Archive for Uncategorized

Digital Storytelling

{ June 12, 2008 @ 6:40 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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An article found in Multimedia & Internet @ Schools in Volume 32, issue 4, was discussing digital storytelling.

It explains this new technology and expresses the effects it has.
I would recommend this article for anyone wanting to understand what Digital Storytelling is. In summary this article expresses that digital storytelling is a particularly appealing use of an emerging technology for several reasons. It provides a voice to struggling readers and writers who might not otherwise find an authentic means of expression.

I have learnt a lot from this article, and found the subheadings made it easier to read and understand.

“The goal of digital storytelling is to allow a writer to expereince the power of personal expression.”

2 Million American Students have Web Sites

{ June 12, 2008 @ 6:30 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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I found this number to be very remarkable! It was just a comment which I found in the MultiMedia & Internet @ Schools magazine, not an article. It stated that more then 2 million American Children aged 6 – 17 have their own personal Web sites, from a survey by Grunwald Associatives. This number is astounding, especially when the ages start from just 6. At 6 I know that I would have never known how to use a computer, let along create my own Web site!
I just thought this was an interesting fact, which I wanted to share with other edu bloggers!!

A Look at….Digitial Cameras

{ June 12, 2008 @ 6:16 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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Cameras requiring film are slowly becoming extinct, digital cameras are becoming the cameras of today. An article found in Multimedia & Internet @ Schools, Volume 13, number 2 discusses the new digital camera. Once I read through this, I discvoered there is more to a digital camera then you think, especially for the novice, such as myself, it made me a little more conused, and amazed.

The article discusses working with cameras and students. It states that there are certain cameras which are more suitable for students, for teachers and for teens. Each group being reccomended a different type!

The article also states some tips for working with students and Digital Cameras.
Here are a few basic suggestions for improaving photos and the photography expereince in general:

1. Always use the neck or wrist strap when carrying the camera
2. Keep fingers off the camera lens and the LCD screen
3. Cameras with a flash should never be pointed directly at anyones eyes
4. Turn the camera off and put it back in the camera bag when no in use
5. Make sure a photo subject is no closer than arm’s lentgh
6. To help ensure a better picture, hold the camera still and steady for a second or two after taking the shot.

All up, this is a great article for teachers wanting to incorporate photography into the classroom. It gives a summary of many different types of cameras, and gives tips to teachers when using them and teaching them. I certainly learnt a lot from this, and discvoered more about my camera then I previously knew!

CYBERBEE – ZOO Treks

{ June 12, 2008 @ 6:02 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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A really fascinating article in Multimedia & Internet @ Schools, Volume 12, number 3, is Zoo Treks, an article which has Zoos around America that are online. The benefit of having this is that it supplies great activities for teachers for their students to participate in.

It mentions all of the sites which can be easily located. I had a go at some of them, and found them interesting and informative. It is a great resource for teachers to have on hand, as is I were a teacher, these websites and activities would be used as work for children who finished fatser then the class.

Some of these websites allows you to take a virtual tour of the zoos. It teaches you about each zoo, and about the animals. It also includes vidieos of baby animals being born.
The websites are colourful and attractive, especially good for children, as it’s not only enjoyabel but educational.

The article also states which zoos have Zoo Cams. Another great feature, it allows you to view through your computer, speicfic animals in some of the zoos. I think this is important and great for those students who have never been to a zoo before, and may find it hard for any reason to get to one.

I found this article really interesting and very beneficial for all teachers to be aware of.

E-Book Resources

{ June 12, 2008 @ 5:50 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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An interesting article which i found in the magazine MultiMedia and Internet @ Schools was about E-Book resources, which was written by Audrey P.Church. I found the concept quite interesting, however being a traditional book lover, makes me question what our techbology is coming to.

An electronic book is a digital version of a traditional print book designed to be read on a personal computer or an e-book reader. Although I find this concept extremely fascintaing, i also question the real purpose and the use in converting picture books into e-books.

I do feel it may have its positives, one such positive being the e book is able to read to children. Another poositive is allowing the students to develop different skills, not just reading. Bu learning how to use this technology increases their knoweldge, even if it is just using the e-book.

There are many free sources of E-books available; they are all listed in the magazine, MultiMedia and Internet @ Schools which is volume 12, number 4.
Here are a couple of free sources of E-Books:

– Project Gutenberg
http://www.gutenberg.org

– Bartleby.com: Great Books Online:
http://www.bartleby.com

iMovie Reflections

{ March 6, 2008 @ 7:23 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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Download Video: Posted by timsparks33 at TeacherTube.com.

This is a imovie discussing Tim's and my view on Digital Storytelling

The 5 Don’ts of Classroom Blogging

{ March 6, 2008 @ 4:48 am } · { Uncategorized }
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I have found the 5 Dont’s of Classroom Blogging which Samantha posted to be very useful when especially if teaching Blogs. The points are simple and straight forward, and I believe may make it easier for the teacher to teach their students about blogging.
The points are:

1.DON’T just dive in.

2.DON’T confuse blogging with social networking.

3.DON’T leap at the freebies.

4.DON’T force a sequential style.

5.DON’T leave the blogging to the students.

RE: Mathletics

{ March 6, 2008 @ 12:24 am } · { Uncategorized }
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I was made aware of the program Mathletics whilst on my last practicum, and find it a program which the kids really look forward to participating in.
I agree with Tim’s comments on Mathletics and personally think that it is a great program, as it not only allows the students to work in a different environment (not just in the classroom with pen and paper) but it also allows them to verse other students using mathletics all around the world, quite amazing !
Another positive attribute to Mathletics is that students may work on it in their homes.

I believe Mathletics is a great way to get children to enjoy mathematics, which doesn’t happen a lot!!

Digital Storytelling

{ March 5, 2008 @ 3:03 am } · { Uncategorized }
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Digital Storytelling

I found an interesting website http://www.cap.nsw.edu.au/digital_storytelling/digital_storytelling.htm which related to my topic of digital storytelling. The article Digital Stories informs teachers and students of the use of digital storytelling and how it may be incorporated into the classroom. Digital Storytelling is said to be “mini movies” which can be created by anyone. They are made by using cameras, computers, scanners and photos which may be taken from your own photo album.

“Everyone has a story to tell and new technology means that anyone can create a story that can be shown on a website or in a digital presentation.”

website: http://www.cap.nsw.edu.au/digital_storytelling/digital_storytelling.htm

Internet Troubles May Occur!

{ March 3, 2008 @ 3:26 am } · { Uncategorized }
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After reading the encounter Samantha had with regards to her internet (A point to consider), I could really sympathies, as it has been my biggest problem these last couple of months. THE PROBLEMS WITH INTERNET!!

I don’t know what I would do if I wasn’t able to check my email for any reason on any one day, but I do know that I would not be very happy. The internet is so rapidly becoming apart of everyone’s day to day life, just like the mobile phone has. Today, young people especially, don’t know what to do with themselves if they leave their phone behind for 1 hour, let alone a whole day. The internet is having the same effect. This would be my only real concern with incorporating large lessons into the classroom involving the internet. As I stated this story in Samantha’s blog;

On my last two practicum’s, my classes were in the computer labs, with a lesson plan ready, all the children logged on (20 minutes later – year 1 class) I was to discover that the internet was down. This can cause a lot of stress to the teacher and disappointment to students,
As I said in the Samantha’s edublog the real lesson is to have a back up lesson just in case.

I do strongly believe though, that the internet is an extremely invaluable teaching method!

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