Monday, August 9, 2010
Thing 11.5
I particularly enjoyed the portion on image generators, video hosting, and I was already getting a lot of enjoyment out of microblogging.
2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
It is good to get out of your comfort zone and try new things. Even if those things don't work out very well all the time, at least you tried them. This problem and the 23 Things got me out of my comfort zone, and showed me new things.
3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
The take-aways were some of the quicker applications for student publishing. Also, while looking in the App store, I found an application that will totally solve equations with one, two and three variables. Something to keep your eyes out for, in a way of warning :)
4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I know that this is a library website, I would love to explore some websites and applications that are math related.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Thing 11: Digital Citizenship
Thing 4: Video Hosting
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.
I know that every teacher has said something like, "I wish I could record myself and replay it so that I wouldn't have to repeat myself!" Well, now you kind of can. Uploading videos is easy and can be a lot of fun.
I think that the more that the students can publish the better, And for them to know that it will be seen by their peers, makes it a much more powerful tool. They could have access to so many lessons, instructions, and ideas all about one topic. This would kind of remedy the problem of teaching a mile wide and an inch deep.
Thing 10: Second Life
small cute animals
So, I loaded the software and went into Second Life. What was the first thing to greet me, an avatar that was a bulbous and pulsating testicles and penis. Not as auspicious start...
Thing 9: Slip sliding away
Slideshare and other such websites and applications allow a few advantages, becuase no matter what your operating system format (XP, Windows 7, Keynote) there is a repository to use and share powerpoint-type slideshows. I was trying to think of some advantages for Slideshare. I think that this would be a great way for students share things like notes etc, or if you needed to get some amount of written material, or wanted to get inforamtion out quickly.
Thing 8
ScreenCastle would not work at all.
Even after installing and uninstalling Jing several times everytime I tried to open it, a window would pop up and say that the program had encountered a problem.
I did get CamStudio to work but I didn't like it, I found it hard to edit the video.
Screencast-o-Matic wouldn't work either, it asked if I was having a about Java Script errors.
Freescreencast encountered a problem (several times) and had to shut down.
This was not a one day thing.
Wink also had errors. I finally recorded in GoView. Here is the link: http://goview.com/?id=765deb78-f248-4a35-ab9d-039905999fd2
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Thing 7, Video Resources
I have been using Youtube and Teachertube in the classroom already. But I enjoyed exploring these additional video resources! to be quite honest I got stuck on Hulu watching National Geographic specials. (This was interesting and entertaining but probably not a good use of my time). And, getting sucked into the vast array of resources, is a danger to us and our students. It really takes some pretty strong willpower for some of our students just not to click! On Hulu even when searching for Math topics I found some very inappropriate videos and video clips. Sometimes, I know that as exciting as the resources are that are available, it is kind of scary too because there are so many inappropriate places to go, even when you do the research. Goodness! What to do? Cross your fingers and pray that the filters to their jobs?
I also , enjoyed exploring the PBS site and found this Video about the Long Island Express, the 1938 Hurricane.
Also attached to some of the video, there is supplementary interviews, videos, links and materials. This is a very useful site for videos. I especially liked the American Experience. This is a great way to show and discuss primary and secondary resources!