Culture

Here is an animoto video I made about culture, enjoy :)


Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Challenge Based Learning Reflection:

Overall, I think it was great we had the opportunity to learn about Challenge Based Learning in our Ed Tech Class. It was something I wasn't real familiar with and it was interesting to learn more about it. 


According to the apple website most of us in Ed Tech got our ideas for our own Prezi presentation off of, Challenge Based Learning is 
"Challenge Based Learning applies what is known about the emerging learning styles of high school students and leverages the powerful new technologies that provide new opportunities to learn to provide an authentic learning process that challenges students to make a difference."


It also states that this type of learning is 
"Challenge Based Learning is an engaging multidisciplinary approach to teaching and learning that encourages students to leverage the technology they use in their daily lives to solve real-world problems. Challenge Based Learning is collaborative and hands-on, asking students to work with other students, their teachers, and experts in their communities and around the world to develop deeper knowledge of the subjects students are studying, accept and solve challenges, take action, share their experience, and enter into a global discussion about important issues."


Both of these quotes put into words essentially what we learned about Challenged Based Learning. Essentially you assign a challenge to your students, ours for our Ed Tech Presentation was how you can help the environment. We titled it "Say Hello to Hybrid Cars". Overall, I think our group had a lot of fun with the project, and I've even discovered that I really like using www.prezi.com and have already decided to use it for a group project in another one of my classes! :) 

Here is another resource so that you can hopefully implement this in your own classroom! :) 
http://www.apple.com/education/challenge-based-learning/

Podcast Reflection #12: Geocaching in Education - Driving Questions...

Geocaching in Education... at Burton, KS

First off - you may ask - what is Geochaching?
It is.... "The recreational activity of hunting for and finding a hidden object by means of GPS coordinates posted on a website" or in this case, GPS locations set by the teachers for their students to find the clues. 


Here's a snippet about Geocaches from Wikipedia...
"Geocaching is an outdoor sporting activity in which the participants use aGlobal Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", anywhere in the world. A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook where the geocacher enters the date they found it and signs it with their established code name. Larger containers such as plastic storage containers (tupperware or similar) or ammo boxes can also contain items for trading, usually toys or trinkets of little value. Geocaching is often described as a "game of high-tech hide and seek," sharing many aspects withbenchmarking, trigpointing, orienteering, treasure-hunting, letterboxing, andwaymarking.

Geocaches are currently placed in over 100 countries around the world and on all seven continents, including Antarctica.^[1] After 10 years of activity there are almost 1.3 million active geocaches published on variouswebsites. There are over 5 million geocachers worldwide." 

These teachers mentioned that in the school they observed at Burton, KS, the 3rd grade teacher did an activity with Geocaching that involved science and the 5th grade class did an activity that invovled explorers. It was mentioned that the 5th grade activity was especially cool because the students felt like they were explorers :) 


The teachers planned everything and figured out where they were going to hide the clues and took the GPS out, and made different routes for the students - using "easy GPS.com" free software
- I checked out this website and it does offer free GPS software that seems easy to use.

There is also a link on this website about Geocaching with GeoBuddy which sounds like it could apply to students.. or be used in the classroom. However, it does cost, unlike the other aspect of the website.

The teachers being interviewed mention that it's important that people know what a wavepoint is - apparently it's the destination you're heading to, where the clues were hidden for the students.

Ideas at where to start:
google using "GPS in education"
I found some cool ideas such as .....
-this article about it http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6463503.html, which in itself contains several links about geocaching...
-this is the official Geocaching website http://www.geocaching.com/
Here are some other neat websites:
http://www.terracaching.com/
http://www.navicache.com/
http://www.terraclues.com/Default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
http://roxannnys.pbworks.com/w/page/6883465/Using-GPS's-and-Geocaching-in-the-Classroom


Recommend it? and Why? using GPS
-it helps the learner that is kinesthetic in their opinions
-Benefits
More Ideas on how to use it in the classroom
Awesome blog about geocaching
Geocaching for kids


Overall, I found this an interesting topic as I didn't know much about it. I have friends that have told me briefly about Geocaching before, but I never really understood all it entailed and the fact that it can be used to engage students in their learning is awesome!
Also, there are a ton of websites out there about this topic, so just start googling away and you'll find several!

This blog also has a great review of using it... http://delightfullearning.blogspot.com/2009/09/educaching-review.html
and a resource called Educaching

Podcast Reflection #11: Learning in Hand, Tony Vincent, Episode #8: Ipods and managing manually

The podcast I listened to for this reflection is Learning in Hand by Tony Vincent, Episode #8: Managing your ipod/s manually

First off, I admit I own an Ipod, but i'm not great with using it for things other than music...
I also didn't realize one computer can update more than one ipod... This podcast talks about syncing 1 ipod with more than one computer, which as it turns out is also a tricky thing to do. For example, letting a student bring their ipod into your classroom to copy audio or video to the device from your classroom. Itunes will tell you that the student has already synced their ipod.... Erasing and syncing is one of the choices, but you should click cancel. If you manually manage music and videos - this is the secret to sharing an ipod among multiple computers and users. Itunes no longer synchronizes the ipod right when it is hooked up, you just have to drag and drop onto the ipod icon.

However, remember to click "eject" before disconnecting your ipod - as this is key.

So, when your ipod is hooked up to another computer it will not automatically sync.

However, remember that you cannot copy material from an ipod to itunes - apple doesn't want the ipod to be used to pirate music...

Podcasts work a little differently though -only podcasts from the first machine the computer has been hooked to will be synced to the ipods - it will remember the first subscriptions.
However if you want to change your podcasts you can check the subscriptions under the other machines.

Tips:
if you ever want to switch back to automatically syncing your ipod just uncheck "manually managing your ipod" in itunes
- To use an ipod with mac and windows, connect it to the windows computer first and format it to windows
- a mac can read a windows formatted ipod, but a windows program cannot read a mac formatted ipod
-However an ipod shuffle automatically works with both computer programs automatically...

If you find you ever need to copy information from an ipod (info, audio, video that currently resides on your ipod) you can use the free software called Floola.... it lets you copy those files to the desktop computer, used if the original copy of the music is on another computer or if the music has somehow gotten deleted on the computer and the ipod holds the sole copy.

Overall, I've learned quite a bit about how to sync my ipod effectively!


Here's my random bit for the day that has to do with "syncing"
True Story: As I helped my younger sister clean her room, I hooked up my ipod to her dock so we could listen to some tunes. I said here's some "*Nsync"  Her response - "Is that like when you sync your ipod?" I can't believe my little sister doesn't know who Nsync is, ohhh boy, it made me feel old ;)


And thus proves how times have changed. In the past the only "sync" we knew was Nsync and synchronized swimming - little did we know syncing ipods would be in our future :)

Podcast Reflection#10: Engaging our youngest minds by Angela Maiers

The 10th Podcast I chose to reflect over is a K12 2009 conference one entitled "Engaging our Youngest Minds" by Angela Maiers.

This is the video I listened to/watched for this podcast




Her website is www.angelamaiers.com 

Here is her K12 online profile http://k12online.ning.com/profile/AngelaMaiers


Student Engagement and Learning in the digital age :


-She didn't think that Passion would be at the heart of it and she included the quote
"Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without PASSION" - Hegel, Philosophy of HIsotyr 1832...

She wonders "Is Technology integration enough?

She wonders "What ARE the right questions?

Her inspiration was a little girl named Haley... there was a thing on the path, a flyer everywhere behind her house as a plea for endangered animals... she tried to find the source, she followed the paper trail
-She found Haley -
-researcher, activist, pre-school student
-in 3 short days she had collected over 300 dollars to save a panda bear, and was writing a book.
-She had designed t-shirts, one for every day of the week that supported her cause...

-Haley is a reminder that we MUST include passion, even with technology.

Do you see this passion in school?
-passion about learning, teaching, etc.

Millions of children in the 21st century are systematically losing passion... despite all technology we have failed to realize this.

She is on a powerful mission to let teachers know that they are already ready for the 21st century. A mission to keep that sense of wonder and passion alive.

She believes that Learning can be Transformed...


What if a student is excited about science, pandas for example?
here are some websites she showed...
big universe
panda bears play house - interactive website

realebooks.com/realewriter - allows students to write their own books



We are using technology tools to transform the learning experience, not to engage them - they are already engaged.


They need us to notice what they're interested in right now and be able to provide them with resources, and provide a platform for their voices so that they can be heard.
EX: Skype, Youtube, Twitter, podcasts, etc.

We must not miss out on who they are today - curious, excited, passionate learners :)

The parents of Haley sent Angela a note and she shared part of it with us today.
"We hope you let her teach you about what she knows , and nurture her questions, showing her that learning never stops, please take her hand and guide her, let her know that she has everything she needs already.... passion"


At the end of her podcast she played the video of the kid who can play the ukelele and sing "I'm Yours"
I LOVE this video :)






I love love love what this teacher has to say, without passion we have nothing. We have to have passion about something to be the force behind it. Overall, this was a short but very inspiring podcast! :)

Reflection on Comics in the Classroom

We were recently told to create a comic that relates to our content area.

I used the website Toon-Do, because our teacher said it was one of her favorites.
This website is fairly simple to use, but it got kind of frustrating because I couldn't make the small changes that I wanted to very easily, and unless you're really really into cartoons, you wouldn't want to spend hours fine -tuning stuff like this. However, I did use the website to complete my comic and here it is:

This comic strip above was created using toon-do.com a comic strip program introduced by my Ed Tech teacher. This strip is a play on learning foreign languages because my area of concentration is Modern Foreign Language, and English as a Second Language.

So, the website does work, however I feel like if I were to use comic strips in the classroom I would search for a website that fit my needs a little better.

However, I feel like implementing comics in the classroom could be done a variety of ways. Students could make comics introducing the spelling words for the week, or a new idea that they have learned, etc. Overall, i'm not big on comics and never have been but I feel like kids might get a kick out of using them in the classroom.
Here are some more resources that are for creating comics in the classroom from my teacher's website http://spring11ded318.cdkedplace.info/SPRING_2011/Week_8.html

Resources for Using Comics in the Classroom

These resources are all valuable sources of information, tools, community, and more to help you use comics in your classroom.

1. 1.Comics in the Classroom. This site is all about promoting the use of comics in the classroom and includes news and reviews, lesson plans, forums, a blog, and much more.
2. 2.Teachingcomics.org. This organization helps promote quality teaching through comics and offers such resources as lesson plans, study guides, handouts, connections with other teachers, and featured schools using comics in the classroom.
3. 3.Comics in Education. This website is the final project for a teacher working on his Master’s degree and includes many resources for using comics in school.
4. 4.Drawing Cartoons Theme Page. This site offers tons of links to resources ranging from creating cartoons to learning about the profession of cartoonist to teacher resources.
5. 5.Toon Books. Keep abreast of the latest comic and graphic novels for emerging readers and also find lesson plans here.
6. 6.Educational Comic Books for the Classroom. This helpful article includes a list of comic books for elementary aged children, tips for using comics in the classroom, and resources for teachers.
7. 7.Comic Books as Curriculum. This interview with Richard Jenkins, co-author of Comics in Your Curriculum, offers a peek at the book written to help teachers learn how to incorporate comics into their lessons.
   
   
   Tools
   
   Whether you or your students will be making comics in the class, check out these tools to help you get creative.
   1. 1.Comic Creator. Supply the information you want in this tool that provides people, animals, thought and speech bubbles, props, and backdrops.
   2. 2.How to Use Comic Life in the Classroom. This article describes how to use Comic Life, an inexpensive comic generator, to create a book report for class.
   3. 3.Tech Module: Using Comic Life in the Classroom. Another article about using Comic Life in the classroom, this one also includes several lesson plans utilizing this program.
   4. 4.Howtoons. These comics from Instructables are specifically for teaching children how to do lots of things. These comics make a great supplement to a hands-on lesson.
   5. 5.Make Beliefs Comix. This tool allows students to create comic strips and provides plenty of options for customizing their strips. There is also a section for teacher resources here.
   6. 6.Pixton. Students can create their comic strip here or you can select Pixton for Schools for an education-oriented experience that brings the entire class together on projects.
   7. 7.Bitstrip. Students can browse through other people’s comics and create their own at this site.
   8. 8.ToonDoo. This comic strip generator allows students to create their own comics. Teachers should check the site for appropriate content as it is not specifically an education site.
   9. 9.ArtisanCam. Among the many art projects available here, students can also create comics with this tool.
   10. 10.PikiKids. After uploading images, students can choose their layout, add speech bubbles, and more to create fun comics.
   11. 11.BeFunky. Turn digital photos into digital comics and more with this free tool.
   12. 12.Comiqs. Use templates or design your own images with this cartoon generator that provides results in a slide show that can even be put on a class blog or website.

Creative Ways to Use Comics in the Classroom

These resources offer great ways to use comics in the classroom.

1. 1.The Chess Comic. A sister site to Comics in the Classroom, this site teaches the game of chess through comics.
2. 2.Comics and the Smithsonian: A Beautiful Union of Science Curriculum. Learn about this resource through the Smithsonian’s website that incorporates comics into science lessons.
3. 3.Bringing Comics into the Classroom. This article is written by a college instructor who describes his class on Comic Books as Literature and, while aimed at older students, offers insight into how literature can be taught through comics.
4. 4.The comic book assignment was a hit!. This teacher shares her experience of using a comic book assignment as a final evaluation for high school students. She shares both the positive aspects and her learning points.
5. 5.Checking Out Comic Life. This veteran teacher describes how she plans to use Comic Life with her kindergartners.
6. 6.In the Classroom: Alice in Comic Land. This teacher describes how she used comics while teaching Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. She also includes links for teaching Shaun Tan’s The Arrival.
   
   
   Lesson Plans for Elementary
   
   Elementary teachers will enjoy these great lesson plans designed specifically for early learners.
   1. 1.Comics in the Classroom as an Introduction to Genre Study. Perfect for 3rd-5th graders, this lesson helps students understand the genre of comics through examining and creating comics.
   2. 2.Comic-Strip Challenge. Teach sequencing by using comic strips in this lesson appropriate for grades 2-5.
   3. 3.Creative Writing Using Comics. Teach creative writing to 4th through 8th graders with this lesson that also expands to include vocabulary and a group activity.
   4. 4.Learning Storytelling Elements the Fun Way!-A Visual Storytelling Lesson Using Comics. Second and third graders can practice storytelling and sequencing with this lesson.
   5. 5.Buzz! Whiz! Bang! Using Comic Books to Teach Onomatopoeia. Great for grades 3-5, this four-part lesson lets students create their own comic strip while exploring onomatopoeia.
   6. 6.Comics in the Classroom as an Introduction to Narrative Structure. Sequencing, story-telling, and plotting are all part of this lesson appropriate for 3rd-5th graders.
   7. 7.Creating Comic Strips. Students in 4th through 6th grade can learn about sequencing, drawing, and humor with this lesson.
   8. 8.Make Family Comic Strips. Appropriate for grades 2-5, this lesson guides students through creating a comic strip depicting a funny event from their family.
   9. 9.Story Switch Comics. For learners in 1st-3rd, this lesson allows students to change the problem in a familiar story and draw it in a cartoon.
   10. 10.Book Report Alternative: Examining Story Elements Using Story Map Comic Strips. Students will independently and as a group read a text, identify elements of the story, then create a comic strip to report what they learned.
   11. 11.Gabbing About Garfield: Conversing About Texts With Comic Creator. Students play an online sequencing game using Garfield comics, discuss the elements of comic strips, and create their own.
   12. 12.To, Too, or Two: Developing an Understanding of Homophones. After studying homophones, students will create a skit acting out the homophones, then convert their skit to a comic strip.