Three sources on the web are highlighting some very good web sites for the classroom. Check out these resources for all grades--both elementary and secondary--and for teachers as well.
TEACHERSFIRST web site (http://www.teachersfirst.com/index.cfm)…
http://www.zerofootprintkids.com/kids_home.aspx
Zero Footprint: Kids Calculator - Grades 3 - 8
What impact does your lifestyle—and that of your students--have on our environment? This interactive online calculator can help your students look at their use of natural resources, land, water, and trees after they answer questions about transportation, what they eat, what they throw away, what they use, and home and school. They can then compare their “carbon footprint” to the averages in other nations.
http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1986/4/86.04.07.x.html
Painless Writing - Grades 3 - 9
This site has both old and new ways for teachers to get students writing painlessly. The procedures, lessons, prompts, and interesting combinations of approaches may be just what you’ve been trying to find.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/specials/2005/hurricane_katrina/default.stm
Hurricanes - Grades 1 - 8
Use an interactive whiteboard with this site’s animated guide to hurricanes to understand this type of weather. There are also quizzes, pictures of Hurricane Katrina’s destruction, reference information, and other helps.
http://www.history.org/media/interactive.cfm
Colonial Williamsburg Interactive - Grades 3 - 12
Your students will enjoy playing games and learning about Williamsburg at this interactive site. You can show coinage and Gilbert’s paintings. Looking at Queen Elizabeth’s visits to Williamsburg in 1957 and again in 2007 opens the door for examining the differences in our world over 50 years. You can even explore the Constitution interactively.
KDP ROUNDUP (http://www.kdp.org/)…
http://www.lessonplanz.com
Lesson Plans for Preservice and Beginning Teachers
Here’s a site which has thousands of free online lesson plans. You can search by grade or subject or both.
http://www.keepschoolssafe.org
Keeping Students Safe
Information about school safety from the playground to gangs is available at this site.
ANNENBERG MEDIA (http://www.learner.org/index.html)…
http://learner.org/redirect/march/view14.html
Annenberg Viewing Options
See an overview of Annenberg’s viewing options, including their free Video on Demand.
http://learner.org/redirect/march/aecl6.html
The Arts in Every Classroom: A Video Library, K-5
Integrate art, mathematics, and science.
http://learner.org/redirect/march/sim7.html
Surprises in Mind
This documentary looks at mathematical creativity and the brain. Art, architecture, music, and a 12-year research study all play a role in looking at instruction designed to help children use their natural mathematical inclinations.
http://learner.org/redirect/march/geom8.html
Learning Math: Geometry
View polygons, dissections, symmetry, and more.
http://learner.org/redirect/march/math12.html
Mathematics: What's the Big Idea?
Examine the use of geometry in art and architecture. Visit classrooms where students are engaging in hands-on activities.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Shakespeare and Web 2.0 in the Classroom
Web 2.0 Applications in the Classroom
I just read an interesting article by Brian Benzinger called Back to School with the Class of Web 2.0: Part 3. He shares stories of teachers and students who are using blogs, photo sharing, podcasts, wikis, videos, and other Web 2.0 applications in their classrooms. Very interesting article.
A couple of quotations from the article illustrate some of the experiences…
Shakespeare Podcasts
Teachers and students who are studying Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing can download—for free--a podcast of the play from a UK government web site. The play was performed at the Globe Theatre in London for younger teenagers. Interviews with the director and the actors are also available for download.
Read the BBC News article about this podcast and other related podcasts. Links for downloading the podcasts are available in the sidebar to the right of the article.
I just read an interesting article by Brian Benzinger called Back to School with the Class of Web 2.0: Part 3. He shares stories of teachers and students who are using blogs, photo sharing, podcasts, wikis, videos, and other Web 2.0 applications in their classrooms. Very interesting article.
A couple of quotations from the article illustrate some of the experiences…
… many students became so attached to their blogs that they made it a responsibility to keep consistent.
… “hot-spot learning objects.” … he created a volcano ... If you are to hover over one of the volcano’s [sic], a Flickr note will appear containing more information about it.
Shakespeare Podcasts
Teachers and students who are studying Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing can download—for free--a podcast of the play from a UK government web site. The play was performed at the Globe Theatre in London for younger teenagers. Interviews with the director and the actors are also available for download.
Read the BBC News article about this podcast and other related podcasts. Links for downloading the podcasts are available in the sidebar to the right of the article.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Copyright and Digital Media
Whenever we or our students are working with digital media (e.g., clip art, photos, music, text, movies, scanned information, web sites), we need to be aware of copyright and fair use laws. Bernajean Porter’s DigiTales web site--a great tool to use when combining the arts of storytelling and digital creativity--provides some very helpful resources, including copyright information.
Learn about...
Learn about...
- Creative Commons licenses,
- access a variety of permission forms,
- read a summary of fair use guidelines for education,
- learn how to cite web sites you’ve used, and
- learn about the various types of copyright by following the links on this web page...
Monday, May 7, 2007
Podcasts: Resources, Tutorials, and Classroom Uses
In January, I listed some podcast directories in this blog. Each one of the directories listed interesting podcasts in a variety of areas. This month I am sharing podcasts or information about them with respect to three categories: resources, tutorials, and podcasts that were either created in the classroom or for the classroom. Both students and teachers are producing some awesome podcasts which can be accessed on YouTube, TeacherTube, iTunes, and other directories. Some innovative, interesting, and exciting ideas are showing up in podcasting. Read on!
Podcasting Resources
Odiogo
http://www.odiogo.com/
This product automatically converts text to audio files which can be played on MP3 players, including iPods.
Skypecasting
http://www.cscout.com/blog/2006/10/02/trend-skypecasting.html
Millions of registered users make free phone calls over the Internet using Skype software. Users can now have conversations with up to 100 people using Skypecasting. The conversation can then be recorded and shared like a podcast. Some interesting uses for Skypecasting include mystery writer Michael Connelly talking about his newest book, networking calls for business, and a live concert by the Dutch band Johan. Moodle even has Skypecast as a new feature.
How to YouTube Podcast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNQLDgkUXvk&mode=related&search=
This video shows how to watch YouTube video subscriptions on an iPod.
Podcasting Tutorials…
Learning Podcasting
http://www.wise-women.org/tutorials/podcast/
This tutorial provides an overview of podcasting with sufficient detail that you develop an understanding of what is involved with creating and publishing your own podcasts. The information is not geared toward educators. However, it is certainly well worth reading and following the provided links.
The Podcast Recipe: Producing a Successful Show
http://seminars.apple.com/seminarsonline/podcast/apple/index.html
Apple, Inc. has produced a three-part video tutorial for creating, producing, and promoting podcasts. You can learn about different types of microphones and how to use them, how to decide what content goes where in your podcast program, and how to use GarageBand, iWeb, and iTunes to help with the whole process. This series focuses on using Macintosh products; however, information and recommendations appropriate to podcasts created on any computer are included. Although not directed to educators specifically, all three sessions have good ideas that the classroom teacher can use.
How to Podcast
http://www.voxmedia.org/wiki/How_to_Podcast
This section of the VoxMedia wiki is not finished yet, but the links are enough to recommend it for individuals who are looking for introductory instructions.
Audio Podcasting
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=c02f9902576ec55ebbe7
This video provides very detailed instructions for creating an audio podcast using mypodcast.com and mypodcast recorder.
Podcast Tutorial: How to Post a Podcast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBH9l_6iPEM
This video tells how to use PodOmatic to post a podcast to the iTunes Store. You can record your podcast directly to the web using this free service. It works with both Windows and Mac computers.
Creating Video Podcasts on Mac OS X
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/tutorials/videopodcasts.html
This tutorial provides instructions for creating a video podcast on a Macintosh and posting it to iTunes.
Podcasting for iTunes & iTS podcast directory
http://www.mvldesign.com/itunespodcast.html
This podcasting tutorial guides you through creating a podcast of your own (on either Macs or Windows computers) and posting it on the iTunes Store podcast directory.
iLife Tutorials for Macs
iLife GarageBand: Recording a Podcast (Part 1)
http://www.zoom-in.com/tutorials/Apple/garageband/recording_a_podcast/index.php?part=1
iLife GarageBand: Recording a Podcast (Part 2)
http://www.zoom-in.com/tutorials/Apple/garageband/recording_a_podcast/index.php?part=2
Creating a Podcast Page
http://www.zoom-in.com/tutorials/Apple/iweb/podcast/index.php
Podcasting in the Classroom
Frog Dissection and Technology
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=3b337800875b5d382a07
Watch grade 8 students document their frog dissections.
Guerrilla Season Book Blog Project
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=c4d7336496819a46a1b6
A junior high school history teacher decided to teach the Civil War through a historical novel and a blog. In the book, the Civil War is seen through the eyes of two teenage boys. This video is an overview of the project.
Human Survival on Mars
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=923770b2c360eefa2674
The host interviews astrophysicist Dr. Devon Hamilton about how human beings will be able to live on Mars.
Poetry and Multimedia
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=f7736089c757404650e4
Junior high school students present poetry using multimedia tools.
Public Service Announcements in Health Class
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=2cea2f369918c5e1e12b
Grade 8 students produce public service announcements in health class.
Real Life Applications of Parabolas
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=1daabe3de1d76a6739cc
Students explore parabolas in real life.
Student Animations
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=e7c3f6f3f1f37029303c
Students create Flash© animations.
Venus: A Hollister View T7
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=9ab842e05382dc235f69
Students share information about Venus in an effort to interest other students.
Podcasting Resources
Odiogo
http://www.odiogo.com/
This product automatically converts text to audio files which can be played on MP3 players, including iPods.
Skypecasting
http://www.cscout.com/blog/2006/10/02/trend-skypecasting.html
Millions of registered users make free phone calls over the Internet using Skype software. Users can now have conversations with up to 100 people using Skypecasting. The conversation can then be recorded and shared like a podcast. Some interesting uses for Skypecasting include mystery writer Michael Connelly talking about his newest book, networking calls for business, and a live concert by the Dutch band Johan. Moodle even has Skypecast as a new feature.
How to YouTube Podcast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNQLDgkUXvk&mode=related&search=
This video shows how to watch YouTube video subscriptions on an iPod.
Podcasting Tutorials…
Learning Podcasting
http://www.wise-women.org/tutorials/podcast/
This tutorial provides an overview of podcasting with sufficient detail that you develop an understanding of what is involved with creating and publishing your own podcasts. The information is not geared toward educators. However, it is certainly well worth reading and following the provided links.
The Podcast Recipe: Producing a Successful Show
http://seminars.apple.com/seminarsonline/podcast/apple/index.html
Apple, Inc. has produced a three-part video tutorial for creating, producing, and promoting podcasts. You can learn about different types of microphones and how to use them, how to decide what content goes where in your podcast program, and how to use GarageBand, iWeb, and iTunes to help with the whole process. This series focuses on using Macintosh products; however, information and recommendations appropriate to podcasts created on any computer are included. Although not directed to educators specifically, all three sessions have good ideas that the classroom teacher can use.
How to Podcast
http://www.voxmedia.org/wiki/How_to_Podcast
This section of the VoxMedia wiki is not finished yet, but the links are enough to recommend it for individuals who are looking for introductory instructions.
Audio Podcasting
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=c02f9902576ec55ebbe7
This video provides very detailed instructions for creating an audio podcast using mypodcast.com and mypodcast recorder.
Podcast Tutorial: How to Post a Podcast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBH9l_6iPEM
This video tells how to use PodOmatic to post a podcast to the iTunes Store. You can record your podcast directly to the web using this free service. It works with both Windows and Mac computers.
Creating Video Podcasts on Mac OS X
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/tutorials/videopodcasts.html
This tutorial provides instructions for creating a video podcast on a Macintosh and posting it to iTunes.
Podcasting for iTunes & iTS podcast directory
http://www.mvldesign.com/itunespodcast.html
This podcasting tutorial guides you through creating a podcast of your own (on either Macs or Windows computers) and posting it on the iTunes Store podcast directory.
iLife Tutorials for Macs
iLife GarageBand: Recording a Podcast (Part 1)
http://www.zoom-in.com/tutorials/Apple/garageband/recording_a_podcast/index.php?part=1
iLife GarageBand: Recording a Podcast (Part 2)
http://www.zoom-in.com/tutorials/Apple/garageband/recording_a_podcast/index.php?part=2
Creating a Podcast Page
http://www.zoom-in.com/tutorials/Apple/iweb/podcast/index.php
Podcasting in the Classroom
Frog Dissection and Technology
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=3b337800875b5d382a07
Watch grade 8 students document their frog dissections.
Guerrilla Season Book Blog Project
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=c4d7336496819a46a1b6
A junior high school history teacher decided to teach the Civil War through a historical novel and a blog. In the book, the Civil War is seen through the eyes of two teenage boys. This video is an overview of the project.
Human Survival on Mars
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=923770b2c360eefa2674
The host interviews astrophysicist Dr. Devon Hamilton about how human beings will be able to live on Mars.
Poetry and Multimedia
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=f7736089c757404650e4
Junior high school students present poetry using multimedia tools.
Public Service Announcements in Health Class
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=2cea2f369918c5e1e12b
Grade 8 students produce public service announcements in health class.
Real Life Applications of Parabolas
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=1daabe3de1d76a6739cc
Students explore parabolas in real life.
Student Animations
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=e7c3f6f3f1f37029303c
Students create Flash© animations.
Venus: A Hollister View T7
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=9ab842e05382dc235f69
Students share information about Venus in an effort to interest other students.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Variety of Ideas for Using Moodle
In a previous blog entry, I talked about Moodle… what it is, its capabilities, learning how to use it, and a small bit about actually using Moodle in the classroom. Today I’m sharing web sites which include information useful to both users and administrators of Moodle and which give some ideas about how to use Moodle.
If you currently use Moodle or if you’re thinking about using it, I think you’ll find some interesting ideas here.
Moodlebug: Josie Fraser’s Moodle blog: Moodle and Learning Communities
http://fraser.typepad.com/moodle/
Josie Frazer, a consultant based in the United Kingdom, operates a blog dedicated to Moodle and learning communities. Periodic posts discuss Moodle, including its various versions, and customizing it to serve an individual or a school or district’s needs.
Moodle Journal
http://moodletraining.blogspot.com/
Bromley College uses Moodle. Their web site discusses using Moodle and training to use it. Topics may include
The site polled readers as to which Moodle features they found most useful. The results for 54 persons—when I reviewed them recently—were:
http://www.shambles.net/pages/learning/ict/moodle/
This Moodle section is one part of a web site which supports schools in 17 countries in South East Asia. Several interviews discussing Moodle are quite interesting. Check these:
http://www.blip.tv/file/135552/
Gareth Davies discusses the Moodlestick in a video interview. His company produces a USB jump drive on which Moodle has been installed. With this you can learn about Moodle at home or practice using it where and when best suits you. A web site (http://www.moodlestick.co.uk) for teachers provides support.
Drew Buddie: Long-time Moodle User
http://www.blip.tv/file/135687/
Another video interview—this one with Drew Buddie—allows you to hear someone who has been using Moodle for several years talk about it. You can visit his school site (http://www.merapolis.co.uk/moodle/).
Ray Lawrence: Moodle Training
http://www.blip.tv/file/135605/
Ray Lawrence is an official Moodle partner. His business, HowToMoodle, helps schools as they install and implement Moodle. In this video interview, he explains how Moodle is developed.
Michelle Moore: An Introduction to Moodle
http://educationbridges.net/k12opensource/?p=9
Michelle Moore describes, in an audio interview, Moodle, how it is used, and how this affects education. The interview is long, but contains information useful to both users and administrators of Moodle.
Moodle E-Learning Course Development: A complete guide to successful learning using Moodle
http://www.packtpub.com/moodle/book
This web site describes a book (also available as a PDF) which covers:
http://e-subjects.co.uk/
This site has a variety of courses that you can download to use in your Moodle… free of charge. The courses are designed for the UK; however, many could be used anywhere.
Moodle Statistics
http://moodle.org/stats/
If statistics sound boring, check out this site about Moodle and its users anyway! You'll be glad you did.
The Edu Techno Revolution: A Classroom Without Walls
http://edutechnologyrevolution.blogspot.com/2007/04/rss-and-moodle-or-your-website-blog-etc.html
Moodle is one of several topics discussed in this blog. The blog entries which cover Moodle topics could be called “tech tips for Moodle”… a variety of useful ideas and techniques are explained. One interesting idea involves posting an RSS feed in Moodle.
Techlearning blog: Wiki, Blog or Moodle?
http://www.techlearning.com/blog/2006/10/wiki_blog_or_moodle.php
Moodle is similar to Blackboard. Courses can be organized by topic or by date. Students can use wikis, blogs, and threaded discussions in addition to many other resources. Moodle is easy to use. You can start with just one or two resources and add others as need and/or time suggests.
eduspaces: e-learning 2.0
http://eduspaces.net/moodlenews/weblog/
This blog includes postings from http://moodletraining.blogspot.com, interesting comments from an individual at Bromley College as he experiments with Moodle, experiments include Second Life and a vlog from an avatar. Interesting reading!
opensource classroom: I know what the title says, but don’t box me in man!
http://opensource.christophercraft.com/?p=58
The author shares how he succeeded in getting Slideshare to work with Moodle.
Blog Juice for Educational Technology: A Moodle Keynote Conversation
http://www.schwoebel.net/wpjoe/index.php/2007/04/23/a-moodle-keynote-conversation/
Teachers list their favorite Moodle features… with comments.
From where I hover… Information and Community for Educators using M.U.V.E.’s
http://www.simteach.com/blog/?cat=11
Another educator experiments with Moodle and Second Life.
Mr. Fjelstrom’s Geometry Blog
http://mrfsgeometry.wordpress.com/2007/02/26/moodle/
Whether you’re into geometry or not, check out this site and follow some of the links. You’ll find lots of good ideas for any course.
anne marie’s ls590 blog: some firm ground in the metaflow…
http://blogs.slis.ua.edu/slis/courses/ls590/spring2007/maccall/01/03/wordpress/?cat=18
This educator examines growth in Moodle course content over a two-year period. She shares some very good ideas.
Classroom Meets Technology: Kraemer’s Tech Blog
http://www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/sunsethill/kraemer/?p=41
I think I found a really good Moodle training blog! The links at this site should help to provide a sound foundation for an educator who cares about pedagogy and who wants to learn how to use Moodle well.
moodlicio.us: Support site for K-12 educators who use Moodle
http://moodlicio.us/
This is two sites in one… a blog about using Moodle and a link to a web site where you can find tips for using Moodle in the classroom.
MACUL Conference Blog: WebQuest and Moodle: The Perfect Pair!
http://macul.edublogs.org/archives/100
This educator talks about using webquests with Moodle. Excellent idea!
If you currently use Moodle or if you’re thinking about using it, I think you’ll find some interesting ideas here.
Moodlebug: Josie Fraser’s Moodle blog: Moodle and Learning Communities
http://fraser.typepad.com/moodle/
Josie Frazer, a consultant based in the United Kingdom, operates a blog dedicated to Moodle and learning communities. Periodic posts discuss Moodle, including its various versions, and customizing it to serve an individual or a school or district’s needs.
Moodle Journal
http://moodletraining.blogspot.com/
Bromley College uses Moodle. Their web site discusses using Moodle and training to use it. Topics may include
"using podcasts, streaming, downloads, training, metadata, scorm, lessons, quizzes, forums, chat, journals and assignments."Some of their experiments are quite interesting (e.g., combining Second Life with Moodle).
The site polled readers as to which Moodle features they found most useful. The results for 54 persons—when I reviewed them recently—were:
- Forums 38.9%
- Assignments 20.4%
- Quizzes 16.7%
- Lessons 14.8%
- Journals 3.7%
- Workshops 3.7%
- Chat rooms 1.9%
- Choice polls 0%
http://www.shambles.net/pages/learning/ict/moodle/
This Moodle section is one part of a web site which supports schools in 17 countries in South East Asia. Several interviews discussing Moodle are quite interesting. Check these:
- Gareth Davies / Moodlestick
- Drew Buddie / Moodle user
- Ray Lawrence / Moodle training, and
- Michelle Moore / introduction to Moodle.
http://www.blip.tv/file/135552/
Gareth Davies discusses the Moodlestick in a video interview. His company produces a USB jump drive on which Moodle has been installed. With this you can learn about Moodle at home or practice using it where and when best suits you. A web site (http://www.moodlestick.co.uk) for teachers provides support.
Drew Buddie: Long-time Moodle User
http://www.blip.tv/file/135687/
Another video interview—this one with Drew Buddie—allows you to hear someone who has been using Moodle for several years talk about it. You can visit his school site (http://www.merapolis.co.uk/moodle/).
Ray Lawrence: Moodle Training
http://www.blip.tv/file/135605/
Ray Lawrence is an official Moodle partner. His business, HowToMoodle, helps schools as they install and implement Moodle. In this video interview, he explains how Moodle is developed.
Michelle Moore: An Introduction to Moodle
http://educationbridges.net/k12opensource/?p=9
Michelle Moore describes, in an audio interview, Moodle, how it is used, and how this affects education. The interview is long, but contains information useful to both users and administrators of Moodle.
Moodle E-Learning Course Development: A complete guide to successful learning using Moodle
http://www.packtpub.com/moodle/book
This web site describes a book (also available as a PDF) which covers:
- installing Moodle
- using Moodle
- designing Moodle courses and
- best educational practices for using Moodle.
“better teaching, more motivated students, and more successful courses.”You can learn how to create courses
“where the group works through the classes with a shared schedule, or where individual students work through at their own pace, or courses where students are free to explore the different topics in their own time.”e-subjects.co.uk
http://e-subjects.co.uk/
This site has a variety of courses that you can download to use in your Moodle… free of charge. The courses are designed for the UK; however, many could be used anywhere.
Moodle Statistics
http://moodle.org/stats/
If statistics sound boring, check out this site about Moodle and its users anyway! You'll be glad you did.
The Edu Techno Revolution: A Classroom Without Walls
http://edutechnologyrevolution.blogspot.com/2007/04/rss-and-moodle-or-your-website-blog-etc.html
Moodle is one of several topics discussed in this blog. The blog entries which cover Moodle topics could be called “tech tips for Moodle”… a variety of useful ideas and techniques are explained. One interesting idea involves posting an RSS feed in Moodle.
Techlearning blog: Wiki, Blog or Moodle?
http://www.techlearning.com/blog/2006/10/wiki_blog_or_moodle.php
Moodle is similar to Blackboard. Courses can be organized by topic or by date. Students can use wikis, blogs, and threaded discussions in addition to many other resources. Moodle is easy to use. You can start with just one or two resources and add others as need and/or time suggests.
eduspaces: e-learning 2.0
http://eduspaces.net/moodlenews/weblog/
This blog includes postings from http://moodletraining.blogspot.com, interesting comments from an individual at Bromley College as he experiments with Moodle, experiments include Second Life and a vlog from an avatar. Interesting reading!
opensource classroom: I know what the title says, but don’t box me in man!
http://opensource.christophercraft.com/?p=58
The author shares how he succeeded in getting Slideshare to work with Moodle.
Blog Juice for Educational Technology: A Moodle Keynote Conversation
http://www.schwoebel.net/wpjoe/index.php/2007/04/23/a-moodle-keynote-conversation/
Teachers list their favorite Moodle features… with comments.
From where I hover… Information and Community for Educators using M.U.V.E.’s
http://www.simteach.com/blog/?cat=11
Another educator experiments with Moodle and Second Life.
Mr. Fjelstrom’s Geometry Blog
http://mrfsgeometry.wordpress.com/2007/02/26/moodle/
Whether you’re into geometry or not, check out this site and follow some of the links. You’ll find lots of good ideas for any course.
anne marie’s ls590 blog: some firm ground in the metaflow…
http://blogs.slis.ua.edu/slis/courses/ls590/spring2007/maccall/01/03/wordpress/?cat=18
This educator examines growth in Moodle course content over a two-year period. She shares some very good ideas.
Classroom Meets Technology: Kraemer’s Tech Blog
http://www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/sunsethill/kraemer/?p=41
I think I found a really good Moodle training blog! The links at this site should help to provide a sound foundation for an educator who cares about pedagogy and who wants to learn how to use Moodle well.
moodlicio.us: Support site for K-12 educators who use Moodle
http://moodlicio.us/
This is two sites in one… a blog about using Moodle and a link to a web site where you can find tips for using Moodle in the classroom.
MACUL Conference Blog: WebQuest and Moodle: The Perfect Pair!
http://macul.edublogs.org/archives/100
This educator talks about using webquests with Moodle. Excellent idea!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Sites to Check for SMART Board Ideas
SMART Boards--and other interactive white boards--continue to increase in popularity as classroom technology tools. Ideas for using SMART Boards in all grades and subjects can be found (http://www.waukesha.k12.wi.us/WIT/SmartBoard/specificapps.htm).
YouTube has some interesting videos showing SMART Boards. At http://youtube.com/watch?v=6owh452aJCI you don't have to understand the speaker's native language to appreciate his demonstration of Google Earth. And the simulation at http://youtube.com/watch?v=1l2tDiyRWvw&mode=related&search= is very interesting to watch.
Some of the videos do a very nice job of illustrating the possibilities for using SMART Boards to enhance teaching. I recommend watching these three...
- Save lessons for students who have been absent.
- Record short tutorials for using various software packages and then burn these tutorials to CDs.
- Prepare lectures and training sessions and then burn them to CDs to use as lesson plans for substitute teachers.
YouTube has some interesting videos showing SMART Boards. At http://youtube.com/watch?v=6owh452aJCI you don't have to understand the speaker's native language to appreciate his demonstration of Google Earth. And the simulation at http://youtube.com/watch?v=1l2tDiyRWvw&mode=related&search= is very interesting to watch.
Some of the videos do a very nice job of illustrating the possibilities for using SMART Boards to enhance teaching. I recommend watching these three...
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAiEOGMqGjQ
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjdNPMZJbLs
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26_KTWzVX8E&mode=related&search=
- http://its.leesummit.k12.mo.us/smartboard.htm
- http://www.edwardsly.com/character.htm
- http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001794.shtml
- http://www.ict.oxon-lea.gov.uk/whiteboards.html
- http://www.internet4classrooms.com/smart_board.htm
- http://www.kenton.k12.ky.us/SmartBoard/smartboardindex.htm
- http://www.theteachersguide.com/SmartBoard%20Templates.htm
- http://www.theteachersguide.com/SmartBoards.htm
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Lots of Labels
This week I attached labels to each of the entries in this blog. If you (or I!) want to view a previous post to check something, we can search for the appropriate label. Just scroll down the list of labels and click on one. The blog(s) containing that label will be displayed. All new entries added to the blog will have labels. This should be helpful! :)
Google Book Search Can Help with Research
You’ve heard of Google Book Search. You’ve seen books show up on your Google.com searches. Have you checked out all the information that Book Search provides? Have you used it by itself?
For some books, Google Book Search lets you search the entire book. For others, you can read portions of the book. Current estimates are that Google has scanned one million books into their database… some popular titles, some out-of-print books, and some in public domain. Book Search can help you and your students find books to help with research and projects. Using Book Search is a fast way to examine a large number of books.
You can use Book Search by itself… and your search results will show only books. Or you can search on Google.com… and if there are books relevant to your search, up to three of those books will be listed along with the other results of your search.
When a Google.com search yields a book, you can…
• browse some pages in the book,
• do more searching in that book,
• view reviews of the book,
• find where to buy the book,
• find a library from which you can check out the book, and
• for some titles, read the entire book.
What information is provided for each book? You’ll find…
• title,
• author,
• publication date,
• length,
• subject,
• links to bookstores where you can buy the book, and
• links to libraries where you can borrow the book.
For some books you will find…
• key terms,
• key phrases,
• references from scholarly publications or other books,
• chapter titles,
• a list of related books, and
• the publisher’s web site.
You can download, save, and print a PDF version of books that are in the public domain. There are limited previews (a few pages) of books whose authors have “partnered” with Google.
Google has shared the reactions of some Book Search users…
For some books, Google Book Search lets you search the entire book. For others, you can read portions of the book. Current estimates are that Google has scanned one million books into their database… some popular titles, some out-of-print books, and some in public domain. Book Search can help you and your students find books to help with research and projects. Using Book Search is a fast way to examine a large number of books.
You can use Book Search by itself… and your search results will show only books. Or you can search on Google.com… and if there are books relevant to your search, up to three of those books will be listed along with the other results of your search.
When a Google.com search yields a book, you can…
• browse some pages in the book,
• do more searching in that book,
• view reviews of the book,
• find where to buy the book,
• find a library from which you can check out the book, and
• for some titles, read the entire book.
What information is provided for each book? You’ll find…
• title,
• author,
• publication date,
• length,
• subject,
• links to bookstores where you can buy the book, and
• links to libraries where you can borrow the book.
For some books you will find…
• key terms,
• key phrases,
• references from scholarly publications or other books,
• chapter titles,
• a list of related books, and
• the publisher’s web site.
You can download, save, and print a PDF version of books that are in the public domain. There are limited previews (a few pages) of books whose authors have “partnered” with Google.
Google has shared the reactions of some Book Search users…
"I LOVE Google Book Search! I have purchased an extra dozen books this year I would otherwise not have. Being able to look inside and search for key terms helps me decide which books I need to buy. In the past, I found books online but was usually not willing to gamble the cover price for the chance it would have what I need..." – High School TeacherRead more about Google’s Book Search in Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Book_Search.
"I recently used Google Book Search to research a paper on the civil rights movement and found so many great books that I never would have found otherwise. Google Book Search sped up my research 10 times. Thanks for the help…”
– Student
"While trying to write a comparative paper on a novel, I remembered a passage of text I wanted to reference, but had no clue where it was in the book. I was able to find the novel with great ease on Google Book Search and then search for the passage I was looking for. The page I needed was restricted, however enough of the context appeared to guide me to the right spot in my own copy of the book… I'm… saving time by not having to read large swaths of the book again." - Student
C-SPAN Helps You Bring the 2008 Presidential Campaign to the Classroom
C-SPAN Classroom can help teachers bring the 2008 presidential campaign into the classroom. In fact, C-SPAN has already started to do so. They are providing resources, discussion questions, and free, downloadable video clips every week at http://www.c-spanclassroom.org.
In addition to providing these resources at their web site, C-SPAN also has a Campaign 2008 Bus that is traveling to classrooms throughout the nation. If the bus is stopping nearby, you can visit it. Or you can request that it come to your middle school or high school. For more information on the bus tour, visit http://www.Campaign2008Bus.org.
Plus, you can watch C-SPAN’s campaign coverage on the Road to the White House series on television on Sundays. And for additional campaign video, go to http://www.CampaignNetwork.org.
In addition to providing these resources at their web site, C-SPAN also has a Campaign 2008 Bus that is traveling to classrooms throughout the nation. If the bus is stopping nearby, you can visit it. Or you can request that it come to your middle school or high school. For more information on the bus tour, visit http://www.Campaign2008Bus.org.
Plus, you can watch C-SPAN’s campaign coverage on the Road to the White House series on television on Sundays. And for additional campaign video, go to http://www.CampaignNetwork.org.
Monday, April 9, 2007
PBS Teachers
PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) has created a portal--PBS Teachers (http://www.pbs.org/teachers)--to all their educational resources and services. Through this web site, teachers can access free standards-based lesson plans, classroom activities, videos, on-demand streaming video, blogs, and professional development information. Resources are organized by subject, grade level, and curriculum topic. The portal started this month (April, 2007). This summer the ability to bookmark, annotate, and share the resources will be available.
In addition to accessing national PBS resources through this portal, you can localize the web site to your local PBS station and access resources from there.
Professional Development is available through PBS TeacherLine (http://teacherline.pbs.org/teacherline/). Teachers enrolled in PBS TeacherLine can earn graduate credit and CEUs.
The PBS Shop for Teachers (http://teacher.shop.pbs.org/home/index.jsp) can help you find DVDs and other education resources linked to PBS series and specials.
PBS has been an excellent source of information and materials for teaching and learning for a long time. This portal web site simplifies access to their educational resources for teachers. This will be very helpful.
In addition to accessing national PBS resources through this portal, you can localize the web site to your local PBS station and access resources from there.
Professional Development is available through PBS TeacherLine (http://teacherline.pbs.org/teacherline/). Teachers enrolled in PBS TeacherLine can earn graduate credit and CEUs.
The PBS Shop for Teachers (http://teacher.shop.pbs.org/home/index.jsp) can help you find DVDs and other education resources linked to PBS series and specials.
PBS has been an excellent source of information and materials for teaching and learning for a long time. This portal web site simplifies access to their educational resources for teachers. This will be very helpful.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Teacher Magazine: Lead. Learn. Innovate. Inspire.
Interesting articles. Great photos. Inspiring ideas. Best practices. Quick reads for busy lives. And--best of all--you can subscribe via RSS! Check out this web site / magazine...
Teacher Magazine: Lead. Learn. Innovate. Inspire.
http://www.teachermagazine.org/tm/index.html
Teacher Magazine is available on the web and in print. It covers news--local, state, and national--and preschool through 12th-grade issues. The site offers content for educator-leaders, best practices, and encouragement for reflection by educators.
The articles are an interesting collection of projects that other teachers are doing, information about issues that affect all of us in education, activities that we might want to implement in our teaching, and stories that inspire. And great photos... teacher-submitted photos that draw you into the teaching-learning process.
The current web site includes three stories from the current print issue (March/April 2007), two stories from the archives, photos submitted by teachers sharing their learning communities, highlights of three stories, one from the web and two from print, blogs, an interview, a book review, a poll, and an interactive section: talkback, blogs, chat transcript, feedback, and jobs.
Topics available on the web site include instruction, profession, technology, school environment, students and community, sports and activities, non-traditional schools, and lifestyle. Several opinion options are present: first person, perspective, classroom tech, letters, and book reviews. Web Features are the web watch, blogboard, curriculum notes, trend tracker, audio, and photo galleries. The community area has talkback, chat transcript, blogs, calendar, grants, ask the mentor, and teachers with cameras.
Articles available on the current web site include…
• Marty Mentzer’s Basketball Poets club… student achievement levels have risen
• Some California students may be able to increase their grades based on their state test results
• The 10th annual survey of educational technology from Education Week
• Blog by a teacher who has just completed his portfolio for the National Board
• Bus duty
• Interview with a new congressman who is a former educator
• A field trip to test students’ practical mathematics skills
• Book review of The Hurried Child… the disappearance of playing
• Shakespeare’s sonnets for special education students
• Learning advanced mathematics via machining
• Year-round schooling
• Value-added measures
• Middle-school students
• Reaching gifted children
This web site has…
• articles to help you teach,
• articles to help you take care of yourself and meet your goals and needs, and
• articles to inspire you.
Check it out!
Teacher Magazine: Lead. Learn. Innovate. Inspire.
http://www.teachermagazine.org/tm/index.html
Teacher Magazine is available on the web and in print. It covers news--local, state, and national--and preschool through 12th-grade issues. The site offers content for educator-leaders, best practices, and encouragement for reflection by educators.
The articles are an interesting collection of projects that other teachers are doing, information about issues that affect all of us in education, activities that we might want to implement in our teaching, and stories that inspire. And great photos... teacher-submitted photos that draw you into the teaching-learning process.
The current web site includes three stories from the current print issue (March/April 2007), two stories from the archives, photos submitted by teachers sharing their learning communities, highlights of three stories, one from the web and two from print, blogs, an interview, a book review, a poll, and an interactive section: talkback, blogs, chat transcript, feedback, and jobs.
Topics available on the web site include instruction, profession, technology, school environment, students and community, sports and activities, non-traditional schools, and lifestyle. Several opinion options are present: first person, perspective, classroom tech, letters, and book reviews. Web Features are the web watch, blogboard, curriculum notes, trend tracker, audio, and photo galleries. The community area has talkback, chat transcript, blogs, calendar, grants, ask the mentor, and teachers with cameras.
Articles available on the current web site include…
• Marty Mentzer’s Basketball Poets club… student achievement levels have risen
• Some California students may be able to increase their grades based on their state test results
• The 10th annual survey of educational technology from Education Week
• Blog by a teacher who has just completed his portfolio for the National Board
• Bus duty
• Interview with a new congressman who is a former educator
• A field trip to test students’ practical mathematics skills
• Book review of The Hurried Child… the disappearance of playing
• Shakespeare’s sonnets for special education students
• Learning advanced mathematics via machining
• Year-round schooling
• Value-added measures
• Middle-school students
• Reaching gifted children
This web site has…
• articles to help you teach,
• articles to help you take care of yourself and meet your goals and needs, and
• articles to inspire you.
Check it out!
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Class Projects, Teacher Videos, and 21st-Century Skills
I’ve read some interesting blogs and viewed some thoughtful videos this week. I think you’ll find taking the time to look at them worthwhile.
CLASS PROJECTS...
When I read David Warlick’s blog (http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/index.php), I was excited to see some very interesting examples of student and teacher use of digital skills (e.g., distance learning, video, spreadsheets) and Web 2.0 applications (e.g., wikis, social networking, blogs) in the same lessons. Check David’s blog entries from March 23 and March 24, 2007 to read about several teachers and their students who are teaching and learning using today’s tools.
A brief sampling of what I found…
TEACHER VIDEOS...
While I was at David Warlick’s blog, I discovered TeacherTube (http://www.teachertube.com/index.php)… YouTube for teachers!
Teachers, administrators, students, parents, anyone can watch videos on TeacherTube. You can join video groups to network with others who have similar interests. You can save favorite videos or create playlists. You can integrate TeacherTube videos on web sites. When you upload your own videos, you can choose to make them public or private. TeacherTube is a free service.
Some of the videos you might want to check out are…
Survivor: The Middle School Classroom (http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=4bf8ce0ff2ec19b37151&page=3&viewtype=&category=mr),
Technology Fear Factor in Education (http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=d9fe611d5a8e90fefdc9&page=2&viewtype=&category=mr),
Learning in Hand: Administration (http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=75530d9583c34fd356ef&page=4&viewtype=&category=mr),
Inspiration Software with Math Instruction (http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=c49e5a833517c45d3107&page=2&viewtype=&category=mr),
Make Classroom Posters with Microsoft Excel (http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=a121ce581499d7b70166&page=1&viewtype=&category=mr),
… and the list goes on.
21st-CENTURY SKILLS
At Will Richardson’s blog (http://weblogg-ed.com/), I learned about the Did You Know video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHWTLA8WecI) created by Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod. Watch the video… and then ask yourself… and your colleagues… what it tells us about using and preparing our students to use 21st-century skills. There’s not one “correct” answer to that question. This is a topic we all need to discuss.
CLASS PROJECTS...
When I read David Warlick’s blog (http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/index.php), I was excited to see some very interesting examples of student and teacher use of digital skills (e.g., distance learning, video, spreadsheets) and Web 2.0 applications (e.g., wikis, social networking, blogs) in the same lessons. Check David’s blog entries from March 23 and March 24, 2007 to read about several teachers and their students who are teaching and learning using today’s tools.
A brief sampling of what I found…
… a grade eight class was delivering reports to a class in a rural part of the province… used Wikispaces for the presentation and the multimedia, including links to video and spread sheet files.
… Chad… posted the information on the class wiki, pointed his students to it and then assigned them to work in teams and invent their own political party. They were required to have a platform, to write speeches, have a mascot and logo, and to present their party to the class, and to utilize all of the vocabulary words and political concepts in the process.
… several of the students created a party web site, using Piczo, which is a social networking site that seems to be favored by youngsters in Canada…
TEACHER VIDEOS...
While I was at David Warlick’s blog, I discovered TeacherTube (http://www.teachertube.com/index.php)… YouTube for teachers!
Teachers, administrators, students, parents, anyone can watch videos on TeacherTube. You can join video groups to network with others who have similar interests. You can save favorite videos or create playlists. You can integrate TeacherTube videos on web sites. When you upload your own videos, you can choose to make them public or private. TeacherTube is a free service.
Some of the videos you might want to check out are…
Survivor: The Middle School Classroom (http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=4bf8ce0ff2ec19b37151&page=3&viewtype=&category=mr),
Technology Fear Factor in Education (http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=d9fe611d5a8e90fefdc9&page=2&viewtype=&category=mr),
Learning in Hand: Administration (http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=75530d9583c34fd356ef&page=4&viewtype=&category=mr),
Inspiration Software with Math Instruction (http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=c49e5a833517c45d3107&page=2&viewtype=&category=mr),
Make Classroom Posters with Microsoft Excel (http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=a121ce581499d7b70166&page=1&viewtype=&category=mr),
… and the list goes on.
21st-CENTURY SKILLS
At Will Richardson’s blog (http://weblogg-ed.com/), I learned about the Did You Know video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHWTLA8WecI) created by Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod. Watch the video… and then ask yourself… and your colleagues… what it tells us about using and preparing our students to use 21st-century skills. There’s not one “correct” answer to that question. This is a topic we all need to discuss.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Resources Available at Microsoft's Education Web Site
Have you investigated some of the resources available on Microsoft’s web site for education (http://www.microsoft.com/education/atschool.mspx)?
The web site provides resources in five categories:
• Lesson plans for K-12
• How-to articles
• Virtual classroom tours
• Product tutorials
• Computer science curriculum
Geared, of course, for using Microsoft products, many of the resources can be modified to use with Macs as well as with Windows computers.
Lesson Plans for K-12
You can find the lesson plans at http://www.microsoft.com/education/lessonplans.mspx. A typical lesson plan includes a description of the lesson, information about the lesson plan, a teacher guide, resources and web links, student activity, and ways to extend the student activity.
Lesson plans are available (at http://www.microsoft.com/education/lessonplans.mspx) in these areas:
• Geography
• History
• Language arts
• Mathematics
• Science and technology
• Social studies
How-to Articles
At http://www.microsoft.com/education/howto.mspx, you can learn how to use Microsoft software (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, MovieMaker) in the classroom with these how-to articles.
Excel techniques include creating a timeline, displaying fractions, and making charts and graphs. PowerPoint tips include animating chart elements, creating movie-style crawling credits, developing mini lessons, and showcasing photos. Applying special effects, creating a monthly calendar, designing a bookmark, and using hidden text are among the Word “how-to’s.” Introducing your classroom and an open house movie are listed in the Movie Maker tips.
Microsoft Virtual Classroom Tours
These downloadable PowerPoint presentations (http://www.microsoft.com/education/InTeachersVCT.mspx) are creative and constructivist-based. The tours are interdisciplinary. Content areas available include language arts, mathematics, science and technology, and social studies.
Microsoft Product and Technology Tutorials
Microsoft software tutorials (http://www.microsoft.com/education/tutorials.mspx) include techniques for using Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Windows XP, and Windows media. Special guides for educators include using accessible technology and using digital media with Windows XP.
The web site provides resources in five categories:
• Lesson plans for K-12
• How-to articles
• Virtual classroom tours
• Product tutorials
• Computer science curriculum
Geared, of course, for using Microsoft products, many of the resources can be modified to use with Macs as well as with Windows computers.
Lesson Plans for K-12
You can find the lesson plans at http://www.microsoft.com/education/lessonplans.mspx. A typical lesson plan includes a description of the lesson, information about the lesson plan, a teacher guide, resources and web links, student activity, and ways to extend the student activity.
Lesson plans are available (at http://www.microsoft.com/education/lessonplans.mspx) in these areas:
• Geography
• History
• Language arts
• Mathematics
• Science and technology
• Social studies
How-to Articles
At http://www.microsoft.com/education/howto.mspx, you can learn how to use Microsoft software (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, MovieMaker) in the classroom with these how-to articles.
Excel techniques include creating a timeline, displaying fractions, and making charts and graphs. PowerPoint tips include animating chart elements, creating movie-style crawling credits, developing mini lessons, and showcasing photos. Applying special effects, creating a monthly calendar, designing a bookmark, and using hidden text are among the Word “how-to’s.” Introducing your classroom and an open house movie are listed in the Movie Maker tips.
Microsoft Virtual Classroom Tours
These downloadable PowerPoint presentations (http://www.microsoft.com/education/InTeachersVCT.mspx) are creative and constructivist-based. The tours are interdisciplinary. Content areas available include language arts, mathematics, science and technology, and social studies.
Microsoft Product and Technology Tutorials
Microsoft software tutorials (http://www.microsoft.com/education/tutorials.mspx) include techniques for using Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Windows XP, and Windows media. Special guides for educators include using accessible technology and using digital media with Windows XP.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
More Web Sites... Useful and Many Interactive
This list of web sites begins with some sites that are interesting no matter what or whom you teach. The list closes with a few specialized sites for language arts and mathematics. Many of these sites are interactive and will work well with a SMART board or other interactive whiteboard. Enjoy!
Web Sites for Everyone…
Exploratorium
http://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/online.html
The Exploratorium was one of the first science museums to build a site on the web. (Don’t let that stop you if you’re not a “science teacher.” This site will capture your interest no matter what you teach.) The award-winning site has more than 18,000 pages exploring many different topics. The Explore section has activities to guide you to explore a variety of topics such as frogs, global climate change, language, and robots. On the Tools for Teaching page, you can watch the dissection of a cow’s eye, try some hands-on activities, access an extensive digital library, and more. You can also purchase some interesting gifts at the online store. (This site was difficult to evaluate and annotate because I kept becoming involved in the activities!) A brief description of this web site does not do it justice. This web site is definitely a “must visit”!
Lexicon of Learning
http://www.ascd.org/portal/site/ascd/menuitem.4247f922ca8c9ecc8c2a9410d3108a0c/
Finally… a dictionary for “educationese”!
Project Based Learning Checklists
http://pblchecklist.4teachers.org/
With project based learning, students participate in projects and practice skills from the academic content areas. This site provides checklists for project products. The checklists are easy to customize and to use.
I am certainly ready for spring… for fresh air and warmer temperatures! With that in mind, these next three sites certainly caught my attention!
AccuWeather.com
http://home.accuweather.com/index.asp?partner=accuweather
Enter a city or zip code to find what meteorologists think the weather will be for the coming week. Choose a state and see an animation of the changes in the weather.
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
http://www.noaa.com/
This site provides long-term forecasts (eight days).
USA Today Online Weather Almanac
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wresources.htm
This site provides monthly climate data for cities around the world. Find average monthly high and low temperatures, rainfall, and snowfall.
Old Magazine Articles - Reference & Research skills - grades 6-12
http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/
This searchable archive of PDF images of old magazine articles is mainly from the 20th century, but there are also 19th-century entries. The articles include pictures that illustrate the time period. There is some emphasis on the early 20th century among the topics. This primary document site has many useful resources for social studies teachers. (This site is fun to browse even if you have no need to research.)
Librivox - English - grades 0-12
http://librivox.org/newcatalog/
You can download audio recordings (read by volunteers) of books and poetry in the public domain. Search for works by category (fiction, poetry, non-fiction, dramatic works), genre, author, title, or reader.
Web Site for Language Arts…
Basketball Season Vocabulary - English - grades 6-12
http://www.vocabulary.com/basketball.html
Vocabulary.com has added a themed area for March Madness. Interactive activities use basketball-related vocabulary words. The themes available on this web site can help to make vocabulary development more fun for students.
Web Sites for Mathematics…
Pattern Blocks - Exploring Patterns with Shapes - Mathematics - grades 1-5
http://arcytech.org/java/patterns/
This site permits students to “manipulate” pattern blocks online. The activities work well with an interactive whiteboard.
Thinking Blocks - Mathematics - grades 3-8
http://www.thinkingblocks.com/
This interactive mathematics web site has video tutorials, interactive activities, virtual tutors, and more. Topics include addition/subtraction, multiplication/division and ratio word problems. Blocks represent numbers within each mathematics problem. Each lesson includes eight questions, so they can be completed during one class period. There are six lessons in each area.
SAT Math Pro - Geometry - grades 6-12
http://www.satmathpro.com/Practice.html
This interactive web site provides video tutorials and practice for students who are working with mathematics concepts (number properties, ratios and portions, percent, probability, data analysis, algebra, word problems, circles, lines and angles, Roman numerals, triangles, quadrilaterals, solids, coordinate geography and multiple figures). The site has received some very good reviews.
Web Sites for Everyone…
Exploratorium
http://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/online.html
The Exploratorium was one of the first science museums to build a site on the web. (Don’t let that stop you if you’re not a “science teacher.” This site will capture your interest no matter what you teach.) The award-winning site has more than 18,000 pages exploring many different topics. The Explore section has activities to guide you to explore a variety of topics such as frogs, global climate change, language, and robots. On the Tools for Teaching page, you can watch the dissection of a cow’s eye, try some hands-on activities, access an extensive digital library, and more. You can also purchase some interesting gifts at the online store. (This site was difficult to evaluate and annotate because I kept becoming involved in the activities!) A brief description of this web site does not do it justice. This web site is definitely a “must visit”!
Lexicon of Learning
http://www.ascd.org/portal/site/ascd/menuitem.4247f922ca8c9ecc8c2a9410d3108a0c/
Finally… a dictionary for “educationese”!
Project Based Learning Checklists
http://pblchecklist.4teachers.org/
With project based learning, students participate in projects and practice skills from the academic content areas. This site provides checklists for project products. The checklists are easy to customize and to use.
I am certainly ready for spring… for fresh air and warmer temperatures! With that in mind, these next three sites certainly caught my attention!
AccuWeather.com
http://home.accuweather.com/index.asp?partner=accuweather
Enter a city or zip code to find what meteorologists think the weather will be for the coming week. Choose a state and see an animation of the changes in the weather.
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
http://www.noaa.com/
This site provides long-term forecasts (eight days).
USA Today Online Weather Almanac
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wresources.htm
This site provides monthly climate data for cities around the world. Find average monthly high and low temperatures, rainfall, and snowfall.
Old Magazine Articles - Reference & Research skills - grades 6-12
http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/
This searchable archive of PDF images of old magazine articles is mainly from the 20th century, but there are also 19th-century entries. The articles include pictures that illustrate the time period. There is some emphasis on the early 20th century among the topics. This primary document site has many useful resources for social studies teachers. (This site is fun to browse even if you have no need to research.)
Librivox - English - grades 0-12
http://librivox.org/newcatalog/
You can download audio recordings (read by volunteers) of books and poetry in the public domain. Search for works by category (fiction, poetry, non-fiction, dramatic works), genre, author, title, or reader.
Web Site for Language Arts…
Basketball Season Vocabulary - English - grades 6-12
http://www.vocabulary.com/basketball.html
Vocabulary.com has added a themed area for March Madness. Interactive activities use basketball-related vocabulary words. The themes available on this web site can help to make vocabulary development more fun for students.
Web Sites for Mathematics…
Pattern Blocks - Exploring Patterns with Shapes - Mathematics - grades 1-5
http://arcytech.org/java/patterns/
This site permits students to “manipulate” pattern blocks online. The activities work well with an interactive whiteboard.
Thinking Blocks - Mathematics - grades 3-8
http://www.thinkingblocks.com/
This interactive mathematics web site has video tutorials, interactive activities, virtual tutors, and more. Topics include addition/subtraction, multiplication/division and ratio word problems. Blocks represent numbers within each mathematics problem. Each lesson includes eight questions, so they can be completed during one class period. There are six lessons in each area.
SAT Math Pro - Geometry - grades 6-12
http://www.satmathpro.com/Practice.html
This interactive web site provides video tutorials and practice for students who are working with mathematics concepts (number properties, ratios and portions, percent, probability, data analysis, algebra, word problems, circles, lines and angles, Roman numerals, triangles, quadrilaterals, solids, coordinate geography and multiple figures). The site has received some very good reviews.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Ways to Use iPods in Education
Ways to Use iPods (or other MP3 players) in Education…
(Are you using iPods in your classroom? Can you add to this list?)
Administrators can…
1. keep contact information for faculty members
2. keep contact information for students
3. podcast the district’s good news to share with the community
4. record meetings
Students can…
5. count calories
6. create a presentation about the community to share at a community event
7. create a travel guide of the country whose language you’re studying
8. create an audio tour for a field trip
9. create and record songs for learning basic facts
10. develop a script and record a story
11. interview leaders, experts, common folks
12. interview other students
13. listen to a book while you read it
14. listen to and record letter sounds
15. listen to radio programs from other countries to help with foreign language and/or social studies lessons
16. make news podcasts for other grades
17. record book reviews / recommendations
18. record interviews for school newspaper articles
19. record pulse rate data during physical activity (PE)
20. record yourself reading
21. store all your class notes
22. store assignments
23. store contact information for friends
24. store portfolios
25. store presentations
26. store reference materials (dictionary, encyclopedia, …)
27. study anytime / anywhere… even without electricity or a network
28. subscribe and listen to podcasts which are tutorials
29. view instructional golf videos
30. watch a video multiple times to better understand a particular content
31. watch instructional videos
32. watch pregame video studies
Teachers can…
33. ask history students to download films to save class time viewing the movies
34. assign student-created “how to” speeches to be podcast
35. create a video podcast to show how a particular dissection should be done
36. create an electronic portfolio of student reading samples
37. create pronunciation guides for foreign language classes
38. create quizzes for students who need to hear the questions
39. create vocabulary flash cards for ESL students
40. create weekly podcasts of class activities for parents and community
41. differentiate instruction by using specialized podcasts with individual students
42. download art pieces for students to study
43. download some newspaper articles to listen to while you’re “on the go”
44. download world folk dance music and instructions for students to practice (for PE)
45. extend learning beyond the classroom
46. have students podcast poems they have written
47. immediately jump to predetermined places in an audio book
48. integrate audio into the curriculum
49. play a famous speech
50. podcast classroom presentations
51. podcast students’ most-asked questions
52. produce content that is not otherwise available
53. provide video, audio, and/or images to help a student who has been absent catch up
54. record comprehension exercises for students
55. record presentations you hear at conferences
56. record test questions so that special education students can have tests read to them
57. show your PowerPoint slides with an iPod and a projector
58. store classroom presentations
59. store contact information
60. use music to set the stage for a lesson
Anyone can…
61. download audiobooks
62. store files
63. store movies
64. store photos
65. store songs
Resources…
1. http://schoolcio.com/showArticle.php?articleID=196604276
2. http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au/edition-10/ipods-in-educationinnovations-in-the-implementation-of-mobile-learning/
3. http://www.learninginhand.com/ipod/index.html
4. http://harry.hchen1.com/2006/03/21/302
5. http://k12onlineconference.org/?p=49
6. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/3965405.stm
7. http://www.technewsworld.com/story/education/55676.html
8. http://ipodined.wikispaces.com/Lesson+Ideas
9. http://www.educationau.edu.au/jahia/Jahia/home/cache/offonce/pid/68;jsessionid=6E04CFE036D7BF530859866506DDD889
10. http://ipod.gcsu.edu/GCSU%20iPod%20Story/index.html
11. http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/weblogs/varvel/archives/2006/07/ipod_campus_at.html
12. http://www.apple.com
13. http://burchi501.wordpress.com/2007/03/03/classrooms-ipods-new-levels-of-standardized-testing/
14. http://www.edtechreview.net/2007/01/touch-screen-ipod-on-way-in-07.html
15. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove06/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=2744070
16. http://swingtips.blogspot.com/2007/03/fullswing-tv.html
(Are you using iPods in your classroom? Can you add to this list?)
Administrators can…
1. keep contact information for faculty members
2. keep contact information for students
3. podcast the district’s good news to share with the community
4. record meetings
Students can…
5. count calories
6. create a presentation about the community to share at a community event
7. create a travel guide of the country whose language you’re studying
8. create an audio tour for a field trip
9. create and record songs for learning basic facts
10. develop a script and record a story
11. interview leaders, experts, common folks
12. interview other students
13. listen to a book while you read it
14. listen to and record letter sounds
15. listen to radio programs from other countries to help with foreign language and/or social studies lessons
16. make news podcasts for other grades
17. record book reviews / recommendations
18. record interviews for school newspaper articles
19. record pulse rate data during physical activity (PE)
20. record yourself reading
21. store all your class notes
22. store assignments
23. store contact information for friends
24. store portfolios
25. store presentations
26. store reference materials (dictionary, encyclopedia, …)
27. study anytime / anywhere… even without electricity or a network
28. subscribe and listen to podcasts which are tutorials
29. view instructional golf videos
30. watch a video multiple times to better understand a particular content
31. watch instructional videos
32. watch pregame video studies
Teachers can…
33. ask history students to download films to save class time viewing the movies
34. assign student-created “how to” speeches to be podcast
35. create a video podcast to show how a particular dissection should be done
36. create an electronic portfolio of student reading samples
37. create pronunciation guides for foreign language classes
38. create quizzes for students who need to hear the questions
39. create vocabulary flash cards for ESL students
40. create weekly podcasts of class activities for parents and community
41. differentiate instruction by using specialized podcasts with individual students
42. download art pieces for students to study
43. download some newspaper articles to listen to while you’re “on the go”
44. download world folk dance music and instructions for students to practice (for PE)
45. extend learning beyond the classroom
46. have students podcast poems they have written
47. immediately jump to predetermined places in an audio book
48. integrate audio into the curriculum
49. play a famous speech
50. podcast classroom presentations
51. podcast students’ most-asked questions
52. produce content that is not otherwise available
53. provide video, audio, and/or images to help a student who has been absent catch up
54. record comprehension exercises for students
55. record presentations you hear at conferences
56. record test questions so that special education students can have tests read to them
57. show your PowerPoint slides with an iPod and a projector
58. store classroom presentations
59. store contact information
60. use music to set the stage for a lesson
Anyone can…
61. download audiobooks
62. store files
63. store movies
64. store photos
65. store songs
Resources…
1. http://schoolcio.com/showArticle.php?articleID=196604276
2. http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au/edition-10/ipods-in-educationinnovations-in-the-implementation-of-mobile-learning/
3. http://www.learninginhand.com/ipod/index.html
4. http://harry.hchen1.com/2006/03/21/302
5. http://k12onlineconference.org/?p=49
6. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/3965405.stm
7. http://www.technewsworld.com/story/education/55676.html
8. http://ipodined.wikispaces.com/Lesson+Ideas
9. http://www.educationau.edu.au/jahia/Jahia/home/cache/offonce/pid/68;jsessionid=6E04CFE036D7BF530859866506DDD889
10. http://ipod.gcsu.edu/GCSU%20iPod%20Story/index.html
11. http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/weblogs/varvel/archives/2006/07/ipod_campus_at.html
12. http://www.apple.com
13. http://burchi501.wordpress.com/2007/03/03/classrooms-ipods-new-levels-of-standardized-testing/
14. http://www.edtechreview.net/2007/01/touch-screen-ipod-on-way-in-07.html
15. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove06/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=2744070
16. http://swingtips.blogspot.com/2007/03/fullswing-tv.html
Sunday, February 25, 2007
SMART Board Lessons
“How about some good web sites for primary grades in reading and math… connected to the smart board… thanks.”
This request from a friend who is a second-grade teacher led me to four web sites (three, actually… but you’ll see) that have some very good lessons that primary teachers can use. The unexpected blessing is that these sites also have good lessons for other grade levels in K-12!
The first two sites come from Amphitheater Public Schools in Tucson, Arizona. Their teachers (K-12) have written some high-quality lesson plans that help them--the teachers--to embed technology into the curriculum. Some of the lessons involve ways--both innovative and effective--for students to use the Internet, and others use higher-level thinking along with technology integration.
They also list other useful resources. For example, I found the Literacy Center (http://www.literacycenter.net/lessonview_en.htm#), an early literacy site for primary teachers. It has games that can be played on the SMART board.
http://www.amphi.com/departments/technology/whiteboard/eleminteractivesites.html
http://www.amphi.com/departments/technology/edtech/lessons/second.html
The next web site comes from Hillside Elementary School in Needham, Massachusetts. The Cyberventures page (http://hillside.needham.k12.ma.us/cyberventues/index.html) contains a variety of information worth examining. However, the web site I chose for this blog entry contains activities (K-5) especially for SMART boards.
I had fun with the Virtual Geoboard (http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_277_g_1_t_3.html) and I like the chart (http://www.topmarks.co.uk/Interactive.aspx) that maps web sites appropriate for use with an interactive white board based on subject and age group.
http://hillside.needham.k12.ma.us/cyberventues/smart_board_activ/smart_board.htm
The last web site I’ve chosen with SMART board lesson plans and activities (K-12) is from the pdtogo web site that I mentioned in a previous (December 8, 2006… http://teaching21c.blogspot.com/2006_12_01_archive.html) blog entry on SMART boards. These pdtogo podcasts began in January 2006 and still continue. The URL that I’ve bookmarked for you is the lesson archive page. It allows you to look over the entire list of podcasts up to this point… or to examine them based on categories such as “math lessons” or “reading lessons” (see the right-hand column). These podcasts are fun to listen to and/or watch and they include bits of other useful information in addition to SMART board lessons.
Two examples of the lessons available from pdtogo include these literacy lessons for primary students. SMART Board Lesson 56 has a SMART Notebook file (chickachicka.notebook) that can be downloaded for a primary lesson for matching sounds, pictures, and letters. Lesson 62 includes a file for a jeopardy-style game for an early years lesson about letter sounds. Both of these lessons were developed by a kindergarten teacher in Canada.
http://pdtogo.com/smart/?page_id=28
As I examine lesson plans from each of these sites, it is obvious that they are designed by teachers who know well both their students and the content they are teaching. The web sites are chosen especially for the fact that they contain good lessons for the primary grades. However, the quality doesn’t stop there. Check out these sites even if you teach other grades.
This request from a friend who is a second-grade teacher led me to four web sites (three, actually… but you’ll see) that have some very good lessons that primary teachers can use. The unexpected blessing is that these sites also have good lessons for other grade levels in K-12!
The first two sites come from Amphitheater Public Schools in Tucson, Arizona. Their teachers (K-12) have written some high-quality lesson plans that help them--the teachers--to embed technology into the curriculum. Some of the lessons involve ways--both innovative and effective--for students to use the Internet, and others use higher-level thinking along with technology integration.
They also list other useful resources. For example, I found the Literacy Center (http://www.literacycenter.net/lessonview_en.htm#), an early literacy site for primary teachers. It has games that can be played on the SMART board.
http://www.amphi.com/departments/technology/whiteboard/eleminteractivesites.html
http://www.amphi.com/departments/technology/edtech/lessons/second.html
The next web site comes from Hillside Elementary School in Needham, Massachusetts. The Cyberventures page (http://hillside.needham.k12.ma.us/cyberventues/index.html) contains a variety of information worth examining. However, the web site I chose for this blog entry contains activities (K-5) especially for SMART boards.
I had fun with the Virtual Geoboard (http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_277_g_1_t_3.html) and I like the chart (http://www.topmarks.co.uk/Interactive.aspx) that maps web sites appropriate for use with an interactive white board based on subject and age group.
http://hillside.needham.k12.ma.us/cyberventues/smart_board_activ/smart_board.htm
The last web site I’ve chosen with SMART board lesson plans and activities (K-12) is from the pdtogo web site that I mentioned in a previous (December 8, 2006… http://teaching21c.blogspot.com/2006_12_01_archive.html) blog entry on SMART boards. These pdtogo podcasts began in January 2006 and still continue. The URL that I’ve bookmarked for you is the lesson archive page. It allows you to look over the entire list of podcasts up to this point… or to examine them based on categories such as “math lessons” or “reading lessons” (see the right-hand column). These podcasts are fun to listen to and/or watch and they include bits of other useful information in addition to SMART board lessons.
Two examples of the lessons available from pdtogo include these literacy lessons for primary students. SMART Board Lesson 56 has a SMART Notebook file (chickachicka.notebook) that can be downloaded for a primary lesson for matching sounds, pictures, and letters. Lesson 62 includes a file for a jeopardy-style game for an early years lesson about letter sounds. Both of these lessons were developed by a kindergarten teacher in Canada.
http://pdtogo.com/smart/?page_id=28
As I examine lesson plans from each of these sites, it is obvious that they are designed by teachers who know well both their students and the content they are teaching. The web sites are chosen especially for the fact that they contain good lessons for the primary grades. However, the quality doesn’t stop there. Check out these sites even if you teach other grades.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
What is the Web 2.0?
I have been researching to find some ways to effectively share what the Web 2.0 is.
I browsed through some YouTube videos to see what I might find interesting.
These were two separate actions, but one proved to be the answer for the other.
I have collected a half-dozen videos from YouTube that have been posted in the past year… and which provide some interesting insights into Web 2.0. Some of them are designed for educators; some, for business. Together these videos can help us understand the Web 2.0 better.
Note: If you choose to show any of these to students, please review the videos first to be sure all the language used is appropriate.
Web 2.0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsa5ZTRJQ5w
Added March 08, 2006
The purpose of this video is to teach educators about Web 2.0 tools using Wikipedia’s information on Web 2.0.
Power of Web 2.0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6SefbFbixI
Added April 30, 2006
Web 2.0—with its blogging, podcasting, and video sharing—has enabled any one of us to become a broadcaster and to have a global audience.
What is Web 2.0? Short Version documentary
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9JPcno2cJgc
Added August 10, 2006
Some startup executives discuss the Web 2.0, business models on the web today, and publishing in a user-generated world.
What is Web 2.0?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LzQIUANnHc
Added September 10, 2006
The Web 2.0 is defined with a focus on how it's changing the Internet.
Web 2.0 Summit Opening Session
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8QS5OmsbWw
Added December 07, 2006
Tim O'Reilly and John Battelle look at their original ideas about Web 2.0. They also preview some sessions scheduled for an upcoming summit.
Web 2.0 … The Machine is Us/ing Us
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE
Added January 31, 2007
A professor responds to the Web 2.0.
I browsed through some YouTube videos to see what I might find interesting.
These were two separate actions, but one proved to be the answer for the other.
I have collected a half-dozen videos from YouTube that have been posted in the past year… and which provide some interesting insights into Web 2.0. Some of them are designed for educators; some, for business. Together these videos can help us understand the Web 2.0 better.
Note: If you choose to show any of these to students, please review the videos first to be sure all the language used is appropriate.
Web 2.0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsa5ZTRJQ5w
Added March 08, 2006
The purpose of this video is to teach educators about Web 2.0 tools using Wikipedia’s information on Web 2.0.
Power of Web 2.0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6SefbFbixI
Added April 30, 2006
Web 2.0—with its blogging, podcasting, and video sharing—has enabled any one of us to become a broadcaster and to have a global audience.
What is Web 2.0? Short Version documentary
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9JPcno2cJgc
Added August 10, 2006
Some startup executives discuss the Web 2.0, business models on the web today, and publishing in a user-generated world.
What is Web 2.0?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LzQIUANnHc
Added September 10, 2006
The Web 2.0 is defined with a focus on how it's changing the Internet.
Web 2.0 Summit Opening Session
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8QS5OmsbWw
Added December 07, 2006
Tim O'Reilly and John Battelle look at their original ideas about Web 2.0. They also preview some sessions scheduled for an upcoming summit.
Web 2.0 … The Machine is Us/ing Us
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE
Added January 31, 2007
A professor responds to the Web 2.0.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Backpack Can Help You and Your Students to Get It Done!
More than 200,000 people have used Backpack to create “to do’s” (more than 8,000,000) and notes (more than 1,200,000). The New York Times says that Backpack is “a cool organizational tool. How very cool.”
What does this web-based service do? How can you, your colleagues, and your students use it? Make “to do” lists to help you get things done. Organize your photos and share them with others. Set reminders that you can receive by email or on your cell phone at predefined times. Keep your calendar online and access it from anywhere. Upload files that you can access from other locations. Collaborate with others in your team on a project.
Backpack is a web-based service with which you can make/store/access to-do lists, notes, files, and images. Email lists, notes, files, and images to Backpack. Backpack can email you the content from a Backpack page. Set up text messages and email alerts to be sent to your cell phone at a time and date that you set.
How can you use Backpack? Keep track of your “to do” list. Plan your next vacation. Organize your next project. Gather information for a research project. Collaborate with others on a project. You can share your pages with others. Keep your schedule online. Access it from any computer… anywhere. Share calendars with others.
You can sign up for a free account. And then you can upgrade at any time… if you wish. (Free accounts do not include files, images, or calendars.) The cost of Backpack ranges from free to $5/$9/$14 per month. Plus and Premium Backpack plans are SSL secure. The Basic plan is not. All plans are password protected. Internet Explorer, Safari, and Firefox are compatible with Backpack. (Backpack doesn't work with Internet Explorer 5.x.)
Are you planning to purchase a product, but you need to research different options? A camcorder? A computer? A car? A house? Store the prices, vendors, photos on a Backpack page to keep your research organized.
Going to a professional conference? Keep track of the sessions you want to attend… session titles, speakers, locations, and descriptions. List your expenses--travel, hotel, meals--to make it easier to complete the paperwork when you return.
Are your students researching a subject in a team? They can collaborate by sharing a page that each team member can access and edit. Are you and your colleagues working together on a project? You, too, can collaborate by sharing a page which each of your colleagues can access and edit. (Each person who accesses your page must have a Backpack account. The accounts are free.)
Backpack (http://www.backpackit.com/) is a simple, free, and useful web-based service that can be used by you, your colleagues, and your students.
What does this web-based service do? How can you, your colleagues, and your students use it? Make “to do” lists to help you get things done. Organize your photos and share them with others. Set reminders that you can receive by email or on your cell phone at predefined times. Keep your calendar online and access it from anywhere. Upload files that you can access from other locations. Collaborate with others in your team on a project.
Backpack is a web-based service with which you can make/store/access to-do lists, notes, files, and images. Email lists, notes, files, and images to Backpack. Backpack can email you the content from a Backpack page. Set up text messages and email alerts to be sent to your cell phone at a time and date that you set.
How can you use Backpack? Keep track of your “to do” list. Plan your next vacation. Organize your next project. Gather information for a research project. Collaborate with others on a project. You can share your pages with others. Keep your schedule online. Access it from any computer… anywhere. Share calendars with others.
You can sign up for a free account. And then you can upgrade at any time… if you wish. (Free accounts do not include files, images, or calendars.) The cost of Backpack ranges from free to $5/$9/$14 per month. Plus and Premium Backpack plans are SSL secure. The Basic plan is not. All plans are password protected. Internet Explorer, Safari, and Firefox are compatible with Backpack. (Backpack doesn't work with Internet Explorer 5.x.)
"It's perhaps the most convincing Web answer yet to the power, flexibility and simplicity of a spiral-bound notebook." -Khoi VinhHere are some of the possible uses as listed on Backpack’s web site…
- Plan and organize a wedding or special event
- List items for sale
- Organize and prepare for a meeting
- Post book reviews, product reviews, whatever reviews
- Store canned emails
- Publish and organize guitar tabs
- Plan for your holiday greeting cards
- Organize a craft project
- Comparison shop and research a product on a Backpack page
- Organize a business trip
- Organize rebates, coupons, and special deals
- List your favorites in your city
- Use Reminders so you don't forget the little things
- Present color palette options
- Collaborate on new feature ideas, brainstorms, and screenshots
- Create quick access to numbers you need
Are you planning to purchase a product, but you need to research different options? A camcorder? A computer? A car? A house? Store the prices, vendors, photos on a Backpack page to keep your research organized.
Going to a professional conference? Keep track of the sessions you want to attend… session titles, speakers, locations, and descriptions. List your expenses--travel, hotel, meals--to make it easier to complete the paperwork when you return.
Are your students researching a subject in a team? They can collaborate by sharing a page that each team member can access and edit. Are you and your colleagues working together on a project? You, too, can collaborate by sharing a page which each of your colleagues can access and edit. (Each person who accesses your page must have a Backpack account. The accounts are free.)
“Hot site of the day.” -USA TodayYou can use your Backpack home page to keep track of everything that you need to handle. You might want to use it as the home page for your browser. That way you’ll see it every time you open your web browser.
“Emphatic usefulness! It's perhaps the most convincing Web answer yet to the power, flexibility and simplicity of a spiral-bound notebook.” -Khoi Vinh, Subtraction
“Everything you used to scribble down on sheets of paper can be replaced by Backpack's functionality, combining weblogging, to-do lists, and calendars all into one simple-to-use interface.” -Wholesome Goodness
Backpack (http://www.backpackit.com/) is a simple, free, and useful web-based service that can be used by you, your colleagues, and your students.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
PowerPoint by the Numbers
I looked on the Internet for design ideas for PowerPoint presentations for education. My goal was to find some simple ways to make the presentations more effective. I hoped to find some rules--do two of this… or three of that--to help make the design elements easy to remember. I did find a couple rules and quite a few recommendations.
I’m sharing these ideas with the hope that they will be useful as you work with students who are learning PowerPoint… or any other presentation tool.
THREE Guidelines for Design…
1. Determine the Purpose of the Presentation
How you approach the presentation…
Do you want to entertain, educate, or persuade? Considering the topic and the audience, should your approach be formal or informal? The answers to these questions will help to determine the fonts, images, and backgrounds that you choose.
How you use the presentation…
Are you designing the presentation for the screen, the web, or for printing… or for a combination of these? Dark backgrounds with light fonts display well on the screen; however, they do not print well. You may want to format the slides with one color scheme for display and another for printing.
2. Keep the Presentation Simple
Use TWO font families…
Using two font families (in the whole presentation) serves most presentations well. You may want to try light-colored fonts on dark backgrounds. Your audience will find it very easy to view.
Use ONE photo / image / chart…
One photo, image, or chart is usually the most you want on each slide. That, of course, does not include a school or district logo that you might use.
Use SIX words / SIX bullets rule…
Use white space generously. In order to have white space, you must keep the number of words on each slide to a minimum. I’ve read—and tried—several different combinations of how much information you should display on each slide. In my experience, six words per bullet and six bullets per slide are pretty much a maximum. Cliff Atkinson, author of Beyond Bullet Points, says, "When you remove interesting but irrelevant words and pictures from a screen, you can increase the audience's ability to remember the information by 189% and the ability to apply the information by 109%."
Keep the file size SMALL…
Try to keep the file size of the presentation from growing too large. Compress photos. Use built-in PowerPoint features--tables, charts, AutoShapes—rather than embedding and importing objects as much as possible. There’s no magic number for how small the file size should be. Just keep in mind that LESS is MORE.
Follow the 10/20/30 Rule of PowerPoint…
* ten slides
* twenty minutes
* no fonts smaller than thirty points.
Ten concepts is more than enough to learn in one setting… and twenty minutes is more than enough sitting time. And your audience will certainly appreciate that the font size is readable… even from the back row.
Put LOTS of information in the handout…
Create a handout for your audience. Put as much information and detail in it as you want them to know. And tell them at the beginning that you will give them a handout after the presentation is finished so they don’t have to take notes and can, instead, listen to you and watch the presentation.
Use FEW special effects…
Special effects can distract people, so they should be used sparingly. Sounds, especially, can be a problem. If you’re showing the presentation from your laptop, any sound effects may not be well heard by members of the audience beyond the first couple of rows because laptops are not designed to project sound far.
3. Choose Consistent Elements
Use the same…
fonts,
colors,
style of photos,
style of images,
animations,
slide transitions, and
templates through the whole presentation.
Final Comments
The slides are an aid to your presentation. They are not THE presentation. So, the words on the slides should support the words you say.
"Right and wrong do not exist in graphic design. There is only effective and non-effective communication." — Peter Bilak, author of Illegibility
I’m sharing these ideas with the hope that they will be useful as you work with students who are learning PowerPoint… or any other presentation tool.
THREE Guidelines for Design…
1. Determine the Purpose of the Presentation
How you approach the presentation…
Do you want to entertain, educate, or persuade? Considering the topic and the audience, should your approach be formal or informal? The answers to these questions will help to determine the fonts, images, and backgrounds that you choose.
How you use the presentation…
Are you designing the presentation for the screen, the web, or for printing… or for a combination of these? Dark backgrounds with light fonts display well on the screen; however, they do not print well. You may want to format the slides with one color scheme for display and another for printing.
2. Keep the Presentation Simple
Use TWO font families…
Using two font families (in the whole presentation) serves most presentations well. You may want to try light-colored fonts on dark backgrounds. Your audience will find it very easy to view.
Use ONE photo / image / chart…
One photo, image, or chart is usually the most you want on each slide. That, of course, does not include a school or district logo that you might use.
Use SIX words / SIX bullets rule…
Use white space generously. In order to have white space, you must keep the number of words on each slide to a minimum. I’ve read—and tried—several different combinations of how much information you should display on each slide. In my experience, six words per bullet and six bullets per slide are pretty much a maximum. Cliff Atkinson, author of Beyond Bullet Points, says, "When you remove interesting but irrelevant words and pictures from a screen, you can increase the audience's ability to remember the information by 189% and the ability to apply the information by 109%."
Keep the file size SMALL…
Try to keep the file size of the presentation from growing too large. Compress photos. Use built-in PowerPoint features--tables, charts, AutoShapes—rather than embedding and importing objects as much as possible. There’s no magic number for how small the file size should be. Just keep in mind that LESS is MORE.
Follow the 10/20/30 Rule of PowerPoint…
* ten slides
* twenty minutes
* no fonts smaller than thirty points.
Ten concepts is more than enough to learn in one setting… and twenty minutes is more than enough sitting time. And your audience will certainly appreciate that the font size is readable… even from the back row.
Put LOTS of information in the handout…
Create a handout for your audience. Put as much information and detail in it as you want them to know. And tell them at the beginning that you will give them a handout after the presentation is finished so they don’t have to take notes and can, instead, listen to you and watch the presentation.
Use FEW special effects…
Special effects can distract people, so they should be used sparingly. Sounds, especially, can be a problem. If you’re showing the presentation from your laptop, any sound effects may not be well heard by members of the audience beyond the first couple of rows because laptops are not designed to project sound far.
3. Choose Consistent Elements
Use the same…
fonts,
colors,
style of photos,
style of images,
animations,
slide transitions, and
templates through the whole presentation.
Final Comments
The slides are an aid to your presentation. They are not THE presentation. So, the words on the slides should support the words you say.
"Right and wrong do not exist in graphic design. There is only effective and non-effective communication." — Peter Bilak, author of Illegibility
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