Week 10: Tech Tools for Critical Thinking

This week we discussed technological tools that help you think critically. These tools, such as Webspiration, Bubbl.us, and Giffy, help you organize your thoughts in a 21st century way. A new word was also introduced to me this week: Folksonomies. A folksonomy is a product of the Web 2.0 applications. It comes from the process of creating and mantaining tags to categorize content.
I can see myself using Webspiration, my favorite tech tool in my classroom. It's a useful tool for teachers and students alike. I can see my students using it to organize their ideas and plan for papers. I can see myself using it to give presentation and organize my ideas to present to other faculty members. It's a great, fun tool all around.
The following video from YouTube is a step by step instructional video on how to use and create your own Webspiration concept map. I found myself going back to this video to give me tips on how to start my own. Because some new technological tools are hard to just sit down and start on your own, it's comforting to know that videos like this are readily available to help you get back on track.

Webspiration Concept Map

The following map shows the different ways that I will use social bookmarking tools in my classroom as a teacher. I had fun using the Webspiration website and can see myself introducing this website to my students to help them organize their thoughts and help them plan their papers.

My Webspiration Map

Week 9: Social Tools and Cloud Computing

This week we discussed different examples of social tools and cloud computing. These tools have taken the place of complicated and disorganized lists, and using the favorites menu on our computers. Google docs allow multiple people to edit and look over papers, instructions, or shared lists. Social tools such as Delicious allows people to share their favorite websites with the world. These are all examples of useful Web 2.0 applications.
As a future educator I can definitely see myself taking advantage of cloud computing. If students post their paper assignments on Google Docs I will be able to quickly edit and comment back to them. It's a fast way for students to receive feedback, and saves me from having to go through masses of papers... everything will be online. Also I will take advantage of Delicious and other teacher's favorite websites for help on planning lessons, and other useful education- related resources.
The following video found on YouTube explains how the website Delicious works. The website gives instructions on how to get started with the website and helps people create ones of their own. It also shares great tips with users.

GarageBand Podcast

I decided to play around with the different vocal sounds that GarageBand offers. From "Gospel Choir" to "Epic Diva" to a "Mouse Voice", GarageBand can warp your voice in numerous ways. I chose to play around with the "Helium Breath" option and the results are on the link provided.
I can see myself using GarageBand in my classroom as voice overs for assignments that I want my students to complete when I may have to miss a day of school. Sometimes writing notes to a substitute just isn't efficient, so this way I will know exactly what my students have been told to do.

GarageBand Podcast - Kelsey Robertson

Week 8: The Sound of... Podcasting

This week our topic of discussion was Podcasting. Podcasting is the production of sound based files, whether it be radio shows or music over the web. The word "podcasting" comes from the combination of the words Ipod and Broadcasting. Garage Band is a Mac program that enables the production of podcasts. You can create sound files or play around with the different musical instruments and create a song. Websites such as imeem allow you to upload these sound files you have created on Garage Band and share them with the world.
I will use Podcasting in my classroom as a way of reaching out to my students if I am away from classroom. Since so many students have access to computers these days I will be able to reach them through podcasting if I have to miss class or even if they have to miss class through instructions of classwork over my own podcast.
I chose to include the following video from Vimeo (I think we've looked at a video from this site before in class) because it really does explain how podcasting works in "plain English". I was very unfamiliar with the term podcasting before this class and still a little bit afterwards, but after looking for some further explanation, and stumbling across this site I have a better grip on this whole podcasting business.

Podcasting in Plain English from leelefever on Vimeo.

Week 7: Digital Storytelling

This week in class we talked about Digital Storytelling. We focused on different resources in which we could make such productions which include: iMovie, Animoto, and PowerPoint. Digital Storytelling is basically a 21st century way of telling stories without having a hard copy of something to read. They usually involve images and music and allow the viewer to process and think about what is going on before them.
I will definitely use Digital Storytelling in my classroom because I think it's a really fun way to present new information! It's also really fun putting it together. My mom is the Media Specialist at her elementary school and deals a lot with iMovie. She puts together an end of the year video each year, which combines video and pictures from the school year. I once helped her create an instructional video on the proper cafeteria behaviors. I plan to do the same for my classroom. It's a more personalized way to get rules across, or teach a subject that all students can enjoy.
I decided to include a video from YouTube that captures the point of Digital Storytelling. This video includes both words, images, voice-overs, and music to effectively tell the story of homeless children in America. This production was probably created using iMovie.

Week 6: Visual Literacy

This week we talked about the widely popular program, Photoshop. Photoshop allows anyone to edit their own photos. No longer are our only options to crop and reduce red eye, Photoshop allows users to decrease body fat, lighten or darken skin tones, and reduce wrinkles their uploaded photos. I feel like it would take me a whole year to really grasp all the capabilities of Photoshop and I would love to take a class for an entire semester just learning about the tricks involved with Photoshop, I'm sure the possibilites are endless!
I will use Photoshop in my classroom as a way to edit photos to my liking. I can imagine showing students pictures of different places around the world and editing and cropping them to get my point across. Also, I think it's a fun program and the students can get use out of learning how to morph and change around their own pictures. Talking about Photoshop in my classroom would also be beneficial because it will teach students about body image and help them understand that what they see in magazines has been completely edited and is not the "real deal".
The following video from Youtube shows photoshop at it's best. Photoshop has the power of transforming Jennifer Aniston into a much older and less glamorous version of herself. I chose this video to share because it shows the power of Photoshop. Most pictures we see are manipulated to make the person look better, this is the exact opposite... poor Jen!