Sheeps, Voices, and Thread!

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been working with the Miss. Sargent's Sports, Heath and Exercise Science Class on using VoiceThread to explain the parts of a heart of a sheep.  This was a really cool project to be a part of.

A VoiceThread is a web 2.0 tool where students are able to create a digital presentation on any particular topic.  Some great features that this tool has is the ability to

1. record audio
2. record with a whiteboard feature where the creator can draw on the uploaded image
3. have other people comment on the VoiceThread 

Here was the process that students took in this project:

Students...

1. Dissected a sheep's heart
2. Determined where important components of the heart were located
3. Took pictures of their heart
4. Uploaded those pictures to a VoiceThread
5. Recorded their voices onto their VoiceThread
6. Shared their VoiceThread to allow their peers access to view their project   

VoiceThread is a GREAT web 2.0 tool can can be used in any subject area.  If you would like to learn how this can be implemented in your curriculum, please stop by and we can chat.  To view and actual student's VoiceThread from this project, click HERE.

Creating Children's Book with Little Birds Tale

Over the course of the last couple of weeks, I have been working with Mr. Pepper's World Religions class in helping them create a digital children's book. The students accomplished this task by using Little Birds Tale. (This was the first time the high school has used this web 2.0 tool.)

Students were tasked to work in groups to create a children's book on Ramayana so that 4th grade students would be able to understand. Each group decided on who was responsible for each chapter of their book, came up with a script, as well as created their own drawings. These drawings were scanned to the computer so that they could be uploaded to the website. Then, the fun began with recording the stories. Students were reminded that they needed to have a 'story voice' when recording to keep their audience engaged. Once the three books were made, the class decided as a whole which one they liked the best. The chosen book was presented to a 4th grade class at Riddle Brook.  (Click HERE to view and listen to this book). 

Last Friday, the class took a bus to Riddle Brook to share with the students what World Religions class was all about, share the children's book, as well as talk about the high school. Not only this, but a blog was created so that both classes can stay in communication over the course of the next couple of months.

This was a great experience for all. Not only did the 4th graders learn something new, the high school students did as well. They learned about a new web 2.0 tool, how to create a children's book, and how to talk with the youngsters. The high school students most certainly were 'stepping outside of their comfortable limits'!

In regards to using the web 2.0 tool, here are a couple of item worth noting:
1. Free web 2.0 tool
2. Can create a classroom of student accounts with no require student email address
3. Can create an image online or upload an image
4. Have 25MB worth of space
5. Can download the book for only 99 cents
6. Completely 'green' website

As always, if you would like to learn how you can implement this in your classroom, just ask! Until later...

Randomizing Who You Select In Class

During the Summer Curriculum Technology Institute this past summer, a couple new web2.0 tools were shown during the first day.  One website in particular that was demonstrated pertained to randomly selecting students in class, created by Primary Technology.  (We all know that at times it is hard to make sure that you call on every single student in the classroom each and everyday).  The participants particularly enjoyed this website.  In fact, a couple of weeks ago, the Global Studies Teachers decided to implement this into their classroom discussion.

How do you go about using this website?  Glad you asked...it is quite simple.  You are first prompted to enter in all of your students' first names.  Then, when you hit the go button, all of the names will flash before your eyes.  It eventually stops on a 'victim'.  This victim is then responsible for answering the question.

There are a couple great components to this website:

• You are able to save your list so that you do not need to re-enter student names each and every time.
• When you hit the save and share button, you are given an embed code to put this in blogs or sites.
• You are able to select the appropriate time length you want to give the 'victim'.  I particularly enjoy the fact that they can see the time flash before their eyes.
• Great visual with sound effects

This might not be something that you use in your everyday lesson however it might be fun to implement every once and awhile.  To check out this great tool, click HERE.  Have fun selecting your 'victims'!

Don't Forget About Wordle...

I realized today that it has been over a week since I have last posted.  I must say that the storm over the weekend put a damper on posting.  Anyways...

I realize that Wordle is not a new web 2.0 tool, however, I do find it necessary to be reminded of the great tools that are out there.  For those of you who do not remember, Wordle takes any written text and creates a 'word cloud' of that information.  The more times a word is used, the larger it appears.  Once the wordle is created, you are able to change the appearance, such as the colors or style of font.  The create a wordle, click HERE.

Mr. Cannon actually used a wordle last week as of means of sparking conversation in his Global Studies Lesson.  To view the actual wordle online, click HERE.

A wordle can be used in different situations:

• You can ask students to create a wordle on a paper that they wrote.  By doing this, students are able to see just how many times they used certain words.  This can help students rewrite their paper if necessary.
• You can show a wordle of a paper that was written.  Ask students to explain what they think the paper is all about.  This could be great for analyzing poems.
• Create a wordle on a famous short story or poem.  Ask students to see if they can name the title of the poem.

As usual, the possibilities are endless.  Feel free to contact me for help or ideas!