Diary of a Techie Chick: web mixes

Showing posts with label web mixes. Show all posts

Printing on Post-it Notes....

Printing on Post-it Notes.....

I had not realized that I had not shared how to print on Post-it Notes. Keep in mind the instructions will remain the same but Post-it Notes come in all sizes and styles. The file I am sharing with you is for the standard Stick-it Note. Feel free to change the document to fit your Post-it Note. The document I am sharing with you is a Google Draw file, so you will need to be logged into your Google Account to use this document.

I tell my students all the time there are many many ways to use technology to get to your desired end results. If the method I am sharing with you does not work for you to feel free to modify the steps and use a different tool. You are making a copy of the file I am sharing and it will auto save to your Google Drive.

Step 1:

Print out the template or Master "Print On Post-it" page. Click Here to get your copy. (This is a Google Drawing File. You must be logged into your Google Account to use.)
This page will allow you to align your text in order to print on the Post-it Notes.

Step 2:

Place Post-it Notes on the squares printing out on your page.
Make sure the sticky side is towards the Words “Top of Print”.
When the Stick-it Notes go through your printer you want the sticky sections to go first so the Stick-it Notes do not get jammed in the printer.

Step 3:

Place your page with the Stick-it Notes in the paper tray of your printer.
Try face down with the words "Top of Print” at the top of the paper tray.

Step 4:

Type what you want to be printed on the Stick-it Notes in the squares of this document.
Print
Remove Stick-it Notes off of the printed page.

Step 5:

Repeat steps 2-4 as many times as needed.

You only need to print out the blank template when you need a new or a cleaner one.

Click Here to Make a Copy of the Template.

App / Tool of the Week .... EduCrate

What is EduCrate? EduCrate is a media curation tool for educators. It is a place where you can explore, share or even create your own crate of educational videos. The best part is that the videos can come from a multiple of online video sites and you save them all in one location. If you can copy and paste website links then you can create a crate.

What I really love about this tool is that you can tag your crate (a group of videos) with a certain common core standard, topic, grade, and even subject. When you share your crate that has a variety of tags can help educators find video clips in that area. There are so many video clips that educators, students, and even companies are making is mind blowing. To be able to have them all in one place just makes life a little easier for busy teachers and students.

Tips:

Add a description to your crates.

This way you will remember what type of video clips you have saved.

Add additional web resources to your crate.

If you have a game or other resources besides a video clip you can add the link to your crate and tie it to the subject/topic/skill/grade you are teaching.

Tag your crates.

If you use tags it will help you find similar video clips for that certain topic/subject/grade and etc...

Add the Crate Bookmarklet to your browser.

This will help you save your video clips when you are surfing the world wide web.

Some Crates:

My website - www.katieannwilson.com

Making My Mark ..........

Making My Mark .....

My goal is to bring learning to life, and I love to augmented reality to do this. This year for Dot Day I had my students write about how they could make their mark on the world. When they finished with their writing assignment they were instructed to use the Dot Day color sheet by colAR Mix to design a LOGO to go with their assignment.

The second part of the assignment was for my students to create a blog. I want them to own this blog, make it theirs, and post to as often as they would like. Their 1st post was their Make My Mark assignment. They also had to include an picture or a collage of pictures of them and their LOGO.

What my students may not have caught was I was making my own mark in their lives. I love planting seeds and watching what grows. Encouraging them to write and own their own blog my just unleash the next best seller novel writer, the next high paying blogger, or even the next famous photographer. I can't wait to see were my students' blogs will go. What I do know is that writing for an audience is more meaningful then just writing for the teacher.

I have created a Symbaloo board to house their Make My Mark posts. I plan on added to it as more posts are submitted.

How do you plan on Making Your Mark on the world?

My Reflection of EdmodoCon 2014....

This was my 2nd EdmodoCon I participated live in. I had watch some of the past recordings when I started using Edmodo in 2012 and thought this would be a fun EdTech conference. You don't have to leave my home and you can wear my PJs if you wanted to. I did choose to get in the spirit and wear my Edmodo shirt. The best part of the conference other than it was FREE was connecting with other educators from around the world.

In 2013 EdmodoCon inspired me to develop a global project. 2014 EdmodoCon inspired me to continue my project. It also helped me narrow down my focus for my global project and allowed me to make more connections. I was also inspired to use the badges in a more effective manner than I had in the past. My favorite saying I will be using with my students is "Edmodo That".

If you didn't get a chance to attend the free online EdTech conference you can still watch the recordings form the event. It takes about a week for them to be processed and posted online. I also suggest you attend the Edmodo Chats on Thursday evenings at 7pm EDT.

"Edmodo is a highway and I am going to ride it all year long!"

Resources:

Writing with Edmodo by Nathan Garvin
Edmodo That by Monique Dalli and Jess ‘Melko’ McCarthy
Building and Spreading the Edmodo Wildfire by Deanna Menchaca and Shellie Carson
Fritz's Links and Resources
From Tech Illiterate to Tech Savvy: How to Foster Non-Cognitive Skills in Edmodo
Limited Tech by Sheryl Place
So You Think You Know Your Students
Creating a Diverse, College- and Career-Ready Tech Culture by James Garner and Rachel Stokes

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.

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

Introducing the App or Tool of the Week .....

I have learned a lot in the past year or so about different apps for my iPad and web tools I can use for my personal, professional, and classroom. My toolbox is over flowing with these tools so I thought it was time to start sharing my favorites. At least once a week I am going to try to share an app or tool I have found very useful. To launch the App or Tool of the Week I wanted to start off with a tool I use daily which is Symbaloo.

Symbaloo is a pin type of board a.k.a a webmix or social bookmarking tool. It can be private just for you or you can share it. I love it because I can organize my resources, student examples, and tools on a webmix and share it. One of the features I love the most is the ability to embed a webmix on to my classroom website. This helps me guide my students to where I want them to go. There is no more of me hearing "Where do I do to go Mrs. Wilson.", "What was that address again.", or my favorite one "I can't find it, I think you told me wrong".

Another feature I really like is that you can copy and add links to other webmix without losing the original link. For example if I want 4 groups to have the same resource all I have to do is add it to one webmix and then copy it over to the other 3.

To Get Started Making a Webmix:

First you will need to create an account.
There are many ways of doing things what I find easy in making a webmix is to click on the "Plus Sign" that is located under my name at the top right hand side of the screen.
Name your webmix.
Click the "ADD" button.
Next it is time to add a website or URL. Click on a Square.
Click Create Title.
Add your web address where it says http:// - The easiest way is to copy and paste directly from the website to avoid typos.
You can modify your square by telling it to show the a Title, changing the color, adding a graphic, and etc...
Click the "SAVE" button when you are finished.
If you don't like where the square ended up you can drag and drop it to the location on the webmix you desire.

Tips:

Copy and Paste the URL instead of typing it in.
When you add a new square update your webmix.
Stay organized. If you have resources on a topic I would group them together.
You can color code your squares.
Check to see if your link you just added takes you where you want it to go.

Some of My Webmixes:

My Recap of Podstock 2013....

Every time I attend a conference on educations plus technology I get inspired and energized. I love meeting and connecting with new people that have the same interest and passion as me.

This year I did a poster session for Podstock on how I did Flipped Instruction within my classroom. As I was thinking how I was going to accomplish this and make my mini session with people rememberable. I decided to "Flip" my presentation. I made my presentation interactive with the use of Augmented Reality and kind of let it speak for itself. On my board were trigger images. You scanned the different images with the app Layar and either a student created work appeared or a tool and or resource would appear. One of the resources was a little video I created in front of my Green-Screen on the different tools I used in my classroom. I also turned around and made my little handout interactive as well. I explained that just like my board you could scan the images and magically the resources would appear for them including the video I created explaining the tools and the resources I used.

I love to share what I have learned so below are links to the notes I took while at Podstock.

Game Changing Apps with Two Guys and Some iPads - Brad Waid and Drew Minock
Technology Tools and Techniques for Fostering Student Creativity with Curtis Chandler
Using Student Voices for Assessment via Mobiles and Screencasting with Paul Shircliff
Launch Me with Kevin Honeycutt
When Teachers Start Thinking Like Game Designers with Curtis Chandler
Creating an Educational Follow Me Project with Sarah Beeghley
How I Did Flipped Instruction in My Classroom with Katie Ann Wilson

When I learned that there was going to be a Photo Walk my heart sang with joy. Below is the link to my Podstock 2013 Photo Walk. I really enjoyed sharing that passion with others and can't wait how they saw and captured our little walk.

Podstock '13 Photo Walk Album

I also love to create something to help me remember my time at conferences. Sometimes it will be a scrapbook page or two, a collage, or even a slide show. So this year I took my iPhone and captured a few moments while at Podstock and mashed it all up to create this little video. I had a hard time picking my favorites.

Podstock 2013 Mash-UP

Thanks for the great connections and I hope you keep in touch.

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).

Layar App

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.

Tech Training with Katie Ann - Podstock '13

See you at Podstock!

Looks What Playing....

To make sure I included writing, listening, speaking skills into my keyboarding class I had my students illustrate, write, and record a digital story. They recorded their stories in front of the green-screen so that their illustrations would be displayed behind them as they told their stories. It took several takes but we finally had our stories.

Tools Used:

The iPad's built in camera for recording.
A tripod with a iPad mount to hold the iPad still.
iMovie to put it all together.

Steps Before Recording Stories:

Students created their illustrations in Google Draw. Students could draw out their illustrations on paper and scan them. Illustrations just need to be digital to be added to iMove.
Students composed their stories in Google Docs.
Students practice in front of the green-screen several times before recording.

Steps in Creating Our Digital Stories:

Illustrations need to be saved as a jpeg (a picture file) and imported into iPhoto if using a Mac or saved in a folder on your Windows computer.
Video recordings need to be imported into iPhoto if using a Mac or imported into your Windows video editing software.
In iMovie create a new Project without any themes.
On the story board in iMovie drag and drop your illustrations in order. They can be found when you click on the camera icon on the bottom right side.
You can change the timing of your pictures by click on the arrow on your illustrations placed on the story board. On most of my illustrations we had them timed to 10 seconds.
Add a Title and the Author slide those can be found right tight next to the camera icon by clicking on the T icon.
Change the Preference settings in iMovie so that you can see the Advance Tools. (You only have to do this once.)
Drag your video and drop it onto your illustrations on the story board. You must drop your video ON TOP of your illustrations in the story board. You will see a Green Circle with a Plus Sign. When you do drop your video and choose Green-Screen.
Adjust your timing so that your illustrations match up with your story telling. (This does take practice.)
Share your creation. I have uploaded our stories to my teacher YouTube account and also have housed them on a Symbaloo board.

Tech Tips:

Record in a silent area. We discovered that the mic on the iPad loved to pick up background sounds.
Practice telling your stories several times before recording. This helps relax the storyteller.
Don't delete video recordings off the iPad or camera until after your project is finished. Just in case you delete the video off the computer you still have the original recording.
If you are using a Windows computer you will need to be familiar with its video editing software.

To view our stories you can visit my Teachers YouTube Channel or my Symbaloo board.

From Word Wall to Quizzes

From a Word Wall to Quizzes...

For the past few weeks I've been teaching my 8th grade computer apps class students how to use an online tool to collaborate, another online tool to create online flashcards, and yet another tool to tie it all together and create online quizzes. With Common Core in full swing it is important that students can apply what they are learning. Business today want their employees to be able to collaborate, communicate, gather data, and produce results. To meet this demand I created a unit that walks students through these steps and learn some technology words in the process.

Step 1: Students research 10 words they think relate to technology in some format.
Step 2: Students collaborate using an online cork board for example a.ka. Wallwisher/Padlet. During this time they are to communicate via email so that no technology words are used more than once.
Step 3: Students then pick any 15 technology words from this online word wall and create online flashcards using Quizlet.
Step 4: Students study other student created flashcards.
Step 5: Students create a online quiz using Google Forms.
Step 6: Students randomly take 10 different student created quizzes.
Step 7: Students create a chart that best represents their results of their quiz.

We are currently one the step of creating a chart that best represents their results.

Tech Tip:

To help organize students' flashcards and quizzes I have created an Symbaloo board. Using a Symbaloo board helps keep my students focused and on the task at hand.

My Examples:

Digital Portfolios

With Common Core Standards we need to prove the growth of our students. Having a Digital Portfolio is a great way to do this. This year is the 1st time I have had my students create a Digital Portfolio and I was a little nervous about them doing so. I attended a few webinars vis SimpleK12 about the subject and learned a lot from other educators who have taken this route to showcase student progress. I decided to use LiveBinders web tool to takle this new project. I also used a Symbaloo board to organize their Digital Portfolios.

My goal was to showcase the work my students worked on throughout the semester and then share it with the high school staff. I kept telling my students that this is their portfolio and they can organize it any way they would like since it belongs to them. I of course had an example for them to look at and some guidelines for them to follow.

We did learn that if you have a presentation in Prezi and you add it to your LiveBinder a preview will not appear within the LiveBinder, only the link to the presentation shows up. This is ok, you can still click on the link to view the presentation.

My classes are a semester long and I ended the semester with building the Digital Portfolios as our finial project. I don't think the portfolios made as much impact with my students as I had hoped it would. This semester I am going to start off with building our portfolios from the start.

Tech Tip:

Build a LiveBinder before you have your students try to takle the project.
Have a few examples for your students to refer back to.
Use a Symbaloo board or other bookmarking tool to organize your students' portfolios.

Teaching Technology to K-2 Grades

To help my teacher friends find resources on what and how to teach technology to kids in grades kindergarten through the 2nd grade I made boards on Pinterest and a webmix on Symbaloo. I have also made some resources as well.

With technology so enriched in our daily lives it is very important that we teach our kids how to use the tools properly and effectively. Even kindergarteners can be taught letter recognition and build proper keyboarding skills. It is also important for kids to learn the proper technology vocabulary. So when they are needing help they don't say that thinging on the watch-a-call-it is not working. It will also save time and frustration for all parties.

If you would like my lesson on teaching keyboard to grades k-2 visit my TPT store or my Teacher Notebook store.

Symbaloo Webmix:
http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/teachingtechtok-2

Pinterest Boards:

Keyboarding Practice

Internet Safety/Cyberbullying

Your Digital Footprint

Lesson/Activities by Katie Ann

20 Web Tools You Can't Live Without

I attended several webinars and the presenters used Symbaloo to organize their favorite web tools. I thought wow what a great way to share some of my favorite web tools. I started organizing my resources and picking out the 20 web tools I wanted to share. Quickly my 20 web tools I wanted to share turned into 40+ web tools. I tried to group the tools that are a like.

You can see that all of the Pinterest resources has the Pinterest logo and the same with Symbaloo.

If you don't know what Symbaloo is, it is the easiest start on the internet or a jumping off point. With Symbaloo you can discover pages with the best links about a subject; Create your own pages with favorites; and Share your favorite resources.

Click on the link to my Web Tools You Must Have webmix to view all of my favorite web tools. I am still building and adding to this webmix so you may want to follow it or check back often.

http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/webtoolsyoumusthave