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Some Interesting Cloud Based Presentation Applications

Before I recommend the following sites I want to respond to some of my followers who have attempted to access some of the links on my technology integration site.  All of the links are public but some schools don’t allow outside sharing or email so it is not possible for me to respond to share requests from such districts.  I find this to be counter-productive in a world where one of the essential premises behind technology integration in education is communication and sharing.  In any case, I apologize from my end, for not being able to respond.

Since our district has been using Google Apps for Education for a number of years and since we are approaching 1:1 using Google Chromebooks, we are always looking for applications that can be used online.  We have had a lot of success using the paid version of  WeVideo.  This Video creation tool is based on the traditional timeline concept of video editing.  Stupeflix somewhat simplifies the process.  Much like WeVideo,  you can add video clips, images, text, maps, transitions, and a soundtrack. Stupeflix then creates a “ready to share” video for you. You don’t have all of the features of an editing suite but Stupeflix is still a very effective storytelling tool. The final version can be downloaded and uploaded to Google Drive. Sutori can be used collaboratively to create stories.  You can add text, images, video, audio, forums, and quizzes.  The product can be shared via email, or embedded into a website.  Storybird is a great site for making book-like stories. You can actually pay a nominal fee to have the stories published as hardcover or softcover books. A  story can be shared via email, with Google Classroom or with a link.  All of these cloud-based sites are examples of how technology can transform education and allow us to do things that were not possible in the past.

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DIRT (Registry of Digital Research Tools)

Dirt Digital Research Tools seems to have a link to just about every type of tool you can imagine to conduct research, gather data and to present or publish.  You can search for free and paid applications. You can also search for “Creative Commons” materials.  The tools range from simple to complex.  You can even choose the kind of data you would like to access.

 

My latest “Scoop.It” links

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Curriculum21

Recently, I attended a very thought provoking ASCD conference with Heidi Hayes Jacobs.  We talked about the new literacies: media, digital, and global. Here are a few of the thoughts that I took away from the conference. Dr. Hayes points out that today’s learners create and share knowledge differently from previous generations. She points out that modern learners are consumers of digital media.  They also need to become creators. We expose students to classical literature and encourage them to learn how to create by writing.  We should also treat digital media the same way.  Just as we encourage students to be discerning consumers and interpreters of the classics, we need to motivate them to also be discernable consumers and interpreters of digital media.  Students study literary classics.  They should also study examples of outstanding filmmaking and video making.  Just as we encourage our students to write, we should provide them with the opportunity to create their own visual media. Classical literacy and digital literacy  are both important.  My alma mater Bowdoin College has just redesigned a substantial part of their Library (Media Center) in order to promote digital literacy. As Bob Dylan pointed out many years ago,”The Times They are a-Changin”  I am  seeing some real success using WeVideo this year.  This cloud software is compatible with Google Chrome Books and Google Drive. It provides our students with a very accessible tool to start creating rather than only consuming.

Heidi Hayes Jacobs is also the founder of curriculum21.com. Click on the “Clearing House” Tab and then click on the drop-down menu next to “Show” for access to a large catalogue of  resources for use in all curriculum areas.  This is an impressive resource.

Teaching is Messy – a great cartoon from Matt Scott

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Reflections on being a computer technology integrator

Three years ago, I accepted  the  computer technology integration specialist position in our district.  For a period of time, I conducted my own computer technology classes.  The philosophy changed from treating computer training as something separate to integrating technology tools into all curriculum areas. These tools are not separate from day to day activities.  They are an integral part of them. I agreed that computers should be used in all classrooms in order to enhance student learning, creativity, and innovation.  Technology may not be appropriate for every task but it certainly paves the way to do things that were impossible only a few years ago. With this in mind, I began to try to undertake the task of working with both students and staff to enhance and hopefully even redefine learning in the classroom. Recently, I had the opportunity to reflect on my job description.  Here is an, at least, partial list of my responsibilities theses past few years. In some cases, teachers and students have embraced these tools either on their own or through collaboration with me.  Some have been more reticent.  Progress has been made but there is still work to do.  Becoming a Google Apps for Education district has played an very important role in following our vision of integration.  Blizzard Bags, Google Classroom and cloud softwares such as WeVideo have also contributed.  Publishing, student centered, project-based multimedia productions are one of the ways to take advantage of what we couldn’t imagine doing in the past.

 

Computer Technology Integrator:

Maintain a vision for district-wide integration of technology – Short and long range planning- model using technology to enhance student learning – model digital citizenship

Work with State and district guidelines and standards – ICT standards, district technology plan

Help draft district technology plan

Co-Chair Technology Taskforce – help coordinate and conduct professional development workshops

Model and teach research skills

Google Administrator for organizations, domains and aliases

Trainer for Google Apps, blizzard bags, classroom, etc

Trainer for software usage on board and in the cloud – work with different platforms

Group presenter in schools and Christa MCAuliffe Conference – staff development

Work with students and teachers to integrate technologies – collaboration – co-teach

One on one and group tutoring

On going monitoring of blogs, websites, twitter, etc. to keep up with latest trends, to find new ideas, trends, tools, and interact with experts – find and share resources

Try out new things – find out which software and hardware will fit student and teacher needs

Maintain blog  and website in order to share ideas and disseminate information with other staff members – how to guides

Curate other websites to maintain useful educational links

Work with IT to provide appropriate infrastructure for technology based instruction

Read periodicals and books and attend workshops – professional learning community

Contact staff members to collaborate – Schedule and keep appointments

Maintain computer lab equipment and green screen room

Recommend and arrange for purchase of equipment such as cameras, video cameras, computers, laptops, Chromebook carts, etc.

Troubleshoot software and hardware glitches on the fly, especially during class –  help teachers overcome fear of failure

Adapt to ever changing technologies – model lifelong learning

Learn from everyone including students

Work in different curriculum areas

Teaching background – ability to work  in a classroom environment

Written and oral communication skills

Design curriculum –  familiarity with educational philosophies, methods of instruction and align these with technology

Developing webinars – streaming video

Share visual imaging skills

Share skills learned from working with a publisher

 

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3 Simple Strategies To Integrate Technology Into Any Lesson ~teachthought

“While technology is an important part of the education equation, it doesn’t tell the whole story. Teachers play a bigger role than ever in developing an engaging well-rounded curriculum, though integrating technology into the mix presents its own unique set of challenges. Many teachers have been reluctant to replace their print materials due to cost and dissatisfaction with the available digital options. According to the MDR 2014 State of the K–12 Market Report, there’s a growing demand for solutions that improve teaching and personalized learning and educators are willing to consider new instructional models.

“So, how do we build an engaging curriculum based on the components of critical thinking, while incorporating technology into the mix – without sacrificing the basics? Here are a few simple tips to integrate technology into almost any lesson.”

Source: www.teachthought.com

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