Technology Article #1: SnapGenie by Myfamily.com
Share the stories behind photos with SnapGenie. SnapGenie helps you easily build and share narrated photo slideshows. It uses a simple, three-step process: 1) upload up to 50 photos per show, 2) use a phone to narrate the show, and 3) publish and share it! SnapGenie shows are easy to share and once created, always exist under your account. Best of all, it is totally FREE!
I think this program could easily be incorporated into a classroom in a variety of ways. For example, students could create their own slideshows with pictures they’ve taken. These shows could be part of a group or class project. The shows are easily emailed to the teacher to be used as a form of assessment.
Teachers can also use this as a tool to communicate with parents. Pictures could (and should) be taken of the various happenings in the classroom. Then, on a regular basis (weekly or monthly), the teacher could compile a slideshow and narrate it. It is then easily emailed to the parents as a visual narration of what their children are doing at school.
Technology Article #2: iMovie from Apple
iMovie is a video editing software application which allows Mac users to create and edit their own movies. It is free with the Apple operating system and is very easy to use. Despite this simplicity, it still includes "professional" editing options such as dropping clips on a timeline, cropping them, and adding transitions between clips. There are also support tutorials available from the Apple website. I also found these tutorials from the Iowa State University website helpful.
As far as integrating iMovie into a classroom, I could see it being used with older students (like grades 5-6) because fairly sound knowledge of computers and digital cameras are needed as a foundation. However, I can see it being very successful with the proper instruction. In fact, my student teaching classroom used iMovie to create their own movie, highlighting events from the entire year. Pictures and videos are easily collected throughout the year, providing students with a wealth of material to choose from. They could also use it in group or individual projects.
Teachers can also use iMovie. This would be a more practical approach for use in classes with younger children. They could create movies to extend specific topics, as a form of assessment and documentation, as memorabilia for them and the students, and as a way to help parents feel included in their child's learning. The possibilities are endless!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Publisher
Over the past several weeks, I have been working with Microsoft Publisher to create various documents such as a flyer, newsletter, and list of classroom rules. I am an old friend of Publisher, so I've rather enjoyed this process.
I like Publisher because it provides numerous templates for a variety of projects. These templates are easily manipulated, even for beginners. This would be useful in a classroom because it would allow students to create professional-looking documents with ease. It also makes the teacher look more computer-saavy when sending home notes, newsletters, calendars, etc. to parents.
I have also been filling out my Google Site a little more. It now includes items such as a class calendar, students of the week, and homework assignments. I can see this becoming a valuable tool to help open up communication between parents, teachers, and students.
The key to making this work would be to make sure that parents know that it is available. It is also important that the teacher keep it updated, otherwise it becomes pointless.
I like Publisher because it provides numerous templates for a variety of projects. These templates are easily manipulated, even for beginners. This would be useful in a classroom because it would allow students to create professional-looking documents with ease. It also makes the teacher look more computer-saavy when sending home notes, newsletters, calendars, etc. to parents.
I have also been filling out my Google Site a little more. It now includes items such as a class calendar, students of the week, and homework assignments. I can see this becoming a valuable tool to help open up communication between parents, teachers, and students.
The key to making this work would be to make sure that parents know that it is available. It is also important that the teacher keep it updated, otherwise it becomes pointless.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Kidspiration & Inspiration
Kidspiration
According to their website, Kidspiration is "the visual way to explore words, numbers and concepts." It was created for grades K-5. This program develops thinking, literacy, and numeracy skills through visual learning principles. In reading and writing, Kidspiration strengthens word recognition, vocabulary, comprehension and written expression. In math, it encourages students to build reasoning and problem solving skills.
Pros of using Kidspiration include:
* Developing strong thinking skills
* Strengthening reading and writing skills
* Building conceptual understanding in math
Components of Kidspiration
* Picture View-This component provides students with tools to map out concepts and create other visual representations. I like how it includes clip art, arrows, bubbles, etc. I think that the variety of images opens up additional options for creativity among the students. There is not just one right way to create something.
* Writing View-This component is closely connected with the Picture View. It allows for a written map/outline of a concept. There is also a function that allows students to place what they've written to be automatically transferred to a picture web. I also thought that the Word Guide function is helpful since it provides students with the definition of a word as well as synonyms.
* Math View- This final "new" component provides several tools (color tiles, pattern blocks, base ten blocks, fraction tiles, and fraction boxes) in addition to an option for free workspace. I think this is a positive component because each of the tools found here are based upon actual manipulatives that can also be used in the classroom. It could provide opportunities for assessment, reinforcement, or even just a fun, educational activity. The students are not restricted to a worksheet, but rather have the opportunity to use what they've learned and be as creative as they want.
* The Activities- I found the activities in each subject to be age appropriate and fun. Even better, they each support the students' development in critical thinking skills, language & literacy skills, and problem solving skills. They are fun, visual ways to reinforce these skills.
Inspiration
According to their website, Inspiration is "the essential tool to visualize, think, organize and learn." Created for grades 6-12, it helps students plan, research, and complete projects. The students can create graphic organizers and expand topics into writing, which encourages learning in multiple modes. As a result, students gain a better understanding of concepts and demonstrate their knowledge.
Pros of using Inspiration include opportunities to:
* Plan and organize
* Research and evaluate
* Comprehend and communicate
Since this program was created for grades 6-12, I can't see it being applicable in an Early Childhood setting. However, when considered as an educational tool for older students, it would have its uses. The Diagram section, like the Picture View in Kidspiration, facilitates creating graphic organizers of concepts. This goes hand in hand with the Outline section which facilitates outlining information within a content area. The final major area of this program is the Template section. The subject templates found in this area help students with organization, research, and planning. This section is one area that I think can also be useful to teachers of any age group. The planning area provides templates for various types of lesson plans. While they may need to be adjusted for different classes. the basic structure provides a foundational starting point.
According to their website, Kidspiration is "the visual way to explore words, numbers and concepts." It was created for grades K-5. This program develops thinking, literacy, and numeracy skills through visual learning principles. In reading and writing, Kidspiration strengthens word recognition, vocabulary, comprehension and written expression. In math, it encourages students to build reasoning and problem solving skills.
Pros of using Kidspiration include:
* Developing strong thinking skills
* Strengthening reading and writing skills
* Building conceptual understanding in math
Components of Kidspiration
* Picture View-This component provides students with tools to map out concepts and create other visual representations. I like how it includes clip art, arrows, bubbles, etc. I think that the variety of images opens up additional options for creativity among the students. There is not just one right way to create something.
* Writing View-This component is closely connected with the Picture View. It allows for a written map/outline of a concept. There is also a function that allows students to place what they've written to be automatically transferred to a picture web. I also thought that the Word Guide function is helpful since it provides students with the definition of a word as well as synonyms.
* Math View- This final "new" component provides several tools (color tiles, pattern blocks, base ten blocks, fraction tiles, and fraction boxes) in addition to an option for free workspace. I think this is a positive component because each of the tools found here are based upon actual manipulatives that can also be used in the classroom. It could provide opportunities for assessment, reinforcement, or even just a fun, educational activity. The students are not restricted to a worksheet, but rather have the opportunity to use what they've learned and be as creative as they want.
* The Activities- I found the activities in each subject to be age appropriate and fun. Even better, they each support the students' development in critical thinking skills, language & literacy skills, and problem solving skills. They are fun, visual ways to reinforce these skills.
Inspiration
According to their website, Inspiration is "the essential tool to visualize, think, organize and learn." Created for grades 6-12, it helps students plan, research, and complete projects. The students can create graphic organizers and expand topics into writing, which encourages learning in multiple modes. As a result, students gain a better understanding of concepts and demonstrate their knowledge.
Pros of using Inspiration include opportunities to:
* Plan and organize
* Research and evaluate
* Comprehend and communicate
Since this program was created for grades 6-12, I can't see it being applicable in an Early Childhood setting. However, when considered as an educational tool for older students, it would have its uses. The Diagram section, like the Picture View in Kidspiration, facilitates creating graphic organizers of concepts. This goes hand in hand with the Outline section which facilitates outlining information within a content area. The final major area of this program is the Template section. The subject templates found in this area help students with organization, research, and planning. This section is one area that I think can also be useful to teachers of any age group. The planning area provides templates for various types of lesson plans. While they may need to be adjusted for different classes. the basic structure provides a foundational starting point.
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