Today we had a lot of fun filming a mini commercial and editing it with iMovie. The program is pretty user friendly, but we have Sara in our group and she has used it before, so it probably would have taken us longer if we had to figure it all out for ourselves.
This would be a fun tool to use in a classroom to create movies featuring students. They could film themselves acting out anything and incorporate this into the current lesson. They could practice reading comprehension by acting out literature characters and scenes, or even create their own story based on characters that the class is already working with.
Students could also use the cameras to explore the outdoor environment for science lessons, or to document important class projects. Another idea is to record class activities and post them so that parents can access the video and check out what their kids are doing during the school day.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Photoshop
This last week we practiced using Photoshop to combine pictures from the web, from our digital cameras, and from photos that we scanned. This skills will be useful in the classroom to create fun and interesting images for students.
First, I think it is good for students to know how photos can be edited together and how this can be deceiving if the editor does not disclose the actual photos. An example of this is the use of Photoshop to create pictures for tabloid magazines in the media. It is important for students to understand that they are growing up in a world where you cannot necessarily believe what pictures show anymore.
On the other hand, this kind of technology can be fun. We had the chance to create funny, interesting images by combining photos from different medias. This was an entertaining way to play with technology and learn more about photo editing. These types of fun images could be enjoyable for students; seeing comical pictures of themselves around their classroom. You could put students' pictures on to a backdrop of a historical period, a far-off environment, or even outer space. It seems like a great tool to get students excited about learning.
First, I think it is good for students to know how photos can be edited together and how this can be deceiving if the editor does not disclose the actual photos. An example of this is the use of Photoshop to create pictures for tabloid magazines in the media. It is important for students to understand that they are growing up in a world where you cannot necessarily believe what pictures show anymore.
On the other hand, this kind of technology can be fun. We had the chance to create funny, interesting images by combining photos from different medias. This was an entertaining way to play with technology and learn more about photo editing. These types of fun images could be enjoyable for students; seeing comical pictures of themselves around their classroom. You could put students' pictures on to a backdrop of a historical period, a far-off environment, or even outer space. It seems like a great tool to get students excited about learning.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Web 2.0 Tools
The Web 2.0 tools seem like a great way to integrate technology into classroom activities, and there is so much available that almost any student would be able to do something. Many of the applications that include student-centered activities could be used by the students in the classroom. For example, a 2nd grade class could easily create books, comic strips, and photo albums using the applications on the Go2Web2.0 website during a literacy lesson. Blogs and photo and video sharing would be great ways of keeping parents updated on what their children are doing at school. A class blog could discuss daily activities, as well as upcoming assignments, projects, field trips, etc.
Web 2.o tools can help engage students in a subject that they might not normally be interested in. For example, a student who is frustrated or disinterested in science might feel more connected to a rain forest lesson while playing a game online about rain forest animals/conservation. Also, students would have the opportunity to improve their knowledge of technology, an important skill in today's world.
If Web 2.0 tools were over used in the classroom, it seems like it could eventually be a disadvantage. Though these tools are a great support for a lesson, foster communication, and round out the class environment, if a teacher relied on online resources, games, and graphics to hold students' attention it would do the students a disservice. There needs to be a balance of technology use and human interaction in the classroom.
Overall, Web 2.0 tools can help enrich the classroom in many ways. For students, there are the benefits of engaging with the lesson and becoming interested in new ways, as well as gaining valuable technology education. For teachers, we can utilize these programs to gain information, support our lessons, and connect with other educators. For parents, they can feel more connected to their child's education by being able to access information about classroom activities. On the other hand, human connections should be valued on an equal level with technology, meaning it is still important for teachers to engage with both students and parents on a more personal level.
Web 2.o tools can help engage students in a subject that they might not normally be interested in. For example, a student who is frustrated or disinterested in science might feel more connected to a rain forest lesson while playing a game online about rain forest animals/conservation. Also, students would have the opportunity to improve their knowledge of technology, an important skill in today's world.
If Web 2.0 tools were over used in the classroom, it seems like it could eventually be a disadvantage. Though these tools are a great support for a lesson, foster communication, and round out the class environment, if a teacher relied on online resources, games, and graphics to hold students' attention it would do the students a disservice. There needs to be a balance of technology use and human interaction in the classroom.
Overall, Web 2.0 tools can help enrich the classroom in many ways. For students, there are the benefits of engaging with the lesson and becoming interested in new ways, as well as gaining valuable technology education. For teachers, we can utilize these programs to gain information, support our lessons, and connect with other educators. For parents, they can feel more connected to their child's education by being able to access information about classroom activities. On the other hand, human connections should be valued on an equal level with technology, meaning it is still important for teachers to engage with both students and parents on a more personal level.
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