Friday, March 25, 2016
Screen Cast
This was the first time I have done a screen case. Overall, I thought the process was very simple and the end result was neat! I chose a virtual field trip that I had created in a previous class. By adding voice and extra audio to it, I feel it made the project more complete. This is something that kids can do at home or at school. I think this would be a good tool for demonstrations and teaching new concepts. I am still pondering as to how I can use a screen cast in my preschool room. I think it would benefit the parents. One idea that comes to mind would be showing them how to submit a book order via the Scholastic website. I think with preschool, I could show them the letter of the week on various print concepts and have it all in that short video. This is a great tool and I am excited to use it in my classroom!
Free Technology for Teachers
Creating websites and blogs is something I have always been interested in. I have pondered the idea of creating a classroom website. Once experimenting with creating one in a previous class of mine, I decided it was too much work and I knew I couldn't keep up with it. Now that I have gained knowledge on how to create a blog, I think this is a route I would like to go for my classroom. On the Free Technology for Teachers website, I found a tab that Richard Byrne wrote about creating websites and blogs. There is a video that he has posted called How to Create a Blogger blog. The part of the video that I liked the most was seeing a visual of different layouts that you can use. It explains how to change the layout, edit photos, and uploading files. This was a great way to review what we have learned in this class and went into my depth on it. There are also 2 more videos that I enjoyed. They were videos showing 2 other websites that allow you to create blogs; edublogs and wordpress. Even though I teach preschoolers, I think that making a bog for their parents would be a great resource. I could include class information, pictures, videos, reminders of upcoming events, and I could even add a link to resources that I use in the classroom. With the help of this class and Richard Byrnes, I feel confident I can start to create a classroom blog.
Information about this was found
Friday, March 18, 2016
Animoto
Animoto was very fun and easy to use. I could see this presentation method to be both useful for the teacher and for the students! In preschool, I put together videos frequently that show pictures of them working hard in the classroom. They LOVE to see themselves on the screen and brings back memories of everything we have learned. I would like to download this to my iPad so I can have a straight shot to my camera roll. This works smooth and is a great way to present information!
PowToon
Powtoon was a great resource to explore! I found that creating artifacts on this website is really easy and it's a fun way to present information. I found this website to be very easy to use. There were templates all ready to go and I just had to choose from the many options that they had for my artifact. I had to create an account. All they needed was my email address and a password that I would like to use when I log on. With the many features that are offered, this could be used for any age. Even thought I geared my artifact for parents of my preschoolers, I could easily make something to show the kids and do a voice-over since they can't read. I think this type of presentation would be good for anything that you are giving an overview of. For example, it would be a good tool to present different topic ideas. I don't think it would be a good tool to use if you are wanting to present a great amount of information. Some of the features include already-created pictures, uploading your own pictures, music, voice-overs, different movements for the people, and a bunch more! I think older kids would love to create these of their own. It would be fun to have them create one as a "get to know you" at the beginning of the school year. I will use this tool again!
Friday, March 11, 2016
Digital Storytelling
Digital Storytelling
Article Review based on the article: Teachers Guide To Digital Storytelling by Leah Levy.
Imagine assigning your students to conduct research on their favorite planet, write a report about their findings, and share their report with the class. Any teacher would realize that after listening to the first 3 or 4 reports, the audience starts to daydream and students tend to get off-task because they are bored. Is this really an effective way for the students to convey their research if nobody will listen to what they have to say? By changing up the way they have to present their information could lead to a whole new world of learning for our students! Digital Storytelling is a way to allow their minds to be creative, inventive, and excited to share their findings with the rest of the class!
Digital storytelling is a means of communication through visual and audio representations. It is "the act of using computer-based tools (desktop, laptop, tablet, camera, and even smart phone) to tell a story". (Levy 2014). The students can go onto a device and create a visual experience of their learning. The students can add pictures, background music, various sounds, and do voice-overs.
Going back to the planet assignment mentioned at the beginning of this review, wouldn't it be more beneficial on both the presenter and the audience when they have something to see and hear versus just looking at the person who is talking? There are other benefits to having students create digital storytelling projects. By creating a digital storytelling project, it allows students to go beyond the research aspect of the assignment. It allows them to build upon technology skills and to learn new features and use those features in their presentations. With this being said, more state standards are being met.
The article gives examples and benefits of digital storytelling. As a preschool teacher, I know I can use this feature when presenting information to the class. I have actually made a digital storytelling project to give an overview of how my classroom is set up. I used pictures of my classroom, background music, and did a voice-over. With preschoolers, it is important to provide as many visuals as possible as a way to reach out to them. Some of them may get excited because they are "watching TV" but in reality, they are watching concepts being presented in an entertaining way and in such a way that they will understand the concept. I have also done a digital storytelling project for my preschool parents at a meeting. Instead of just standing in front of them and listing things we have done in our classroom this quarter, I created a presentation where it showed pictures of the kids working on projects. The parents loved this type of presentation and I got many compliments.
Using technology is a great way for both students and teachers to tell stories. It is a great learning experience for students to learn new things about technology and allows them to convey their research in a meaningful way. It's a great source for teachers to use when they need to "change up" how they are presenting information.
The article also gives many examples as to assignments that can be assigned using digital storytelling; dream scenes, animated personal narrative, google story, historical slide show, book trailer, a how-to guide, two sides to the story, and family and community history project. As you can see, the possibilities with digital storytelling are endless!
Video:
Going back to the planet assignment mentioned at the beginning of this review, wouldn't it be more beneficial on both the presenter and the audience when they have something to see and hear versus just looking at the person who is talking? There are other benefits to having students create digital storytelling projects. By creating a digital storytelling project, it allows students to go beyond the research aspect of the assignment. It allows them to build upon technology skills and to learn new features and use those features in their presentations. With this being said, more state standards are being met.
The article gives examples and benefits of digital storytelling. As a preschool teacher, I know I can use this feature when presenting information to the class. I have actually made a digital storytelling project to give an overview of how my classroom is set up. I used pictures of my classroom, background music, and did a voice-over. With preschoolers, it is important to provide as many visuals as possible as a way to reach out to them. Some of them may get excited because they are "watching TV" but in reality, they are watching concepts being presented in an entertaining way and in such a way that they will understand the concept. I have also done a digital storytelling project for my preschool parents at a meeting. Instead of just standing in front of them and listing things we have done in our classroom this quarter, I created a presentation where it showed pictures of the kids working on projects. The parents loved this type of presentation and I got many compliments.
Using technology is a great way for both students and teachers to tell stories. It is a great learning experience for students to learn new things about technology and allows them to convey their research in a meaningful way. It's a great source for teachers to use when they need to "change up" how they are presenting information.
The article also gives many examples as to assignments that can be assigned using digital storytelling; dream scenes, animated personal narrative, google story, historical slide show, book trailer, a how-to guide, two sides to the story, and family and community history project. As you can see, the possibilities with digital storytelling are endless!
Article Reference:
Levy, L. (2014, November 06). Teacher’s Guide to Digital Storytelling. Retrieved March 11, 2016, from http://www.edudemic.com/guide-digital-storytelling/
Pictures in presentation retrieved from Google Images. Retrieved on Friday, March 11,2016.
Introduction!
Hello! My name is Erin Mackey. I live in Johnson, NE with my husband and spoiled puppy, Sophie! In my spare time, I love to watch movies, go fishing, create DIY projects, and spend time with family. My husband and I are both educators and I wouldn't want it any other way! I am the preschool teacher at Johnson-Brock Public Schools here in Johnson, NE. I have previously taught 3rd grade in another school district so this transition has been challenging but exciting at the same time! I obtained my education degree through Wayne State College. It is my passion to teach and to watch young minds transform into life-long learners!
With the increased growth of technology, I like to think that I am staying on top of the newest advancements in the technology world, but I'm not. I am fluent with using computers, iPads, and iPods. The newest form of technology that I am working on learning with is the Chromebook. I have each of these types of technology available for my students and I at our school. We are also fortunate enough to have access to smartboards in the classrooms. At school I mostly use PC and at home I use my Chromebook. With the Chromebook, I have to use Office 365. It has been a learning curve but I do enjoy using it!
Like I mentioned earlier, I have a strong passion for teaching. I love to reflect on how I am doing as a teacher and a life-long learner and love to learn about the "newest" topics in the education field. I chose Peru State College to complete my Master's program because it is a sister college to Wayne State College. I have since moved closer to Peru after receiving my bachelors degree and knew this would be the perfect school for me! With this Master's degree, I plan to continue to be an elementary teacher, but use the skills I have built throughout this program to become a "Master Teacher".
With the increased growth of technology, I like to think that I am staying on top of the newest advancements in the technology world, but I'm not. I am fluent with using computers, iPads, and iPods. The newest form of technology that I am working on learning with is the Chromebook. I have each of these types of technology available for my students and I at our school. We are also fortunate enough to have access to smartboards in the classrooms. At school I mostly use PC and at home I use my Chromebook. With the Chromebook, I have to use Office 365. It has been a learning curve but I do enjoy using it!
Like I mentioned earlier, I have a strong passion for teaching. I love to reflect on how I am doing as a teacher and a life-long learner and love to learn about the "newest" topics in the education field. I chose Peru State College to complete my Master's program because it is a sister college to Wayne State College. I have since moved closer to Peru after receiving my bachelors degree and knew this would be the perfect school for me! With this Master's degree, I plan to continue to be an elementary teacher, but use the skills I have built throughout this program to become a "Master Teacher".
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