I created a claymation for the Water Cycle. I picked the water cycle because when I tried to find some claymations for the water cycle on You Tube, they were very unclear and choppy. It seems that the water cycle is either taught or brushed up upon in almost every other grade level. It would be really effective for students and a great visual to see a quick claymation on the water cycle while they sing the water cycle song. I had fun creating this claymation. Its required to take alot of pictures. You had to position the camera towards your secenary then move the objects on your secenary it a bit then take the picture then move the objects again a bit then take the picture and so on. After all the pictures were taken, I imported my pictures and music (in this case my own voice singing) onto movie maker, set my transition time to 0.3 sec per picture and WHALA I got my claymation. Check it out!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
16 Things Evaluation
1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
My favorite part of this blogging journey was to be able to express my opinion about what I have learning through the 16 things I did. I also like creating my Voki, and letting my class know about a new type of wordle called Tagxedo. I also enjoyed uploading images on my blog. Flickr is an awesome website for gathering some great images (I uploaded Images of my wedding on Flickr). I also like creating and surfing the different types of Mashup that can be created with images. Finally, Facebook was fun to surf as always.
2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
As tedious and time consuming as all of this was, I have to say I have learned A LOT! I haven't done half the stuff that was assigned for me to do. I think I would of kept it that way if it weren't for my 16 thing project. Since I have learned a lot and created some great accounts, like twitter, wiki, RSS feeds, and Podcast, I plan on going back to those sites and reading up on the more up to date news and info. Being more updated with whats going on at the moment will help me to be more involved in conversations my co-works and friends have.
3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
Yes, EVERYTHING was unexpected! In the beginning I was so worried that I wouldn't know how to do any of this, but with the help of my classmates and the will to complete this project I pulled through. :0) Believe it or not I have never blogged! Just this whole experiences of blogging has motivated me to continue my educational blog that I have started and use it to update it with newer things that I learn in my class. This way I have a blog full of experience to refer back to once I have graduated from HBU.
4. What could I do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
The few things that could of been done differently are looking back at the links that are not working. It was quite frustrating when the tutorials especially, weren't working. Since I have not done any of this before, I really relied on the tutorials to self teach and then implement what I learned. I also wish that these 16 things were spread out throughout the course then having to complete them in two weeks. I feel that blogging is an ongoing process and that if we could blog through this course we could input quality responses to other's ideas on their blogs. And finally, I really think that whichever THING the class has the most difficulty is should be turned into a class discussion and some demonstrations should be given to us so we can go back and complete that THING w/o frustration. Overall this was a great NEW experience that I know I will and have grown from. Thanks Dr. Wilson.
Thing #16 Facebook
Facebook! EVERYONE I know has Facebook. I was first inspired to enter Facebook because it focused on college students. I thought joining Facebook would help me know some of my college classmates I see in class every week. After knowing them we could get together and study and hang out. When you are new to an area it is hard to make friends and Facebook, back then was a great way to make those friends. Now Facebook is for anybody as long as they are 13 and older. I wish Facebook was a bit more stern on this 13 year old rule, making the age limit to be a older would also be wise. Social networking sites should be for more of a mature crowd which Facebook does channel, meaning no limitations; that is not good for tweens. Facebook would be a great motivational way to engage my kids in learning. I could set up a class group and invite my students in that group and have many great discussions on stuff we are learning. We could upload pictures of things we see that might remind us of Math for example and much more. Since I teach fourth grade, it wouldn't be possible for them to get a Facebook account since they are 9-10 year old. For me Facebook is a source I use to keep in touch with new and old friends. Since ALL my friends and family (except for my parents) are on Facebook it becomes easy to invite them to events or even sent our a save the date reminder for a reunion we might be planning. Its also nice to see pictures of my friends on Facebook and to see what is going on in their life and how happy they are.
Thing 15.5 Twitter
When I looked up what Twitter is this is the definition I go: Twitter is a social networking and microblogging service that allows you answer the question, "What are you doing?"by sending short text messages 140 characters in length, called "tweets", to your friends, or "followers." This perfectly explains the purpose to twitter. I am not much of a person that needs to express themselves to the world, I barely put up what's on my mind on Facebook, so tweeting is not going to be my thing. Although, I did find some twitters that I am following. It was nice to click on some links that led me to articles and news in the education world along with what other interactive learning can be going on in a classroom. At the moment I am following:
I don't see twitter working for my students even though I would love to set up a group twitter where its just me and my students tweeting back and forth. I wonder is that is an option, to privatize a group of twitters?
Twitter would be good in a sense that it would a good way to remind others of upcoming events or due dates of things. For example I had no idea that there was a barney concert happending in July and my niece LOVES Barney. When I saw someone tweet that I pass that message on to my sister-in-law. A great way to find out info and relay messages.
Thing #15 Things like Skype
I really like Skype. It is amazing to see people so clearly on the the computer or phone screen. When Skype was discovered at my house everyone was so excited. We have a lot of family in Pakistan and we haven't seen them in years. We always bought those international phone cards and called them and got to hear their voice, but to see their faces and talk to them live was very exciting for my family. I tried to use some of the other similar
forms of Skype but was disappointed to know that I could no use the video conferencing tool because I didn't have an apple product to download it on. I heard from Cindy, one of my classmates, that Tango is another form of Skype. I tried to download the app on my iPhone but unfortunately my phone was not compatible to have Tango on it.
However, I am excited that my husband and I can Skype through our iPhone. He is gone to New York for business for a whole week. Its not going to be so lonely without him if I get to see his face and talk to him then just hear his voice. YEAH SKYPE!
Orchard13311
forms of Skype but was disappointed to know that I could no use the video conferencing tool because I didn't have an apple product to download it on. I heard from Cindy, one of my classmates, that Tango is another form of Skype. I tried to download the app on my iPhone but unfortunately my phone was not compatible to have Tango on it.
However, I am excited that my husband and I can Skype through our iPhone. He is gone to New York for business for a whole week. Its not going to be so lonely without him if I get to see his face and talk to him then just hear his voice. YEAH SKYPE!
Orchard13311
Thing # 14 Podcast
I never knew what a Podcast was until I did some searching around and exploring of various Podcast on Pocdcastdirectory.com. I learned that Podcast are an audio form of broadcasting information. Podcast can be useful in many ways because to create a podcast you record something, then upload it as a podcast. I can see Podcast becoming popular in higher grade levels or academic areas. Many middle, high, or collage teachers can use Podcast as a tool to record their lectures and put it on their website for those students who have been absent for class. Since elementary schools are very hands on and all about visual demonstrations, I don't see Podcast working for teacher in elementary. Although, depending on the project and topic being taught, you put a group of kids together and tell them that for a project they have to pretend that they are hosting a radio show, or broadcasting some sort of news to relay their message, or taught material. The kids will love to record themselves then then the teacher can upload the Podcast on the class website for others to hear the talent present in their class.
Here is a Podcast that I enjoyed listening to called, The TechTeacher Podcast Podcasts. There are many educational technology podcast on this website. In the Podcast the host talks about various technologies that can be used effectively in the classroom. The host goes over what each technology is about and how it is to be used and even list how much it cost. I figured that this Podcast will come in handy for me when I need to know how to use a certain type of tehcnology in my classroom. Its almost like hearing a tutorial lesson.
Here is a Podcast that I enjoyed listening to called, The TechTeacher Podcast Podcasts. There are many educational technology podcast on this website. In the Podcast the host talks about various technologies that can be used effectively in the classroom. The host goes over what each technology is about and how it is to be used and even list how much it cost. I figured that this Podcast will come in handy for me when I need to know how to use a certain type of tehcnology in my classroom. Its almost like hearing a tutorial lesson.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Thing # 12 & 13
Thing #12- Discovering You Tube
I like you tube! I go there all the time to find videos for my students and for personal use. There are some comedians that are on you tube that I go and view to make me laugh, dance videos that I learned from for my friend wedding, educational songs and videos and much much more. I have used Teacher Tube more than You Tube in my classroom because that is the only thing that our district will allow. We have viewed fraction rap song, water cycle videos, adaptations, and etc... There are all kinds of videos! The only thing that I wish that You Tube site would have are categories. At times you type in words or phrase and something out of the ordinary come up, so for that reason I wish I can choose a category to choose then pick a video that best goes with my topic.
As I was surfing You Tube, I came across this video that made me realize how far away our kids in USA are compared to the other kids in other countries in academics. This video motivated me to teach my upcoming students to the best of my ability with hight order thinking in mind.
Thing #13 Using You Tube
Being in the multimedia project class I have learned a lot on my own as to how to embed, link, create video. I created a video and posted it on You Tube. In 4th grade we have a camp called Camp Write-A-Alot. The kids LOVE that whole week of camp. We change our classrooms into a camping ground. We invite "visitor" to help the students remember TAKS strategies, give our tickets for participation and good camp manners, and have drawings for small treasure box gifts. We also sing camp songs. One of our camp song is Kate Perry's song called Firework. I created this motivational video to help our 4th graders give it their best during the Writing TAKS test. Enjoy!
I like you tube! I go there all the time to find videos for my students and for personal use. There are some comedians that are on you tube that I go and view to make me laugh, dance videos that I learned from for my friend wedding, educational songs and videos and much much more. I have used Teacher Tube more than You Tube in my classroom because that is the only thing that our district will allow. We have viewed fraction rap song, water cycle videos, adaptations, and etc... There are all kinds of videos! The only thing that I wish that You Tube site would have are categories. At times you type in words or phrase and something out of the ordinary come up, so for that reason I wish I can choose a category to choose then pick a video that best goes with my topic.
As I was surfing You Tube, I came across this video that made me realize how far away our kids in USA are compared to the other kids in other countries in academics. This video motivated me to teach my upcoming students to the best of my ability with hight order thinking in mind.
Thing #13 Using You Tube
Being in the multimedia project class I have learned a lot on my own as to how to embed, link, create video. I created a video and posted it on You Tube. In 4th grade we have a camp called Camp Write-A-Alot. The kids LOVE that whole week of camp. We change our classrooms into a camping ground. We invite "visitor" to help the students remember TAKS strategies, give our tickets for participation and good camp manners, and have drawings for small treasure box gifts. We also sing camp songs. One of our camp song is Kate Perry's song called Firework. I created this motivational video to help our 4th graders give it their best during the Writing TAKS test. Enjoy!
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