Making Short Animated Videos that are Engaging!

Hands down, my favorite web 2.0 tool for the 2013-2014 school year is PowToon.  PowToon gets it.  This free web 2.0 tool allows a user to create a seamless, professional looking, animated video with very little effort.

These videos are not videos that you record and then upload to PowToon to edit, crop and add transitions.  Instead, you start off with a template where you add content, images and text, to a slide and animate it.  When I was first introduced to this tool (BIG thanks to Mr. Zeller, @monsiuerzeller), I immediately thought to the '______ in Plain English' videos by the common craft.  To me, these videos were engaging due to the fact that they were different and creative.  The amount it must have taken to cut out all of those pictures!  To see a sample of what I am talking about, watch the Twitter in Plain English Video:

Powtoon has created a quick video explaining what they are all about. As you will see, it is very easy to to use:

• PowToon has a great selection of pre-made images right in their program.  You also have the ability to add your own images as well.
• With each image/text you are able to decide how you want it to appear on the slide.
• You are able to add background music
• You can even record your own voice to be played throughout the PowToon
• You can add as many slides as you want (but remember if you want to keep your audience - don't make a video that is too long! A good rule of thumb for me is not to show something that is longer than 3 minutes)
• Each slide can be as long or as short as you want

It is important to note that PowToon allows you 30 free exports to YouTube under the free account.  But don't worry, you do not have to export your PowToon to YouTube.  Once you are done with your PowToon, you can just share the link to your newly created animated video without exporting it outside of PowToon itself.  I also like the fact that you are able to grab an embed code to have your PowToon embedded on another website or blog.  Lastly, I have to admit, I rather enjoy the ending of each PowToon when it says....'Created Using PowToon'.

Examples of PowToons

This tool can be used in many different ways:

• Pitching a product
• Explaining a Concept
• Teaching a Lesson

Below, you will find three different ways we have integrated this web 2.0 tool at BHS over the past 7 months.

Instructing Students

When introducing what a backchannel was to Mrs. Pearson's IB Film Studies class, I showed this PowToon.  While I have given the backchannel presentation to Mrs. Pearson's class before in past years, I thought that this video enhanced the discussion/conversation.

Informing Staff

We are currently in the process of having our school become an accredited school.  The NEASC committee at BHS decided that it would be a great way to inform the staff about the different standards that we will be assessed on through the means of PowToons.  I thought that this was a great way to get people engaged rather than a couple teachers standing in front of the entire staff at a staff meeting spitting out words about their committees.  The best part is that the NEASC committee came up with this idea all on their own! So Proud!  The following link will bring you to the PowToon regarding NEASC Committee #3 - Instruction, made by Mr. Cannon (@Cannonland).

NEASC Committee #3 - Instruction

While Cannon's PowToon is listed here, I give the entire NEASC committee props for taking the time to make videos for their staff as it sure was a lot more work to do that than to just list verbally what each standard committee would be in charge of!

Student Work

A couple of teachers this year have decided to incorporate PowToons in their curriculum.  One teacher in particular is Mrs. O'Connell.  Mrs. O'Connell teaches the Canterbury Tales in her AP Literature and Composition.  She decided that during the reading of this book, she would have students be responsible for sharing out to the class different tales through the means of a PowToon, instead of a typical presentation to the class or written paper.  Students were broken up into groups and were given a tale.  Then, the students were tasked with finding a way to portray what happened in the tale.  Below are two examples of student work from the class:

The Prioress's Tale by Jonathan Greiner and Abby Kokkinos

The Wife of Bath's Prologue by Kelly Gibbons, Annie McEwen, and Mary Spencer

So there you have it, three different ways PowToon has already been used at Bedford High School.  I look forward to seeing how it will be integrated into our bulldog family in the future.  As always, if you have any questions regarding how to use this tool or you just want to bounce ideas, just stop by room 222!

Transitioning to Teacher Google Sites

At the beginning of the school year, staff at BHS were told that they would have to make the transition of switching over their teacher websites to Google Sites.  This was done primarily for a couple of reasons.  1.  We have fully implemented using Google Apps for Education, so why not be in one location for everything.  2.  The current service that we use for teacher sites costs $23.00 per teacher.  As may already know, Google Sites is free.

I have been amazed with the number of staff that have already decided to make the switch.  Some staff have taken it upon themselves to figure it out, while other have received formal training from me.  Over the course of the school year, I will be providing more training at different levels (beginner versus advanced).  In order to help make the transition, I have created some videos showcasing how to create as well as manage a Google Site.  These videos have been broken up into no more than 4 or 5 minutes long highlighting different aspects of Google Sites.  To watch any of the videos from the 'Google Sites - Teacher Websites' playlist, CLICK HERE.  These videos highlight:

• Creating Site
• Creating New Page/Deleting a Page
• Customizing Theme, Fonts, Colors (look of a site)
• Allowing Ability to View Site on Mobile Devices
• 3 Ways to Report Assignments
• 2 Ways to Provide Resources
• Embedding Google Documents, Calendar, YouTube Videos
• Adding Image in Header of Site
• And more...

Teachers have been creative regarding how they are managing their own site.  Below is a list of 7 teacher sites.  My hope is that maybe one of these sites will showcase something you had not thought of that you can include in yours.

Mr. Cannon's Website (Humanities Teacher)

Mr. Zeller's Website (World Language Teacher)

Mr. Guerard's Website (Wellness Teacher)

Mrs. Morrissey's Website (Science Teacher)

Miss Mac's Website (World Language Teacher)

Mr. Ingram's Website (Humanities Teacher)

BHS Library's Website 

As always, if you have any questions regarding creating a Google Site, you know where to find me.  Room 222 is just around the corner...

So Proud!

Over these past three days, I have been reminded again as to how FORTUNATE I am to have such GREAT co-workers.  One of my favorite events to attend each year is the Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference, held in Manchester, NH. This year, I had asked three staff members if they were willing to present the technology tools that they were using in their classrooms. Without a hesitation they all agreed that it would be a very rewarding experience.  Bedford High School teachers really strive to make their curriculum relevant, current, and engaging; which is why I felt it was important for the following three educators to share their stories with others.

 On Tuesday, November 27, Jill Pearson presented on how she is communicating with high school students in the 21st century. She shared how social media sites such as Twitter, Edmodo, TodaysMeet, and Wikis are implemented in her curriculum. To view all of the resources that she shared, click HERE.  Jill can be found on Twitter @JPearsonfilm.

On Wednesday, November 28, Robby Zeller presented how he is not only collaborating with his students using Google Apps for Education, but more importantly, how he is doing it efficienctly.  Robby created a Google site that contains some information and samples of how he utilizes Google Apps in his curriculum; which can be found HERE.  Robby can also be found on Twitter @Monsieurzeller.

On Thursday, November 29, Karrie Welch presented how she is using the iPads in her Life Skills program.  She stressed that most of the apps, with the exception of two of them were free and that with one iPad, many important tasks can be accomplished.  All of Karrie's resources and Google Presentation can be found HERE.  Karrie is also on Twitter, @Karrielwelch

(Amanda Benware also presented on her own regarding Web 2.0 Tools she uses in her mathematics courses.  Andrew Digi and Kevin Munroe share some science lessons during their session on Monday night.  Ryan Keller and Linda Pomery shared their experience with using the Reading Plus Program this year; a program that helps students with their reading comprehension.  Even though I did not co-present with these staff members, I am just thrilled that they agreed/decided to also share their experiences with others!)

Bedford High School, sure had a GREAT representation at the conference!

In all three cases, participants commented how they enjoyed the presentation either through verbal or written feedback.  I could not have been any more proud of them.  Little do they know, I learned a great deal from them.  They have inspired me to continue doing what I do...that is to learn about what the next tool or app is or how to be more efficient with the tools that are already at our disposal.  I feed off of their energy and excitement!  Thanks for a great three days!