BP9_2009112_Web 2.0 Xtranormal

Xtranormal

There are so many Web 2.0 tools and applications available, it can be overwhelming finding tools that will work in the classroom. However, after sifting through the numerous Web 2.0 choices, I discovered an application I am excited to use in my classroom.

Xtranormal is a text to video program that can help students think critically about writing. Basically, the program allows the user to type a script for one or two people, and then the site animates the text. When the program starts it allows the user to choose the number of characters in the movie (one or two), the way the characters will look, and the setting of the movie. After the basics have been chosen, the user can then go on to type the script, choose camera angles, change character voices, and determine different types of animation for the film.

The educational benefits of this program are far reaching. Xtranormal forces the user to think about the script they are writing. What is the purpose of the movie? Who will be viewing the final product? How will the users know they have accomplished their goal for the film? These are questions I would hope my students would think about when they are writing.

Other educational benefits of Xtranormal could extend beyond Language Arts. Social Studies teachers might use the program to have students explain a famous historical figure. Math teachers could have students create a film that explains how to solve a specific math problem. Science teachers could use the program to have students explain different types of rocks. The possibilities are endless.

BP8_2009112_Web 2.0 Shelfari

Shelfari

As I was browsing through different Web 2.0 tools, I found one that fits perfectly with my Language Arts curriculum. The program is called Shelfari, and it is a way for people to share information and thoughts about books they have read, and to get feedback on books they are thinking about reading.

The Shelfari website consists of two main activities. One of the primary tasks you can complete on the site is book reviews. As a member, you find books you have read, and then you fill out a questionnaire on the book. The information you write is saved on your profile. Additionally, all of the books you have read, are currently reading, or plan on reading are saved on your virtual bookshelf which is located on your home page. The second purpose of the site is book discussions. There are numerous groups you can join to discuss whatever topic is the focus of that group. This is a great place to discover new books you might like to read, or get involved in discussions about favorite books.

The educational benefits of Shelfari on a Language Arts classroom are far-reaching. The site allows you to create a friends list once you are a member. Friends can see what other friends are reading or have read. If you had a class sign up for this site and then add each other as friends, you would have an extensive network of books the students could use to find novels to read for class. As a teacher, you could start a group about a novel you are reading in class, and have the students respond. The great part about using the Shelfari is that other people could also comment, not just the students in your class. What an excellent way to extend the walls of the classroom.

BP7_2009112_Web 2.0 Tools Pikikids

Pikikids

Sometimes it feels as though my curriculum gets monotonous, and at those moments I need an activity or a lesson that can spice up the day. Being able to turn to a Web 2.0 tool at this moment is invaluable. Knowing that I have these days, I took time to ensure I found at least one Web 2.0 tool which would give my students and I break, but at the same time, still have educational benefits. What I found was Pikikids.

Pikikids allows the user to create comics online. It is similar to ComicLife, except its target audience is kids and it is free. After you have registered for the site (all you need is a user name, password, and email address) you can begin creating a comic. There are several layouts you can choose from for the comic. Once you choose the layout, you begin to add pictures and thought bubbles to the comic. Pikikids allows you to search for pictures from Flickr directly from its site. When you are pleased with your comic, you can save and publish.

Obviously comics can be a fun, laid-back activity for the students, but what are the educational benefits of a comic? A comic can be used to get the students to synthesize information. After students have read a passage from any book, either a novel or a textbook, they can show they understood the material by turning it into a comic. Students could also use the comic format to create a storyboard for a paper they are writing.

Sometime you just have to step back and allow the students to breath.

BP6_2009112_Flickr

Flickr

As an educator, I am always on the lookout for creative ways to teach different concepts, units or lessons. As a Language Arts teacher, I am constantly on the lookout for lessons, ideas or activities that will inspire, or at the very least interest, my students in writing.

Flickr offers numerous opportunities to help get writing lessons underway, but I am going to focus on one lesson in particular that caught my attention. The lesson I am interested in came from Interface Magazine (2009). The lesson is called Five Card Flickr Story.

The template for Five Card Flickr Story is found at http://web.nmc.org/5cardstory/flickr.php. When you arrive at this site, the site will deal you five random pictures. Either the teacher or the students select one of those pictures. The process is then repeated four more times until there is a total of five pictures. Once the pictures are selected, the students create a story that links the five pictures together.

What I like about this lesson is that it:

1. Requires the students to infer meaning from the pictures.
2. Entails critical thinking because the students must figure out how to link the photos together.
3. Engages the students through images and choice.
4. Allows for differentiation. Depending on the writing level of the students, the story could be set up like a children’s book, the story could be several paragraphs, or the story could be written in chapters.

This activity works best if you have a projector hooked up to a computer in the classroom or an interactive whiteboard. I cannot wait to try this with my students.

References

Five Card Story. (2009). Five Card Flickr. Retrieved November 6, 2009, from http://web.nmc.org/5cardstory/index.php

Interface. (2009). Lesson plan 42: Five card Flickr story. Interfaceonline. Retrieved November 6, 2009, from http://www.interfacemagazine.co.nz/downloads/INTERFACE%20Lesson%20Plan%2042%20-%20Five%20Card%20Flickr%20Story.pdf

BP5_2009112_Social Bookmarks

Social Bookmarking

Although bookmarking has been around for sometime on the Internet, it has been more of an individual pursuit rather than a way to share information with others. However, with the creation of social bookmarking sites like Del.icio.us, bookmarking has transcended from an individual activity to a shared knowledge base. With this ability to create social bookmarks comes an opportunity for social bookmarking to be put to educational uses.

What are some educational prospects associated with social bookmarking?
Cannata (2009) believed social bookmarking can help students learn to organize and categorize information. Social bookmarking includes tagging, which encourages students to think critically about what tags are appropriate for different sites. Additionally, finding and evaluating information that will be saved to the social bookmark can improve students study skills.

According to Hastings (2009), social bookmarking assists with research and collaborative work. Any team, whether it is students or teachers, can research useful and informative websites for their project. When a member of the team discovers a worthwhile site, he or she can save it to their social bookmark. This bookmark then becomes available for all other members of the team to view.

In addition to research, librarians or teachers may use social bookmarks to create reference links pages that support students during research projects or papers (Library Technology Reports, 2007). The great aspect of these social bookmark reference pages is that they are available to anyone with Internet access and they invite participation because of their social dynamic.

Not only is social bookmarking beneficial for students, it can be helpful for teachers as well. According to Eastment (2008) social bookmarking sites are excellent places for teachers to find websites and resources for units or lessons. Eastment recommends two social bookmarking sites: StumbleUpon and Del.icio.us.

Teachers and students can profit from using social bookmarking. Hopefully educators around the world will consider social bookmarking for their classrooms.

References

Cannata, C. (2009). Folksonomy, tagging and taxonomy for effective learning: Perspectives of learning 2.0 in the XXI century. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 4(2), 26-32. Retrieved November 5, 2009 from Education Research Complete.

Eastment, D. (2008). Social bookmarking. ELT Journal: English Language Teachers Journal, 62(2), 217-219. Retrieved November 5, 2009, from Academic Search Premier.

Hastings, R.(2009). Collaboration tools, 2.0 style. Library Technology Reports, 45(4), 19-27. Retrieved November 5, 2009, from Academic Search Premier.

Library Technology Reports. (2007). Tagging & social bookmarking. Library Technology Reports, 43(5), 58-61. Retrieved November 5, 2009, from Academic Search Premier.

BP4_2009112_Web 2.0 On the Road

On the Road

There are so many amazing Web 2.0 tools available, with so many possibilities for educational purposes. As a Language Arts teacher, I am always on the lookout for tools that can enhance lessons or units. While I was browsing through a list of Web 2.0 tools, I came across one titled On the Road. A brief description of On the Road stated that the site permits the user to create travel books. Just those words alone sparked my interest and had me thinking of ways I might use a tool like this with my class.

Of course I decided to visit On the Road and while there discover it would fit perfectly with one of my Language Arts units. On the Road allows you to document trips like vacations. It has an interactive map where dots can be placed to show where you have been, for example cities or landmarks. Then you can add text and multimedia to go with each location.

The On the Road site made me think of one specific way I could use this site for educational purposes. My class works on a unit that focuses on the Dust Bowl. This is a research project that involves tracking the migration of people who moved west, finding images that represent different aspects of the dust bowl, and creating a diary written from the perspective of someone who had been in the Dust Bowl. Even though the On the Road site was created for current trips, it could be used to create an interactive map/journal of Dust Bowl research. The students could use the map to track the movement of Dust Bowl refugees. On each dot stop, students could use the text feature to write their journal entry. Each stop allows you to set the date, so the students could choose a date that would reflect the Dust Bowl. Then with the multimedia function, students could upload the images they had found that coincided with the journal entry.

Students already enjoy the Dust Bowl project, but I believe I will get even more buy-in from students by adding the Web 2.0 aspect to the project. Not only does On the Road allow them to use the Internet for their project, but it also has a comment section, so I, the teacher, can give feedback. Not only could I give feedback, but other classmates could also add comments.

I am already looking forward to the Dust Bowl project and cannot wait to add On the Road to the unit.

Image Reference

On the Road. (2007-2009). Retrieved November 2, 2009, from http://www.ontheroad.to/

BP3_2009111_RSS Feeds for Educational Purposes

RSS Feeds for Educational Purposes

There are so many great article and blogs on the Internet that are perfect for educational purposes. It is helpful to find sites that provide beneficial information for you as an educator, and then subscribe to those sites so you can stay up to date with the information those sites are providing.

I am a 7th Grade Language Arts teacher, and I have discovered several sites that I feel are beneficial for my subject area and grade level.

Educational Technology
As a teacher in the 21st century, I believe it is important for me to stay up to date with the current trends in technology. However, because I am busy, I felt it would be best to subscribe to a technology site that focuses on education. The Educational Technology site provides me with up to date articles about new advances in technology that are pertinent to education.

About.com Fiction Writing
Part of the Language Arts curriculum is writing fictional stories. I have found students love the chance to have their work entered into a writing contest. About.com Fiction Writing supplies information about monthly competitions focusing on fiction writing.

Poetry Daily
One of the large units the 7th grade focuses on is poetry. Poetry is also an area my students tend to score low on during the state testing. My Language Arts team decided to read and discuss poems all year long. This site provides a poem a day, which is a perfect resource for me to use for our poem discussions.

Greek Mythology Blog
Another large unit I teach is Greek Mythology. I am always on the lookout for resources about this topic. This site has links to numerous quizzes about Greek Mythology, as well as great books and movies created about Greek Mythology.

Suite101: Teen Historical Fiction
Historical Fiction is the final unit I teach during the 7th grade year. The unit begins with students reading Historical Fiction novels. However, it is always a challenge finding enough novels for the students to read. This site offers the titles of numerous Historical Fiction Novels. I can begin collecting them now, so by the time this unit arrives, I will be ready to go.