Diary of a Techie Chick: Story

Showing posts with label Story. Show all posts

On the Scene Reporter for Ancient Greece ......

My 6th grade students have been busy writing a report for Ancient Greece. Once they had their report created they got to become a reporter on the scene via an iPad app called Veescope Live. After my students had recorded their parts with the green-screen app they imported their recordings into the iMovie app. With a little creativity and a twist of techie magic my students created some pretty neat news reports.

There are many projects students can create with the green-screen app and the iMovie app such as book report, news report, short story, and etc.... When using the green-screen app it is wise to have students pair up to help each other out. I also suggest that students create themselves cue cards. That way students are looking toward the iPad when recording. Students also need to record in a quiet place and they need to speak up when recording. The microphone is on the iPad and will pick up the sounds nearest to it. With the Veescoope app students do not necessary need to recored in front of a green-screen or a green wall. They just need to be in front of a solid color background or wall.

Growing and Connecting via a Global Project ....

Winning LOGO Design

I attended several teched conferences, workshops, and webinars right before school started this year. They inspired me to create a global project. I am really big into scrapbooking and thought how cool it would be to have a living digital scrapbook that students could use to share their stories.

I decided to use Edmodo as my platform to connect, collaborate, and to share my dream for my global project. The Global Digital Scrapbook Project for 2013-14 was then born. I created my goals and posted the outcome I wished to achieve with this project. I needed a sign-up form for those who decided to join me on this journey so I created a simple Google Form that I shared with anyone and everyone who would listen to me. By the end of October I had 75 schools from around the world that joined me in this amazing journey.

Within our Edmodo Group I created several small groups for students to use to post, collaborate, share, and connect with the other students that were participating in the project. The students can post into groups such as art, economics, culture, school life, and etc.... My favorite group is the Spanish-English group where students can share and learn either in Spanish or English. I did create yet another Google Form for students to fill out and and request to join the small groups.

This project has been a huge learning experience. When I started the project I had to be the trainer to the teachers that joined in. Most of them didn't really know how to use Edmodo or had never used it before. I created little video clips to help those that needed it among answer tons of emails and messages. I would like to think it has been a success since it is now February and the communication within the small groups seem to be running smoothly.

Some of the ways I've used Edmodo beyond just communicating with the thousand plus students and teachers was holding a LOGO submission for our project. Students submitted their LOGO designs and then I created a Quiz so that kids could vote on their favorite design. I used the Quiz feature because I could add an image to each choice. I also post the "Page or School of the Week" and I am able to see how many times that link has been clicked on. This helps to know if the participates are looking at what I post. Teachers in the project also post polling questions and discussion questions within the small groups. Students then receive either a grade for journaling or participating. We are trying to teach the students not to type in Text talk, write in complete and proper sentences, and digital citizenship all at the same time.

Now the goal is to get all of the schools to add something to the Global Digital Scrapbook. Again most of the teachers have not used the website creator I am using to host our scrapbook so I have to put on my trainer hat again. The goal is to have a completed Global Digital Scrapbook by May. I have faith that this will too happen. It takes time to get a thousand plus people all on the same page and understanding what is needed so keep an eye on the project as it grows daily.

Tools Used for the Project:

Edmodo
Google Forms
Weebly

The Global Digital Scrapbook Project (gdsp2013)

Dreaming with My Eyes Wide OPEN....

Technology is aways evolving, changing, expanding, and reinventing itself. I think that is why I love teaching with technology so much. I never get bored and love learning new ways of using technology, I also love sharing how to use the technology. I have been seeing teachers embracing the use of Google Glass in their classroom. Every time I hear that a teacher has the chance to use Google Glass my mind goes into overload. Just think of the possibilities Google Glass can offer.

1st Person Video Guides or Tutorials
Use of Augmented Reality
Creating Augmented Reality
Creating One of a Kind Interviews, Stories, and Projects with Green-Screen effects
Learn New Languages or just Translate a Language
For Observations
A Student's View of a Lesson or a Teacher's View of the same Lesson
Making Connections through Google Hangout
Record Research, a Science Experiment, or Document the Learning Process
Use to Reflect on an Assignment or Lesson
Record a Field Trip or a Once in a Life Time Experience
Build a Portfolio
Exploring the World through a Different Perspective

Twenty-five years ago who would have thought we would replace the kitchen wall phone with a phone that can access the internet, check email, or take a picture. Even ten years ago we thought wearable technology was Science Fiction, but here we are and it is happening now. I do not know what the future has in-store for us. What I do know is that the possibilities are endless, we just have to think outside of the box and be a little creative.

Google Draw + Green-Screen + iMovie = Amazing

For our end of the semester project my students combined 3 powerful tools together to create a one of a kind digital story. Before they could even start drawing, recoding, and publishing their stories they first had to write them. Once their stories were on paper they got busy putting shapes together to create their illustrations. They used Google Draw for this part of the project. The only requirement was that they needed at least 4 scenes for their stories. After they had finished creating their illustrations they downloaded each one as a jpeg file. Since they had to use the computer to use Google Draw and the Green-Screen app was on their iPads they had to email themselves their picture files. Once they had their picture files saved to the camera roll on their iPad they could use the app Veescope Live Full version to record themselves telling their stories in front of my green wall. After all the recording were done they imported all of their recordings into iMovie and put together their stories.

Click Here for Student Stories - Check often as we are still finishing our stories.

App / Tool of the Week .... Google Draw

My students have been busy learning how to use Google Draw to illustrate for a children's story. They learned that they could layer shapes over other shapes to create a totally different shape or object. They also discovered that they could group their shapes together to avoid messing up their new object or shape.

I like to give my students a day of "Sandbox Day". On this day they get a chance to play around and learn a new app or tool. The only instruction I give them is explore and discover what the app or tool can do. Some students take off and go to town exploring, discovering, and trying different things. While others just look at the screen with a blank stare while repeating out loud that don't know what to do. As teachers we can't assume just because they are kids and they have grown up with all of this technology around them that they know how to use it. I like think of myself as a cheerleader for my kids. I encourage them to try things, click on something, hover your mouse over items or tools. Once they get over the fear of trying something new some amazing creations start to flow.

Google Draw is free and can be found in your Google Drive. I suggest you play, click, explore, and
build something with this tool. It can be great tool for math, story telling, a writing prompt, and etc... It does have auto save like Google Docs and Google Sheets. I suggest making sure that you name each drawing so you don't end up with a dozen Untitled Draws. You can even make folders and save your drawing to them.

To use your Google Drawing as an image I suggest you download it as a jepg file. This way you can import your drawing into apps, iMovie, web tools and etc... When you are drawing you will notice your workspace has gray and white squares. If you do not cover your entire work area with shapes or color those squares will become a white background after you download your image.

Willy the Wiggle Worm - Created in Google Draw

A Little Green-Screen Fun....

I teach technology skills and part of that is keyboarding skills. This latest typing project involved kids having a little fun with the Green-Screen. They had to write and type up a Mini Movie Script or Trailer. Once they had their movie script turned in they could record their scenes in front of the Green-Screen. This project was a fun way of incorporating typing skills and speaking skills.

We used the Green-Screen App Veescope Live Full version. Student recorded each scene using the app. Their recordings were saved automatically to their camera roll. Once they had finished recording their scenes they dragged and dropped their scenes in the iMovie app. With a little creativity their written mini movie script became a fun video.

App / Tool of the Week .... Santa Spy Cam

I friend shared this app with me that brings a little magic of Christmas alive. I had just put up our Christmas tree and thought I would give this little app a try. In a blink of an eye there was this elf coming out of my tree doing a little jig and I got it all caught on video with my phone. I had left my phone out and went to bed. My 4 year old had discovered on her own the video clip that got recorded the night before. She integrated her teenage brothers trying to learn how this video got on my phone. She came to the conclusion that it was magic. All day we have been receiving lessons from the littlest Wilson on how magic works.

The Santa Spy Cam app came just in time to reintroduce our Elf on the Shelf and spark a little Christmas magic.

What this app really does is bring a little Augmented Reality to the holidays. I can see this app being used for a creativity writing project in a classroom, introduce the Elf on the Shelf, or to catch that sneaky Santa on Christmas Eve.

The Power of One ....

Say something you saw sparked an interest with you and you wanted to know more about it. You look for people that may know more about the thing that inspired you. You join Twitter, look for a Facebook Page, attend a conference, and etc... Find what works for you and use it. After you find what works, build your own Personal Learning Environment.

Once you learn more about what inspired you don't be afraid to go forward and try something new. Don't be afraid to create, explore, and really discover. If you get stuck reach out and ask your PLE for help or ask Google, Bing, or YouTube. Don't settle, find out more, explore, play in the sandbox, see what you can do with what inspired you.

Now share what you have learned.

Show Someone
Demonstrate
Explain
Inspire Someone

Then reflect on what you have learned, who you have shared with, and who they have shared with. That one thing you wanted to learn more about has now became the inspiration for others. You became the Power of One just because you shared.

That one thing that I wanted to learn more about was Augmented Reality and how to create a Green-Screen Effect.

Inspiration is everywhere don't be afraid to explore and then share.

A Story + A Green Wall = 1 Amazing Transformed Digital Story....

Transforming learning through digital stories by building on creativity of a child's imagination and making them apart of their creation.

Creating a Digital Story in front of the Green-Screen is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Have a story.
Create illustrations either digitally or scan original artwork. You can even use photographs.
Record your story in front of a Green Wall.
Put it all together in iMovie.
Student Examples

Visit the K-12 Online Conference the week of Oct. 28th through Nov. 1st to view my presentation and demonstration on how to create 1 Amazing Transformed Digital Story.

Using Green-Screen Effects in Your Classroom .....

I am fascinated with the Green-Screen effect and the many projects you can do using this effect. Students can be transported to foreign, magical, & exotic places without leaving your classroom. They can bring stories to life and also be apart of their stories. I've teamed up with TeacherCast Educational Online Learning to offer you a free online course on how to create amazing Green-Screen effect projects using your iPad. The best part is you don't have to have a green screen or a green wall to create a Green-Screen Effect.

You will watch a few short video clips, answer a few questions, and receive a certificate of completion.

Using Green-Screen Effects in YOUR classroom! (by Katie Ann Wilson)
Click the above link.

Twas Night Before the 1st Day of School ....

Twas the night before the 1st day of school a buzz was of excitement was in the air. All of the children quickly ate their dinner and took their baths before heading to their rooms to take their evening nap. The oldest of the Wilson kids had already completed his summer homework assignment and was eager to turn it in. His dreams all summer long were filled with the Lords of the Flies and vocabulary words he wasn't sure if he would ever use again. The middle Wilson child, who had plenty of 1st days of school, had planned on sleeping in his new outfit so he could have an extra 30 minutes sleep when morning comes.

The youngest of the 3 Wilson children was the most excited of them all, it just happened to be her second time for her 1st day of school. Her smile and joy silently fell when she was told that tomorrow wasn't going to be her 1st day of school after all. That she had to wait a whole 5 days before she would have her 1st day of school. She slowly started to smile again as she thought about her 1st day of school. She jumped up and down and repeated over and over that she would have her special 1st day of school. She was still excited and continued to pick out her outfit. With a smile on her face she informed us that tomorrow was going to be a practice 1st day of school. She became even more excited and decided that she would have 4 practice days and on her real 1st day of school it would be perfect.

With the excitement slowly dying down. The kids quickly snuggled deeply in their beds with dreams of new pencils, pens, and paper all dancing in their heads. When morning shall arise there will be two boys begging to sleep until mid morning. Whining and pouting will follow with over stuffed backpacks slung over their shoulders as they head for the car. One excited little girl will sing as she dresses, enjoy her breakfast, and explain how the 1st day of school shall go. A quick 1st day of school photo will happen with complaining and reminding that there will only be 2 more 1st day of school photos. I sweetly smile as there will still be collage.

The Global Digital Scrapbook Project

Project Founder & Coordinator - Katie Ann Wilson - @katieann_76

Project Goals:

Teachers and students will engage in discussions with others during the project about their country, school, hobbies, favorite activities, etc.
Students will learn to respect and appreciate the opinions, cultures and customs of others.
Students will be able to see the differences and similarities between themselves and others around the world.

Duration: 2013-2014 School year.

Targeted Grade Levels/Age Groups: All ages.

How This Project Works:

Teachers and students will use Edmodo to communicate with the others in our group. Edmodo is a social network that allows students and teachers to create groups that are closed to the public.

Guidelines:

Please make sure your students are using proper grammar and spelling and not using “texting” language. This is an educational group. Teachers should moderate all comments in the group. If you see anything anything inappropriate, take a screenshot of it and then delete it. Share the screenshot with that students' teacher and use it as a "teachable moment" to explain what postings should look like.

Please be committed to commenting in the group about once a week. It is not fair to the other group members when classrooms don’t follow through after signing up for a project.

Students and teachers will each need to create their own individual Edmodo account with a username and a password. After you sign up I will send you an email with the group's URL so that you can join. You will also receive an email from Weebly inviting you to join.

Here is the link to the Home Page - gdsp2013.weebly.com

For further information
DM @katieann_76

The Global Digital Scrapbook ...

The launch of The Global Digital Scrapbook has been a success. I bet you are wondering how I can even say this project is already successful when the school year hasn't even started for me. My goal for this project was to connect my 6th grade students with other students so that they can learn how to build positive connections. I wasn't sure how it would all work out, but I had to try. I spent several days brainstorming how to organize and run such a project. I tried to think up every question that might be asked of me and find a solution. I created the group in Edmodo and tried to organize the folders within the group. I wanted to be able to provide as much information and resources to teachers and students who decided to participate in this global project.

My new goal for this project is now to connect teachers and students from around the world and help them share their stories, cultures, and traditions. You can help by sharing this project and encouraging others to participate. You to can also join in and participate with this global project. We currently have 18 schools and over 800 students involved in this project. I am excited to connect and collaborate with teachers and students from all over. I can't wait to watch the scrapbook pages start to take shape.

For more information about the project or to watch it grow please visit:

www.gdsp2013.weebly.com

It All Starts with a Spark...

I've been asked several times; "What's your story?". I am going to try to write little tidbits here and there about myself in order to share my story, to share my passion. I will try not to bore you with every little detail about my life.

As long as I can remember I loved going to school. I love being around my friends and learning new things. When I was in the 3rd grade my school received its first desktop computer, an Apple II and it was placed in the library. If you wanted to use this machine you had to enter in commands, which no one knew how to do. During school I would spend hours in the library playing around on it. It fascinated me, it puzzled me, and it intrigued me. The librarian challenged me to create a searchable database for the books in the library, like a card catalog. By the time I moved away I had entered over half of the items into the database I created which was all saved on those big "Floppy Disks". It took me a while but I figured out about the "What IF" statements. After I figured that out my database was searchable. I had created an digital card catalog. You have to keep in mind I was a third grader put in front of this machine and told let see what you can do with it. No one showed me how it worked, what it could do, or how to get data into it. I just played around until I made things happened. I did move away after I had finished the 5th grade so my learning didn't happen over night, nor did I give up. This challenge sparked a passion in me to learn more about this machine.

My passion grew in middle school. I learned about coding and was able to make basic graphics. I was also able to make a little game, and it worked. I started hanging out with guys that shared my passion. I asked them a lot of questions. I wanted to know what they knew so I could apply it and grow even more. I went in search of new knowledge and wanted to learn from others. During this time another passion was sparked. It started with a cheap point and shoot camera. I became hooked and wanted to learn photography too on top of computers.

Throughout high school I kept learning more and more about computers and computer programs. I not only watched the evolution of computer technology, I lived it. The birth of computer programs was happening and was shared with schools. I look back now and I was lucky that my school embraced this tool and exposed us to it. My teachers would ask me to figure out how these new programs worked. They would hand me those very thick instruction manuals expecting me to read them, I would just hand them right back. I couldn't read how they worked, I had to explore and experience it. It didn't take me long and I could figure out every program that they set in front of me. Not only could I figure out the program I was able to teach others how it worked.

To be continued .....