Empowering Students and Teachers

According to www.dictionary.com, empower means to give power or authority to; to enable or permit. Now isn’t this exactly what we as teachers need to do for our students. Empower them to become responsible for their own learning. In my class I tell me students, if you don’t know the answers don’t feel ashamed, embarrassed, or not intelligent but feel empowered that you don’t know the answer but have the ability to learn the answer. For some reason, the more and more I keep saying this in my class, the more students are willing to share that they do not know or do not understand and this allows me to have the other students that know the answers, to teach each other.

In his book, Empowering Students with Technology, Alan November gives many suggestions on how we need to allow students to take control of their own learning through the use of technology. But in order for them to do this, they need to understand how to use the technology the proper way. One way, like Michelle – Skyping with Alan November, had stated in her blog is “that it’s so important for students to learn about validating their information through multiple reference sources.” Students do take for granted, and I am sure many adults, that what they read on-line is the truth. How many people will state to you, “I read it on-line”; As if all of a sudden this technology has come along with all the right answers to all of the worlds questions. Some of that may be true but unfortunately there is no on-line police to catch those that do not share the truth. Students are just as easily able to believe what they read on-line as anyone else, and teaching students how to do it the right way will empower them to succeed. Mr. November discuss the importance of understanding how to read a URL correctly and what you should be looking for; who wrote it, the domain name – private or commercial, and the institution it is coming from. How many students know the breakdown of a web address/url? I know I did not until I started reading books like Mr. November’s. These are the things we need to be teaching our students in our classrooms if we want them to be empowered.  I have been searching on line for more information on this but have yet to come across anything as well as Mr. November had written about.

Mr. November had so many great points in his book. There has been talk about how in the future some classes may be offered on-line. He did make some great points when he mentioned on-line learning and how peer interaction on-line becomes an even playing field for students. All the students are in there together and there are no "clicks" to join. You work on the projects either independently or collaborative. Technology helps students to take down the barriers that may otherwise hinder their collaboration in a face-to-face arena. And although this is a plus for some students there are some disadvantages toward on-line courses.

It is books like Alan November’s and sites like Aviva Dunsingers’s, that allow us as teachers to learn how to empower our students in the learning process, as well as empowering ourselves within our profession.

I unfortunately was not able to stay for the whole SKYPE session with Alan November, What were you thoughts about the SKYPE experience? What is the main point you got out of your conversation with him? Do you think technology empowers students or teachers more?

Thank You Aviva!!!!

Aviva, Aviva, Aviva – I hope you can hear my admiration in this. I am so impressed by what Aviva is doing with her students. I want to take her class!! Can I regress, please, please, please, please!!!!

These are the sites that when you read them, you get inspired as a teacher to do better for your students. Learning about the different tools allows you as a teacher to empower students to become responsible for their own learning. I say thank you to Aviva and to all other teachers who are so willing to share their learning’s with others. We can only grow as professionals if we are willing to share and learn from each other.

Aviva’s site contains numerous ideas about how to incorporate technology tools into the classroom which in turns allows for students to practice reading, writing, arithmetic, collaboration, communication skills, and creativity skills – just to name a few. Being a secondary teacher, you may think that I would not be able to apply much of what Aviva is doing for her 1^st and 2^nd graders. Oh how wrong that it to assume this. I can easily see using Twitter with my 9 – 12 graders to help increase their writing skills as well as their etiquette skills while being on- line. The unfortunate thing right now is our district is apprehensive about using Twitter in the classroom. I am working at it though, and I am one that does not give up. I am going to have to share the video administrator Justin Tarte created called, "Why Educators should be using Twitter- Justin Tarte" - Thanks Aviva.

It is also very inspiring to see all the tools she is using with her students as collaboration activities.

Group Blog

Narrative eBook Project

Kindergarten Around the World

Like Aviva, I am using  Edmodo in my classroom. I have been using it as a classroom organizer of assignments, due dates, and notices as well as a way to communicate to the students, other teachers and parents. I never thought of having the students use it as a writing tool. Thank you Aviva!

I am also using a blog in our classroom, Kidblog. It has become another important tool in our classroom. I will be moving toward using another program next year, but started with the simplicity of Kidblog to see how it would work in our classroom. I have been pleasantly surprised at how engaging the students are with it and how they look forward to the next blog. They have never complained about blogging but they seem to complain about writing papers even though the questions are not questions and/or responses are not composed differently, they still are doing the same work. Overall the students have enjoyed posting their ideas, thoughts and learning’s. Next year, like Aviva I will have the kids create and run the blog posts and replies.  

Aviva shares so many ideas that she is doing in the classroom that can be tweaked to your content or grade level, your imagination is the only thing that will hold you back (or your district at times, but don’t let that stop you from exploring options). Thanks Aviva!

The one thing that caught my eye on Aviva’s site, and that I have been thinking a lot about lately, is how to make a virtual connection in our classroom. I want the student to experience the world outside of their “world.” I have been thinking how and with whom we can Skype with. I have ideas and have been reaching out to others and I am sure something will happen.  But recently a new, more exciting idea came to me when I was playing around with our new iPads. And then after reading Aviva’s site about how she had become a virtual mentor, something clicked (very excitedly I will say). What about having my students become Mentors to younger kids either within their districts, community, and/or world? If I can find the right teacher, we can set up times where the students can talk with each other on a one-to-one bases as well as group conversations. WOW! And for my students of Early Childhood Education, they can apply what they are learning by the interaction they are having with their Mentees. I thought of using the iPads. so they can have more of a personal arena, of course it would be nice if the connecting students had iPads. but it is not necessary. Oh and of course right now we don’t have Wi-Fi, so Skyping may have to be the tool of choice. But it can work…..time to get networking.

This is when I say Thank You to all the Aviva’s out there that share their ideas and allow us as teachers to become creative about the learning process.

What do you think about my idea? Do you see any concerns about trying this? Do you have ideas of how I can network this idea? What did you find of interest from Aviva’s site? What things can you see yourself using in the classroom and how will you tweak it toward your content or grade level? 

Let the iPad tell a story!!!!

Recently, my colleague had taken the 5 iPads we have in our department and used them for digital storytelling. The students in her class used the iPads to video tape their skits about how to properly handle confrontations (Teen Issues course). The students broke into groups, wrote out their skits, assigned the roles, and then recorded their skits on the iPads. Students were able to delete any videos they did not like, view the videos to make corrections, and then evaluate their final recording based on the rubric the teacher had provided. Once their recordings were completed students were able to place the video clips in a time line by using the application Storyrobe  (The app does cost .99 per iPad). The Storyrobealso allowed for audio input, so students had to narrate their story. The videos came out great and the students were so engaged with the activity. Although there is the capability to share the video, I am unable to share with you the videos done in the class because the students are in them but watch this video to see how easy it is to use Storyrobe.

The iPad can become a valuable asset toward the incorporation of digital storytelling in the class room. There are many applications in the Apple store, that can be downloaded for free or for a small fee that will aid in the ability for students to become engaged in their learning. Click on the picture below to be linked to a very simplistic site that houses information on applications and valuable resources on how to incorporate digital storytelling with the iPads into your classroom.  

I can’t wait to start incorporating digital storytelling into my classroom with the use of the iPad!!!

What are you thoughts about using the iPad as a digital storytelling tool? Do you use one in your classroom or personally? Do you see any cons about using iPads in this way in the classroom? What applications have you used for digital storytelling? Do you think students would benefit from using the iPad as a digital storytelling tool in the classroom? Why and/or Why not?

Me and My Animoto

Animoto is a great web tool that produces an animated video with text, pictures and short video clips that plays along with music. It is an easy application to use if you are looking for simplicity in its use and its presentation. Animoto can be used by the teacher to present information on a topic or to present an example of an assignment they want their students to perform.

Animoto does not take much to complete besides signing in, having pictures and short video clips ready to download as well as a song to go along with it. Or you can use Animoto’s library of video, pictures and music. With a drag and a drop you can produce a video in a matter of minutes if using the preexisting library. If you are importing your own files, be aware it may take you a little to a lot longer.  

These are my opinions on the ease and difficulties of using Animoto. 

The ease about Animoto (Free Version) is; 

• Drag and drop timeline to place your text, pictures and video in. 
• Able to do some manipulation to the audio such as shortening the length of the song, or increasing/decreasing the volume. 
• Easy to add pictures and videos to the timeline
• Does not allow you to go over the music timeline – the program only allows you to put in the right amount of text, video, or pictures without going over time. 
• Text box does have spell check and is very easy to use.
• Templates – there is a large selection of templates to use. 
• Easy for students to learn and use.

The difficulties of Animoto (Free Version) are; 

• Timeline is very limited as to what you can do with it. You cannot manipulate the pictures to hit certain parts of the song
• You have to click on “Produce Video” in order to view your piece – this takes awhile for production because you have to wait until it loads to view it and then go back and make corrections
• There is limited word count for the text input. There are two lines, one has 25 letters and the second line only allows 30 letters. Also you cannot change the font size, shape, position, or color. You get what you get for placement within the video. 
• Templates – you cannot change anything about the templates such as the color, text placement, and/or effects. 
• Would take more than one class period to complete an assignment using Animoto. 

With that being said, you can still produce a very entertaining video. I had produced my video for the Early Childhood Development course I teach. The video is Dorothy Law Nolte’s poem, Children Learn What They Live. The video is used as an introduction to an assignment. After viewing the video, students will have to come up with their own poem, story, or piece that reflects their individual thoughts and attitudes about children. Students will be able to use their choice of presentation tool such as Animoto, iMovie, and/or Wordle.   Here is my Animoto Video – Children Learn What They Live. (This video took me 3.5 hours to complete, from gathering pictures, to editing several times, to completion.)

                pictures on video courtesy of Google

Also view these other Animoto Videos; 


Felicia's
http://missheducation584.blogspot.com/2012/02/incorporating-animoto-in-english.html


Rubi's
http://rk14.blogspot.com/2012/02/first-animoto.html


Christina's
http://integratingtech584.blogspot.com/2012/02/animoto-video-on-order-of-operations.html

What are your thoughts on my video? What are your thoughts on how I am incorporating this video into my curriculum? How can you use Animoto in your curriculum? Have you used Animoto? -  In your classroom? - With your students? What hindrances have you encountered if any? What other choices for a video presentation can you give your students besides the use of Animoto?

Who's afraid of the big bad......little bird?

Are you afraid to tweet? Does the name Twitter make you cringe? My first thoughts of Twitter are a social network to follow people’s lives (as if you have nothing better to do). You see and hear about Twitter everywhere; the news, sports shows and the entertainment networks are always referring to how they get their “updated” information about a celebrity by reading what they tweeted. I have always viewed Twitter as a social networking tool that allowed people you don’t know, to get involved in your business. Oh boy was I wrong. There is a whole other side of Twitter that can help to enhance your professional life without invading your personal life. You just need to get over the fear of the lingo and a whole new world will open up for you. A world of professional development as well as making professional connections that can last a life time. These are the endless stories I hear from those that encourage the use of Twitter.

Click on this video to get an idea what Twitter is.

When I finally took the plunge and signed up for Twitter I began to experience the endless amounts of resources that other professionals are so willing and at times eager to share. I was also taken back by the acts of kindness to help each other with any question they may have, no matter what the topic is. Twitter should be used as a professional network where you give as much as you receive.  

So, how do you start? Let me take you through my version of a beginner Tweeter start up:

1.       Sign Up – It is free and easy to sign up. Go to www.twitter.com

2.       Set up your profile – Try to remember, when setting up your profile make sure you have your professional profile not your personal profile. Your fellow Twitters do check to see if you have things in common or at times why you are putting your posts up. If you want to put that you like to knit or run, put that information at the end. Otherwise put what you do for professional work and possibly your educational background.

3.       Watch – find a hash tag (a group with the same interests) to watch. Observe what they are putting in their post to understand the lingo and the flow. This does not take too long to understand because there are not too many things you can say because you only have 140 characters to post with. Some educational hash tags to follow - #digcit #edchat #emchat #engchat #sschat  #fcschat

4.       Sit with a Tweeter – If you don’t feel comfortable I would suggest sitting with someone who has tweeted before so they can explain and show you how it works. Doing this may take the fear away.

5.       Have Fun! – Then all you have to do is have fun with it. Start to gather information that you may find interesting. Set up a Diigo account or a Livebinder to store all the information you find.

6.       Take the first step and tweet – post something simple, something as simple as a thank for sharing. And then slowly add more and more.

  

These are simplistic steps toward beginning to use Twitter as a professional resource. To read a lot more about Twitter visit Cybraryman’s Blog. The blog is loaded with information on Twitter as well as endless Educational Resources.     

Cybraryman.com

My next step is to figure out how to send a link through a tweet by using a small url. Stay tuned for more Twitter updates as I start to use it more for my professional growth.

Are you using Twitter? Why or why not? What advice can you give me for my next step using Twitter? What problems, issues, and concerns have you encountered with using Twitter? What would you tell another teacher about using Twitter as a professional resource tool?

To Blog or Not to Blog - Is this really our question?

Blogging is a way for someone to be able to journal about their lives or for the purpose of sharing their skills such as writing, cooking, gardening, political opinions, parenting advice, views or just information about a topic. Blogging has become a way of having a larger audience to listen to what you have to say. No more talking to yourself in the car or shower, or telling someone something you are so excited about and they could care less. Now there is someone to listen to you at all times. And if you don’t want to be the one to create the blog, you can find blogs for almost any topic of interest. Just voice your opinion and move on. Or wait to receive feedback on your thoughts and ideas. Blogs are an extension of world of communications and at times validation of whom and what we are.

Does this scare you away from the idea of using blogs in the classroom? Think of it this way, Blogs can become a resource in the classroom where students can find information or respond to comments, ideas, or thoughts related to a topic. A blog used as a resource in a classroom can be a way for students to communicate with a professional outside of their classroom environment. Students can now learn from their world around them through blogs. For a teacher, the ideas for creating lessons around blogs are endless. And for each content area there are numerous blogs that can help to enhance a lesson. 

Some examples; 

  math http://www.dreambox.com/blog 

 

Science http://scienceblog.com/ ; 

Or you can find a site that has a list of blogs to use such as this one for students to present their written work and get feedback from it http://www.onlinedegrees.org/top-25-creative-writing-blogs-for-students/.   

These are just a couple of the thousands that may or may not work in your classroom. As a teacher you need to do the research on the blog that is appropriate for your content area and topic of discussion. But rest assure, I am sure you can find the right fit. Blogs help teachers think beyond the four walls.

The benefits of using blogs within a curriculum are numerous. Just getting students to write and enjoy it is a challenge. Bring in technology and blogs and you begin to speak their language. The majority of students are interested in engaging in writing when they participate in blogs. Blogs help students enhance their writing skills. If you are teaching secondary, pose questions that help them to answer the questions on their state-wide exams (CAPT), open-ended questions. Have students work on supporting their thoughts and answers to the question. Then, as I do for my class, have students evaluate their own work by creating a blog rubric for them to follow. Take it one step further and have student evaluate the work of their peers so that they can learn from each other and recognize their strengths or areas that need improvement.  

Watch this video made by a 10th grade communication technology class that captured comments from other students on why blogging in the classroom works. Enjoy the comments straight from the students........

 

Using blogs in the classroom should be embraced by teachers of any grade level or learning level. What makes you apprehensive about using a blog in your classroom? Are you using a blog? If you are, how are you using a blog in your classroom? How are the students interacting with the blog? What results are you see from the use of blogs in your classroom?

Lets Work Together

Collaboration is a great strategy to in the classroom. It allows students to learn from each other and to be able to evaluate their own learning progress. By the use of collaboration, students are able to work on a project where they can provide their own perspective, opinions, values, and thoughts which can bring a bigger idea to the project that working alone may not. Students are able to learn a new concept or way of looking at something when they collaborate on projects. Students also can learn different writing styles, vocabulary terms, or grammar use by working with students in their class. Collaboration is another way of expanding the comfort zone of student work.  

Teachers are always concerned about having students work on a project together because of time issues. Students have a full schedule as it is these days; asking students to get together outside of work can be difficult for many. And the results can be a poor planned project that is not up to the students who worked on its full potential. Google Documents (slang is Google Docs) is a great collaboration tool to use in the classroom that can aid in this dilemma. Students can work from any location; classroom, library, public library, home, or other location where they have computer access. This takes away from trying to plan the time to get together. Students can work on the document when they are available, not when the group is available.

Google Docs is easy to set up an account. Once the students set up an account they can begin to work on their projects. Then they would invite their partner to the document, which is private from all their other documents. This allows for students to have multiple collaboration projects going at one time. Students are able to take the same document and make improvement and/or changes to one document. The documents are backed up so if the students need to go back to a previous change they are able to. Students are also able to make comments to each other at any time and indicate the exact section they have the concern with. Students can communicated through Google Docs similar to doing it in person.

The big plus I see to working with Google Docs is, as a teacher you are able to monitor the progress of the students’ work. Once the students invite you to their document, as a teacher you can go in and make comments toward their work; suggest improvements toward their writing styles, grammar, vocabulary use, content, connection to the assignment, provide higher level questions to allow students to think beyond the obvious. And like the students, you can indicate the exact location of your concerns. This allows for great feedback for the students learning progress instead of having to wait to the end of the project. Students will be able to develop their literacy skills that they possess as well as learn from their peers and receive immediate feedback from their teachers. The feedback will allow the students to apply their new knowledge within their work and experience the results immediately. The teacher can make positive comment on the correct use and/or provide more feedback if not used correctly instead of waiting to receive feedback after handing the paper in, waiting for the teacher to correct it and then in many cases, never get the chance to make the improvements to see how it works. Remember our goal as teachers is to have student achieve within their learning, not about the grade. Google Docs is a great way to help guide students towards achievement.  

This video will give an overall view of Google Docs

I have a project coming up this semester for the students on Birth Defects. Students will work in pairs to research, write a paper, and give a presentation on their findings. This project is an example of how using a collaborative tool can aid in the production of this project. Students will be able to use Google Docs to complete their projects. For the research part, students can research the questions independently, go to Google Docs document and submit their answers and/or add to their partners answers, then write up the paper together. Students will work together to develop their literacy skills.

The next step for the students is to create a presentation to present to the class. But why not change this and have the students present it on a Wiki space, another collaboration tool. (Side note – Wiki is a Hawaiian word meaning fast) Wikis allow the same kind of collaboration on a project; private or public setting, saves the revisions of the documents, allows for comments. The Wiki space works in a similar way as Google Docs but in a Wiki space you are able to add visuals such as videos and photos. Adding visuals allows the project to go one step further by use of the same tool. The other plus to a Wiki space is that once the students complete their projects, they can open it up to classmates, school staff, and/or parents for comments on their work. This becomes a great feedback tool for students to help to enhance their literacy skills as well as their on-line skills.

 

Using Wiki vs. Google Docs as a collaboration tool to enhance literacy skills is a choice of the teacher depending on what is wanted for the outcome. Both work in a same manner although Wiki may take a little more time to set up the space, but not much and not difficult. Whatever is used, the benefits for the students to collaborate and learn from each other are invaluable.

What do you use in the class? How do you see a collaboration tool aiding in student growth? What fears, if any do you have about using these tools in the classroom? What can you tell me about these tools that I should know for my students?  

Tell me a Story - I will watch

picture from google

Storytelling is a powerful tool to give a student. I currently have a student in my class that told me his father signed him up for the class. I have to believe he is telling me the truth and not just feeling uncomfortable because he is the only male in a class full of females talking about children. Could be, or maybe not. In either case, he wanted to take the video production class. With my background in TV, I offered him the option of creating some of his assignments by using different storytelling tools. For a kid who wanted to not stay in the class, he seems to be very interested in the class now. He shares many stories during class, and I see him taking notes on what he wants to put in his stories. We have had several conversations about how to put together a story. What a great way to get the student who “had” to take your class, excited and engaged about taking your class. 

His desire and need put me on an exploration of what tools, free of course, are out there for him to use. I wanted to give him the option of what tools to use to complete his projects. Of course I had to keep in mind that he needed to present his project to the class so I needed to find tools that would work within our system. Through my search I had found several that were easy to use. Just to name a few: Animoto, Story bird, iMovie, movie maker, PhotoStory and so many more. All seem straight forward and easy to use. I found that it is going to depend on what it is you want the final product to be. Animoto is great for picture story telling with the enhancement of music. iMovie or Movie Maker allows for stills and video along with music and graphics to add to the creation. My mind starts turning with how to use these tools. I think Animoto and Story Bird would be great for students to use as a presentation tool for an introduction of what they will be talking about or as a conclusion of what they did talk about. iMovie can be used to tell a whole story, as a PSA or for a student to present their understanding and story of a topic. So many uses, I am loving it.

While exploring my options I came across many great sites, blogs, and wikis on storytelling. Two I would like to share with you. One is from MicroSoft: Digital storytelling in the classroom. The link it to a site that allows you to download a guide on how to create movies and interactive slide shows in the classroom. The only limit to is, if you even want to consider it a limit, is that they of course are only talking about their products which are great tools and easy to use.

But if you want more I would suggest checking out CogDogRoo’s wiki space. This space offers 50 tools to use to tell a story. On the right hand side there are a list of easy web 2.0 tools to use to story tell. Some are free and some you have to pay a fee to join or to upgrade to get more tools and gadgets to play with. This wiki space was actually the original space for 50+ Web 2.0 Ways to Tell a Story. On the second site you are able to participate once you join. Either site provides a wealth of information to use with your students to engage them in the lesson as well as in the class.

I came across this video about the 7 Elements of Story Telling. The video just gives ideas of how story telling can be used, especially for those who may not be sure how to use it besides for the creation of a topic. Story Telling can be used by the teacher to introduce a topic or pose a question instead of the teacher standing in front of the class. I took a speak class many moons ago and I was told to start your speak off with something to capture your audience with. Using a story telling tool can do that for your class especially if it is after lunch or the last period of the class. Enjoy the telling of your stories!!!!!!

I hope to share my students work some day on this blog. What have you been doing with your students for story telling tools? How have your students reacted to using these tools? What would you tell a teacher who was apprehensive about using story telling tools in the class to get them to use them in their class? What stops you from using these tools in your classroom?