program is that it is available for the iPhone and other <a bitly="BITLY_PROCESSED" href="http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/505/cpsid_50551.html">mobile phones</a> for free. The second Q&A section will tell you more about this feature. If you do try this program or any other online photo editing web app I would love to hear your experiences with them<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>in the classroom.<strong><br /><br /></strong><strong></strong><blockquote><strong>"Q: </strong><strong>What is Photoshop.com? </strong> <strong><br />A: </strong>Photoshop.com is the complete solution for managing, editing, storing, and sharing your photos online, with tutorials, inspiration, and more. Photoshop.com is available from any web-enabled computer, compatible mobile phones, and directly from within Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 7 or Adobe Premiere® Elements 7 software. With Photoshop.com, you can organize, tweak, create, e-mail, display, and store your photos. <p><strong>Q: </strong><strong>Is there a mobile app for Photoshop.com?</strong><br /><strong>A: </strong>Yes. Photoshop.com Mobile lets you view and upload photos from your compatible mobile phone to Photoshop.com. You can download the software from Photoshop.com—see <a bitly="BITLY_PROCESSED" href="http://www.kb2.adobe.com/cps/505/cpsid_50551.html" target="_blank">Photoshop.com Community Questions—Mobile</a> for more information.</p><p><strong>Q:</strong><strong>What phones does Photoshop.com Mobile support? </strong><br /><strong>A:</strong> Photoshop.com Mobile directly supports a number of Windows Mobile phones from HTC, Samsung, Motorola, and Palm, including a few touch phones. See <a bitly="BITLY_PROCESSED" href="http://mobile.photoshop.com/" target="_blank">http://mobile.photoshop.com</a> for the latest list of supported devices. Adobe partnered with ShoZu to offer users of the iPhone, BlackBerry, and other phones the ability to upload and store photos. With ShoZu, you can also take advantage of the photo editing, management, and sharing capabilities on Photoshop.com. For more information, visit <a bitly="BITLY_PROCESSED" href="http://www.shozu.com/" target="_blank">www.shozu.com</a>.</p><p><a name="whereavailable"></a><strong></strong></p><p><a name="tryout"></a><strong></strong></p><p><a name="access"></a><strong></strong></p><p><a name="systemreqs"></a><strong>Q: </strong><strong>What are the system requirements?</strong><br /><strong>A:</strong> To use Photoshop.com, you need the following:</p> <ul><li>internet-connected computer with Windows XP or Vista, or Mac OS 10.4 or later</li><li>a minimum screen resolution of 1024 x 768; 512 MB of RAM</li><li>Internet Explorer 6, 7, or 8 (Windows), Safari 3.0.4 or later (Mac OS), or Firefox 2 or later (either platform)</li><li>Flash Player 10 (version 10.0.22 or later)</li><li>The new landing page could run slowly if you have an older Mac G4 system. After creating your own login credentials and selecting Remember Me, you can skip the landing page on future visits to Photoshop.com.</li></ul> <p><a name="security"></a><strong>Q: </strong><strong>What type of security measures are in place for Photoshop.com?</strong><br /><strong>A:</strong> Adobe uses industry-leading security engineering practices and processes in building its products. With Photoshop.com, security is considered at every level, from the applications to networks to physical facilities. In addition to the latest technologies, world-class security requires ongoing adherence to best-practices policies. When you access Photoshop.com, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology is used for server authentication, helping to protect your data and access. Additionally, Photoshop.com leverages firewall protection, intrusion detection systems, SSL encryption, and proprietary protocols to help protect your important information. Multiple layers of physical security protect the Photoshop.com hosting facilities—only authorized personnel have access to the facilities and servers.</p> <p><a name="video"></a><strong>Q: </strong><strong>Does Photoshop.com work with video files as well as photos?</strong><br /><strong>A:</strong> You can upload video files from the Photoshop Elements 7 or Adobe Premiere Elements 7 organizer to Photoshop.com. You can also download video files anywhere using a web browser, and view them on any video player that handles the file type. In the online organizer on Photoshop.com, video files are designated with a filmstrip icon. Video editing is not one of the features of Photoshop.com. However, Adobe anticipates that it will be one of the features requested by customers for future additions. Stay tuned!</p> <p><a name="rights"></a><strong>Q: </strong><strong>What rights do I have to my photos?</strong><br /><strong>A:</strong> Refer to the <a bitly="BITLY_PROCESSED" href="http://www.photoshop.com/misc/terms.html">Terms Of Use lin</a>k for the specific legal terms and conditions for using Photoshop.com. You'll find it at the lower-right corner of the Photoshop.com window, along with a link to the Privacy Policy for the service."</p><p><br />Enjoy!<br />Alex<br /></p><blockquote></blockquote><br /><p></p></blockquote><p></p>Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-53438654025956941162009-09-25T14:34:00.000-07:002009-10-26T21:54:25.479-07:00CSS Code Lesson 1 - Changing Your Blog Background ColorChanging the background color or picture in your blog account is actually a simple fix in your CSS code. It is important to note that you can edit the color of you blog or <span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_content_management_system">WCMS</a></span> (web content management system) without going into the manual CSS Code of your site. However, the purpose of this post is not only to learn how to change the background color of you blog but to also to learn how to change CSS code on your blog. Doing this lesson will help you learn the basics of CSS and then you can try some more advanced CSS coding like how to change the width of your blog, create a custom banner, and change images. So take a deep breath you are about to learn the basics of CSS or Cascading Style Sheets.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is CSS?</span><br /><br />CSS dictates the color scheme, navigation and overall look and feel of your blog. <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span> If you are a beginner to CSS you might want to review this previous post: <a href="http://fantasticdigitaltools.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-are-css-style-sheets.html">What are CSS style sheets?</a> This way you get a better understanding of what you are about to learn.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Understanding Color and Web Pages</span><br /><br />Before I get started on CSS code it is important to learn a little about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RGB_color_model#Numeric_representations">how color works on the computer and webpages</a>. <span>Color on webpages can be specified by any of the following formats.</span> Each of these can tell your webpage what color to display when your page is viewed.<br /><ul><li>name - a color name, like "red"</li><li>RGB - an RGB value, like "rgb(255,0,0)"</li><li><a href="http://www.w3schools.com/Html/html_colors.asp">HEX</a> - a <a href="http://www.w3schools.com/Html/html_colors.asp">HEX</a> value, like "#ff0000"</li><li>Colors are displayed combining RED, GREEN, and BLUE light.</li></ul>Now that you understand how color works on your computer <span>you should also take a look at a <a href="http://caribbean-joe.net/joe/Notebook/images/hex_colors.jpg">HEX color chart</a> so you can pick the new color's you want to use on your blog.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Before You Get Started!</span><br /><br />Before you start changing the CSS code of your blog, I strongly suggest you <span style="font-weight: bold;">save or copy your original CSS code into a text editor</span>. This way if you make a mistake you can always restore the original CSS code of your blog by copying it back into your site's editor. I like to use NotePad for Windows or TextEdit on my Macintosh to back up CSS code from my blog. Both programs allow you to simply copy and paste the code from the editor to your blog.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Steps To Changing Your CSS Background Color</span><br /><br />The following are the steps you need to change the background color of your blog.<br /><br />1. Find the HTML editor in your blog<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Blogger</span> you can locate it in the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Layout Tab> Edit HTML</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Word Press </span>you will need to go to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Appearance> Edit CSS</span>. You should also be aware that some Word Press blogs' templates do not allow you to change the CSS code unless you purchase that feature.</li></ul>2. Next locate the area you want to change your background color on. It could be a header, side bar, main background etc.<br /><ul><li>The easiest way to navigate through your code to find the area you are looking for is to use <span style="font-weight: bold;">Edit>Find</span> in your browser.<br /></li><li>I like to use the shortcut <span style="font-weight: bold;">CTRL F</span> to find and then <span style="font-weight: bold;">CTRL G</span> to continue to find the next instance of background</li><li>You will have to experiment with your CSS code to learn what the creator of your blog has called each of your areas common names are: sidebar, main, footer, body. Each of these indicates where the CSS code is being applied to.<br /></li></ul>3. Once you find the word background and the area you want to change the color on you type the color you wish it to display. For example: <span style="font-weight: bold;">body {background-color: black}</span>. You will change the word black to the word red or use the <span><a href="http://caribbean-joe.net/joe/Notebook/images/hex_colors.jpg">HEX color number</a></span> you want displayed.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">More CSS Color Examples</span>!<br /><br />Below are<span> some more examples and explanations of what you might find. Understanding these will help you locate the area you want to change and teach you the basics of CSS. Remember you have made a backup of your CSS code so if you make a mistake you can </span>just copy and paste the code back into your site. This means you can play and learn without having to worry.<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">body {background-color: black}</span><br />- This CSS code tells the blog that the Body (the main area of your page where you post your information) is black.<br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">footer {background: </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">#f3f3f3;</span>}<br />- this CSS code tells the blog to post the color <span style="font-weight: bold;">#f3f3f3 </span><span>to the f</span>ooter area.<br />- the ; semicolon indicates that this line of code in my CSS is completed<br />- { } the curly brackets open & close the properties.<br />- You can have multiple lines of code for the footer or other areas of your blog they will be seperated by the ;<br />- You will know you are at the end of the footer code when you see a "}"<br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">sidebar { background-color: #f3f3f3;</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">background-image:url('paper.gif');</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> }</span><br />- This CSS code tells the blog to post the background color #f3f3f3 into the sidebar (this number is a color in <a href="http://www.w3schools.com/Html/html_colors.asp">HEX</a>)<br />- The sidebar in this example also has a graphic in the background called 'paper.gif'</li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">More Color Please!</span><br /><br />The interesting thing about the background color code for CSS is that you can add color to just about everything. Here are some more examples.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">h1 {background-color:#6495ed}</span><br />- This adds color to anything that has the h1 tag on it.<br />- h1 stand for header and it is the biggest header you can add. h3 is smaller and h5 is even smaller.<br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">p {background-color:#e0ffff}</span><br />-This adds color to just a paragraph (p).<br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">div {background-color:#b0c4de}</span><br />-This adds color to an area (div) or a section on your web page.</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">CSS For Background Pictures</span><br /><br />Above I talked about making changes to the color of your background but you can also change or add pictures using the CSS background tag. These are some examples of the code you would use to change pictures in CSS.<br /><ul><li><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">background-image</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">: </span>Sets the background image for an element<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br />Example:</span></span> body { background-image:url('paper.gif'); }<br /></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">background- attachment</span>: Sets whether a background image is fixed or scrolls with the rest of the page<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br />Example </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">(note all this is the code for the body tag)</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">:</span><br />body{ background-image:url('smiley.gif');<br />background-repeat:no-repeat;<br />background-attachment:fixed; }<br /><br /></li><li><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">background-position:</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> </span> Sets the starting position of a background image<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br />Example (note all this is the code for the body tag): </span><br />body{background-image:url('smiley.gif');<br />background-repeat:no-repeat;<br />background-attachment:fixed;<br />background-position:center; }<br /><br /></li><li><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">background-repeat</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">: </span> Sets how a background image will be repeated<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br />Example: </span><br />body {background-image:url('paper.gif');<br />background-repeat:repeat-y;}<br /></li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Did It Work?</span><br /><br />I hope you have fun trying to change some of your background colors or images on your blog. <a href="mailto:fantasticdigitaltools@gmail.com">Email me</a> if you have any problems or questions. It can be a little overwhelming when you first start CSS but if you stick to it the code will start to make sense.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Classroom Connection</span><br /><br />If you are teaching this to students these examples might be a great way to introduce CSS to them. You could also use blogs to help students understand how learning CSS might help them in the future with <span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_content_management_system">WCMS</a></span>.<br /><br />Enjoy!<br />Alex<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a href="http://fantasticdigitaltools.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-are-css-style-sheets.html"></a>Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-88439855618239419632009-09-24T19:50:00.000-07:002014-01-30T20:36:14.227-08:00What Are CSS Style Sheets?<span style="font-weight: bold;">What is CSS?</span><br />
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Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is a style sheet language used to describe the the look and formatting of a document written on a web page.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Blogs And CSS</span><br />
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CSS is especially handy to know when you want to edit or personalize the template of your blog or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_content_management_system">WCMS</a> web page. You will notice that my blog has a custom feel to it and the CSS code I have used to do this is not very complicated and luckily a lot of the CSS code is pretty easy to figure out. Most of the CSS code in a blog is named so you can understand what you are looking at.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Getting Started</span><br />
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I recommend that you start with learning what each part of the components and/or syntax used in CSS are. I have included them below for you to review. Once you have reviewed these I recommend you continue learning CSS by learning <a href="http://fantasticdigitaltools.blogspot.com/2009/09/css-code-tip-changing-your-blog.html">how to edit background color and background images on your blog or WCMS CSS code</a>. This <a href="http://fantasticdigitaltools.blogspot.com/2009/09/css-code-tip-changing-your-blog.html">post</a> from my blog will allow you to learn the basics of how to change color and background images in your blogs CSS code. I will be posting in the next few days how to edit your banner, size of your blog template, and create a menu area on your blog. So stay tuned for more!<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">CSS</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Syntax</span><br />
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The CSS syntax is made up of three parts: a selector, a property and a value:<br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-weight: bold;">selector {property: value}</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Selector</span><br />The selector is normally the HTML element/tag you wish to define, the property is the attribute you wish to change, and each property can take a value.<br /></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Property</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">& Value</span><br />The property and value are separated by a colon, and surrounded by curly braces.<br /></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: bold;">For Example</span><br />The following CSS code changes the color of the body of your page.<br /><span style="color: #990000;">body {color: black}</span>Body is the selector, color is the property and black is the value or in this case the color you will see.</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">CSS Is A Bit Technical</span><br />
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CSS can be a bit technical but for those of you who are blogging away and creating some amazing blogs on WordPress or Blogger, this might something you might want to experiment with. Once you get the hang of it the code will start to make sense to you.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">I love questions!</span><br />
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Be sure to ask away if you run into any problems when editing your CSS code on your blogs or web pages. Plus you can always <a href="http://twitter.com/fantasticdigital">tweet </a>or <a href="mailto:fantasticdigitaltools@gmail.com">email me</a> any questions.Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-80800531196730283452009-09-12T12:11:00.000-07:002009-10-26T19:47:41.638-07:00A Day Of Discovery & Digital Learning<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepxL2moEwfeT8DkNk1r3jZbLEDnHYC6hnsuyB1oa6m4hZ0Xis_QatI66S_ywPa9Jrj_FGdQ_cn2EITogsIK-MGerPXisbmYd5WRJKSChQcaamLzSzMD8pqRzxd0D9zMgKU4oaXkvAlik/s1600-h/discoveryedu.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 90px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepxL2moEwfeT8DkNk1r3jZbLEDnHYC6hnsuyB1oa6m4hZ0Xis_QatI66S_ywPa9Jrj_FGdQ_cn2EITogsIK-MGerPXisbmYd5WRJKSChQcaamLzSzMD8pqRzxd0D9zMgKU4oaXkvAlik/s320/discoveryedu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380701080992093378" border="0" /></a><br />I just attended a wonderful workshop given by <a href="http://community.discoveryeducation.com/">Discovery Education</a> and <a href="http://www.gpb.org/education">GPB Education</a> at <a href="http://www.gpb.org/">Georgia Public Broadcasting</a>. I thought I would share some video that I captured with my phone and laptop webcam of our day.<br /><br />It was a fun and very educational day! Plus, the best part of the day was when my colleague, a new teacher, told me that she had been going about her lesson plans all wrong. She was going home to change them and to include digital tools as part of her lessons from now on. HA! I love when I see that light bulb turn on.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='357' height='296' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxotCIU_CW1ihDzYDcjAH6XJQBTv1Pwq5cZisgMObGIakgQSpeLLI8G5aZgYY9X04pfi5voxdYrVXPZRVT8Dg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-35736845632239892232009-09-12T12:00:00.000-07:002009-09-12T15:31:50.284-07:00Hungry? Then Get Fed With An RSS feed<span style="font-weight: bold;">What is an RSS Feed?</span><br /><br />I hope you weren't really hungry because an RSS feed is not something you eat it is an aggregator. Wikipedia explains that an "aggregator...reduce(s) the time and effort needed to regularly check websites for updates, creating a unique information space or "personal newspaper." Once subscribed to a feed, an aggregator is able to check for new content at user-determined intervals and retrieve the update. The content is sometimes described as being "pulled" to the subscriber, as opposed to "pushed" with email or IM. Unlike recipients of some "pushed" information, the aggregator user can easily unsubscribe from a feed."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Examples of Aggregators</span><br /><br />An example of an aggregator is the RSS feed on my page. If you subscribe you will need a program that will let you read the feeds. That means it will send you my newest posts directly into your aggregator or reader. When I post something the program will post a link to the new post I have added on my blog on your reader page.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnUmEQvc23MKwCifbhynazqXHVNIcXxK_LYf-4zeY8X3SW6zDsmoIcZqMHm4CxPi32ibekXAGxAbcCoRXO8qZIDPPHdEixh3a7tm_c1PNDAEW1EVNE1bAY5sfXUhpwEtxTW3GKyYVc_E/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 71px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnUmEQvc23MKwCifbhynazqXHVNIcXxK_LYf-4zeY8X3SW6zDsmoIcZqMHm4CxPi32ibekXAGxAbcCoRXO8qZIDPPHdEixh3a7tm_c1PNDAEW1EVNE1bAY5sfXUhpwEtxTW3GKyYVc_E/s320/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380711622512194066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anyone Know How They Feed the Readers?</span><br /><br />To read RSS feeds you need a RSS reader or aggregator. Below I will explain two different kinds of Readers you can use to start receiving feeds.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Using An Online RSS Reader</span><br /><br />I use Google's RSS reader on my igoogle.com account. This is a free service to Gmail account users. You can get a Gmail account for free at mail.google.com. If you have already signed up for Gmail all you have to do is go to your igoogle.com page and click on Add Stuff. It will then prompt you to add a gadget. Do a search for the gadget called Google Reader. Be sure it is the one made by Google. I really like this kind of reader since you can use it online and that meants I can see my feeds from any computer I log onto.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGFZGrzbfICrS7SPY-zb0OAgWmHdDdUm8HtXxu_dJ_9uu22UUmftvKBPb3Vixoe3JmDJqTR0wExLiZ9FI4ctdmI36K_1EXmlD1CcJgfsVuVAuCYCA0nSjZ0GfH2ig0HOoY071p8GzwP8/s1600-h/reader-thm.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 60px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGFZGrzbfICrS7SPY-zb0OAgWmHdDdUm8HtXxu_dJ_9uu22UUmftvKBPb3Vixoe3JmDJqTR0wExLiZ9FI4ctdmI36K_1EXmlD1CcJgfsVuVAuCYCA0nSjZ0GfH2ig0HOoY071p8GzwP8/s320/reader-thm.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380712066290011138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Can I install an RSS Reader On My Computer?</span><br /><br />Yes, you just need to find a one that you enjoy using. There are many aggregate readers out there an you can do a search on Google for them. I recommend starting out with one of these two free ones: RSSOwl for Windows and NewsWire for MAC.<br /><br />Using aggregate feeds is a great way to keep up with news and all sorts of information that is posted online, like my blog. Instead of you going out and looking for the information, the information comes to you. I highly recommend using one if you aren't already doing so.Fantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8708009574437526317.post-1507414696960239762009-08-30T20:19:00.000-07:002009-09-01T20:25:28.660-07:00Animoto - You Can Now Add Video Clips!As you know my presentation on digital tools and multimedia in late July at the 2009 GACTE included the dynamic and professional online slideshow maker Animoto. Last week, the Animoto site announced that you can now add video clips to your Animoto videos! Watch a some <a href="http://animoto.com/video">sample videos on the Animoto site</a> to see what your projects can look like.<br /><br />According to their email announcement, it stated that, "You will not believe how good your vids are going to look. And using video clips in your Animoto videos couldn't be easier--no need for a complex video editor!"<br /><br />Follow these three steps to add the video to your project:<br /><ol><li>Upload clips from your camera or phone, or use some from our collection.</li><li>Choose your highlights. You can choose highlights of up to 10 seconds each, though we recommend using only 3-5 seconds as that works best within the flow of an Animoto video.</li><li>Create the rest of your video as normal, and you're done.</li></ol>Enjoy!<br />AlexFantastic Digital Toolshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06945257734431786362noreply@blogger.com0