Monday, March 19, 2012

digital video editing...not for the faint at heart....

So, we got some experience with digital video editing recently and I can tell you, it was quite frustrating.  It took us a lot of time to edit our video only to have it completely fail on us.  Good thing, our buddy Laura, who has tons of patience was working on the editing, because I'm pretty sure if it had been me, something would have gotten broken. ;)  

I'm thinking that I would leave this experience with older students in MS or HS.  It's a complicated process in the best of times.     Also, another lesson learned was to make sure cameras are compatible with your computer....that was not the case here. 

Glogster....a web-based collaborative tool to increase student engagement...

Ever try Glogster?  It's my new favorite tool for students to showcase their knowledge.  It's an interactive poster that allows students to add text, backgrounds, videos, images, sound, etc.  Studying famous Americans? Students can create a glog that has everything from images, sound recordings, primary sources, etc.  How about a book report or character study?  Done and done....students really have to think about design when creating a glog.  If they've read Hunger Games, then they wouldn't chose backgrounds with pretty flowers and hearts, they would need to think about the theme or mood of the book and choose their "decorations" accordingly.  

Using Glogster also gives students the experience of searching for and citing appropriate media for their glogs.  Students can also comment and critique their peers' glogs as well.  

The students I've used this with LOVE working with it. It's motivating and fun.  I always start with allowing them to create a glog about themselves just for funThis gets the "playing" out of the way.

I highly recommend giving it a try. :)   http://edu.glogster.com

Monday, March 5, 2012

Web-based Learning from 1.0 to 2.0


I designed a web-based collaborative learning project that uses the web 1.0. 

Project description:
In order for 5th graders to get a better handle on North American geography they will create a scrapbook of the different regions of North America based on information collected/shared/exchanged by students within each region.  Students from around NA will post information about climate, landmarks, landforms, etc, along with photos, or videos or their regions.  Then the students will use that information to create a scrapbook.

This project has a collaborative feature in which students can add information, but only through the project email/organizer.  The project organizer would have to upload all images and information to the site. 

How would this look as a Web 2.0 project?  Using a wiki would allow students to post from anywhere around the country the information needed for the scrapbook. The information would be posted immediately, so there's no lag time of waiting for the project organizer to upload information.  She would only need to keep and eye on what's being posted for accuracy and neatness. A wiki is easy to use and edit, so students can take charge of their own projects.

A challenge of the wiki would be the possibility of items being inadvertently (or purposefully deleted).    

I believe that this project would work better as a Web 2.0 project than a 1.0 project!  :)