MICCA

Another interesting website I recently started using is http://quizlet.com/. This is a tool for learning vocabulary. Just enter words and their definitions and Quizlet does the rest. In this specialized learning mode, students learn vocabulary through flashcards, games, and randomly generated tests. There are also collaboration tools for classmates to help each other study. I am using this site to develop science and social studies vocabulary for my ESOL students. They can become familiar and practice the vocabulary prior to the classroom lesson.

Powerpoint

I am having trouble uploading the powerpoint show to the Wiki. The error message states that I have exceeded the file size limit of 20MB. After I cut out most of the slides it uploaded. However, it wasn't much of a show after all the deletions. Any suggestions?

Powerpoint Artifact

So I was looking over the activity sheet for the artifact planning guide and noticed that it said 'You are required to have at least one completed ppt that is student or teacher created'. For some reason I thought we had to do two! Oh well that is good news!!!

Enrichment Zone Podcast

I had two students do a question and answer podcast using VoiceThread.  The students selected questions to research.  After coming up with about ten questions and answers, they  made a PowerPoint.  I made a copy of the PowerPoint in VoiceThread.  The students voiced comments.  Next week, two different students will do the same thing but using a different topic.  I added the podcast to the Wiki.  It is hard to find a quiet place to record.  I wish we had a fully staffed recording studio or better yet a sound proof room.

Craziness Continued...

This is day two on the Fact Flipper Project. I had the students write down their facts ahead of time so that they only had to type the information on the slides. They had a difficult time again trying to navigate through the new version of Power Point. I think I was expecting them to know more about this program than they actually do. I do not think it is very "Kid Friendly" either but we were able to get a few of the projects completed. Please note all the blood, sweat and tears that went into the final project when you gaze upon my Fact Flipper Project!

Almost over

I can't believe another year is almost over.  I am still working on getting everything put together.  I hope it is all the way it is supposed to.  Wow, the wedding is next weekend!!  Yay....I can't wait!!!  We pick the food out tomorrow!

ERRRR

I just erased a post. I was trying to figure out what week was what and messed it all up! Now I am annoyed. Enough for now.

Wiki posting overlap

We've had numerous instances where the students were working on the Wiki during a meeting but several students were adding to the same page at the same time. This resulted in several arduously-written articles being lost (a calamity to some students!). There is an error message displayed when this occurs but it's not clear how to proceed, so the students get quite frustrated. Our News Team meetings can be very productive and motivated sessions, but we need to resolve this problem. Has anyone gotten around this?

The End is Near

Ok, so we got the emails about almost being finished with STEP 2. Just a few more days to get everything together. I have a hard time with that part. I feel like I use the things that I have learned often in my teaching. I have a hard time pulling it together for a final product though. I end up with projects scattered everywhere. On several computers and flash drives. Some projects finished, others are not.

I think part of my problem this year is that I only see the kids for short periods of time. Last year in my classroom, if I ran over with something I could catch up later. Not so much this year with a teacher waiting at the door and another class ready to come in. 

Here is a question, with the blog requirements...does the number in the email refer to individual posts or is it a combination of posts and responses to others posts. 

Anyone know?

Fact Flippers Frustration

Today I made the mistake of thinking that making a Fact Flipper would be an easy assignment for my students. They have used Power Point before but they had a very difficult time following directions. I think my first mistake was working with the new version of Power Point. I had to take a little time to show them how to use the new features and they had a hard time following me. We were only making 12 slides. It took us 45 minutes to set up each slide with single word direction (what to type on it), a template of sorts. I am hoping we will be able to come back next week and complete the project. I hope they are able to do a better job of following directions. I will keep you posted.

Live posting can be cumbersome

Previously, at each News Team meeting I manipulate an Excel spreadsheet shown on the LCD as departments and article topics are discussed and assigned. Then I have been transferring the result of each meeting onto the Wiki. This week I tried to work directly on the Wiki during the meeting and cut out using Excel. However, having to Edit this Page and Save each time a change is made slowed down the process. We have such a brief time together that we lost some important time with this. I'll try again next week.

Space Powerpoint

I have to say I really enjoyed completing the powerpoint part of our project.  My students had a blast writing the words and then reading it to be recorded.  We now have a class book that they can go to and read on the computer.  It was so easy and fun!  Now I have to start thinking of how to put all of this together.  

PowerPoint

I had a lot of fun playing with PowerPoint in our session. I have been showing some classes how to add voices to slide shows already. I am really looking forward to doing more with the TAG group and PowerPoint. I think they will really like it. 

Now I just have to find the time to do it. Yikes. 

The Green Screen

After going to MICCA, I learned about the new features of iMovie '09.  They have a green screen effect.  You can tape students talking about a subject or even pretending they are out in a tropical jungle.  As long as you tape them in front of a green screen, you can add pictures or video behind them.  I cannot wait to get the new version of iMovie so that I can use this feature for video podcasts.

Powerpoint

Well, I put some photos and clip art in a powerpoint.  I am going to then print them out and have the students get into groups to write sentences to go with the pictures.  I am going to do this with the space unit we learned in science.  

Wow!  The wedding sure is getting closer.  Our response cards are due this weekend and we barely got any back.

Wiki shows students' lack of follow-through

I'm very frustrated with the News Team kids. Except for 2 sports articles, all other articles were due yesterday on the wiki and there are still many articles missing. I'll have to track the kids down and light a fire under them. However, I really like receiving an email each time a posting is made - I can click on the email message and it shows what the student has added or deleted without having to log into the wiki itself. Also, the history tab on each page has been very useful because in several instances students have inadvertently deleted someone else's article, so we could recover what was lost and carry on.

Powerpoint

My students are having fun adding their voices to powerpoint slides and making talking books. My first grade ESOL students are making a book about holiday celebrations in their native countries. They love recording their voices and playing it back. They are able to self check errors of speech. They worked with a partner to insert their voices. I thought they would have difficulty manipulating the computer, clicking the right buttons etc. but after I modeled it a few times they had no problems.