PowerPoint

So this week’s activity was creating a PowerPoint presentation where the focus was about presenting a concept using visual images instead of the usual bullet point format.  I tried to stay away from bullet points, but there was one section that I had to add something in order to make the lesson understandable. However, unlike my usual symmetrical, same color and slide layout presentations, I went with various colors, large and small images, a block font and little to no wording on most of the slides.

This PowerPoint is all about rocks and how they form.  You can view the Rock Presentation in my Dropbox. I am actually pretty excited about the result of this activity. It was handy to have my old earth science textbooks to use as a reference. Didn’t think I’d ever look at those again and not sure why I even kept them, but they were useful! The lesson itself fulfills the VA Earth Science Standard of Learning ES.6.  The standard states that the student will investigate and understand the rock cycle as it relates to the origin and transformation of rock types and how to identify common rock types based on mineral composition and texture. Key concepts include igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks.  It was nice to see that my work directly applied to a specific standard of learning. Depending on what grade I end up teaching someday, I know this presentation would be helpful in learning the rock cycle in a fun and visual way.

After completing this process, I realize how easy it is to compile information and list it out in bullet format thinking that it will be short and concise, but it is not always effective. This activity broadened my idea of presentations and the way it can be used in the classroom to enhance learning. Creating this PowerPoint complies with ISTE.NETS.T standard number 3, Model Digital-Age Work and Learning. This standard applies because this activity enables the teacher to communicate relevant information about a subject through the use of a digital media. PowerPoint is a great tool to help teachers and students convey information to make learning more effective.

Google Earth

Before this assignment, I only used Google Earth for two things: locating my house to see what it looked like from space and looking at the earth’s surface for a science class where we studied erosion and natural changes to the terrain. I had no idea that I could create a map in Google Maps and then merge it into Google Earth to create a unique map for whatever I choose.  The map in Google Earth ends up in a KML file for others to explore. The KML file, otherwise known as Keyhole Markup Language, is a format that shows geographic data much like an HTML file shows documents and spreadsheets online. The way I understand it is that the KML file compresses information from Google Maps and then transforms it into something different in Google Earth. At least that is my understanding.

The KML file is useful because you can see so much more in Google Earth than in Google Maps and you can interact with the map. In Google maps you see a flat map, but in Google Earth, the KML formatting allows the viewer to see more geographical data in 3D and there are tools to make the map user friendly and interactive. Some of the tools in Google Earth include adding editing marks, polygon shapes, specific paths and even imagery overlays.  I think Google Earth is also helpful in comparing and contrasting the area from a previous time frame.  The image can display what the area looks like today, but it can also go back a few months and show what the terrain looked like previously.  There are so many things that Google Earth can be used for when using the KML format. What a great tool to use for exploring maps in detail!

Click here to see my Google Earth map .Google Earth KML Map.

 

In addition to the map features of Google Earth, there are also many ideas for teachers under the online resource Google Earth for Educators. Within this resource are many ideas to use in the classroom to incorporate digital media. I found a lesson plan titled Historical Novel and it can be used for Language Arts & Social Studies to explore literature that ties into historical places, people or events. I like this lesson plan because it relates to the map I created for the Google Map assignment where I marked historical places in Jefferson County, WV. Students can first use literature to learn about historical places, people or events, and then locate those places using Google Maps and Google Earth. This would be a fun activity to plot historical places and then tell a story based on the readings and knowledge gained by retracing the steps of certain events through the use of online mapping. I think plotting historical events on a map can give a visual of locations, terrain and other features that will enhance the understanding that a student may have about events that took place long ago.

Given that this assignment includes exploration of maps and creates an interactive map assignment for students to explore, this activity complies with the ISTE.NETS.T standard number one, Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity. By giving the students an opportunity to explore Google Earth, it allows the students to be creative and experience digital learning first hand.

Google Maps

Today I learned more about Google Maps. Before this activity, I didn't know that I could create my own map to include details and links for use in the classroom. Now that I have created my own virtual field trip using Google Maps, I have some ideas about how I could use this mapping process to help students understand mapping and the connections between places on the map. For example, during a social studies lesson, I could give groups of students historical event time lines and have them plot the places on the map that were significant to the outcomes of the events. By evaluating the map and possibly the terrain as well, the students will be able to understand why certain events had certain outcomes.

Below is a copy of my Google Map that I used for my virtual field trip.  Click here to see the actual map created in Google Maps.

 

 

This type of activity within the classroom complies with the ISTE.NETS.T standard number two, Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments. When students are engaged in digital learning experiences such as plotting events in an online mapping system and researching time line outcomes, students will be more likely to better understand and process information effectively.

 

 

 

Batchgeo 1 and 2

In my experience using maps for directions, I have never used a program like Batchgeo. Batchgeo is a place where maps can be created and shared with others. This was such an easy task. In the first part of this activity, the class was given a link to a Google Drive document that could be edited by all of my classmates. Each of us was to enter our address into the spreadsheet where the data would be saved for future use. The only problem I had was that I live on a rural route and my address is not even recognized by Google or MapQuest, so my address was not used to plot a spot on the classmates location map.

The second thing I had to do was upload the information from the spreadsheet directly to Batchgeo. After the information is uploaded, there is a Map It button to click and what you get looks like the map below. The nice part about Batchgeo is that it gives you the locations that were plotted in a list underneath the map.

 

 

 

What I ended up with was a map with the locations of all of my classmates and we are pretty spread apart in distance. It seems that I am the only one that lives in West Virginia, but since I’m not on the map, I guess that doesn’t matter now does it? To access the map please click here - My Classmates Batchgeo Map

If I were to use this program in a classroom I think it could be used for a variety of geography and math activities. Plotting addresses and creating a map could be used to learn about proximity/distance, mileage, terrain, cardinal directions, and even planning an itinerary for travel. This activity coincides with the ISTE.NETS.T standard number 2, Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments. The activity allows the student to use digital media to create a learning experience of their own by plotting addresses on a map through the use of a spreadsheet, and by developing skills that have to do with geography and math. The students could use this technology to create a project to assess how far someone lives from someone else or how far the nearest Starbuck’s store is from another. The activities are endless and with this unique tool Batchgeo, learning has never been more fun and engaging!  

Jing Screencast

So today I had to create a video without using a video camera. The way to create such a video is to use a screen shot program such as Jing to capture and create a tutorial or instructional video to share with others. Instead of recording the person or event with a video camera, I used Jing to record the steps I took on my computer to explain a process by capturing steps and images used to complete a task. My “how to” screencast was a narrative about how to use the word cloud application called Wordle www.wordle.net. Click here to view my screencast: Screencast video

In order to create a screencast video about Wordle, I had to start by capturing a screen and then sizing the capture so that my video would fit into the screen. This was not an easy task. It took about three times to finally figure out how to adjust the size of the screens to be used in the video.  Minimizing the windows that I was using within the video helped to keep the screens viewable inside the captured dimensions.

After I created my screen cast video, I was able to save it on my computer’s hard drive. There are two ways to save the capture. It can be saved directly onto the computer’s hard drive as I did, or it can be automatically saved into Jing’s history files. So even if a person loses the file on the computer, Jing will have the file stored as a backup. My file is saved under the C drive of my computer and the extension is C:\Users\Amyh\Amy\Capture.

In order to find the file, I go to the start menu, click on computer, click on My Documents and then follow the path through the Amyh folder to open the file Capture.

To share my screen cast via the internet, I followed these simple steps.

1. Create the screen cast video using Jing
2. Save the video and change the title name to something related to the topic
3. Click on the history prong under the Jing yellow sun
4. Click on the saved file once and then click the eye to view the file
5. When the file opens, go to the bottom left hand corner and click on the three-arrow icon to share
6. The file will be uploaded to screencast and a Google Chrome window will appear with the file shown in the middle
7. Copy the URL in the top left hand corner and paste it where you would want to share the link

The Jing screencast movie is a SWL or Shockwave Flash file. If I were to get the premium version of Jing, then the files would be available in MPEG form.
Jing is very user friendly. The Jing icon looks like a yellow sun that sits at the top of your desktop just waiting for you to scroll over it to start capturing images. There are three prongs on the bottom on the yellow sun and they each have a function. The first prong is what you would click on if you were ready to capture an image. The second prong shows the history of the user in capturing images or videos. The final prong titled “more” gives the user access to settings and help with using Jing. Overall this program is easy to use and quick to learn.

I can see how this program would be useful for a teacher. It is easy to put together a quick tutorial video of what the teacher wants the students to focus on in a lesson. It would even be useful if a teacher is out on leave and a substitute could use screencast videos and images created by the teacher to teach the class. This activity falls under the ISTE.NETS.T standard number three, Model Digital-Age Work and Learning. The reason this activity coincides with this standard is because Jing video can be used by the teacher to demonstrate how instructional videos can be created in order to convey information about a particular subject. Teachers can use this digital way of teaching to promote useful computer skills and also ways to develop directional skills.

Jing Image



What is Jing? Well, it is a website that can be used to enhance images with text and other graphic features such as arrows/lines and shapes. I liked working with this Jing with this activity because it provides a way to mark up an image in order to share information about the subject to others. 

The image I chose to share was about canning fruits and vegetables. I captured all of the items in one image and then placed labels next to each item. It was fairly easy to use. You just have to click anywhere on the image with the mouse and then whatever graphic you chose to use would appear on the screen. I used the same font and color that popped up as a default, but any color can be used with any font.  I stuck to basics.

The next step was to create the screenshot for my image. It was also easy to do. I clicked on the share button and it uploaded my image to a screenshot within seconds. Now my image is easily viewed on the web.  Click here to view screencast.

 

Jing would be good for giving instructions by using visuals. Sometimes students need a visual to understand a concept.  The arrows also allow the viewer to understand exactly what the text relates to within the image. For students I think this would be a good exercise in creating something that needed to be labeled. It could even be used to create a study guide or timeline. The act of sharing information or subject content through the use of Jing complies with the ISTE.NETS.T standard 3, Model Digital-Age and Work and Learning.  By utilizing this website, the teacher is communicating the lesson through digital means and will most likely engage the students much more than with a straight lecture.

 



 



Diigo, Social Bookmarking

Today I registered for an account and explored the wonderful world social bookmarking through the website Diigo http://www.diigo.com/index. The whole idea of social bookmarking is new to me. I spent a good deal of time searching the site and checking out the features available. What I found was that social bookmarking is a great way to mark important information, make notes, and even share the information with someone else through social networking.

Who would have thought before Web 2.0 that websites would have the capability of providing the users with access to make changes or add information to the world-wide-web?  The days of “browsing only” are gone! The web is accessible to anyone now and users are able to share what they know or have found with anyone, anywhere!  

What I kept thinking about as I added articles to my library was that I could share the information on merit pay that I found with a classmate.  We are working on a merit pay project together and this site is a great example of how we can share information that we find. The highlighting tool will be especially helpful in noting the important aspects of the articles or information bookmarked.  I can’t wait to share my new bookmarks with my classmate!

Here is the link to my Diigo library: http://www.diigo.com/user/aheflebower

This site would be a wonderful tool for teachers to use in the classroom to engage students in learning how to identify the important information of an article, how to work with classmates, and how to organize information. According to the ISTE.NETS.T standards, this type of activity would comply with standard 3, Model Digital-Age Work and Learning.  The activity fulfills this standard because it involves the use of digital tools to gather information for research and allows the students to work with peers or others to incorporate the use of technology into learning.

During this exercise I also learned about browser add-ons. It never occurred to me that all of the small icons I had listed on my tool bar were add-ons.  These add-ons make things a little easier to get to on the web, especially since there are sites that I frequent quite a bit throughout the day. It is so much easier to click on the add-on button and not have to type the URL in every time I need to change websites. Now that I know about them, I can surely state that I use them quite frequently. There are many buttons on my toolbar as shown below.  My choice browser is Internet Explorer.  I’ve always seemed to use that browser and occasionally use Mozilla Firefox when I run into trouble or can’t access something. 

I’m still not expert at social bookmarking, but I am going to keep trying to add more to my library and organize it to be useful for anyone.

Self Portrait

Today I learned how to create my very own Picasso portrait. Much to my dismay, my first attempt was nothing more than the image you see below and man is it ugly!



First Attempt

 

So I continued to work with this new found website www.picassohead.com in order to create my award winning portrait. The idea of dragging and dropping features onto the canvas to create a portrait is pretty simple. However, the issues I encountered had to do with adjusting the features.

The first problem I ran into was the lack of description for the editing icons. Unlike most websites where the icons will reveal their purpose if you scroll over the picture with the cursor, this website does not have that option.  So it was only through trial and error that I figured out what the icon symbols meant.  I still did not figure out what the stacks of paper and arrows represented. I thought it meant to bring the image from back to front or front to back, but when I clicked on the icons nothing happened.

The other problem I had was that the screen was split and I couldn’t see the entire window where the portrait was being created. When I tried to click on create, nothing happened. Not sure if there is a problem on the website or with my computer?

Once I figured out how to adjust the features, I made a few attempts at another self portrait and here is my favorite…

Amee Amore!!

In order to use this website in the classroom, I would definitely have to provide some direct instruction with regards to the icon functions.  Students could spend time trying to figure it out, but that would waste the time they had to create something inventive. This website could be used for designing an avatar picture or creating a description of a character in a book.

This activity correlates to the ISTE.NETS.T Standard one, Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity. The Picassohead website provides a way for students to be creative in designing a self portrait or one for someone else that includes imagination and style.

Revisit Resume

Not sure about anyone else, but I do not like resume writing. It is a task that seems to haunt me and I never seem to think the resume is good enough to land that job I really want. In fact, since I am switching gears in my field of work, from business to education, rewriting my resume has been a huge challenge.  I’m pretty much combining my business career experience with the only education experience I’ve had which comes in the form of volunteering at my kid’s school and the practicum hours I’ve completed in graduate school. Did I mention that I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for the past 9 years? All of this worries me when it comes down to applying for teaching jobs next year.

With all that said, this resume revision experience has given me some confidence in my resume writing. I fully expected the REZSCORE website www.rezscore.com to score my resume low, but to my surprise the score was great!

 

As I have rewritten my resume many times over the past 20 years, I have never used a tool like REZSCORE to evaluate my resume. It was amazing to see how quickly the website was able to review my resume and look for similarities in my job industries. Since it did not suggest any improvements, I uploaded my husband’s resume as a test. His came back with a B- and a few improvements needed.  Because it is his resume, I didn’t make changes to resubmit it, but I will suggest some changes to him later.  I did submit my resume to another company online, but have not received a response yet.

What I’ve learned from this experience is that tools like REZSCORE can be used to make suggestions for improvements on resumes and gives direction in which way to start rewriting. Any additional help will cost money. These tools can also be used to help secondary students build a beginner resume before graduating.  This activity ties into the ISTE.NETS.T standard three, Model Digital Work and Learning. 

 

SNIPPING TOOL (WIN/MAC OS)

Snipping is the latest and coolest tool that I have added to my computer savvy tool belt! Have you ever tried to copy an image to a clipboard and then had to edit it in another program to remove any unwanted text or graphics? Well look no further.  Snipping is a tool that allows you to choose exactly what you want to capture in a picture without any extra cropping. Just drag the cursor around the text or graphics you want to capture and then the snipped information will appear in a window box for you to edit.

What I like about Snipping:

• There is no editing in another program. What you capture is what you get in the image.
• You can use the Snipping Tool to create step-by-step imagery of how to do something.
• It helps create a visual for individual learners where verbal directions are sometimes just not enough.
• The editing tool allows you to block out, highlight or mark in pen the image details that are important.

My favorite way to use this tool would be for giving directions.  This summer I learned about a writing website called Storybird – www.storybird.com.  I love this website because it allows the participant to write a story about an image that is provided by Storybird and the story can even be published on the Storybird website for others to read. I think snipping the images and using them in step-by-step directions can help the participant verify that what they are doing is correct.

For example:

Step 1: Go to www.storybird.com 

Step 2: Click on the blue button “Start a Storybird Now”

 

Step 3: Choose an image from block “a” OR select a word from block “b” to find an image related to a topic or word you would like to write about

 

 
 

Step 4: Choose the images for your story by dragging the images to the middle board

 

Step 5: Add your story/text to each page in the white space beneath each pages picture

 

 

Step 6: Save your work using the title of the book

Step 7: Publish your book

 

 

Learning about the Snipping Tool gives me some perspective about imagery and creativity when it comes to giving directions or creating visuals for learning. Both the Snipping Tool activity and the step-by-step example in using Storybird in the classroom relate to standard one of the ISTE.NETS.T, Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity.