Networking Assignment

I have networked with other students in this class through blog posts.  Here are a few examples:
Samantha S.
Karen R.
Jane K.

I also made a few comments on the class discussion board.

Wiki K-12 Post

I had no idea what a wiki actually was before coming into this class.  I have used them for information a few times but I have never contributed to one until now.  I didn't even know that I could contribute to a wiki.  So I have included a page in the K-12 wiki on my slideshow project.  For this project, the students take pictures of things that they like and don't like.  The students use these picture to create a slideshow about their likes and dislikes.  Here is a link to my wiki page.

Podcast Assignment

I used audacity to create my sample podcast.  I was able to figure out how to record and stop recording.  There are lots of other buttons in the application that make it look confusing and hard to use.  I am not sure that I would use this particular application with my students but may choose one that is simpler.  For my podcast, I did a simple audio of a greeting to another person.  This is something my students would need practice with or even just stating their name intelligibly.  I would use pod casting with my students so they could practice pronouncing or enunciating words and be able to listen to themselves.  I have one student that is able to read at the 1st grade level.  I could also have him read a book on the podcast and then he could listen to himself reading.  Here is my podcast sample.

Screencast Assignment

I used http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/ in order to make the screencast sample for my class.  The only problem I had with using this site was the volume.  Even after watching their screencast on setting the volume, I still was not able to get it very loud.  I made a sample for my students on how to use the paint application.  As an assignment for them I would have them record themselves drawing something using the paint application or they could even record themselves navigating another website.  I would also be able to use this to show my students how to play educational games on the computer. 

Card of the Month Club for December

Windfall School Parents,

    If you would like to order cards for the month of December, click here.  Each set of cards comes with 10 cards and 10 envelopes for a donation of $5.  Orders are taken until November 19th and cards will be delivered December 1st.  Send donations to school with your child.  Mark the envelope with your child's name and that it is for the Card of the Month Club.  Thank you for your order.

Webquest Assignment

I used http://www.zunal.com/ to create my webquest.  The website was fairly easy to use because it had the sections to the webquest ready and I just needed to type the information in and add the websites I wanted included.  In order to use this with my students, we would have to create a webquest as a group.  I could give them some choices on topics.  What do they want to learn about?  Maybe as a group even search the web on the topic of choice.  For my sample, I created a webquest on etiquette at the movies.  It may be beneficial to my students to have several webquests made on etiquette for a variety of activities and environments.  Click here to see my webquest.

Photo Slide Show

For this project, I will help my students take their pictures that they made for their photo album of likes and dislikes and we will make a slideshow with them.  The students will be able to watch their videos on the computer which will be of interest to them not only because it is about them but because they helped make it.  For my sample, I used Animoto.  I have to say it was easy to use and I really liked how it had sample music to choose from on the site to use in the slide show.  What I didn't like about Animoto was it only makes a 30 second slide show for free and anything beyond that I would need to pay for a subscription to the site.  Also, with power point I am able to use a switch and have the students press the switch in order to change the slide and see a new photo.  With Animoto, the slide show was more like a movie and played all the way through.  In some situations this is good but I wouldn't use it very frequently for my students since I like for them to participate as much as possible in every activity. Below is my saple video.

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Photo Album

For a photo album project, I decided to have my students take pictures of things they like and dislike.  A discription of the project will be sent home for the parents to get involved.  Since we have some kid tough cameras at our school, I can send one home with a different student each night.  The parents will help their child take pictures of things that he/she likes and dislikes.  The parents will indicate on the project sheet what the pictures are and if their child likes it or dislikes it.  When the camera is sent back to school, I will be able to help each student upload their photos into an on-line album. This will also help me to learn more about my students.  Here is an example of my pictures of likes and dislikes.  Picasa was a very easy site to use and upload photos.  It took me longer do decide what I didn't like than it did for my photos to upload.