LINKS TO MY COMMENTS

15/8/10,23/8/10 Comments to Amy Kennedys' Blog

19/8/10, 23/8/10 Comments to Captain Kirk's Blog

23/8/10, 24/8/10 Comments to 7beardall

22/8/10 Comment to Cameron's Blog

23/8/10 Comment on Cameron's Blog

24/8/10 Comment on Cameron's blog

23/8/10, 24/8/10 Comments to Ornello Riggio's Blog

24/8/10 Comment on Rachel Martin's Blog

15/8/10, 24/8/10 Comment on Rachel Martin's Blog

23/8/10 Comment on Jessica's Blog

23/8/10 Comments on Natalie Raymond

18/8/10 Comments on Emma's Blog

Some responses to comments made on my own blog:

22/8/10, 23/8/10 Comments on my Mind Maps Blog

24/8/10 Comment on Blog about Blogging Blog

23/8/10 Comment on my Blog about Image

22/8/10, 23/8/10 Comment on my YouTube Blog

25/8/10 Comments/analysis on Brainpop movie

Interactives & Educational Video

I have mentioned earlier that read write think interactive organizers, may be another good alternative to getting the ideas flowing in literacy tasks, as opposed to using the concept map. Click on the readwritethink links below and have a go, I love them! Unfortunately a lot of read write think organizers are unable to be saved. The organizers are fantastic, however, to use when acquiring and integrating knowledge and also for extending and refining. The venn diagram provides an opportunity for students to use the skill of comparison. (Marzono and Pickering, 1997)

(Please see attached comments for further analysis).

Brainpop Video and Movie Link

The following you tube clip will explain brainpop (another one of my favourites !) and I have included a link to one of their free movies. Videos have more potential than what we may think!, as long as we use them properly. What do you think of these tools ? (Please see attached comments for further analysis).





Link to movie

Finally!, A Blog about Blogging !

Blogs are similar to other ‘spaces’, such as online classrooms, Web Pages, social networking sites and wikis, as it provides an online place to post content. The creator can post relevant text, videos, music, images, movies and games.
There are some reasons, why some sites are used instead of others. The main purpose of Blogs, for example, is to journal ideas and share conversation with others. The T main difference with Wiki, is its intention to be a shared space.
These sites are brilliant for allowing the educator to isolate the information needed, rather than risk the students getting overloaded, and lost in the vast amount of information available via the internet. For this reason, these sites can also offer a safer solution.
Blogs can be used to create a sense of belonging in the classroom, with students feeling safe to share their thoughts with their peers.

The potential of tools such as Wiki and Blogs seem endless:

- Students are provided with educational tools, games, homework help and tasks. They can post their questions.
–Can provide the scaffolding needed to achieve a final project, that can be done both at home and school.
- Sharing opinions about books read.
- Becoming pen friends with another class at school or even overseas.
-Show and Tell
-Journal entries
-Appropriate to current understandings of what it means to be literate in the 21st century.
-The teacher can communicate with peers, communicate with parents, and showcase student work.

Some difficulties with blogging, that may need addressing, include:
-computer access
-Online safety.
-Ensuring friendly and safe student comments.
-Children may also need to be placed in groups for commenting purposes, but not be limited to who they follow (great for ‘round robin’ activity). This may help to prevent any feelings of inadequacy and students being followed more than others !
References

See: http://www.edna.edu.au/edna/go/schooled/school_theme_pages/pid/542
for lots of links on blogging.

See: Web 2.0 in the classroom by Black, J, Using Blogs to Promote Authentic Learning in the Classroom, January 7 2008
http://web20intheclassroom.blogspot.com/2008/01/blogging-in-classroom-why-how-and-lots.html

(Very good Blog about Blogs, with lots of good links to research and websites).

Images: Bush Tucker

This is an image retrieved from Flickr. The photo shows an Indigenous Australians' hands holding a Witchety Grub. Units of work that could use this photo to engage and initiate conversation, could be, those that involve learning about the Australian environment and people, insects, life cycles, and units that include learning about food. In particular traditional indigenous food(or 'bush tucker'), would be included when learning about food production, cooking and health.
There is a wonderful quick time video available through the learning place of indigenous children collecting bush tucker. I had difficulties embedding this in my blog, as I think it was protected ?, Has anyone successfully done this ? I had the same problem with the learning objects ?

Prezi

More Than Words on Prezi

Powerpoint is a fantastic way to deliver a multimedia presentation. If powerpoint is used effectively, it has the potential to help a diverse range of students understand and communicate through a variety of ways. Powerpoint can enhance learning and engage students . Powerpoint is not so effective if there is too much unnecessary information used, or when time is spent on the look rather than the focus.
Prezi is a presentation tool that is new to me and slightly difficult to understand at first, particularly because I am used to using Microsoft powerpoint. It took me a while to get over the fact that I was not making separate slides. Prezi has the user mapping out the information (video, text, images…) on the same page and then choosing the order in which it is delivered.
I can see Prezis’ educational potential straight away. I particularly like the way it seems to encourage getting straight to the point of what is needed to be communicated, rather than filling slides up with written information (Maybe it is just because I am not sure yet how to add lots of text, without filling up the whole ‘page’, or it could be because it seems to encourage more of a visual experience). Prezi looks great, and the way information can be zoomed in and out is effective in catching the attention and emphasizing particular information.
I also really like the way Prezi is similar to concept mapping or mind mapping, so is therefore helpful in getting the ideas flowing and across to the intended audience. I will need some practice, however, in showing only one idea at a time (through ‘hiding’ information I do not want to have shown yet and by working with a larger space ?), I also had a chosen ‘pathway’ for my Prezi, but it doesn’t seem to ‘work’ in my intended way, now that I have added it to my blog ?
References
http://prezi.com/hgjm18z36h75/why-should-you-move-beyond-slides/

Teachnology (2010) Powerpoint beyond the classroom what’s all the hype ?
http://www.teach-nology.com/tutorials/powerpoint/

Movie Maker (using Animoto Slideshow)

I have used both photostory and windows moviemaker for university assignments. I am also familiar with assisting students to use these video making tools for classroom tasks. I am currently addicted, however, to using Animoto to create videos.
Animoto is similar to movie maker and photostory, but easier to use. Animoto Slideshow.com, produces professional looking, rendered videos, using still and/or moving images. You can either use the images they provide or upload them from your computer. Text can also be added. Apparently Animoto analyzes the music chosen to produce unique videos. Animoto states that they use a patent pending, cinematic artificial intelligence, that thinks like an editor and director. See the video I have created with animoto,above, using my free Animoto educators account.
Downfalls of using Animoto:
-Only allows 30 seconds for free. Educators, however can apply for a free account for themselves and their classroom.
-Adding longer text at one time, also appears to be difficult, although I have heard people use powerpoint slides to do this, and then upload the slide.
-If wanting to add voice, then a program such as audacity would also need to be used.
-Mostly limited to an automatic look and finish.
- limited choice in the amount of time each image is shown.
-connected online (although user is password protected)
Opportunities:
-Animoto is quick, easy and fun for students to use.
-Students can use Animoto in lessons or units of work which include student presentations and video making.
-Animoto would also be a good way for teachers to showcase student work and share information with parents.
- A good way to visually impart information to students.
- Outcomes of Student generated digital video use- "include traditional and new literacies, autonomous behaviour, intrinsic motivation and metacoqnitive skills" (Schuck and Kearney 2004)

You Tube Video

The above music video can be found on you tube (a video sharing site). This video looks like a children's show because of the animal characters and animation, but may be inappropriate for a younger audience. The video contains a strong environmental message, refers to humans as being enemies and is opposed to eating meat. The video also has some moderately strong images of the way humans treat animals, and uses the term 'make love, not war'. The video also suggests that the animals might seek revenge!!
For older children, however, this video could be an engaging way to begin a SOSE unit that explores environmental themes, and the different perspectives and groups involved. The video could also provide a good writing stimulus, particularly if wanting students to write from different points of view (perhaps as one of the animals). The video could also be a good way to introduce different writing purposes and styles, such as persuasive writing.
What do you think, would you use this video, or is it too controversial ?