#10- Choice Project

For my last project I chose to do some video editing.  I used the Windows Movie Maker that was on my laptop at home.  I wanted to create a video of the summer for my daughter.  It was very easy to just select the pictures I wanted, add music, and add text.  However, it did take a lot of memory to store it; therefore, making it difficult to upload to YouTube.  Enjoyed this whole process and really think that this could be fun to make videos of myself for substitute teachers to show during an planned absence.  Enjoy the pictures of my beautiful daughter (I am a little bias)!

Final Reflection

 How do I say goodbye?  After all of the fun over the summer and the things that I have learned, I am refreshed and rejuvenated for a new school year.  By having the skills I have now, I feel that I will be a more effective 21st century teacher.  Teaching is a changing profession and my goal is to stay ahead of the curve.  With the assistance of this class, I feel that I have done that and will be able to engage the next generation of students into the classroom.  The tools I learned I will be able to use to present information and have students manipulate in a more "modern" way. 

The class was more useful than I could ever have imagined.  Not only did I learn a lot, but it re-excited me about the profession!!!  The set-up of the class worked very well for me.  I liked having a blog and having all of my projects in one spot.  I also had weeks at a time that I was out of town without internet connection, so it was nice to be able to do at my own pace.  The new challenge will now be to stay current, because even these tools will become outdated.  

Polls

Making this was very easy.  I can see putting these on my home page for input from students and parents.  The best part about this poll was that I got brave and messed with the HTML code in order to resize it.  It was way to small to view before, but now I know how to resize embedded items----cool!

This was very easy to make and can see it being just as useful as the poll everywhere.

Infographing

easel.ly

This is just the start of my idea; however, it took me almost an hour just to get this far.  I really like the idea of creating a new info-graphic, but there are so many out there already.  I feel that it is a waste of time to do them over again just to change a look.  I would use this site for the ones already created.  It would also be a good site to document original data from student work.  It might even be fun to use for comparisons of contests.  For example, the Ralph Reeder food shelf donations.

Cloud Computing

*  How would you use cloud computing with this particular example?
I created a list of all of the tools used during this summer camp.  I felt that if I knew I had it in one spot, I would use them on a daily basis.  I also think that in the future I might use this as a handout to parents and/or students on PIN nights for information about some of the tools we will use in class.

https://docs.google.com/a/moundsviewschools.org/document/d/1OCk-mpnU2zmZGw_L7P8pOfBXUpaJ9v7A3REo4xNrYhg/edit

*  Would cloud computing be a useful tool in your classroom?  What are the pros and cons?
I really like the idea of using it in the classroom.  Last year, I linked all of my materials for in class handouts and mapping labs on my webpage through google docs.  That way, no matter what operating system or software the students had, they could access it.  The only downfall is when you get the random student who says they don't have access to the internet.  I think we also need to continue to educate our parents about the amount of information that we put online so that they understand that even in 6th grade, students will need to be going online for school purposes.

study tools

I really liked this tool; however, the only thing that I wish I could do is more easily save it to work on it again in the future.  This picture in a picture of my daughter running on the beach in California.  I love it, but found a misspelled word.  I had to create it again to print one for decorating her room.  What a cool, free tool!!!!

Choose a Study ModeScatterLearnFlashcards

Study these flash cards

This tool is awesome.  I love the feature that I can just pick a definition already created by someone else.  I also can't believe how easy and cool it is to just embed all of these things on my site.  This will make it so much easier for my kids to access.

youtube channel

Here is my youtube channel.  I like that I can place all of my videos that I use in one spot.  Now I just have to take the time to add them.  I also like not worrying about  what ads are going to pop up (especially the "single Asian women" that popped up once this year).  I think it will be a great place to send my students for resources.  I always tell them that they live in a generation that "intelligence isn't what you know, it is what you do when you don't know."

Screencasting

The screencasting for this assignment was way easier than I thought it would be.  I can see using this to post instructions to my webpage and for leaving video instructions for the class on days that I am out of the building.  Now instead of being frustrated by answering the same questions thousands of times, I can just tell them to re-watch the video on my page.   

Digital Storytelling

http://storybird.com/books/around-the-world-in-8th-grade-geography/
HELP!!!! I created a storybird and it only gives me the option to send it to a friend.  Won't give me the option to embed.  Any thoughts that would help?

Pimp my Presentation

http://www.glogster.com/glog/6lffqrl58n8sj48sj1mpoa0

I did my first "Glog."  I figured that I was already "bloggin'" for the first time, so I would do another 'og.  This is what I did (see link above).  It was easy to do, but it wouldn't allow me to upload my video (HD quality may have caused this).  I think this tool would be nice to use for a basic poster to demonstrate learning in the classroom.  However, I don't see how I could use it to present information.

Blog Bling

This is a video that I use at the beginning of the school year to help my students understand latitude and longitude.  Even on the last day of school, some of my students were still singing this song. 

Until I know more about how to effectively manage and supervise a blog, I do not see myself using it for class.  However, I do feel that it would allow some of my quieter students a place to be more bold and show what they really know and/or ask the questions they don't during class.  At this point, I feel that my webpage has enough information on it.  I feel that I would get stuck in feeling like I need to be available and checking all of the time from approving comments and posting.

I really liked the KidBlog because of the ability to edit what students are commenting.  It seems simple enough for parents to use and interesting enough for studnets to find interesting.

What motivated you to become one of our campers?
I was motivated to become a camper because I want to integrate as much technology into my classes as possible.  I feel that it will keep my students motivated and allow them to learn as a 21st century learner.

What you hope to learn about in Summer Camp 2.0?
I hope to learn how I can use technology to allow my students to interact with their learning to better demonstrate their learning.

 

What is one cool thing you're hoping to do this summer?

I am going to be spending the entire summer playing with my daughter before she turns 2!!!!!!!  Lots of lake time!