11.5 Thing #7 - Video Resources

I am so glad to have discovered all of these video resources. I found several that I plan to share with the classroom teachers. One that I found is a PBS video titled "The Lobotomist". The psychology teacher could use this for his class when he teaches the brain and mental illness. This is certainly not a fun movie, but it is an interesting look into medical history and mistakes that have been made.



On a lighter note, I found several nutrition videos on NeoK12. The Foods and Nutrition classes as well as the Health classes could benefit from these. They are short, informative, and fast-paced enough for today's students. I might use these in the library when the classes come in for their research projects. Of course, they would work well in the classroom, too. This particular video is from YouTube, so it would be blocked in my school district. I read in the paper today that BYU in Utah has decided to unblock YouTube for its students. If BYU thinks there is enough educational information on YouTube to open it up to the students, maybe my district will do the same!


Top 10 Worst Foods - Nutrition by Natalie

11.5 Thing #6 - iTouch Apps

I don't own an iPod, iPhone, or iTouch, but I found some excellent video tutorials on the Apple website so I am familiar with the apps and what they can do. I wish I could download the "Bubble Wrap" app!

If I understand this assignment correctly, we are to come up with ways to use the iTouch in the library with groups of students. While connected to a data projector, you could show and use the calendar, dictionary, Google Earth, downloaded books, the Declaration of Independence, science apps, other social studies apps.

For individual student use, I think the notetaking app (Dexy) and the Air Sharing app would be invaluable. Right now students cannot access from home their documents that are stored on the district's site. Air Sharing would allow them to use their documents at home and at school.

11.5 Thing #5 - Microblogging

I created a Facebook account about a week ago. Since then I reconnected with my college roommate and an old friend from my education classes. One of my nephews sent out a birth announcement via Facebook. I started slowly and changed security settings just today so that friends can read postings on my wall. I still haven't written anything about myself on the home page, much like my blog for this class. Gotta get over my shyness.

I was a club sponsor and had a web page, a bulletin board, used the morning announcements, and emailed students to let them know about meetings and other activities. Most of them never knew what was going on! Web pages and email are antiquated technology for our students today. I will try texting and Facebook this coming school year.

When exploring Twitter, I came across this statement:

[Twitter is] ...an RSS feed to every boring aspect of your friend's lives, according to Helen A.S. Popkin, MSNBC contributor, Twitter Nation: Nobody cares what you're doing (Then again, if you don't get it, that must mean you're totally too old.) on May 2, 2007.

That describes my initial reaction perfectly. I don't understand how I can get meaningful input from colleagues and other experts in my field from a Tweet. However, the information on back channeling and using Twitter during presentations was fascinating. I imagined what it would be like to have my students on laptops as I presented works cited and literary criticisms. According to the article, they might actually pay attention and ask questions if they could use Twitter! The shy students would ask questions if they could remain anonymous. Maybe someday...

11.5 Thing #4 - Video Hosting

YouTube, TeacherTube, the education channel and government channel portion of YouTube are all excellent sources of videos for use in the classroom. Some advantages are that the videos are free, safe (at the education sites), and convenient. Best practices in teaching call for using video clips rather than showing full length theatrical release films. Online videos from hosting sites meet that criteria. The variety of available content is impressive. I have always found it difficult to find math videos for my teachers, but they can certainly find videos on these sites to support their subject. Students of all ages would enjoy and benefit from creating and sharing videos. I envision book reports, science projects, announcements, lectures, and promoting clubs and organizations using video.

Did you notice that on the YouTube video for how to upload your videos, the frame was flipped during one part and the wording on her shirt read, "ebuTuoY"?

Here is my attempt at creating and posting a video created with Animoto. I uploaded it to YouTube.

11.5 Thing #3 Like Skype

This "thing" was fun! My husband and I downloaded Skype and talked to each other while in the same room. Now I will expand my connections. The personal applications are obvious: staying in touch with family, connecting with friends who live far away, etc. The Learning Librarian blog (item #4) discussed using Skype for biology classes sharing their research. I really want to try this with our APES (advanced placement environmental science). The handbook available on her blog is very useful. Our students who are home bound could benefit from using Skype for lectures, lab demonstrations, and book talks! Another area where Skype could be used is with home schoolers. I'm off to buy a camera and microphone for my computer...

11.5 Thing #2 - Image Generators

WordSift

I tried WordSift with an article from the Dept. of Energy on alternative fuels. Not only would this work well as an introduction to the subject with the IPC (Integrated Physics and Chemistry) classes, it would be perfect for the ESL students. I clicked on the word "turbine" and got the synonym "rotary engine" in the visual thesaurus and pictures of wind turbines in the images. Images and simpler words are just what our English learners need to master science vocabulary.

Glogster

I want to try this with the freshman geography classes. Their teachers want them to create posters on world religions. Think poster board, markers, glue, scissors, etc. I hope we can use Glogster because it is new and exciting for our 14-year-olds. I would have them research their topics first using the ABC-CLIO databases, CultureGrams, and the online Encyclopedia Britannica. They could be so creative with this tool. Also, if they try something they don't like or if they make a mistake, they can change it!

Voki

I thought the talking avatars were off-putting. However, I did create one and put it on my blog. Can't wait to read how some of you suggest using them with students!


Bookr

At first I didn't really like this tool. As I played with it I started to see some possibilities with the addition of text. One could create a very nice report on almost any topic with all the images available in Flickr. There are many opportunities to evaluate and research before taking random pictures and slapping together a book. Here is my first try:

11.5 Thing #1 - Connectivism

What an inspirational video. Our students can use their toys such as computers and iPods to create knowledge. I was thrilled when the narrator mentioned using the library's databases for this project. The librarian can definitely play a role in this type of learning by showing the students how to evaluate websites, use the subscription databases, and cite those sources. The video mentioned all the reasons why the teacher was still necessary in this type of learning, but the librarian can teach many of those skills in preparation for the project and make this a collaboration.