Digital Storytelling & Copyright (Wk 3)

Weel 3 Reflections

“Wow” is all I can say about reviewing Creative Commons information on copyright rules and guidelines!  I think I will “bookmark” it so I can refer to it often, and also encourage colleagues in my building to take a look at it!  Lots to absorb…and the fact that there are no set Digital copyright rules presents a challenge for teachers.  This also is something I wonder if our technology teacher goes over with our students.  Thinking maybe she should provide the teachers in the building with some PD on this topic!

I liked the six summarizing statements from researchers Hoban and van Ormer, especially “The use of effective and appropriate films results in more learning in less time and better retention of what is learned.”  I use a video series “How the Earth Was Made” to go along with our geology unit on plate tectonics, earth’s layers and landforms.  It supports their reading and our discussions as students can refer to both when stating examples. 

As luck would have it, we were studying this unit when Japan’s earthquake and tsunami occurred.  We followed current events online (projected news video clips from CNN and/or You-Tube) along with the video on Tsunami’s (How the Earth Was Made).  I also have students do a Natural Disasters assignment where they work in groups of 3-4 to research a disaster and then create a “newscast” of the event.  They must incorporate specific research into the news and create their own short newscast (3-5 min. long).  I have used my flip-video to record their work and then we play them back so students can watch their newscasts! 

Since reading this chapter and exploring ideas about various ways to do digital storytelling, I am thinking that I could tweek this somehow.  Maybe giving them a chance to video it themselves and edit (using Windows MovieMaker) to present to the class!  Only problem with this is it would extend the length of the unit, so the question is “will it enhance their learning” by having them do this? Or just make it a fun activity? 

I have attempted a short digital collage of a day in the Crazy Mountains, 40 minutes from where I live and where my husbands’ mother grew up.  This was done with Picasa then uploaded to my blog.



A look @ Trespass Basin & Idiot Peak (Crazy Mtns) and front side of Ibex Mtn

Embedding....

Ok... am trying to get this posted, but am now using the downloaded video (that I saved) and am embedding using VCL.

Yellowstone National Park 2009

Seems like some of the quality has been lost, but this is the free version and probably is more grainy! What do you think?  I think that you can add text to the video, but I didn't do that.  I can see a use for this in my class since we use flip videos and digital cameras.  During our outdoor stream study days, I would have student-groups document what they are doing over a course of time, and then have them create video movie using Animoto (or even uploading their flip video) followed by typing in a summary or overview of what their video is documenting. 

I also have been using Google Docs with my daughter, as she is drafting a document  for some fundraising she wants to do for flood victims of Minot, ND (which is where she is living this summer).  I could have students accessing Google Docs for their summaries in the stream study work so that I can edit and assess it before it gets "posted"!  This idea came to me as I was checking out TEDx Classroom Project by Chris Long (where he described how he managed the project).  I really liked the TED talks because I know it would also make my students think.  I don't know that I would make a full blown project of it, but I will definately add TED talk to my Bellwork at the beginning of classes occassionally because they are all under 6 minutes long.

Week 2: Animoto

Ok, I've been messing with some Web2.0 video tools and decided to try Animoto.  Hopefully I have figured out how to embed this correctly!

(OOPS!!! IT DIDN'T WORK HERE!!!...)

I watched some video links from Eric about getting your videos into blog post.  The Vimeo video tutorial by Dale Basler on how to embed things from You-Tube, Google, Vimeo, etc. was very helpful and informative.  I also looked at vixy.net, and VLC (which is a media player that uses a cross platform media player and streaming server that is a highly portable media plaer for various audio & video formats).

I think that using Animoto in the classroom would be pretty easy for the teacher and the students...it's pretty user friendly.  I plan to use this when we go outside and work in groups to collect data for our stream studies each year.

PLN's and Twittter

Ok, I've spent a huge amount of time today "lurking"!!!  Also reading all the direction and advise that Dr. Brunsell has offered.  My mind is numb with so many new things to think about...  An interesting site is Classroom 2.0. Spent a lot of time there... very user friendly and has soooo many resources! 

Guiding Principles For Using Technology

The teacher must be able to:

·         Use technology in various forms that promotes communication with students, parents and community. 

·         Use technology to efficiently and effectively differentiate instruction and evaluate concepts. 

·         Be proactive in understanding how to effectively implement the use of technology to promote 21^st Century skills. 

·         Promote a sense of how to safely navigate online, both in research and in collaborative or social settings.

Technology must allow students to be able to:

·         Efficiently collect, organize and interpret data – in the classroom, in the lab, and in the field (graphing calculators, probeware, spreadsheets, podcasting, databases, etc.)

·         Conduct research from authentic sites so students can develop/formulate/collaborate/share ideas

·         Empower and Engage in critical thinking

·         Provide real-world simulations to promote deeper understanding of concepts  (online simulations, NXT robotics, etc.)

These principles are sure to evolve as I become more empowered by becoming a more proficient Web2.0 Teacher!

A-Z Web tools

My Tech & Learning eNews had some interesting Web tools I have not heard of yet... thought some of you might want to check this out! A–Z Web tools

Setting the Stage

As I reflect on this week’s articles, I come away with three main thoughts. One; I realize I have raised two digital natives! And while I guess I already knew that, since my two children have had access to (digital) technology, it was more punctuated after the readings.  Two; whether or not you are a fan or follower of Twitter, Facebook, blogging, podcasting, Flicker, and many others, Web2.0 and social networking are here to stay!  And finally; as much as I want to think that I am technologically literate…these articles make me feel unprepared to help students learn to use these tools. 

With that said, there were some specific notable points to Hardagon’s article (Web 2.0 is the Future of Education) that made me really stop and think.  “Digest this thought:  The answer to information overload is to produce more information.” I know that is how my two digital natives work… I’ve seen it!  I, however, was feeling INFORMATION OVERLOAD while I was reading over the articles, and just really wanted to click the OFF button and relax my brain.  Now, most of you can probably relate to me (we aren’t digital natives)… our frustrations when students or our own children, are happy to be busy with many tasks going on at once (watching T.V. while doing homework at the same time listening to I-pod and texting on cell phone!)  My daughter was able to do this and still get things done well.  My son, who has ADD was not so good at that combination, but was very involved with online “gaming”.  (They both drove me crazy!)  I read an article on brain research that says these digital natives have brains that are wired MUCH differently than ours… and this is where I begin to consider this challenge we have as educators!  Hardagon encourages us to “Help Build the New Playbook:  …these digital natives knowledge is surface level, they desperately need training in real thinking skills.”  I know I need to help provide my students the resources and tools that are necessary for them to be successful in the 21^st Century.  I look forward to the challenge and the task!

Introduction

I have been teaching 13 years in the beautiful, small rural town of Livingston, Montana.  Our middle school population is about 320 and I teach 100 students math and science.  I will be finishing the MSSE program in the spring of 2011/12.  Our family of four is now two (at least in the house)… with a son in the Air Force and a daughter pursuing her Occupational Therapy degree!  My husband Joe and I enjoy the many outdoor activities our area offers!

First time post!!

Wow... I have never "blogged" before, so this is my first experience.  I must say I am a little nervous but eager to learn how to use this in my classroom and with colleagues!