Fantastic Digital Tools

Friday, October 28, 2011

No Phone Booths, No Problem – Save Your Students With These Super 21st Century Tools

Mobi™ Mobile Interactive Whiteboard, CPS Pulse™ responders, TI-Nspire™ 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.

The following are the resources, tools and lessons we will be showcasing during our presentation at the GaETC.

Economics
Lesson Topic: Opportunity Costs and Production Possibilities Curves
Standards: SSEF1d, SSEF2a

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.

Physics
Lesson Topic: Newton's Laws and Scientific Observation with a Classroom Responder System
Standards: SP1a,e, SCSh1a,b,c, 3e, f

The CPS Pulse™ responders 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.

9-12 Math
Lesson Topic: Transformation characteristics of the five parent functions, using graphing technology.
Standards: MM1A1b, MM1A1c, MM1A1e

This lesson is used as the introduction to the staticconcept of graph transformations among the different parent functions using the TI-Nspire™ software and CX Handhelds

Computer Science
Lesson Topic: Networking 101
Standards: BCS-CMW-8, BCS-CMW-9, BCS-CMW-10, BCS-CMW-11

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 How Stuff Works 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 Edmodo where they could look up the guidelines to complete their video tutorials. The following are programs they used to edit their video:
Stupeflix
Windows Movie Maker
iMovie

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

The Science of Learning, Boredom, Curiosity & Video Games

If 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 Radteach.com.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

2011 Fantastic Digital Tool Kit Workshop

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.

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. Research shows the process of creating reaches a higher level of understanding and, as a result, helps students retain or learn difficult material better. As Edorigami 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."

I think Sophocles would enjoy the tools that are included in the 2011 Fantastic Digital Tool Kit Workshop Agenda.

1. Using Video to Teach In your Classrooms Requires Pre-Planning

2. Downloading your videos from YouTube or anywhere on the web

Keepvid.com
Youtube Editor
Realplayer

3. Picture Slideshow Creators

4. Audio Creators and Editors

5. Video Editors

6. Extra Cool Teacher tools

Alefo
Bag the Web
Brain Flips
Print What You Like
Prezi
Ahead
slideshare.net
Debate Online - video example how on how to use it in classroom
Stickam.com - live broadcasting

Sunday, June 5, 2011

InDesign And Movie Maker Workshop

Tomorrow I will have the pleasure of meeting and teaching some phenomenal marketing teachers in Gwinnett county. I will be teaching them how to use InDesign and Movie Maker 2011.

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.

Wired

Martha Stewart's Living

Sports Illustrated

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.

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.

Workshop Agenda

Adobe Video on How Marketing Fashion Designers Use InDesign

Adobe InDesign Resources:

Tip: If you do not have an Adobe account I highly recommend that you set up one. It is free and it will allow you to download and access their resources.

DECA Programs Resources:

Movie Maker 2011 Resources

Publish Your InDesign Files For Free On Issuu.com

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.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Monday, July 19, 2010

The Fantastic Digital Video Toolkit

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.

I previously posted about the above workshop when I was teaching at the CTAE Field of Dreams, 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 63rd GACTE 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.

~Alex

5 P's of Video Production

1. Pre-production - brainstorming
2. Pre-planning - story boarding
3. Production - scripting and filming
4. Post Production - evaluating
5. Publishing

Digital Video Toolkit Programs

Windows Movie Maker
How To Use Movie Maker Tutorial From School Tube
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/moviemaker2.mspx

What is it: 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.

Windows Live Movie Maker (Newer Version of Above)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Live_Movie_Maker

What is it: Windows Live Movie Maker (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.

Stupeflix Studio
http://studio.stupeflix.com

What is it: Your photos and videos have never looked so great. Mix images, videos and soundtracks. Add titles, transitions, oohs, and ahhs.

Shwup
http://www.shwup.com/

What is it: 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.

Photo Peach
http://photopeach.com/

What is it: The idea is to help you tell better stories online using photos. 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.
Example: Tweety

YouTube Video Editor
http://www.youtube.com/editor?popart=681928 - Take a quick tour to learn how to use it.

What is it: YouTube has a new video editor 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.

Google video creation tool
http://www.youtube.com/user/SearchStories

What is it: Make your own Search Story video in minutes
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.

VIDDIX
http://www.viddix.com/

What is it: 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.

Xtranormal
http://www.xtranormal.com/

What is it: 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.

Free Multi-User Online Editor
http://www.kaltura.com

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.

Discovery (Channel) online Video Editor and Mixer
http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/sharkweek/video-mixer/video-mixer.html

What is it: 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.

National Geographic Wildlife Filmmaker
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/filmmaker.html

What is it: 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.

Creating A How To Video
http://www.screentoaster.com/

Free Video Editing Program
http://www.zs4.net/tutorials

Vidinotes
http://www.vidinotes.com/

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.

How To Cast
http://www.howcast.com/

To download how to videos for computer applications, web design, animations, accounting, business procedures and just about anything you have ever wanted to learn.

How Stuff Works
http://www.howstuffworks.com/

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 How Stuff Works Lab Rats.

All About Video Formats
A Good Article On Video Formats
Conversion Central: 101 Tools to Convert Video, Music, Images, PDF and More

The New Real Player - 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 MAC or Windows.

100 Best YouTube Videos for Teachers

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Podcasting In the Classroom

Tony Vlachakis GaDOE Empowers Teachers to Teach with Tech from Teacher Tips on Vimeo. GaDOE will come to Georgia schools to train for free. You can contact him at the DOE State office or through GeorgiaStandards.org. Yes, this is my husband. : )