Driven by a Need

As teachers, we constantly strive to meet the needs of our students. This means careful observation, reflection, collaboration, differentiation and assessment. It means research, staff development, alignment of curriculum, thoughtful placements, and fluid schedules. It means planning time, supplies, volunteers, parent involvement and community support.

It also means technology integration.

I have taken the time to research web2.0 tools, websites, hardware and software already available to Central School teachers and how they can be utilized in the classroom to support learning. Because of the enormity of the project, I will be focusing on supporting literacy and writing skills. My hope is that eventually this will build until other disciplines are included as well.

I encourage you to add your own comments to this blog. Perhaps you have a question or a story to share. Perhaps you have found another resource or another way to reach struggling readers and writers through technology. I look forward to sharing ideas with you.

Hardware- It's All About the Tools

Hardware- physical devices
Central School's hardware, in this case, refers to technology available in the building. While designed to perform specific tasks, many of the following hardware have multiple purposes.

Macbook Computers- online browsing, word processing, research, educational websites. multi-media projects (more info under Resources-iLife Suite)

Netbooks- Great for online browsing, word processing, research and educational websites.

Promethean Interactive Whiteboards- Download premade flipcharts from Promethean Planet or create your own, interact with websites. Build the Promethean into a lesson where you need to keep students engaged.

Activotes- interactive response system, can be used with or without the Promethean Interactive Whiteboard. Our school has several sets.

iPod Nano and iPod Touch (w/ Belkin Tunetalks)- the school owns 10 video iPod nanos and two iPod touches. These can be used to support literacy skills and comprehension- audiobooks,poems, songs, and videos can be loaded onto the iPods. In addition, apps can be loaded onto the iPod touches. The sky is the limit- I asked Nicole Gleason, a second grade teacher in SAD 60, if she would be willing to share with us the apps she has loaded onto her classroom iPod Touches. Here is what she shared. Belkin Tunetalks are voice recorders that connect to the bottom of the nanos. Simply click record and students voices are captured. The next time the iPod is connected to the computer it will automatically put the audio files in a voice memo folder in iTunes.

Digital Cameras- We have several floating around in the school. Can't find one? Forgot yours at home? Your Macbook can take photos too. Simply use the Photobooth application and then load onto iPhoto. Once you take the picture in Photobooth, slick on the iPhoto icon to store in your iPhoto library for future use.

Document Cameras - This takes the place of an opaque projector but does so much more. It allows you to project objects or documents to a large audience. The image can be zoomed in and out to see detail. It can also be used to take pictures for future use. The document camera together with a microscope are handy when doing science experiments because the experiment can be done once and everyone sees it without having to crowd around.

Video Camera- We have three video cameras at Central. Two are stored in the music room and can be signed out.

Flip Ultra- This is flip camera that records video. It can be easily uploaded using the built in USB connector. This camera is very easy to use, for students and teachers alike.According to the website:
Ultra™, 120 minutes

The Flip Ultra™ camcorder makes it easy to shoot and share video. With 120 minutes of record time and pocket-sized portability, you'll truly be able to capture video anytime, anywhere.
Specs (from the website):
Simple to Shoot
* Easy-to-use, pocket-sized camcorder
* Start recording within 3 seconds of power-up; simple user interface features one-touch recording, making HD video easier and more fun than ever
* Captures 120 minutes of high-quality video on 4GB of built-in memory; no additional memory needed
* Two standard AA batteries included. Rechargeable Battery Pack (buy now) and Power Adapter (buy now) sold separately
* Large 2.0 inch anti-glare display to play back and delete videos
* Fast lens - great low or bright light results; 2x digital zoom
* Convenient flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your PC or Mac to launch pre-loaded FlipShare™ software
* FlipShare™ software makes it easy to email videos, edit individual clips, make custom movies, capture still-image snapshots, and upload video to Facebook™, MySpace™ , YouTube™ and other sharing sites
* TV cable included to watch videos on television
* Records high-quality H.264 videos that are compatible with most video-playing applications, including Windows Media Player, QuickTime Player, and iTunes
* Video: VGA (640 x 480) at 30 frames per second (fps) progressive scan; recorded as MP4 files
* “Child Safe” mode to prevent accidental deletions of clips
* Silent mode for recording in sensitive situations
* Tripod mount fits any standard tripod
Pre-loaded FlipShare™ software for instant viewing, editing, one-click emailing, and online sharing:

* Browse, play back, organize and archive your videos
* Create movies with video clips, music and titles
* Edit clips and create still-image snapshots from video
* Instantly upload to Facebook™, MySpace™, YouTube™ and other video sharing sites
* Share your videos privately using attachment-free emails or greetings cards (free and unlimited video sharing)
* Create private Flip Channels to share your videos with groups of family and friends

USB Flash Drive- a storage device designed to transfer data files from one place to another. A simple way to save and/or share files with others or load files onto student computers.

Resources-Applications and Applets

Applications and Applets

Applications are computer programs that run on your computer.
Applets are programs that run within a web page.

Here is a list of applications on our laptops that may be helpful in the classroom.

Google Earth

Google Earth lets you fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, from galaxies in outer space to the canyons of the ocean. You can explore rich geographical content, save your toured places, and share with others.

Tuxpaint

"Tux Paint is a free, award-winning drawing program for children ages 3 to 12 (for example, preschool and K-6). It combines an easy-to-use interface, fun sound effects, and an encouraging cartoon mascot who guides children as they use the program.

Kids are presented with a blank canvas and a variety of drawing tools to help them be creative. (See the full list of features.)"

Applets

Voki

Resources- Websites for Learning

Websites- Websites are simply sites on the world wide web. It is important to remember that not all educational websites are created equal. Ultimately it is up to us to preview websites and decide whether or not the site is worth our student's time, meets the objective(s) of the lesson, and is easy to navigate.

Multi-Media

Voice Thread
Voice Thread is a tool for digital storytelling. Simply upload photos or video and comment using the built-in microphone, text tool or your phone. To share the project, simply send the link to parents or other teachers and they can leave comments on the project. This is also a great tool for showing the steps in a process, a timeline or having students introduce themselves to the class.


Animoto
"Animoto automatically produces beautifully orchestrated, completely unique video pieces from your photos, video clips and music. Fast, free and shockingly easy." Simply upload photos, video clips and/or music and let animoto do the rest. This is a simple way to showcase learning in the classroom, whether it is one unit or a year in review. Here is an example of how we have used it at Central School.

Resources- eBooks Online

Children love (and need) to have stories read to them. Not only does it introduce them to new vocabulary and expression, it also gives them an opportunity to use their imagination. eBooks are simply books that are available in an electronic format. Many audiobooks can be purchased through iTunes. For free eBooks, check out these sites.

Lit2Go

An online database of poems and short stories for grades k-12. The free mp3 files can be downloaded in iTunes or directly from their site. There are also pdf copies available on the site if students want to follow along.

Project Gutenberg

"Project Gutenberg is the place where you can download over 30,000 free ebooks to read on your computer, iPhone, Kindle, Sony Reader or other portable device. " The quality of these ebooks can vary depending on who read them.

Digital Book Index

A search engine for free ebooks. Remember, the copyright must no longer be valid in order for the books to be shared as free ebooks. If you are searching for a book and can not find it, either the copyright is still valid or no one has been a recording yet.

Resources- Text to Speech

What is text-to speech (TTS)?
Text-to-speech is a type of application that is used to create a spoken sound version of the text in a computer document such as a Word document or a Web page. Our Macbooks have this application built in. If it is not already activated, it can be turned on through system preferences-speech.

Benefits-
Students can listen to the computer "read' their own document to make sure it makes sense.
Students can highlight a word or passage they don't understand and the computer will read it to them.
Students work more independently, thus freeing up teachers. It is important to remember the objective of the lesson. If the objective is to learn the content, then this is serving as a tool to help them achieve that objective. If the objective is to be able to read a passage independently, this would not be an appropriate tool.

Web 2.0 Tools- Text-to-Speech

iSpeech (www.ispeech.org)

"Simply cut and paste the text you wish to convert to speech into our text box and click convert text. Or, upload any supported document, website, blog, etc. and click convert file or the listen button. Sit back and listen. It's that simple. iSpeech does all of the work for you. Now that your file is converted, it will auto-play. You can download it, podcast it or even embed it as an object on any webpage that supports html including: MySpace, Blogger, EBay, etc. "

The added advantage to this application is the TTS audio file can be downloaded into iTunes. Students can then listen to it repeatedly without having to be online. The file could also be uploaded onto an iPod. The possibilities for this tech tool are endless- create audio files for instructions, a story, a portion of a website or students' documents. Download them, save them in an e-portfolio or create audiobooks for students. You could also compare the computer voice to a person reading with inflection.

Dragon Dictation (Speech-toText)

"Dragon Dictation is an easy-to-use voice recognition application powered by Dragon NaturallySpeaking that allows you to easily speak and instantly see your text or email messages. In fact, it’s up to five (5) times faster than typing on the keyboard. With Dragon Dictation, you can text or email your friends, update Facebook status, send notes and reminders to yourself, or tweet to the world… all using your voice."

This is a free app through iTunes and can be leaded onto your iPhone. I believe it can be loaded onto an iPod Touch but needs a headset with a built-in microphone to record the voice.

Benefits

If a student has lot of ideas but can't seem to get them on paper, have the student use dragon dictation. The speech will be instantly transcribed into text and dropped in your email. It can then be copied and pasted into a document for further revision or collaboration. Our school currently owns two iPod Touches.

Text-to-Movie

Xtranormal
Xtranormal is a site where teachers can type a script, personalize it with animated characters, actions, camera angles and emotions, and create an animated movie with the click of a button. Currently, xtranormal recommends only students 13 and up use the site but there is a lot of pressure to get them to create a kid-friendly site.Click on the video below to see an example.

Document Camera Instructions

Turn Unit On:

Push grey button on the side

Positioning:

Adjust arm, neck, and head above what you want to show

Focusing:

On the head is a ring that you move to focus the lens of the camera

Lighting:

Below the focus ring is a switch that turns a light on the object your are displaying, make sure to use it sparingly

Turn the unit off:

Hold the power button until the red light turns off

If it isn’t already plugged in to projector:

1. Plug both units into the wall socket
2. Use monitor cord (trapezoid multi-prong) to connect units together
1. One end in Document Cam VGA out
2. Other end in Projector Component/Input/VGA in

These directions were originally posted on First Class by Melanie Dodge.