This ongoing media debate between Richard Clark and Robert Kozma has been ongoing since the 90's. Mr. Clark believes and argues that "media are mere vehicles that deliver instruction, but do not influence..." learning. On the other hand, Mr. Kozma believes and argues that media does influence students' learning. As I read, several articles written by Mr. Clark. He keeps repeating "media are mere vehicles." I don't agree with the word mere, but I do agree with media being a form of delivering instruction. Many districts, including mine, are transforming the classroom from the traditional to digital learning environments. Our role as teachers is also changing. "Learning with media is a complementary process within which a learner and a medium interact to expand or refine the learner's mental model..." wrote Mr. Kozma. In his article, Mr. Kozma uses four medium examples: learning with books, television, computer, and multimedia. In each, the learner interacts with the medium thereby retaining information. The learner is not just sitting down and taking notes, but is interacting with it. Mr. Kozma further stated, "We must design our instruction in ways that embed the use of media..." Keep in mind, when this debate began, there was only a fraction of the many technology devices used today. I agree with Mr. Kozma' viewpoint. In order to become an effective teacher, one must use media technology to reach all students. Studies show that the current generation of students utilize digital technology more often in the their daily lives than before. With this thought in mind, we (teachers) need to effectively use technology in our lesson planning, implementation, and delivery. Its not enough to just show a video, but students need to interact with it (ex. maybe create their own video).
Podcast is an online recording that users can download on portable devices. I don't have much experience with podcasts (having only created one in the past). With that thought in mind, I will be using and reviewing 3 websites/apps today: Cloud Recorder, audioBoom, and SoundCloud. Cloud Recorder This website is extremely easy to use, but I encountered a few glitches. There's no need to create an account. Click on start and begin recording (limit is 7 minutes). You're able to download to computer or as a wave (limit 50s). Here's where the trouble began. You can save to Google Drive or computer. I tried multiple times trying to save to my computer, but each time it would open a different window and play the recording. I also tried saving the URL, but it wouldn't open. audioBoom Wow!! I created and published this podcast in less than 5 minutes. Keep in mind, you do need to create an account. When you log in, there you will see many podcasts. You might want to listen to a few to get familiarized with podcasts. If you're ready to record, click on the red record button on the right side of the screen. You can record up to 10 minutes. Once you're done recording, click the save. Remember to add a title, then click publish. Congratulations, you've created your first podcast. I forgot to mention, this website will create a QR code for each podcast. Below you can listen to my podcast I created.
SoundCloud First, create an account. On the free account, you can record up to 180 minutes. You're able to upgrade for additional minutes and services at Pro $7 or Pro Unlimited $15 per month. To record, you have to click on upload and then click on start new recording. This will open a new tab or window. Again, click on red record button.You have to click several times, before you can actually record. Once you're done, click on the upload button. You can choose how to publish (public or private), add title and image, and description. Then you save.I wasn't too impressed with this website. Using podcasts in classroom I found some fantastic ideas to integrate podcasts in the classroom. My favorite idea is recording a podcasts for absent students. This can be done by you or a student explaining what was missed that day(s). Other ideas include:
summarize a book, activity, discussion, or lesson
record interviews and share with class
share currents events (newscast)
share book reviews or trailers
read excerpt from book to promote reading
Final thought: I liked the simplicity of Cloud Recorder; however, I had trouble with uploading the recording. I didn't really like Soundcloud. If I didn't have to click several times to begin a recording, then maybe. I think my students will get distracted and lost trying to record. As for my recommendation, my choice is audioBoom. It was easy and very few clicks to record and publish! I would definitely use with my students. As a teacher, I loved the thought of adding a QR code for my students.
Do you remember waking up early on Saturday morning to watch Justice League or Tom & Jerry? What about The Thundercats or Superman? My siblings and I did! We would wake each other up to watch them. What about comics? I preferred watching cartoons, but my husband is a huge comic collector. He wouldn't use his lunch money and saved it...to buy the latest Marvel or DC comic. Can you guess what I'll be discussing today?! If you guessed the double C's, then your right. Let's get started. I will discuss my experience with using the following websites: ToonDoo, Pixton, and MakeBeliefsComix. ToonDoo
First, you must create a Free account. Then log in and begin creating your first comic. The cartoon was easy to complete! (The hard part was deciding what I wanted to create.) This website gives you many options beginning with the layout to publishing the cartoon. The eight tabs help guide you as your working. In each tab, there are more designs to choose from. I really liked the paintbrush option! After I completed my cartoon, I saved it. Again, easy. Click on the ToonDoo start here icon and you choose how to save. I had some trouble embedding until I realized my mistake. I clicked on embed and it said, copied. I asked myself, "Copy where?" Finally the light bulb went off, just paste. The simplicity and ease of this website will be a favorite among my students. Pixton
To create your account, there are three choices: fun, school, or business. Beware: If you create account for teacher, this only gives you 30 days trial. Once you log in, its time to create! Click on main menu, and click on comics. From there, you have several options to choose from (layout). The process was easy! You can create using a basic or a more advanced template. In the basic, the website gives you options to choose. You only add the characters and text in the panels. In the advance, you create each panel. I actually created 2 comics. My first comic, I had trouble with getting my character to place his head down. The second time, it was much easier to create my comic. Once your comic is done, you can choose to save (for later) or save then publish (to twitter, print, or email). Students will find Pixton is easier to create comic with their many template options. MakeBeliefsComix
You do not have to create an account on this website. The cartoon was easy to create, only 3 steps. However, I didn't like this website very much. Why? First, there's not variety to choose from. Second, cartoons can not be saved. Out of the three, this is by far the easiest. This website does have its merits like being able to create a short summary or an inference cartoon.
As August approaches, I'm thinking of ideas on how to integrate into my classroom. I would definitely use all three! I like MakeBeliefsComix for its 3 step process. Its quick and easy to use. I would have my students print their project since it can't be saved. I would encourage my students to use ToonDoo before trying Pixton. Here's some great idea I found:
create an autobiography for the first day/week of school
practice new vocabulary words
practice creative writing
enrichment for Reading lessons
use to illustrate writing prompts
practice language skills for ELL/ESL students
The list is endless...I can't wait to show my students this fall!
Youtube is a website in which people can share or view videos. Many famous singers owe their success to Youtube. Did you know Katy Perry, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Gotye, Psy, among others were discovered after posting videos on Youtube? These videos are accessed by millions and millions of people worldwide. You can bet our students are watching Youtube videos. So why not jump on that bandwagon?
The following schools are using videos to promote their library program or provide how-to tutorials for students. Let's view some samples from their Youtube channel.
In this tutorial video, the students are walked through steps on accessing their library. This video is extremely helpful to any student, especially new students who are not familiar with the library.
In this video, the library is promoting an event. I enjoyed seeing all the staff read a section of a challenged book.
This school had many videos on their channel. Many are tutorial videos as well as students' projects. Here's a video that was created to promote the new book arrivals.
Here's an example of a tutorial video students may use. In this video, students are walked through the steps in citing an image on EasyBib.
I think students really enjoyed this Hip Hop lesson. The students experienced a Hip Hop Day in the library. They were able to dress up and even skyped with a Hip Hop artist.
This is one of several informative video produced. The instructors are introducing the course and classroom/lesson expectation. In this video, students give testimony to classroom expectations.
This is my favorite channel! Here students can access many tutorial videos. The best part is many student helped produced overdue book parodies to popular songs. The above video is an example of one parody using Flo RiDa's song.
This library offers many tutorial videos using Noodle Tools. Here's an example of a tutorial video on printing or exporting a work cited page.
The videos are just an example of what school can produce and students can create. Youtube is a tool, us educators need to utilize to be effective teachers. I can create a Youtube playlist students can access for additional resources or supplement lessons. During lessons, showing a Youtube video makes it more engaging and fun for students. Also, creating tutorial videos for students and parents to help with assignments/homework. The best part is Youtube has a privacy option in which you, the user, can select who can view the videos.
Animoto Animoto is a video making software available on the Internet. It allows users to create professional looking videos using photos and video clips. The software is easy to use. First, create an account. Second, choose a template. Then add photos or video clips. Viola, you're done! I used Animoto to create a book trailer for Martina the beautiful cockroach, a Cuban folktale.
Martina is a young cockroach who doesnt know coffee beans about love and marriage. Thats where her Cuban family comes in. While some of the Cucarachas offer her gifts to make her more attractive, only her grandmother gives her something really useful: some shocking advice.
To view my book trailer, scan the QR code below.
QR codes A QR (quick response) code is simply a hyperlink that can be accessed using a camera on a cell phone or any mobile device. There are many QR code generators. I used QR stuff to create my code. Tip: search QR codes in classroom to find websites with ideas. One idea I want to use is to add QR code on homework assignment. It will list additional resources if needed. Also, I plan on adding QR codes to my classroom library. I can link the author's webpage or list similar books. I plan on linking my school information to a QR code and adding to my parent letter. Search Internet for additional ideas. Enjoy!
What is a screencasts? A screencast is basically a video of your computer screen with audio. Many people, business, school district are creating screencast and uploading into the Internet. Screencast are being utilized to teach individuals how to search or create. I used screencast-o-matic to created my first screencast. OMG, this program was sooooo easy to use! You're able to record up to 15 minutes. (Tip: Make sure you test the microphone before making the official recording.) Once recording is done, you can publish to Youtube or save as video. Con: the free version allows you only 15 minutes of recording time. If you decide to go Pro, its only $15 a year. With Pro, you get longer recording time, no watermark, publish to other programs, editing tools, and other additional features. In this screencast, I'm going to show you the steps to select and download books using Overdrive Media app. I also provided a link to my screencast (just in case). http://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cDihqiivEw
For my second screencast, I tried Adobe Spark, but quickly gave up. It was NOT as easy as screen-o-matic. Con: In order to create a video, I had to upload pictures in each frame of the video. Honestly, too much work and my students will get frustrated. Don't get me wrong, this app has some great uses. For example, students can create a book trailer, storytelling, etc. However its not what I needed. Also, I tried Jing. It was not too difficult to use. But then my opinion is biased. (I really love screen-o-matic!) Once I created an account, I began creating my video. The video was easy to create. The difficult part was embedding the video. I searched for tutorial videos and help button. I must be skipping a step because my video is not showing up. I'm providing the link for you to see. http://www.screencast.com/t/h28oAgYMQq Con: to publish video, you need to download another program (screencast.com) Explain a website is another app to use for creating screencast. I looked for the iPad version; however, I couldn't find it. I'm actually interested in this app. It has many features I can use in my classroom. This app will allow me to create a screencast from my iPad. Also, I can edit or annotate items on the webpage. Once you're done, you have the option of loading, saving, or exporting. There are more exporting options here than screen-o-matic. Final thought: Out of the three, screen-o-matic is my final choice. I will definitely be using this app in my class. Overall, the program was easy to use! Also, publishing the video was hassle free. If I need to create a picture tutorial, I will use Adobe Spark. Instagram This is a social media app in which users share privately or publicly photos or videos. Instagram can be used in conjunction with Facebook. There's additional app to use to make your photos more alluring. This is a awesome app to share or promote the school, library, individual classes, or grade levels. I use Instagram for my personal use ad post family photos. *Normally my account is set at private. However, I will only keep my account public for a week.
Vine Another social media app in which users can upload or see short 6 second videos. I'm not to crazy about this app. However, its a very popular app that my students use. I'm going to have to think about how to integrate in my classroom. Just a thought, I might have the students act a scene from a book.
