This is from Shaun Wegscheid Blog suggestions.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Reflections
For your final 11 Tools post, answer these questions:
1. My favorite tool is PhotoStory. I would like to know how to lower the volume of the accompanying music (slider was on lowest setting, but volume never changed). I would also like to know how to add text to any slide. However, it was easy to use, and I imagine that my students will answer these dilemmas for me. I plan to use it during our Art History section of Art I to replace PowerPoint. I hope to have more computers this year which will enable students to work in the classroom rather than the library. It's possible that I may have students also save photographs of their artwork on the server and then compile their portfolio using PhotoStory.
I also enjoyed making a blog. I thoroughly enjoy journaling. I may use a blog to record the journey of producing a certain work of art (which is similar to the sketchbooks in IB Art where research joins with creative expression).
I am not an expert in any of the tools - however, this online course was actually a very good introduction and provided opportunity for exposure and experimentation. I feel that I may 'jump in' more in some digital area than I would have before.
Digital citizenship was a bizarre concept - just like medical ethics, I hadn't thought of any concerns other than safety. My teaching colleague continually advises me to steer clear of students' use of copyright images - this may fall in the etiquette area of concern in digital citizenship.
2. Changes in the classroom? Just having additional computers next year will transform the way Art I is experienced. I would like to find a way to have the netbooks accessible and yet protected from theft. In the past, I use cables that attach to the computers to keep them safe - I hate the idea of continually monitoring their use - I know that I'll slip and forget to check them at least once. I think incorporating PhotoStory will be one change. Also - I believe I'm going to buy in to the true concept that students should avoid using copyright images. After all, there's more creativity used when ideas are your own - even if you have to look up research or motivations from the internet images. Perhaps, I may have self-paced lessons on certain websites where students record their notes or thoughts in a sketchbook/notebook. Students can so easily zone out when I lecture.
3. Unexpected outcomes? Yes - I did not expect to learn whole new technologies enough to incorporate them into the classroom; I thought I would have slight introductions only. I think having us make our own products really forced the skills to at least minimal proficiency. I didn't think I'd like this course - and I actually did.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tool #11
Students should understand that the site must be offered to substantitate - and for definite truth - those sites must be examined offline. I, myself, always assume Wikipedia is completely correct! - and I also assume Google's method of placing the first site up - means it's more reliable - which is not true. Secondly, I believe that students should realize that just because a site is from a library, it may be incorrect information (may not be 'sanitized' by librarian). Thirdly, I would like to slip in the fact that safety is an issue - no full names or locations given out. Students should be aware that just as in movie avatars that turn out to be vastly different people than their screen persona suggests - that people they meet on the internet could be very different than the image they portray.
To teach Digital Citizenry, I would like to emulate the facets - questioning sites and not assuming they are all fact, using etiquette in responding in interactions with people on the internet, practicing safe measures (i.e. using last initial only when presenting student artwork on internet), and promoting curiousity by immediately looking up information in response to student queries.
From "Coolcat" blog (can I assume all this is fact too?) However, I copied down the principles that resonate with my experience.
If students take the "first thing they come to" to determine their opinion, then we are sorely at the mercy of Google's algorithms and the determination of webmasters who desire to be heard. Understanding how to search, how to validate sources, and even how to use deep web resources is an essential part of being literate.
Stephen Downes says, "Indeed, a person who reads a website and concludes that it's true, no matter what it says, is dangerously illiterate."
Sharon says: "I have been asking students to evaluate the web sites they find for years, using a variety of evaluation instruments and criteria. They didn't and still don't like to do it!"
Literacy, learning strategies, etiquette, safety - 4 key areas from which to work in digital citizenship.
Digital citizenship is more than literacy, it is living safely, civilly, and effectively in our increasingly digital world.
It must permeate all subjects in all grade levels just like reading, for increasingly it is reading.
Most students think if it is the library that the librarian has thoroughly sanitized everything in there. (Which too, as Tom Hoffman pointed out, is flawed thinking.)
"We have to practice what we preach, and we have to practice it out loud!
At the same time that we continue to use our textbooks (or what ever they evolve into), reference works, databases, and our own expertise, we should also bring in, at every opportunity, content and resources that we have found, evaluated, processed, and prepared for teaching and learning, and that we should include conversations about how we found it, evaluated, and processed it. If the are seeing us, every day, asking the questions that are core to being literate today, then perhaps they will not only develop the skills of critical evaluation, but also the habits."
To teach Digital Citizenry, I would like to emulate the facets - questioning sites and not assuming they are all fact, using etiquette in responding in interactions with people on the internet, practicing safe measures (i.e. using last initial only when presenting student artwork on internet), and promoting curiousity by immediately looking up information in response to student queries.
From "Coolcat" blog (can I assume all this is fact too?) However, I copied down the principles that resonate with my experience.
If students take the "first thing they come to" to determine their opinion, then we are sorely at the mercy of Google's algorithms and the determination of webmasters who desire to be heard. Understanding how to search, how to validate sources, and even how to use deep web resources is an essential part of being literate.
Stephen Downes says, "Indeed, a person who reads a website and concludes that it's true, no matter what it says, is dangerously illiterate."
Sharon says: "I have been asking students to evaluate the web sites they find for years, using a variety of evaluation instruments and criteria. They didn't and still don't like to do it!"
Literacy, learning strategies, etiquette, safety - 4 key areas from which to work in digital citizenship.
Digital citizenship is more than literacy, it is living safely, civilly, and effectively in our increasingly digital world.
It must permeate all subjects in all grade levels just like reading, for increasingly it is reading.
Most students think if it is the library that the librarian has thoroughly sanitized everything in there. (Which too, as Tom Hoffman pointed out, is flawed thinking.)
"We have to practice what we preach, and we have to practice it out loud!
At the same time that we continue to use our textbooks (or what ever they evolve into), reference works, databases, and our own expertise, we should also bring in, at every opportunity, content and resources that we have found, evaluated, processed, and prepared for teaching and learning, and that we should include conversations about how we found it, evaluated, and processed it. If the are seeing us, every day, asking the questions that are core to being literate today, then perhaps they will not only develop the skills of critical evaluation, but also the habits."
Tool #10
Yes, my youngest daughter has the only mobile device - an I-Touch. She has deigned to let me examine it - but not to press too many buttons.
In art class, students call up art images from I-Touches from which they will enlarge. Students have to make adjustments to keep the screen from switching off - and then they lay the screen on top of my 'Elmo' - hooked up to a projector - we get a clear image enlarged and no paper is used.
I'm not very interested in the 'organization' apps. I'm sure they're great - but I suffer from the need to make constant lists & check things off - so I deliberately try to distance myself from these tools. Instead, I have one central calendar - & I set an alarm on my phone so that I don't have to worry about timing.
From the apps recommended for educators - I believe I am most interested in: Touchtype (to check my spelling), Harvest time (for tracking expenses), Talking Phrasebook, Mocha VNC lite which connects to my home computer (wow!) - I've heard advertisements for costly software to do this, touchcalc, and google earth.
I'm leaving the copied list below so I can glance at it again.
Appropriate uses of I-Touches & I-pads in class - certainly to call up historical artwork as a reference and art terms. Also, color theory, light theory, anatomical proportions - anything related to artwork.
One dilemma I continue to have - and I'm sure everyone does - is that it is hard to monitor the students as to whether everything they are doing is appropriate. The district high school art dept.'s have agreed to allow students to listent to music while drawing & painting - it seems to help engender creativity & tune out distractions. However, when I see a student 'fiddling' with their device or staring at it - the purpose is not being pursued. I've even found a student trying to watch a movie! I know we'll all have to deal with this. I have no trouble have repercussions for inappropriate uses - however, I most concerned with the fact that I may not realize inappropriate use for a long time - I may have contributed to a student not making use of their classroom time in the best manner. Can't wait to hear how others deal with this. I wish I had a Scott Elmore or Wayne Webb (now Shaun Wegscheid) system to monitor student use of devices (computers) via their one computer.
1.Dexy: Dexy offers easy free-form note organization, so you can have your notes anywhere you go.
2.Omnifocus: Track your tasks with this easy to use app.
3.QuickVoice: If an idea strikes you while you're out and about, use this app to make a voice note.
4.Evernote: This iPhone app will make it easy to capture and tag items, notes, and more.
5.30Boxes: Stay on top of assignments, meetings, and deadlines using this calendar app.
6.Harvest Time & Expense Tracker: Track education related expenses and more using this app.
7.Air Sharing: Keep important documents with you while you're on the go with this app.
8.Pageonce: Use this personal assistant to take control of your mobile Internet life.
9.Mileage Counter: With Mileage Counter, you can track education-related mileage.
10.iBlueSky: iBlueSky offers mind mapping for the iPhone, so you can get your thoughts out wherever you are.
11.Remember the Milk: Use this app to stay on top of all the important things you need to take care of.
12.Attendance Countdown: Find out exactly how many hours you're working by tracking your time with this app.
Utilities
Make your iPhone work just a little bit harder with these apps.
13.TouchType: With this tool, you'll be able to take advantage of spell check and be sure that you're setting a good example.
14.WeDict: The WeDict app offers a free dictionary program.
15.Graphing Calculator: If you need a graphing calculator, just download this one for the iPhone.
16.Date Wheel: This app will calculate the time between months, days, and more, so you'll know exactly when assignments are due. You can also start a countdown to remind your students how much time they have left.
17.OpenClip: OpenClip offers a convenient way to copy and paste on the iPhone.
18.Mocha VNC Lite: Use this app to get remote access to your home or work computer.
19.TouchCalc: Make use of this iPhone app to get a fully featured calculator.
Communication
Use these apps to communicate more efficiently and effectively.
20.Ifbyphone: You can use this app to collaborate with a number of students at one time.
21.Facebook: If your students are on Facebook, you can keep them updated through this app.
22.WordPress for the iPhone: Educators who regularly blog can take advantage of this app.
Media
Get better control and access to books, videos, and more with these apps.
23.BookShelf: Download this app to turn your iPhone into a book reader.
24.Poptiq: With this service, you can get educational videos on your iPhone.
25.Stanza: This app will make it easy and enjoyable to read digital books, newspapers, and other publications on your iPhone.
26.AirMe: Using AirMe, you'll be able to upload geotagged photographs directly to Twitter to share with your students.
27.Classics: Get access to some of the classics of literature, and read them just like a real book with this app.
Teaching Tools
These apps offer visual displays, lesson opportunities, and more.
28.Word of the Day: Get a new word to share with your students every day from this app.
29.Atom in a Box: The Atom in a Box app will help visualize the Hydrogenic atomic orbitals.
30.AccelaStudy Vocabulary Builder: With this app, you'll be able to expand your English vocabulary and share your knowledge with students.
31.Talking Phrasebooks: Get commonly needed foreign language translations on your iPhone using this app.
32.Google Earth: This app will help you share geography with your students on the fly.
33.EngLits: Get study guides for commonly assigned reading subjects from this collection of apps.
34.Birthdays in History: Learn about and share historical birthdays with this app.
35.iPresident: With this app, you'll get the details on all of the Presidents of the United States of America.
36.Fact of the Day: This application displays new educational facts every day.
37.Did You Know?: With this app, you'll get a daily dose of useful and interesting facts.
38.Quote of the Day: Use this application to get a new quote every day.
39.Words of the World: Words of the World will share a new word in six different languages every day.
40.This Day in History: Learn about and share different events in history from this app.
41.Starmap: This app is like a handheld planetarium.
Reference
Get quick access to reference material through your iPhone with the help of these apps.
42.GeoPedia: Make use of Geopedia to find landmarks around you and your school through Wikipedia articles.
43.Wikipanion: Use this app, and you'll get all of Wikipedia at your fingertips.
44.WorldCat: Locate a book in a library near you by using this app.
Miscellaneous
These apps offer even more useful functions for educators on the iPhone.
45.Tap Tap Revenge: Take a break from hard work with this fun game.
46.Brain Tuner: Put your mind to work and stay fresh with this brain teasing app.
47.GPA.me: Set your students up with a GPA.me website, and they can track their grades, assignments, notes, and more.
48.ToyArk: Through this app, you can search for educational toys to use in your classroom.
49.School of Rock: Inspired by the movie of the same name, School of Rock will teach students the fundamentals of music.
50.KuGon: With this app, you can improve your memory skills, thinking, and speed.
In art class, students call up art images from I-Touches from which they will enlarge. Students have to make adjustments to keep the screen from switching off - and then they lay the screen on top of my 'Elmo' - hooked up to a projector - we get a clear image enlarged and no paper is used.
I'm not very interested in the 'organization' apps. I'm sure they're great - but I suffer from the need to make constant lists & check things off - so I deliberately try to distance myself from these tools. Instead, I have one central calendar - & I set an alarm on my phone so that I don't have to worry about timing.
From the apps recommended for educators - I believe I am most interested in: Touchtype (to check my spelling), Harvest time (for tracking expenses), Talking Phrasebook, Mocha VNC lite which connects to my home computer (wow!) - I've heard advertisements for costly software to do this, touchcalc, and google earth.
I'm leaving the copied list below so I can glance at it again.
Appropriate uses of I-Touches & I-pads in class - certainly to call up historical artwork as a reference and art terms. Also, color theory, light theory, anatomical proportions - anything related to artwork.
One dilemma I continue to have - and I'm sure everyone does - is that it is hard to monitor the students as to whether everything they are doing is appropriate. The district high school art dept.'s have agreed to allow students to listent to music while drawing & painting - it seems to help engender creativity & tune out distractions. However, when I see a student 'fiddling' with their device or staring at it - the purpose is not being pursued. I've even found a student trying to watch a movie! I know we'll all have to deal with this. I have no trouble have repercussions for inappropriate uses - however, I most concerned with the fact that I may not realize inappropriate use for a long time - I may have contributed to a student not making use of their classroom time in the best manner. Can't wait to hear how others deal with this. I wish I had a Scott Elmore or Wayne Webb (now Shaun Wegscheid) system to monitor student use of devices (computers) via their one computer.
1.Dexy: Dexy offers easy free-form note organization, so you can have your notes anywhere you go.
2.Omnifocus: Track your tasks with this easy to use app.
3.QuickVoice: If an idea strikes you while you're out and about, use this app to make a voice note.
4.Evernote: This iPhone app will make it easy to capture and tag items, notes, and more.
5.30Boxes: Stay on top of assignments, meetings, and deadlines using this calendar app.
6.Harvest Time & Expense Tracker: Track education related expenses and more using this app.
7.Air Sharing: Keep important documents with you while you're on the go with this app.
8.Pageonce: Use this personal assistant to take control of your mobile Internet life.
9.Mileage Counter: With Mileage Counter, you can track education-related mileage.
10.iBlueSky: iBlueSky offers mind mapping for the iPhone, so you can get your thoughts out wherever you are.
11.Remember the Milk: Use this app to stay on top of all the important things you need to take care of.
12.Attendance Countdown: Find out exactly how many hours you're working by tracking your time with this app.
Utilities
Make your iPhone work just a little bit harder with these apps.
13.TouchType: With this tool, you'll be able to take advantage of spell check and be sure that you're setting a good example.
14.WeDict: The WeDict app offers a free dictionary program.
15.Graphing Calculator: If you need a graphing calculator, just download this one for the iPhone.
16.Date Wheel: This app will calculate the time between months, days, and more, so you'll know exactly when assignments are due. You can also start a countdown to remind your students how much time they have left.
17.OpenClip: OpenClip offers a convenient way to copy and paste on the iPhone.
18.Mocha VNC Lite: Use this app to get remote access to your home or work computer.
19.TouchCalc: Make use of this iPhone app to get a fully featured calculator.
Communication
Use these apps to communicate more efficiently and effectively.
20.Ifbyphone: You can use this app to collaborate with a number of students at one time.
21.Facebook: If your students are on Facebook, you can keep them updated through this app.
22.WordPress for the iPhone: Educators who regularly blog can take advantage of this app.
Media
Get better control and access to books, videos, and more with these apps.
23.BookShelf: Download this app to turn your iPhone into a book reader.
24.Poptiq: With this service, you can get educational videos on your iPhone.
25.Stanza: This app will make it easy and enjoyable to read digital books, newspapers, and other publications on your iPhone.
26.AirMe: Using AirMe, you'll be able to upload geotagged photographs directly to Twitter to share with your students.
27.Classics: Get access to some of the classics of literature, and read them just like a real book with this app.
Teaching Tools
These apps offer visual displays, lesson opportunities, and more.
28.Word of the Day: Get a new word to share with your students every day from this app.
29.Atom in a Box: The Atom in a Box app will help visualize the Hydrogenic atomic orbitals.
30.AccelaStudy Vocabulary Builder: With this app, you'll be able to expand your English vocabulary and share your knowledge with students.
31.Talking Phrasebooks: Get commonly needed foreign language translations on your iPhone using this app.
32.Google Earth: This app will help you share geography with your students on the fly.
33.EngLits: Get study guides for commonly assigned reading subjects from this collection of apps.
34.Birthdays in History: Learn about and share historical birthdays with this app.
35.iPresident: With this app, you'll get the details on all of the Presidents of the United States of America.
36.Fact of the Day: This application displays new educational facts every day.
37.Did You Know?: With this app, you'll get a daily dose of useful and interesting facts.
38.Quote of the Day: Use this application to get a new quote every day.
39.Words of the World: Words of the World will share a new word in six different languages every day.
40.This Day in History: Learn about and share different events in history from this app.
41.Starmap: This app is like a handheld planetarium.
Reference
Get quick access to reference material through your iPhone with the help of these apps.
42.GeoPedia: Make use of Geopedia to find landmarks around you and your school through Wikipedia articles.
43.Wikipanion: Use this app, and you'll get all of Wikipedia at your fingertips.
44.WorldCat: Locate a book in a library near you by using this app.
Miscellaneous
These apps offer even more useful functions for educators on the iPhone.
45.Tap Tap Revenge: Take a break from hard work with this fun game.
46.Brain Tuner: Put your mind to work and stay fresh with this brain teasing app.
47.GPA.me: Set your students up with a GPA.me website, and they can track their grades, assignments, notes, and more.
48.ToyArk: Through this app, you can search for educational toys to use in your classroom.
49.School of Rock: Inspired by the movie of the same name, School of Rock will teach students the fundamentals of music.
50.KuGon: With this app, you can improve your memory skills, thinking, and speed.
Tool #9
Of course, this picture was necessary so that you can identify Joy on the right when you read about our experience with Skype and her! (but since you're interested, it's Mike, Cameron (21), Grace (17)- senior this year at Westchester, Me (Marialice) & Joy (19))
Concerning uses for Jing & Skype, I would be interested in connecting with an art class from another country - and having a discussion during class time - if time zones permit. Students could carry their current artwork up and show it on camera.
I looked up Jing - and could not see any difference between Skype & Jing. We installed Skype & bought the video camera (around $40) last year. Last year was my daughter Joy's first year at Trinity University. On her birthday, she used her built-in video camera to connect with us. We watched her open her birthday presents we'd sent to her & could sing "Happy Birthday" to her!
My cousin's daughter, Lauren, has been in Aberdeen Scotland all year studying law. They have found a time (I think 6:00 am) to speak on skype every day. The parents said they have more conversation with their daughter now than when she lived with them!
Is a screencast something that is prerecorded and then shown or is it live 'streaming video'?
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Tool #8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LeFecD1rO8
is a marvelous video explaining how to make a 3-tetrahedron kaleidocycle. I would love to find more videos just like this one that explain exactly the steps to take to make a kaleidocycle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXLhjYgMZ68
after seeing how helpful the kaleidocycle video was (& I made one and then presented the process to a group of art teachers), I thought origami would be the perfect instructional video. This video is on making a book. I tried it, & got stuck halfway through - but I didn't have origami paper. My daughter felt that I should have thinner paper to be successful. Hope to try again. I've always felt great frustration at origami books whose instructions make it sound like you should understand perfectly (don't you see the arrows indicating which way to fold?) - the video is infinitely better.
My IIW class last January covered international guitar music and related instruments. The students would easily find a You Tube performance using the instrument they had studied and it was helpful to see the researched instrument demonstrated.
In art class, I've found many videos (again through You Tube) that showed how to make various sculptures in papier mache, hand-built pottery and numerous other instructions. They're wonderful - I always learn either giant concepts or just a finesse. I've used the videos for my own instruction - and then in some cases, show it to the students. I like the fact that the videos are short and to the point - and we don't waste any valuable studio art time when the students could be creating.
I love these short videos for classroom instruction! Grace told me that her English teacher would find snippets from movies of novels they were reading on You Tube. O.k., I'm sold on You Tube - but are there any other video sites that anyone uses consistently for classroom use?
is a marvelous video explaining how to make a 3-tetrahedron kaleidocycle. I would love to find more videos just like this one that explain exactly the steps to take to make a kaleidocycle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXLhjYgMZ68
after seeing how helpful the kaleidocycle video was (& I made one and then presented the process to a group of art teachers), I thought origami would be the perfect instructional video. This video is on making a book. I tried it, & got stuck halfway through - but I didn't have origami paper. My daughter felt that I should have thinner paper to be successful. Hope to try again. I've always felt great frustration at origami books whose instructions make it sound like you should understand perfectly (don't you see the arrows indicating which way to fold?) - the video is infinitely better.
My IIW class last January covered international guitar music and related instruments. The students would easily find a You Tube performance using the instrument they had studied and it was helpful to see the researched instrument demonstrated.
In art class, I've found many videos (again through You Tube) that showed how to make various sculptures in papier mache, hand-built pottery and numerous other instructions. They're wonderful - I always learn either giant concepts or just a finesse. I've used the videos for my own instruction - and then in some cases, show it to the students. I like the fact that the videos are short and to the point - and we don't waste any valuable studio art time when the students could be creating.
I love these short videos for classroom instruction! Grace told me that her English teacher would find snippets from movies of novels they were reading on You Tube. O.k., I'm sold on You Tube - but are there any other video sites that anyone uses consistently for classroom use?
Tool #7
This is the second Photostory that I constructed. I tried to use Photostory on my district-issued laptop, but was unable to upload the video. I am crossing my fingers that this Photostory uploads (I'm watching it now to insure that it will). However, I have just realized that I didn't add music. So I will now attempt to do that and add a second version of "Natural Abstraction."Actually, I am now trying to upload the 3rd Photostory - just the second with music added. Though I slid the digital slider to the lowest setting for music - the music still is too loud and covers up some of the narration. Anyone know how to make the music much fainter besides the slider bar?
I have the perfect use for Photostory - If all goes well with this third attempt at transfer. Students typically make a powerpoint of a chosen famous artist - this would be the perfect venue for that presentation. There were several students who were too nervous to read their presentation and so they asked for other students to present their own work. In Photostory - they may feel more apt to provide audio privately, though the presentation is viewed by the class. Or - they can write out the script and have another person provide the audio.
Ah - ha - it took only a minute for the transfer this time. I believe I tried to transfer the wrong version of the file with the wrong suffix. I need ".wmv" and I think I had another version with ".wm3" which would not transfer. I may now try my luck at working from my district laptop again - perhaps if I have trouble, I'll delete my version of Photostory & download another.
By the way, I did run to "Best Buy" and invest in a headset microphone for the older computer from which I've successfully made my photostory. I wonder if an exterior mike is needed for the district-issued laptops?
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