Week 9 Thing 23

So many tools, not enough time.  With all the great things I have learned during this journey, I have to figure out which ones to use when.  In order to really put them into practice, it will be important to try and implement a couple at a time.  Don't want to get over involved with so many that I feel like I can't keep up. 

Week 9 Thing 22

Week 8 Thing 21

Digital Storytelling is a great way for teachers or students to share with others through pictures, text, narrations and/or music.  There are a variety of products that can be used to create stories.  Photostory3 is a computer program that is free and can be used on VCS computers.  It is a simple way to create short stories.  If you want to use web based programs, animoto, storybird or goanimate are ways teachers or students can create without being tied to a specific computer.  Most programs can use images you already have or images you get from the internet.  Stories can be created for all content areas either to explain in a lesson or tell what you know.

When looking at storybird, the only concern that comes to mind is that you must have your text match with the images that are on that site.  For some, that may be too difficult when creating.  I would use that as a group project where several can work together to create something.  Then after that, students may be more comfortable creating on their own.

Week 8 Thing 20

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Week 8 Thing 19

Week 7 Thing 18

Week 6 Thing 13

Week 5 Thing 12

Google Advanced Search is a powerful tool.  When I did the advanced search for spiders I was able to specify powerpoints and also reading level.  When the results came back I had at least five powerpoints in each reading level.  If I needed this for my students, I should be able to find some information on spiders for the different reading levels of the students in my classroom. 

I also like the ability to do a search through google within a particular website.  That could be really helpful.  Seems like I can't always remember where in a site I saw something.