Assessment of Video Technology

Creating videos at the high school level would allow for each student to work with technology that they will most likely need in the future.  They can play with scenery, setting, music and acting.  I would assign each student to a partner and then allow each group to choose what they would like to make a film about.  Each student would need to contribute both in front of the camera and behind it.  This would allow them to understand where their talents potentially lie.  They would be able to cover anything from environmental issues to the latest literature assignment.  I would have them discuss the modern implications for their topic and have them discuss, in detail, why these implications are important.  At the end of the project, the class would view several films and discuss whether or not we agree with the conclusions that were reached by the filmmakers and why.  This assignment would bring in diverse points of view and interests from each group.  This would also give me the opportunity to utilize the students interests in later lesson plans.

Educational Videos!

Animated video

GoAnimate.com: Gemma and Christine by bahama.mama47

Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com.
Using animated technology in a high school English classroom would open the door for a lot of self-expression on the part of the students.  GoAnimate.com allows for a certain level of creative license without allowing the students to become overwhelmed with the program.  There are scenes already set on the free level that would allow the introduction of the concept of animation as a valid expression of literature.  The characters are also present in the program itself.  There is no need for in depth technical knowledge about how to write programs for animation.  The characters all have a dialogue that is written by the student.  I would have the class incorporate their interpretation of a piece of literature into the scene.  This would also require a bit of decision making on the part of the student, as they would have to determine which scene and characters best fit their interpretation of the literature.  This is also a great way to help the students gain a firmer understanding of the concept of narrative voice.

Voki

I really enjoy the Voki application!  It is really easy to use (when the computer is working) and it lets my creative side go!  In the high school classroom, Voki would be a great way to create an anonymous discussion.  Each student could create their own avatar and post responses to questions that might engender ribbing from their classmates if they knew who the person was.  The site also prevents many lewd uses that teenagers would definitely find simply due to the fact that it is not completely freestyle in the character creation.  There are set parameters that are present in the software itself.  For example, although the character may not have visible clothing, only the head and upper shoulders are visible.  This would prevent actual nude characters from parading around in the classroom.  The biggest issue that I see with Voki is the fact that the students can write anything that they want their avatar to say.  This is where an in depth explanation of what will be acceptable for the assignment must be made completely clear before the first word is written.

Autism Wiki

Autism Wiki!!!

To be honest, I'm not sure that I would use this in the classroom.  I found it difficult to use for a group project.  The class presentation made it sound like multiple users could be on the wiki at the same time.  This was not the case.  A group might be able to use this if individual work time were assigned to each student.  Otherwise, work would be lost and students would become very frustrated.  It was suggested that each student could be assigned their own page.  This makes more sense to me than using it as part of a group project.  However, if there was a need to use this as the modem for a group project, I would make sure that every student had a separate aspect and page to work on. This would ensure that each student is able to work whenever they felt like it and not have to worry about losing something due to someone else editing at the same time.

Villain vs. Hero Ning Profile

Social Networking

I think that there are several ways to use social networking.  The first way is to have a group research project about a different culture.  This method would allow the students to find out about various peoples from around the world by interacting with the people that live in that culture.  First hand experience is always a better way to learn than through the use of books or other second hand methods.  Subtle nuances can be found and explored that may not be seen as important by a researcher.  The students can also be exposed to a variety of cultures in just a few minutes through social networking.  The use of narrative voice can be explored as it was in the activity that was done in class.  One of the biggest drawbacks is the potential of unwanted persons being involved.  There is no way to screen the people that respond to verify their identities.  This allows for the students to be involved with potential predators and all around bad guys.  Another issue with this type of media is that students can be playing games or chatting with friends that have nothing to do with the project assigned.  The only way to avoid this seems to be joining a specific site that is geared for the classroom.  This may not seem like a big deal, but rarely are these sites free as are the larger ones such as Facebook and MySpace.  The idea of social networking is a good one, but it needs to be thought out well in advance of its implementation in order for the site fees to be present when the class is ready for the project.

What is your family's cultural heritage?

Using Google Documents is a great way to encourage collaboration in the High School classroom.  As the instructor I will be able to set up tables that will allow me to verify the contributions of each student.  Each group can discuss the changes or ideas they have for a project and even how to edit writings.  Proofreading one another's work is a perfect way to use this application.  Each student would have to contribute in order to receive points and pass the assignment.  It would allow a multi-person analysis of the written work without having to print multiple copies.  This particular tool would also allow different people outside the classroom to review the work without having to open it to the public.  Each person would be invited to view the particular document through their gmail account.  This would necessitate setting up a gmail account for each student.  Knowing that certain districts prefer to limit this kind of computer access, I would first get clearance from my Principal.  I would also send home a letter explaining what the class is doing and how a gmail account will help the student in the course of the class.

fast facts!

This Day in History

What's in my bag

The idea of using visual teaching tools such as voicethread.com is new to me. I have certainly seen powerpoint presentations that allow video feeds and even still pictures with sounds attached to the slide. This type of presentation would be useful in an English or Language and Literature class in a variety of ways. Each picture could be researched by an individual or a group to develop historical relevance to add to each slide. All of the groups would have the opportunity to record their own thoughts and research materials to a final presentation that would then be used to enhance the content that is being taught. The area that immediately comes to mind for this kind of project is "Romeo and Juliette" by William Shakespeare. There are many lessons as to the Globe Theatre where most of his works were produced. Pictures of the theatre as it has been restored and prior to its restoration could be presented. Material could be used that shows why it was significant and desirable to reproduce a medieval theatre in London and whether or not the reproduction enhances the play itself. I chose "Romeo and Juliette" due to the fact that women were not actors at this time. Using a type of visual learning tool on the internet would allow the students to see what a boy might have looked like in the role. It would also allow them to comment on why it was appropriate for the time period, but how it is seen as weird and undesirable now. It would also give the opportunity to expand the lesson into social changes and how it affects all parts of the world and not just one small part.

foreign Language podcast

foreign language.egg on Aviary.
A podcast has many hidden potentials in regards to educating our students.  It is definitely a lesson in patience and thinking as there are many different sites that are free and allow development of a cast.  Fore thought is required in the development of any cast as the student has to develop an idea and a script to follow.  Placement of the music and breaks in conversation are aspects that must be well developed also.  Creating a podcast is not as intuitive as many other technologies are.  There are a variety of possibilities in the type of technology and sites used.  Allowing the students to think about their projects and the sites they wish to use is a good way to help them develop patience.  However, in the development of patience comes frustration.  Too much frustration will cause the students to give up and decide they hate not just podcasts but technology as a whole.  I think a good way to mitigate this possibility is for the teacher to have a basic knowledge of at least one of the podcast types.  Aviary.com is a good way to go.  Most of the functions are self explanatory and easy to follow.  It also allows for individualization through the use of the students own ideas and creativity.

How do we end up changing nearly three hundred years worth of thinking? Many families have fallen back on an even older style of educating their children, homeschooling. In many cases, homeschooling is a miracle. The children are far ahead of their peers, thus proving the argument that is made in the video that each person learns in a different manner. In other cases, children are returned to public school so far behind their peers that they have to be placed in remedial classes to learn the basics. So, is there a way to educate children in a large, batch environment while acknowledging their individuality? Most families do not have the means or desire to homeschool, thus the children that learn very little in regards to others their age. How can we as teachers develop the individual thirst for more? We all know by now that the traditional model of education kills all desire for further knowledge in most children, even without the use of drugs. Perhaps the integration of whole body learning would allow for interest to remain in our children. This method incorporates movement into the learning process. Using art to teach mathematical concepts is far more interesting to many children than stark numbers that mean very little. We have focused for so long on following the steps that we have dumbed down our children. Very young children are capable of completing very complex mathematical equations, if given the proper tools and incentives. We must expect more and help our children gain it through innovative means. In other words, we need to think outside the box and if that is too difficult for us as adults, let's ask some kindergarten children.