Virtual Class Meetings

I am not completely on one side or the other when it comes to virtual class meetings. I prefer face-to face classes for several reasons. First, you can collaborate in person with other people. Second, since this is a technology class, I particularly like live classes because it is nice to actually watch someone walk you through a program or software. Live classes are just more authentic to me. Plus, I've met fabulous people and have learned so much form each and every one. However, I have learned as much through our discussions, bookmarks, blogs, etc. It is just nice to put a face with a name, I guess.

As far as virtual meetings, it is a nice break from the drive to class and the strict 5-8pm hours of class. That is also a double-edged sword because I tend to find other things to do and not devote the entire class time to the class (I think I just told on myself). I find myself cooking supper, taking the dog out, then getting online for class. By that time, I am behind because people have been chatting and trying things for an hour. Then I rush and feel terrible. I really am not a slacker! It is good that there are tutorials and other links available to walk you through programs and sites that are new to you. Exploring on my own forces me to take ownership for my learning and try things I may have never tried had it not been assigned. I am grateful for that!

My Voki

I created my voki tonight, but it took forever. This is so cute, though. Kids would go crazy getting to create their own little character. I hope the link works.



Get a Voki now!

WOW! Look at What I Can Do!

I can't believe the semester is about to end. It has been a great class, a challenge, but a good one. I think we all need challenges to keep life interesting. The new technology skills I've acquired will hopefully make me a better teacher. I am already using some of them with my students and hope to incorporate even more next year. Technology is not as scary as I once thought, just a different and modern way to approach and enrich instruction in the classroom.

Gabcast...Tried and True! It worked-Finally!

I think it works now. Crystal and I tried yet again without fail this time. We are so excited. We took our kids into the computer lab and they got a chance to go back onto Gabcast, search for the title and listen to to their Reader's Theater individually. They were just as excited as we were. I can honestly say I will definitely use this a lot now that I know how to use it. I have so many ideas for what to use it for: kids following along with books I've recorded to build fluency, book reviews, interviews, class discussions, and so much more. I love Podcasting!



Gabcast! "Pet Care Kids" #1

Podcasting

Today, Crystal and I tried to do a Reader's Theater podcast with our kids and it didn't work, but we will try again on Wednesday. However, I decided to take everyone's advice and use Gabcast to do a podcast. I recorded a story as a podcast, so I hope you enjoy it. Hope the link works.

Gabcast! Lisa Heffner #1

Digital Project

I completed my digital project using Jumpcut and it was fairly easy. I had a few problems when I started adding my audio files to it, but with a little assistance I finally finished. Basically, I took a children's book and added the scanned pages and uploaded them to jumpcut. Then I recorded my voice reading each page and added that to it as well. The only problem with jumpcut is that you can only add one sound file, so I wasn't able to add my background sounds to my project. I was a little disappointed, so I would like to try the same book using Moviemaker. I can see using this for repeated readings in a listening center or whole group. I think kids would enjoy making a project like this too, but I would want to master it myself first. I think I need a little more practice. Please check out the link below to view my movie.

http://www.jumpcut.com/view/?id=6E7C192C09C411DD9F3E000423CEF682

Wow! Wikis are easy!

I have finally learned about wikis. I had never heard of them until this class, but now I sure do know what they are AND how to create one! It was an easy task, but I think I still prefer blogs. I don't like the fact that people can change you comments or add something that may not be true. However, the feature that allows them to be private is a good thing. Some things I like about wikis is that they are continually updated, and the time and date is not as relevant. They are more of a collaborative writing, which would be good for teachers and students. I think it would be great to give students a group work research topic and then have them each add the information that they find. Building upon each other's knowledge makes for good modeling.

Check out my wiki that is linked below.

http://zeno.ced.appstate.edu/wikis/RE5532/index.php/Social_Bookmarking

Tutorials: Tricky But Too Cool!

I really liked making my tutorial once I got the hang of it. My husband is quite impressed and wants to do one now. Although I got frustrated with trying to make one at first with Jing, I just decided to do it the easy (but effective and still good) way. I created my tutorial on a Word document and I used printscreen to show what the user's screen should look like with each step. I feel like my tutorial is more geared towards adults or middle to high school students. I look forward to seeing what others have done with their tutorials and if Jing worked for them. If time wasn't an issue in my position, I think it would be neat for students to do a "how-to" tutorial, maybe with a partner. Then let fellow classmates try to follow the tutorial. It could be something as simple as how to make cupcakes to something more difficult like how to build a treehouse. I have linked my tutorial on the left hand side of my blog under "assignments"; please feel free to check it out.