Whoohoo I did it FINALLY, I created my own video. I didn't have access to iMovie or MovieMaker so I used PowerPoint to make my movie. This was my first time using PowerPoint in this way but I managed to upload pictures, videos and music and make it flow like a movie. If I had more time to work on it I would have been able to do a lot more with it but I am happy with what I have achieved with the limited amount of time and hope to be able to finish it one day. Creating the PowerPoint was the easy part, I then had to figure out how to upload it to my blog. I first had to convert it to an MPEG4 file then upload it to YouTube. Trying to find a converter that was free and uploaded more then 5 slides was the hardest part but I managed to find a trial version hence the watermark that appears on the video. After spending a few hours working this out I then realised MovieMaker was a FREE download, why oh why did I not look at this earlier, I would have saved myself a great deal of time and trouble. GRRRR..... As frustrating as this course can be at times though I must admit I have learnt a great deal about different ICT tools that I otherwise would not have known about and I am looking forward to using them once I have completed this course for my own personal use as well as implementing them in the classroom down the track.
Digital Video could be incorporated into the classroom in many different ways. This type of tool would be very useful when collating pictures and videos of students to show to parents or show at end of year functions. It is also a great way to document field trips or experiments allowing students to become more involved taking photos or videos instead of just taking notes and forgetting about what they saw and what it looked like later on. This way it creates visual images that they are able to more easily remember and it gives them the opportunity to then collaborate with other students so that they are able to come to some sort of a conclusion on what they were studying or researching. It is also a great way to reflect on topics they are learning in the classroom. According to a research study by Kearney & Shuck (2006), digital video has a range of common usages in schools, in particular for communication, observation and analysis, and reflection. As a communication tool, digital video facilitates students' communication of messages, ideas or information. Digital video is also used as an observation and analysis tool, enhancing students' observations of phenomena, experiments or performances. Finally, it is used as a reflection tool to support student reflections on their own learning. (CQUniversity, 2011)
Reference:
CQUniversity. (2011) ELearning Design. Retrieved 29 July 2011 from
Braiton's First Year
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Week 4 - My Voki
I have seen Voki's used many times before but didn't realise just how easy they were to create and use. Due to the microphone not working on my computer I was unable to record and upload my own voice but I was able to upload a message for the Voki to say. This is without doubt something younger children would love but would suit people of all ages. A Voki would be a great way to inform students on tasks they need to complete online or in the classroom. I believe this would help to motivate students but I can also see how it could be a distraction for some. This would be a great way to upload a message if podcasts or videos aren't available as a Voki would be more interesting to watch then just listening to a voice recording. There are also a variety of lesson plans available to use at no cost on the Voki website. This is something I would certainly consider using in the classroom with students.
Week 4 - Flickr Activity
Flickr is another great tool that would be good to use when studying certain topics in the classroom. There are millions of images that are available and free to use and is especially handy for educators. I have uploaded some pictures below, if you click on them they will take you directly to the Flickr site.
This image was retrieved from Flickr and is of a SeaWorld Shark taken by R. Jeremia, 2010.
This image was retrieved from Flickr and is of a yearling mountain goat near Hidden Lake Overlook. This photo was taken by David Restivo, 2006.
SWOT Analysis for using FLICKR
STRENGTHS –
- Uploading personal images and videos or downloading from Flickr is very easy to do
- You are able to share them either with the class or upload them to share with other teachers’, classes or students, parents, schools etc. to show them what you have been learning and doing in class (providing permission was given by parent guardians and the children)
- Great way to help explain to students what they are learning. For example if they are doing a topic on dinosaurs you would be able to download and show them different pictures of different dinosaurs to give them a visual image on what they look like
- Easy to create slideshows with images for use in assignments or to help them reflect on experiments or field trips etc. (PowerPoint, MovieMaker or Mobaphoto would also be good tool for this)
- Can choose titles and description on photos
- Authors are able to choose creative commons right on pictures and choose who views pictures
- Can create groups to share content with and conversations
- Built in search engine for looking of photos
WEAKNESSES –
- Photos can be viewed by everyone unless password protected
- Limited amount of uploads available each month
- Not available in all schools as it is blocked due to the risk of children viewing inappropriate material
- Computers or internet may not be available to all students
- Students must be informed of copyright legalities and the correct procedure on referencing
- If wanting to edit photos you are sent to another site call Picnik which you then have to download as well
OPPORTUNITIES –
- Able to create scrapbooks that can be printed or shared online
- Can create photo gifts
- Engages students with the use of technology and how to upload and download pictures and video
- Gives the opportunity to share pictures as events are happening
- Allows the opportunity to get feedback from pictures they have taken
- Able to enter photo contests
- Allows parents the opportunity to see what their children are doing in class
THREATS –
- Difficult to monitor the appropriateness of pictures and videos viewed by students
I personally would not use this as a tool in the classroom for students due to the threat of them coming across inappropriate material but I think it is a great tool for Teachers when they require images to use for class topics.
This image was retrieved from Flickr and is of a SeaWorld Shark taken by R. Jeremia, 2010.
This image was retrieved from Flickr and is of a yearling mountain goat near Hidden Lake Overlook. This photo was taken by David Restivo, 2006.
SWOT Analysis for using FLICKR
STRENGTHS –
- Uploading personal images and videos or downloading from Flickr is very easy to do
- You are able to share them either with the class or upload them to share with other teachers’, classes or students, parents, schools etc. to show them what you have been learning and doing in class (providing permission was given by parent guardians and the children)
- Great way to help explain to students what they are learning. For example if they are doing a topic on dinosaurs you would be able to download and show them different pictures of different dinosaurs to give them a visual image on what they look like
- Easy to create slideshows with images for use in assignments or to help them reflect on experiments or field trips etc. (PowerPoint, MovieMaker or Mobaphoto would also be good tool for this)
- Can choose titles and description on photos
- Authors are able to choose creative commons right on pictures and choose who views pictures
- Can create groups to share content with and conversations
- Built in search engine for looking of photos
WEAKNESSES –
- Photos can be viewed by everyone unless password protected
- Limited amount of uploads available each month
- Not available in all schools as it is blocked due to the risk of children viewing inappropriate material
- Computers or internet may not be available to all students
- Students must be informed of copyright legalities and the correct procedure on referencing
- If wanting to edit photos you are sent to another site call Picnik which you then have to download as well
OPPORTUNITIES –
- Able to create scrapbooks that can be printed or shared online
- Can create photo gifts
- Engages students with the use of technology and how to upload and download pictures and video
- Gives the opportunity to share pictures as events are happening
- Allows the opportunity to get feedback from pictures they have taken
- Able to enter photo contests
- Allows parents the opportunity to see what their children are doing in class
THREATS –
- Difficult to monitor the appropriateness of pictures and videos viewed by students
I personally would not use this as a tool in the classroom for students due to the threat of them coming across inappropriate material but I think it is a great tool for Teachers when they require images to use for class topics.
Week 4 - Mobaphoto Activity
I have uploaded some photos that I took myself which I was able to resize using Mobophoto. Due to having a high megapixel camera I always had difficulty when trying to upload photos to the web. This has definitely made things much easier. It is also a great way to upload images of the students with their artwork or completing activities at school as it helps to keep parents up to date with things that their children may be doing at school. This program also allows you to create galleries and edit pictures which is also very useful. Uploading all the photos from the year onto a disk for the students to take home at the end of the year would be an excellent way for students to be able to see and remember what they achieved for that year.
Week 3 - Weebly Activity
Please click on the link below and head on over to my Weebly website. I have done a very basic example on how the website might look and be set up for school students to use. After playing around with it for a while I found it quite easy to use and I definitely think it would be an excellent tool to use in the classroom.
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