Showing posts with label training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label training. Show all posts

Bringing Learning to Life with Augmented Reality....

Bringing Learning to Life with Augmented Reality....

Augmented reality is one of my passions.  I love watching kids come alive and fully engaged when they interact with augmented triggers. Students are not the only ones that come alive when they interact with augmented triggers, teachers love them too

Augmented reality is experience that super imposes computer-generated experience over a trigger image. There are several different types of augmented experiences you can interact with. These computer-generated experiences allows you to listen to music, watch video clips, interact with 3D models, or place you in an environment such as the ocean. All of these possible interactions require the student to scan a trigger image that will trigger the experience.  Thus the trigger image or target image.

Augmented Reality - IN THE CLASSROOM

Augmented Reality is an engaging tool for students and teachers, really anyone that uses it. It allows you to immerse yourself into any environment, and apply critical thinking skills to real-world scenarios.  My goal is to teach 21 century learners think outside the box and beyond their learning environments. You can take an image and create an engaging learning experience that cannot be achieved in typical two-dimensional planes, such as worksheets or on a whiteboard/chalkboard.

Because I am so passionate about augmented reality and the impact it can have in the classroom I've teamed up with Aug That.  I am creating some one of a kind augmented lessons that you can have access to and use in your classroom, on top of their ever growing interactive lessons, 3D objects, and 360° environments. Aug That is also giving free access to Teach Connect all you have to do is tell them that the Techie Chick sent you.

Teach Connect allows you to create augmented triggers in a safe environment. No channels to follow, no scanning and getting something inappropriate, a totally complete safe environment. You don't even need to know how to create the augmented experience all you have to do is send them the trigger image you want to use and what you want the experience to be. You also get access to other teacher created augmented lessons. I can even help you create and use augmented lessons in your classroom, all you have to do is ask.

Take a Demo of Aug That.  Download the STAR app and check out their Demo page.  You are going to love it.  After you have taken the Demo email Lisa@Augthat.com and tell her that the Techie Chick sent you.  She will get you connected with your free Teach Connect account.  Once my lessons are up and running you will also get access to those.

Resources:


Creating AR with the Daqri 4D Studio....

Creating AR with the Daqri 4D Studio....


Augmented reality isn't anything new, it has been around for a while now. Creating your own augmented reality on the other hand has only been available in the recent few years.  This spring Daqri released their 4D studio to the education community. Out of all of the augmented reality creators I have used this one is by far the friendliest one to use. When I talk to others about creating augmented reality I hear; "That is too techie for me.", or "I just can't wrap my head around how it works.", or "There is no way I will be able to create something like that."  Let me ask you a few questions then.
  • Can you drag and drop?
  • Can you copy and paste?
  • Can you click on a button that says upload?
  • Can you click on a Plus Sign to start a new project?
  • Can you click on a button that says Save?
  • Can you click on a button that says Publish?
If you answered yes to these questions then you can create an augmented reality trigger.

For Podstock I created a mini tutorial on how to create a augmented reality trigger. Daqri did change a few things in their studio but it will not effect how you create a trigger.  You will just notice my screenshots just look a hair different.  I had put my tutorial in a NearPod presentation so I could monitor who accessed the presentation and evaluate their knowledge about the topic.  I will post the link to that as well.  Feel free to use the Google Presentation or the NearPod one. 

Just keep in mind this is a very basic tutorial.  I plan on creating more in depth ones soon. 





Presentations/Resources:

Moving Out of the Lab....

Moving Out of the Lab....

In the past students and teachers could only obtain access to technology was through a lab setting.  Schools hired professionals to teach and or train students how to use the technology.  Once students left the lab setting they left the technology behind.  In todays world that is no longer the case.  With schools going 1:1 with devices is the lab really needed?  There are some pros and of course cons to having a lab and 1 person responsible for teaching how to use the tech.

Pros for a Lab: 

  • All devices are set up the same and have the same programs.
  • 1 person is responsible for the instruction.
  • Instruction is structured. 
  • Desktops don't walk away and are stationary.
  • Can be monitored.

Cons for a Lab:

  • Only 1 person is responsible for the instruction.
  • Desktops are not mobile.
  • Technology and skills stay in the lab.
  • Limited time and use in the lab.
  • Instruction is structured.
When it comes to technology and learning how to use it needs to be put in real world experiences not in a structured lab setting.  One teacher shouldn't be the only one teaching kids how to apply the technology in real world settings.  Technology is no longer just available in a lab, but can be found everywhere.  The more diverse kids are with technology the better prepared for the real world they will become.

How Educators Can Connect and Learn the Tech:

  • Find the Learning Platform that works for you either being face to face, online professional development, webinars, edcamps, and etc...  
  • Don't be afraid to let your students teach you how they use the tech.
  • Don't be afraid to fail.  Failing is the 1st step in learning something new.  When we learn to walk we fell with each step until we mastered balancing and walking.  That didn't stop us from wanting to learn to run.

My Personal Learning Network: 
Just to name a few

Edmodo Certified Trainer ....

Edmodo Certified Trainer ....

It is official, I've completed my training to become an Edmodo Certified Trainer.  It is an honor to be selected to be in the 1st group of trainers for Edmodo.  Since I am a 21st Century Educator and Edmodo is a secure platform that brings your classroom into the 21st century, it seemed like a perfect fit for me.  With Edmodo it is all about connections.  Edmodo allows teachers to build a powerful network that connects them to students, parents, administrators and publishers.  I can't wait to start connecting and sharing with other educators.

Getting Started with Edmodo:

  • Create your account
  • Complete your profile
    • Add a Picture or Avatar
  • Your Groups
    • Create a group
    • Share the Group's URL
  • Add Folders
    • Share resources
  • Start Posting
    • Lead collaborative discussions 
    • Give Assignments, Quizzes, & Polls
  • Install Apps
  • Engage students, Inspire Creativity, & aAssess Learning
  • Follow and Participate in Communities
  • Connect with educators from around the world
  • Discover great resources

If you need any help or need a person to bounce ideas off of I am hear to help, I'm only a message away.

Why Use Edmodo .....

Why Use Edmodo .....
when I have limited use of technology?


Even if you have 1 computer in your classroom or you have limited use of technology you can still use Edmodo.





App / Tool of the Week ... Edmodo

App / Tool of the Week ... Edmodo

I bet you are wondering what is Edmodo and why should I use it. Edmodo is a secure platform that brings your classroom into the 21st century. It allows your classroom and resources to be accessible to students 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.  Edmodo is designed to get students excited about learning and mirrors a social network.  It also makes it easy for teachers to create a blended learning experience while teaching 21 century skills.  Edmodo offers engaging, easy-to-use apps that integrate seamlessly and personalize learning for every student.

Edmodo is all about connections.  It allows teachers to build a powerful network that connects them to students, parents, administrators and publishers.  It makes assessing students knowledge simple to track with student progress. Teachers can get the pulse of the class through polls, quizzes, discussion, and more.  Edmodo can be accessed through your computer's browser or the app for a mobile device.  There are over 23,000,000 user from around the world using Edmodo. 


Useful Slideshow on how to use Edmodo

Getting Started:

  • Create your account
  • Complete your profile
  • Create a group
  • Invite students and peers
    • Share resources, lead collaborative discussions, give assignments, quizzes, polls and more
  • Install Apps
    • Engage students, inspire creativity, assess learning
  • Follow and participate in communities

Best Practices for Social Learning:

  • Do not post group codes publicly 
  • Lock group codes after all members have joined 
  • Monitor posts 
    • Set up notifications 
  • Use read-only status when useful 
  • Encourage students to select unique passwords 
  • Set expectations

Now to answer the question "Why should I use it?"  My answer is WHY NOT!

Recap of EdcampKC .....

Recap of EdcampKC .....

Scan this image with the Layar App
EdcampKC was held at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City on November 9th.  About 300 educators from Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and even Colorado got together to learn from each other.  Edcamp is a professional development that doesn't have formal presentations.  If you have a topic you would like to share or know more about you sign up on large sticky paper for a time slot and classroom.  I had planned on sharing Augmented Reality so I kind of went prepared.  I brought some items that deal with Augmented Reality with me.  After I signed up to lead a discussion about Augmented Reality I sat down and made EdcampKC-NelsonAtkins into an AR trigger.

EdcampKC offered lots of choice to pick from.  If you didn't like or thought the session you went to didn't fit your needs you could get up and move to another session.  You vote with you feet.  There were tons of educators that had never participated at an Edcamp before.  Kyle Pace's mom even made 100s of cookies for all of use to enjoy.  The experience was great and I learned from lots of people and I hope at least a few learned from me.  I shared several of my experiences from Edmodo, Green-Screen projects, Global Project, and of course Augmented Reality.

Here are my some of my notes from the session I attended:
If you took notes during my AR session please feel free to share with me.

List of AR Apps: 

During the last session I went on a tour of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.  The photographer in me broke away and ended up exploring the museum with my husband.  All in all it was a great day and I really enjoyed connecting with other educators that have the same passion as me, to be a life long learner. 

Photo Albums:
I am still working on editing my photos.

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

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.
  1. Have a story. 
  2. Create illustrations either digitally or scan original artwork. You can even use photographs. 
  3. Record your story in front of a Green Wall. 
  4. Put it all together in iMovie. 
  5. 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.










App / Tool of the Week - Weebly.....

App / Tool of the Week - Weebly.....

Weebly is a web-hosting service that features a drag-and-drop website builder.  I use Weebly to build my classroom website.

Getting Started:

  • Go to Weebly.com and sign up.
  • Log into your account.
  • Start by "Adding a Site"
  • Name your Site.
  • Pick your Domain Name.
  • Pick a Theme.
  • Start modifying your website by adding "Elements".
  • Add pictures.
  • Add content.
  • Add pages - Classroom Rules, Assignments, and etc...
  • When you are ready "Publish your Website".

Tips:

  • Keep your content up to date.  Don't make it and then forget about it.
  • Share your website with your students, parents, and colleagues.
  • Add content about yourself.  Let kids and parents get to know you.

My Website:






Countdown to Podstock 2013...

Countdown to Podstock 2013....



This year I will be presenting a poster session at Podstock '13.  When I 1st submitted my proposal for my session I had it all planned what I wanted to say, what I wanted to show, and how I could put it all together in a face to face session.  I was asked if I could possibly turn my session into a poster session.  It took me a moment to think how I could transform my session.  Then it hit me I am presenting on "Flipping in Our Classroom" why not FLIP my presentation.  My presentation is ready and is very interactive, or as interactive as I could get it.

So you can get the full effect of my Flipped Presentation you will need to download the following app to your Smartphone or Tablet (iPad).
Next you will need to download my handout.  You can print it or just save it to your computer and open it up.  You will be scanning the pictures of my handout to obtain the content.  If you print it out you can print it in Black & White.  The scanning of the pictures will work with either Black & White or Color prints and off of your computer screen.

What you will be experiencing when you scan the pictures is Augmented Reality or AR.  When you scan the pictures using the Layar App you will be given different items to interact with.  One of the items will be a video I created talking about the tools I used to in my classroom to help me Flip it.  Other interactive items will be a slide show of my students working and a Symbaloo board of the tools I used.  Keep in mind that this was my 1st time recording myself, so I was a little nervous.  The next time I record I will have someone in the room so I am talking to them not just my iPad.

For those that do not have a Smartphone or a tablet.  I do have my presentation on a website that you can access too.  



See you at Podstock!

PD in Your PJs


As a teacher professional development is always in high demand.  This past school year I was introduced to SimpleK12 and have participated in over 130 webinars.  I enjoy the format and the ability to interact with the presenter as well as the other attendees.   

So if you want to ...

* Learn about the latest technologies helping other teachers excel?
* Stay in tune with what matters most in today's schools?
* Feel up-to-speed on the "latest and greatest" strategies and tools?


If you answered YES to any of the above, join me inside the hottest education resource: SimpleK12’s Teacher LearningCommunity.


200,000+ educators from around the world have access to SimpleK12's PD resources, information, and training ... and you can too!

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I look forward to seeing you inside the Community!



* Join discussions with other educators about implementing new standards? 

SimpleK12, the leading provider of 21st century teacher professional development, brings the fun, energy, and excitement back into learning.

Once in the community please connect with me.