Hi Everyone,
The culminating activity for this course is a presentation that incorporates video, audio and a collaborative component. I am also registered in ESL Part I that requires a presentation of a researched culture. I have combined the two tasks and have created a single presentation. Please take a look. Please note that in order to click the links or view the videos, you must download the presentation to your computer by clicking the SlideShare icon at the bottom right hand side. Had I used Google Presentation, it would have embedded a lot easier but I used PowerPoint instead. Lesson learned! Thanks!
Thursday, 12 March 2015
Sunday, 8 March 2015
Image Manipulation
I have not had much opportunity to use image manipulation programs as I was always a pencil to paper kind of gal. Even touching up photos that I take is beyond my patience level and I very rarely do it.
One tool that I use regularly for PowerPoint or posting photos online is http://www.webresizer.com/. This makes photos that you take in high res quality and makes them much smaller so that your file size is much smaller. It allows for faster loading and transitions.
I can certainly see merit to image manipulation for creative projects. Google's Picasa is a free tool that is fairly easy to use. You just upload the image and can edit as you see fit. This is a free resource, which is always a bonus. GIMP is a free resource that does the same thing.
One thing I find so many students love to do is create memes. I think this would be a fun way to incorporate some of the subject matter in class and have them create a customized meme. This might be a fun way to create PSAs (Public Service Announcements) as well. There are a lot of sites to do this such as http://www.mememaker.net/create. Students can upload their own images and create the caption.
One tool that I use regularly for PowerPoint or posting photos online is http://www.webresizer.com/. This makes photos that you take in high res quality and makes them much smaller so that your file size is much smaller. It allows for faster loading and transitions.
I can certainly see merit to image manipulation for creative projects. Google's Picasa is a free tool that is fairly easy to use. You just upload the image and can edit as you see fit. This is a free resource, which is always a bonus. GIMP is a free resource that does the same thing.
One thing I find so many students love to do is create memes. I think this would be a fun way to incorporate some of the subject matter in class and have them create a customized meme. This might be a fun way to create PSAs (Public Service Announcements) as well. There are a lot of sites to do this such as http://www.mememaker.net/create. Students can upload their own images and create the caption.
5 Teaching Strategies that Incorporate Audio in the Classroom
1. WWII Radio Segments
Outline: Students will create a series of podcasts based on the various battles that Canadians were involved in during the Second World War. These "broadcasts" will aim to sounds just like those that would have been broadcast during that time period and will require student research and collaboration. I can't take credit for this idea as I saw it when perusing Pinterest. The link to the original idea is https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Battles-of-World-War-II-Radio-Show-Project-962509.
2. Using pre-recorded audio (with or without video) to deliver instructions to students.
Outline: This works well for students who need to hear the instructions more than once. You can set this up in a centre or section of the room where students can go to in order to hear the instructions for the exercise again. This may also work for homework. The teacher can record the day's homework and post on the classroom website or blog for reference.
3. Using Audio / Video as alternate method for presentations.
Outline: For those students who have difficulty standing in front of the class, allow them to use an alternate method to present their work. By pre-recording it, they are still challenged to take a risk and step outside their comfort zone as the class will see the video or hear the audio, but it allows them to do re-takes or take extra time to get it just the way they want it.
4. Using music for writing assignments.
Outline: Choose a piece of music that exudes the mood or tone of the piece of writing you wish the students to produce. It helps put the concept of mood into context for those who have difficulty with that.
5. Create your own audio book.
Outline: Students can record their own work, other student's work, or just regular books / stories, and create audio books to add to the classroom library.
Outline: Students will create a series of podcasts based on the various battles that Canadians were involved in during the Second World War. These "broadcasts" will aim to sounds just like those that would have been broadcast during that time period and will require student research and collaboration. I can't take credit for this idea as I saw it when perusing Pinterest. The link to the original idea is https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Battles-of-World-War-II-Radio-Show-Project-962509.
2. Using pre-recorded audio (with or without video) to deliver instructions to students.
Outline: This works well for students who need to hear the instructions more than once. You can set this up in a centre or section of the room where students can go to in order to hear the instructions for the exercise again. This may also work for homework. The teacher can record the day's homework and post on the classroom website or blog for reference.
3. Using Audio / Video as alternate method for presentations.
Outline: For those students who have difficulty standing in front of the class, allow them to use an alternate method to present their work. By pre-recording it, they are still challenged to take a risk and step outside their comfort zone as the class will see the video or hear the audio, but it allows them to do re-takes or take extra time to get it just the way they want it.
4. Using music for writing assignments.
Outline: Choose a piece of music that exudes the mood or tone of the piece of writing you wish the students to produce. It helps put the concept of mood into context for those who have difficulty with that.
5. Create your own audio book.
Outline: Students can record their own work, other student's work, or just regular books / stories, and create audio books to add to the classroom library.
Audio Resources For Use in the Classroom
Audacity
This software is a free download from http://audacity.sourceforge.net/. It's great because it is very versatile and works on practically any platform (i.e., Mac, Windows, Linux). The interesting thing about Audacity is that it is an open source software, which means that users with the know-how can make changes and improvements.
For more information and a complete list of features, click the following link: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/about/features
GarageBand
This is an Apple product so works on any Apple device in some form or another (i.e., iPhone, iPod, iPad, MacBook). It is a great tool for creating music or podcasts but what's also great about this tool is that there is a pre-existing library of various instruments that you can use to create music. It even has built-in lessons for piano or guitar! For more information about this resource, click this link:
https://www.apple.com/ca/mac/garageband/.
Kaizena
I was immediately drawn to Kaizena, although I haven't actually used it much yet. I used to work for a company that embraced the Kai-zen philosophy of continuous improvement and recognizing individuals for contributing to on-going improvement. This program allows teachers to edit student work electronically, even adding voice comments instead of using the dreaded red pen. This company is great as well because they're Canadian and dedicated to education and making improvements. For more information, check out https://kaizena.com/.
This software is a free download from http://audacity.sourceforge.net/. It's great because it is very versatile and works on practically any platform (i.e., Mac, Windows, Linux). The interesting thing about Audacity is that it is an open source software, which means that users with the know-how can make changes and improvements.
GarageBand
This is an Apple product so works on any Apple device in some form or another (i.e., iPhone, iPod, iPad, MacBook). It is a great tool for creating music or podcasts but what's also great about this tool is that there is a pre-existing library of various instruments that you can use to create music. It even has built-in lessons for piano or guitar! For more information about this resource, click this link:
https://www.apple.com/ca/mac/garageband/.
Kaizena
I was immediately drawn to Kaizena, although I haven't actually used it much yet. I used to work for a company that embraced the Kai-zen philosophy of continuous improvement and recognizing individuals for contributing to on-going improvement. This program allows teachers to edit student work electronically, even adding voice comments instead of using the dreaded red pen. This company is great as well because they're Canadian and dedicated to education and making improvements. For more information, check out https://kaizena.com/.
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