This can seem like an overwhelming task, but making your own videos and publishing them to YouTube is actually a lot of fun. Most smart phones and digital cameras come with video capabilities, and the filming process is very user-friendly. Since most people film their friends and family all the time, editing videos in a program like iMovie is a great way to turn a boring, low-quality video into a digital story that will entertain for years to come. Turn that soccer game or backyard barbecue into a work of art by editing out the repetitive and boring parts, adding fun transitions, still photos, and music.
If you are not familiar with programs like iMovie, there are some really good tutorials on YouTube, that give you step-by-step instructions and ideas. The program is very simple to use though, primarily utilizing drag-and-drop technology.
Once you have finished your project, export it to your desktop or another file where you can access it easily. You'll also need to create a YouTube account. Once you do that, click on the upload link, which will allow you to browse a file for a video clip to upload. Follow the directions and in minutes, you will have a fun and creative video to share with your family and friends.
A great way to use this technology in the classroom would be to make and edit your own subject-relevant videos to show your students. You could also allow students to create a video or digital story in lieu of a paper or test.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Using a PowerPoint Presentation in the Classroom
1. Pick a template, or color scheme if you're designing your own, that matches your subject matter. The project I created for this class was about government, so I picked a template in red and tan and used blue lettering. It's nice when you can tie your presentation into your subject matter.
2. Find and use appropriate and interesting images. It's a lot more interesting to look at than plain text. Google images is the best place to look because there is so much content and variety. Always reference images on the final slide.
3. Try and incorporate as many slide transitions, and text and picture animations as you can, without being over-the-top or obnoxious. The more interesting your presentation is, the longer you'll keep your students' attention.
4. Make your presentations interactive by pausing for individual participation or group work. Students will remember so much more that way.
5. Keep it age/grade appropriate and don't try and cram a lot of information on your slides. A PowerPoint should be used as a guide, not a crutch.
2. Find and use appropriate and interesting images. It's a lot more interesting to look at than plain text. Google images is the best place to look because there is so much content and variety. Always reference images on the final slide.
3. Try and incorporate as many slide transitions, and text and picture animations as you can, without being over-the-top or obnoxious. The more interesting your presentation is, the longer you'll keep your students' attention.
4. Make your presentations interactive by pausing for individual participation or group work. Students will remember so much more that way.
5. Keep it age/grade appropriate and don't try and cram a lot of information on your slides. A PowerPoint should be used as a guide, not a crutch.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Tips for creating a Prezi
There are still a lot of kids and teens who have never seen a Prezi, so this is a great way to get and maintain their attention, while teaching a new topic. Even though it's a little nauseating for some, I think most kids will eat this up.
1. To create a Prezi using an existing PowerPoint file, open the file and save it as a PDF.
2. Log onto Prezi.com and create an account. Watch the tutorial if you need to and get started.
3. You'll notice an option wheel in the upper left-hand corner. Click on "insert" then "file." Your PDF should open, showing all the slides.
4. Zoom out so you can see all of your slides at once.
5. Click on the "write" wheel and start dragging your slides around. Click in the middle of the slide to get the editing wheel. You can adjust the size of your slide and use the wheel to rotate the slide around for cool visual effects.
6. Click on the "path" wheel so you can number the order of your slides. I do this as I'm going so I don't get confused by the order.
7. When you're satisfied with your slides, click on "show" then "full screen." Use the arrows on the bottom right-hand corner to scroll through the project.
8. When you're done, save and you're ready to share.
9. To embed into another document, blog, or website, click on the "share" button, then "copy link." You can then embed by clicking on the "edit HTML" link.
10. Now, you'll have an exciting and creative way to teach!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Tips for creating a webquest
1. This is s great tool for teaching and assessing a curriculum unit, especially for older kids and teens who love playing on the Internet. Before beginning, go over your core to see what material would best fit into this activity.
2. Create an outline for your webquest and determine which information you want your students to learn from the activity.
3. Start researching websites for appropriate material. Try and incorporate games and videos (if available) with reading and writing exercises.
4. Create your document in Word, which can be easily converted into a google doc. Be fun and creative with it.
5. If possible, test your webquest first on an age appropriate child/children to determine if the length and content are appropriate, and that the information flows well and makes sense to your target audience.
2. Create an outline for your webquest and determine which information you want your students to learn from the activity.
3. Start researching websites for appropriate material. Try and incorporate games and videos (if available) with reading and writing exercises.
4. Create your document in Word, which can be easily converted into a google doc. Be fun and creative with it.
5. If possible, test your webquest first on an age appropriate child/children to determine if the length and content are appropriate, and that the information flows well and makes sense to your target audience.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Tips for using blog technology in the classroom
1. A class blog is the perfect way for a teacher to communicate course expectations to students. A teacher can include links to the syllabus, daily or weekly assignments, class projects, group projects, and a calendar that shows when everything is due, as well as test dates.
2. It is also a great way for a teacher to compile relevant information and resources for students. For example, as a social studies teacher, I think it would be really helpful to include links to official government pages (White House, Congress, State of Utah) historical organizations and foundations (Jamestown, Monticello, Mt. Vernon, This is the Place) and other blogs or websites with pertinent information.
3. It can be a way for students to collaborate with each other by sharing ideas and information.
4. It can have a current events section, with headlines and other information updated daily.
5. It can be a tool for parents to be made aware of what is going on in the classroom and to be able to follow their child's progress.
6. A teacher can include a section for announcements, like public events, festivals, and other relevant things happening in the community, and offer extra credit for attending these events.
2. It is also a great way for a teacher to compile relevant information and resources for students. For example, as a social studies teacher, I think it would be really helpful to include links to official government pages (White House, Congress, State of Utah) historical organizations and foundations (Jamestown, Monticello, Mt. Vernon, This is the Place) and other blogs or websites with pertinent information.
3. It can be a way for students to collaborate with each other by sharing ideas and information.
4. It can have a current events section, with headlines and other information updated daily.
5. It can be a tool for parents to be made aware of what is going on in the classroom and to be able to follow their child's progress.
6. A teacher can include a section for announcements, like public events, festivals, and other relevant things happening in the community, and offer extra credit for attending these events.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
How can teachers protect themselves from students and their smart phones?
Recently, I've heard a few disconcerting stories from friends already in the teaching field. Apparently, there are students who will clandestinely film their teachers with their smart phones, then post the videos on YouTube. I heard about a teacher who was trying to discipline a particularly disruptive student. Another student filmed what was going on then uploaded the video, which showed the teacher in a very negative light. Parents, who saw the video without knowing the context or what the student had done to provoke the teacher, immediately went to the principal and demanded disciplinary action against the teacher. While I am a huge fan of both smart phones and You Tube, I am not a fan of students being able to sabotage their teachers with this technology. Does anyone know if there are any particular rules and/or restrictions in place in any of Utah's school districts, or how teachers can keep these kinds of things from happening to them in their classrooms? And, what would you do if this happened to you?
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