CTAE and Computer Science Resources by Alexandra Vlachakis, Computer Science Educator
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
The Science of Learning, Boredom, Curiosity & Video Games
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
- Storyboarding
- glogster.com
- Using Paper And Pencil To Storyboard
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
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:
- CS4 Tutorials
- CS5 Tutorials
- Free InDesign Exchange Documents
- Newsletter Templates
- Simple Newsletter Template
DECA Programs Resources:
- Images for DECA Logos From Google
- DECA Website
- Purchase DECA Images Website
- DECA Chapter Resources
- DECA Dimensions Magazine
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
More Online Video Editing Tools
The offerings for online digital tools keep getting better and better. Template Monster 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 free web and flash templates that can be for personal use only. Template Monster also has a very informative blog. Recently the TemplateMonster Blog 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 Vidinotes, Stupeflix, JayCut, Animoto and Photobucket) 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.15 Online Video Editing Tools on Template Monster Blog
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. : )
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Download Your Favorite Videos and More with Real Player SP
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 Real Player SP you will remain calm for your presentation and that online video can always work for your presentations. That is because Real Player SP 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 Real Player SP. The possibilities are just endless.
Real Player SP Download Sites
RealPlayer SP for Mac
Installation for MAC instructions.
Real Player SP for Windows
This video from Real Player will show you how to use it. The program looks a little different on the MAC than on Windows but it is basically the same.
How to convert your You Tube videos in Real Player to MP3 or other formats.
Have fun and be sure to share your finds!