So I did recently a talking book using a new program called voicethread.com
It worked wonders. I think it's perfect for doing something like a talking book. Or even when doing something of a lecture it's also good to use.
For my project I did the book "Charlie the Caterpillar" and what I did simply was scan the pictures of the book and for each page originally I was to have my students read each page and have them do something of a collaboration of the class, however I ran into some technical difficulties so I ended up doing the talking myself.
So, you'll hear my corny voice but, the point gets put across. It's very easy to do and I loved working with it. It wasn't hard and it was quick and easy to do.
So, check out my talking book of Charlie the Caterpillar at http://voicethread.com/view.php?b=1384
Monday, May 7, 2007
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Tapped In
My experience with Tapped In hasn't been a new one. I have taken this class before (last year) and I had the chance of using Tapped In as well. At first I was trying to get used to using it and what to do and what topics they were talking about. Once I got the hang of it then I was posting twice in a week to keep up with what was happening. I did like it very much - however, there was one setback. When I was taking the class then I wasn't doing my practicum so I didn't have the wonderful experiences that everyone else was contributing and sharing with their mentors. Thus, I didn't have much to ask of them but just to sit back and read all the interesting comments people had to put up. When posting or commenting I had to still look at it in a old school student's point of view.
However, this year I am taking the class yet again and have come back to Tapped In. It had been a while since I was in the room, but I got used to it pretty quick. I got back into the routine of getting used to the posts and the topics that people were talking about. One difference though -I was finally doing my praticum! So I had a lot more to talk about this time! I was able to share my experience of how it is in the classroom and what I'm learning and how the children are around me. I really did like it and especially enjoyed communicating these feelings with people in Tapped In.
I may have at first neglected Tapped In, but I've come to learn that it's a very useful tool. I may not see it right now since I'm still in college, but once out I know I'm going to rely on it a lot more. I have started asking questions about my future - for example International school teaching. I'm waiting for some help and answers to it but I know that there is so much diversity in Tapped In that I won't have a problem in getting answers to any questions I might have.
I know that I never did have any problems with getting answers, I never have had any problems now with getting answers and lovely comments from others in Tapped In, and I will never have any problems in getting answers to my minor questions for my fellow mentors in the near future!
However, this year I am taking the class yet again and have come back to Tapped In. It had been a while since I was in the room, but I got used to it pretty quick. I got back into the routine of getting used to the posts and the topics that people were talking about. One difference though -I was finally doing my praticum! So I had a lot more to talk about this time! I was able to share my experience of how it is in the classroom and what I'm learning and how the children are around me. I really did like it and especially enjoyed communicating these feelings with people in Tapped In.
I may have at first neglected Tapped In, but I've come to learn that it's a very useful tool. I may not see it right now since I'm still in college, but once out I know I'm going to rely on it a lot more. I have started asking questions about my future - for example International school teaching. I'm waiting for some help and answers to it but I know that there is so much diversity in Tapped In that I won't have a problem in getting answers to any questions I might have.
I know that I never did have any problems with getting answers, I never have had any problems now with getting answers and lovely comments from others in Tapped In, and I will never have any problems in getting answers to my minor questions for my fellow mentors in the near future!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Technology Inventory
During my practicum I had time to meet with the computer teacher to do a technology inventory that can be looked at in my wiki at http://pkhosla.wikispaces.com
It was quite interesting to hear what she had to say. They seemed quite adept with all the technology they had. They definately had lab tops for students to each have one in class. They also had digital cameras. No doubt that doesn't sound like a big deal, but I feel that every school that has even those basic technology equipment means they're quite involved with technology. Hearing what other fellow classmates had to say in that school, the students seemed quite comfortable and aware of using technology - even in their classroom! I know for a fact that in our classroom the teacher had 3 computers, of which 2 of them had internet. I think that was a great idea so that students are able to get comfortable with even using the internet when wanting to find information for butterflies for example. I also appreciated that the teacher was explaining how they've got restrictions however on the internet for the students. That puts them at low risk if parents feel that their students aren't learning anything using technology.
I really did like how they too emphasize technology in their learning. It helps student develop with technology. We can't fight it but this is really the technology generation so instead of fighting it, one should help them develop into it and progress efficiently - and I feel that the school has been doing a good job and embedding and sprinkling technology in their daily classes.
In one of the fifth grade classes I was observing, the teacher used brainpop.com for just about everything that had to do with science. He also got his computer set up with the projector to play games and movie clips. Then in a fourth grade class I was observing the teacher had used the projector and a website to show the students about fractions.
So in subtle ways, teachers are using technology and students are learning how it's done!
I liked the ease of technology in this school and wouldn't be surprised if the students were able to show me a thing or two on technology!
It was quite interesting to hear what she had to say. They seemed quite adept with all the technology they had. They definately had lab tops for students to each have one in class. They also had digital cameras. No doubt that doesn't sound like a big deal, but I feel that every school that has even those basic technology equipment means they're quite involved with technology. Hearing what other fellow classmates had to say in that school, the students seemed quite comfortable and aware of using technology - even in their classroom! I know for a fact that in our classroom the teacher had 3 computers, of which 2 of them had internet. I think that was a great idea so that students are able to get comfortable with even using the internet when wanting to find information for butterflies for example. I also appreciated that the teacher was explaining how they've got restrictions however on the internet for the students. That puts them at low risk if parents feel that their students aren't learning anything using technology.
I really did like how they too emphasize technology in their learning. It helps student develop with technology. We can't fight it but this is really the technology generation so instead of fighting it, one should help them develop into it and progress efficiently - and I feel that the school has been doing a good job and embedding and sprinkling technology in their daily classes.
In one of the fifth grade classes I was observing, the teacher used brainpop.com for just about everything that had to do with science. He also got his computer set up with the projector to play games and movie clips. Then in a fourth grade class I was observing the teacher had used the projector and a website to show the students about fractions.
So in subtle ways, teachers are using technology and students are learning how it's done!
I liked the ease of technology in this school and wouldn't be surprised if the students were able to show me a thing or two on technology!
Butterflies lesson plan
So initally thought of an idea for my lesson plan in technology and I thought of a cute idea. I was going to get the students to use kid pix to draw a picture and then I would somehow get the pictures. Then I was going to be unique and laminate it onto a mousepad for them to take home. However, I was going to do a science circus on Butterflies and before that I was going to do a lesson plan and I thought this was a perfect time to incorporate technology. Hence, my lesson plan in the class was actually the lesson plan in my science class that had technology incorporated.
My students were familiar with butterflies so doing this lesson plan was really a review of waht they had done. Initially to engage them I read a book called "The Monarch Butterfly". After reading I asked them book specific questions as well as general questions. I also answered some questions they had - no doubt their far out questions I told them I would get back to them (the type of kids who naturally want to put their two cents worth!)
Then I told them I was going to get them to use Kid pix, which they were all very familiar with, so it wasn't difficult for me to explain to them. Their task was to draw the butterfly life cycle stages on kid pix and then print it out for me. I told them I was going to have a surprise with their work, but I didn't tell them what I was going to use it for.
They had fun in creating the pictures and I had fun looking through the unique desgins some came out with! For their extension part I connected it with the butterfly science circus.
When the time came for their science circus I gave them their surprise - their pictures pasted on their very own journals to keep!
They were excited about that, which set the mood for beginning the science circus.
I had a great time with them and myself had never used kid pix so I had tremendous fun playing around with it to see what I could do!
If you want to see my lesson plan in detail please go to my wiki and click on the butterfly lesson plan at http://pkhosla.wikispaces.com
My students were familiar with butterflies so doing this lesson plan was really a review of waht they had done. Initially to engage them I read a book called "The Monarch Butterfly". After reading I asked them book specific questions as well as general questions. I also answered some questions they had - no doubt their far out questions I told them I would get back to them (the type of kids who naturally want to put their two cents worth!)
Then I told them I was going to get them to use Kid pix, which they were all very familiar with, so it wasn't difficult for me to explain to them. Their task was to draw the butterfly life cycle stages on kid pix and then print it out for me. I told them I was going to have a surprise with their work, but I didn't tell them what I was going to use it for.
They had fun in creating the pictures and I had fun looking through the unique desgins some came out with! For their extension part I connected it with the butterfly science circus.
When the time came for their science circus I gave them their surprise - their pictures pasted on their very own journals to keep!
They were excited about that, which set the mood for beginning the science circus.
I had a great time with them and myself had never used kid pix so I had tremendous fun playing around with it to see what I could do!
If you want to see my lesson plan in detail please go to my wiki and click on the butterfly lesson plan at http://pkhosla.wikispaces.com
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