Online Video Tools

This week I have spent a great deal of time researching web-based video tools. Some of them are so user-friendly and allow first time users to easily jump right in and create. Others, however, seemed very cumbersome and time intensive. I am sure with the correct training and practice all of the sites would prove to be very beneficial. I can certainly see the benefit in becoming highly proficient in the creation of videos as they could prove to be wonderful student hooks when presenting new information and then could easily be added to teacher blogs for students and parent to review the information outside of class.

Of all of the sites I reviewed this week, three of them stood out as my favorites. Powtoon was easy to use and I enjoyed the cartoon creations. I feel that they would provide so much impact to pull even the most reluctant learners in to see just what information is being presented.

As a science and math teacher, I also felt drawn to the Animoto web program. I feel that the ease of use would provide a wonderful tool for beginning videographers and the design of the program lends itself to a step-by-step display.

My third favorite was Sharalike. I created this video using Sharalik for personal use. However, I could see the benefit of using it as a slideshow of student events and lesson activities to share with parents at events such as end of marking period awards and celebrations.
            

Trail Walking

Trail Walking is the video clip I made using Animoto. I snapped the pictures with my iPhone during my daily fitness walk this week. I used one of the templates provided by the site and simply uploaded my own pictures. Next, I added my own caption to each of the pictures. Unfortunately, I did not quite figure out how to adjust the font type and size for each of the captions. Therefore, they seem pretty puny in comparison to the pictures. Additionally, because I used the free version, the site watermark is inserted on each segment of the video covering most of the text.

This site is one that I will definitely continue to use for personal use as well as in the classroom. I am thinking that this would provide a wonderful opportunity for students to explore, record, analyze, and make conclusions for their scientific investigations throughout the year. The way the site segments out each of the pictures provides a natural transition for each stage of the scientific method. It would also be a great tool for retelling stories read in reading groups or creating their own photo type stories.



Powtoon Sample

Check out my first attempt at creating a video clip. I used Powtoon to create it. They have a quick how-to video at the start. It goes by really, really fast. So, for newbies like me, it was not quite enough. However, the site also includes so many templates that you can edit and save. I chose the back to school welcome template. The teacher doesn't really look like me. But, I did not know how to make any changes to the avatar. All I changed for this one was the information. If you upgrade from the free portion, you can change the music &/or add your own voice-over. However, since I am just experimenting with the different sites, I won't be upgrading anytime soon. Also, I had to save this one as a slideshow rather than a video clip. You will have to keep clicking through all seven slides in order to view the entire clip.

My Symbaloo

Here is my reading Symbaloo. I actually use this with my students during the school year. It is an awesome tool to use for independent stations and for students to use at home to practice own their own. It is simple to use and very intuitive. However, I will warn you that it is very time consuming during the initial setup. The process for creating your own Symbaloo is as follows:

1.     you will need to go to each website of your choosing,

2.     copy their url, paste it onto a tile,

3.     pick your tile color,

4.     decide what graphic to use to represent that tile.

Shelfari Widget

Shelfari: Book reviews on your book blog

So here is my attempt on using Shelfari. It is actually really easy to set up your own bookshelf and it is easy to make any changes to the books you select. I think it is a great way to reach students in order to offer them choices of some excellent literature. I have also included the Shelfari widget onto my Weebly website. I simply used the exact same widget code that was provided to upload it here. The only drawback that I see in using this is that it is an Amazon product and the links take the reader directly to their site for purchasing the books you select. I do buy almost all of my books through Amazon. I just think that this is a bit self-serving on Amazon's part. Great marketing tool, though.

10 Things Every Teacher Should Try This Summer

10 Things Every Teacher Should Try This Summe

This is an excellent read. And, I actually did accomplish #5. Enjoy your time away from school.

School Library Websites

 My personal favorite site is Parkview and Fairview Libraries. This webpage is set up with a bright and colorful homepage that is loaded with tiles that lead the viewer to a variety of reading based information, activities, games, and more. One tile actually displays a world map that shows “Who in the World is Visiting the Library Today.” The viewer can see small red dots on the map indicating others who are viewing along with a blinking white target indicating the viewer’s location. As a school for global learning this is an excellent tool to show the student how far-reaching a website can be along with the knowledge that others around the world are right there with you.

The Grand View Elementary School Library, a Manhattan Beach school website is simply amazing. There is a wealth of information there. One could almost get lost in the vortex of all the links available. However, on the front welcome page the design is streamlined and includes pictures of the school library, links to include various monthly events, lost library book directions for parents, hours of operation, summer activities, and an Amazon link for purchasing books.

The Media Center Memo on wikispaces is another interesting site. This site has a very simple design on its homepage. What is unique about this site is that you begin with a simple motto statement and a greeting and welcome from a Voki avatar which provides an instant attention grabber for the viewer. The additional links provided are easy to use and lead the viewer to several more links to other websites, tools, and games. Many of these links are no longer functional, which emphasizes the need to constantly monitor your website to ensure that the information provided is current, relevant, and in working order.

I love the ideas that I have gathered during my research of websites. I chose Weebly to create my webpage. I have used Weebly before and am familiar with it. It is fairly intuitive and easy to create each page. I hope that one day my site will look something like the ones mentioned. However, I am clearly a complete novice and I know it will take many attempts and revisions to get my site to represent something that I am proud of. But, for those of you who are interested, please check out my first attempt at  http://threadingnook.http://threadingnook.weebly.com/weebly.com/

Podcasts

I have spent a lot of time this week researching podcasts. There are a wide variety to choose from. Some are amazing, others mediocre, and then there are others that leave you shaking your head in wonder. Since I am moving from teaching math back to teaching science again next school year, my focus has been looking for science related podcasts. I love the National Geographic site and have signed up for an account. However, it's going to take me a bit more research to be able to navigate this site to find podcasts that work for me and my students.

I also discovered BytesizeScience. This site offers a fantastic series of podcasts engages students by demonstrating the relevance of science in real-life situations. From exploring the chemistry behind the Thanksgiving turkey to investigating the science of photography, this is science in everyday life brought alive for students of all ages.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/reactions/id266670954?mt=2

As I am sitting and working tonight, my wonderful dog is as usual, right under my feet. She is definitely overdue for a grooming and is smelling quite ripe. So, this link is absolutely on point for what I am currently experiencing right now. :-) https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/why-do-wet-dogs-stink-+-other/id266670954?i=343678241&mt=2

SMART Notebook 11 Embed Your Voki

Vocaroo Voice Message

Vocaroo Voice Message

Audio Tools

Vocaroo is a very simple to use web application. All you have to do is click on the record button, state your piece, listen and then either save or redo your recording. You need to be sure to download your Vocaroo recording if you plan to keep it for any length of time. The url provided on the Sharing option only allows you to use your recording for a short period of time. You can load your recording to Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or your own blog. You are also provided the option of saving your recording in the form of a QR code. This option would be useful when giving students directions and information for an independent assignment, center, or station. Student could in turn record their own responses to you by creating their own recording in Vocaroo. This one is probably the easiest one to do with your students. There is no need to build a classroom site, no login information to be kept, and it is totally free.

Voki is by far my favorite of the audio tools. It speaks to my creative side. There are just so many options for creating your avatars. There is definitely a learning curve involved with this one. It is not nearly as streamlined as the Vocaroo site. However, this one is much more likely to gain the attention of those you are trying to reach. It is really cool to watch the avatar talking to you using your own voice. I love the way the avatar follows the cursor movements with their eyes. On this site, you are required to put in your email information. And, in order to use it with your students you must purchase Voki Classroom. In Voki Classroom you have the option of setting up several different classrooms which is helpful to those of us who departmentalize or work with many different groups. I did try this one out with my homeroom class of 5^th graders. The students absolutely loved creating their avatars and spent a great deal of time to get it just right. However, they really struggled with the recording portion. The site allows for up to 90 seconds of speech. Only 5 of my 19 students were able to successfully save their work. So, although I love this site and do plan to continue to use it, there will definitely need to be many attempts to get the students to become fully proficient. My next goal is to learn to insert my Voki onto my daily/weekly Smartboard lessons.

Blabberize is also one that I have used in the past and enjoyed using with my students. It was fun for my students to create and record. The students were given the choice of several famous scientists. They had to research the scientist that they chose and gather information such as when and where the scientist was born, what the scientist was known for, challenges they faced, and any other interesting facts. The students then wrote a script as if they were that scientist. They used pictures of the scientist that I had posted to the handout folder (I needed to make sure the pictures were appropriate to use.) The students and I both enjoyed this activity. However, as I was working with this site for this assignment, I became very frustrated. For some reason, every time I uploaded a picture to begin making a new Blabber, my picture uploaded sideways! I tried and tried to find a way to adjust or rotate the pictures to no avail. I was so disappointed as I really want to be able to use this with my students next year since I will be teaching science once more.

 

 

I just made a new Voki.

Wow! This one was a real challenge to create and to finally get posted correctly. I have dabbled with Voki in the past. But, I never really did much with it. Now that I have finally figured out how to actually make my avatar with accompanying voice, I can see the beauty of using this in the classroom. I plan to try it out with my students this week. With this being the last full week of our school year, it may be a challenge to keep the students on the right track. With this program, I hope to entice my students to some fun learning. The plan is to have each student create his/her own avatar and record a message to the upcoming 5th grade class to be used as a "How to" guide for a successful new school year.

Classroom Rules for Transitions

I created this infographic using easel.ly. I found this website much easier to use than my previous attempt with Canva. Easel.ly provide a bit more freedom for creativity. I felt that the Canva templates, while extensive, kept me more constricted.

easel.ly

Infographic Design Attempt

This one is pretty basic. I created it using Canva. I am still trying to navigate my way around this wonderful website. I would love to use this with my students. They would absolutely love creating posters, vocabulary notecards, study guides, etc. with this.  The options are endless. I need to figure out how to set up student access. Please let me know if you know how to set up student/classroom access.