ECMP 455 Comes To An End!

WOW! I cannot believe that this semester is almost over. Time fly’s when you are having fun.  I am very honored that I was able to partake in ECMP 455. It was a rewarding experience and I have gained a lot of knowledge that I will be able to use in my future classroom.

This was my first class I have taken on-line. At the start of the semester, I had mixed feelings on how I was going to learn on-line. After 4 months of learning on-line, I cannot believe what I have learned. Taking this class on-line was very beneficial. I was able to be in the comfort of my own home and learn independently. I found the process of this class being inquiry based allowed for me to explore more options at my leisure.

The top 3 things I have learned from this class are:

My PLE/PLN

Without building a PLE this semester, I would have been lost. I have been able to make connections with educators around the world. Twitter has helped me obtain this goal. I have been able to meet several educators around the world. They provide me with support, feedback, resources and lots and lots of information. By being able to make all these connections this semester will allow my PLE to continue to develop with my career.

My Digital Footprint

This semester, I believe that I have made a large impact on my personal digital footprint. At the start of the semester, I was very careful of what I posted on-line. I had a fear of “to much” information getting out there about me. However, after several on-line sessions, I have learned that I have started to create a positive digital image about myself. I have been doing this by getting my name out there, blogging,tweeting, and networking. As an educator of the future, I feel that it is important be known digital to keep up with the technological word to come. I am happy to say that my digital footprint is continuously growing, and I hope that it keeps growing.

My Blogfolio

Over the course of this semester, I have developed and maintained my personal blogfolio. Not only has my blog allowed me to reflect on my learning experience, but to digital present myself as a future educator. I have created my blog to be an on-line application for future job perspectives. By having this information on-line will be able to show my growing experience using technology in the class and who I am as a professional. I have been able to create several posts over the course of the semester, and my blog has been viewed around the world. I have received feedback and support on my blog from other educators. In the future, I will develop this blogfolio into my classroom blog.

Ok, so maybe I cannot select only the top 3 things I have learned. I have learned a lot more this semester.

On-line Resources

For the first time, I have created a wiki. I have viewed other people’s wiki in the past and was unfamiliar on how to create a wiki. This semester Krysta and I completed a wiki for our final project. This wiki allowed us to experience and explore several tools and resources that are out there. Our wiki is, a how to wiki on creating digital stories with you class.  Feel free to explore our wiki and leave feedback/comments on the discussion board. Creating this wiki has been a great experience, and I have become more familiar with iMovie, and digital resources that are available.

I have also have become familiar with other several resources out there, podcasts, blogging, wiki’s, Twitter, Google Earth, Google Docs, Google for educators, and several more. In a nut shell, this class has allowed me to gain information and experience with using technology in the classroom and I cannot wait for it to come to reality. It has been a great semester, I look forward to continuing developing my PLE and my digital identity.

My Twitter BFFs

After looking at a colleagues blog, I saw her post about TwitterBFF’s. Who new I would have some BFF’s on Twitter. I had to see what this was all about. As it turns out, I do have some BFF’s on Twitter, who knew. I guess this play a large part in the development of my PLE. Twitter has allowed me to connect and collaborate with teachers and educators from around the world.  Although my community of educators is small right now, I am interested to see how it will continue to grow. My goal was to reach 100 followers by the end of the semester and I have achieved that goal. Thanks Twitter!

Here are my Twitter BFF’s…

Not only do I have Twitter BFF’s but I also have a Twitter ‘flock.’ Twittersheep demonstrates what type of people follow me.  It creates a word cloud, just as Woodle does describing the people who are following me.

Digital Storytelling Wiki

Over the course of the semester a colleague Krysta and I have been collaborating on our final project for our ECMP 455 class. Here is how we are going to be evaluated. This is worth 35% of our final mark.

Students will develop a digital project related to technology in teaching and learning. This project is wide-open to possibilities. Some ideas: portion of an online course or unit, digital video (e.g., presentation, advertisement), educational resource website, course blog or wiki, etc. Students will be expected to submit a proposal for approval. There will be a reflective component to each project, which will be tied in to the blogfolio.

We chose to create a Digital Storytelling Wiki. We wanted to create something that was not only going to be useful to us, but to other educators. So we created a wiki about how to create a digital story with your class, relating to the Saskatchewan Evergreen Curriculum. We have included several resources, step by step process, writing traits, writing prompts and more.

We are hoping that this wiki will allow for educators to try a new way to develop literacy into their classrooms.  We were able to work with some students through the process and they were thrilled about the experience. We would like to hear from you and what you think about our wiki and provide us with feedback on the discussion board.

I feel that by being able to create this project has allowed me to explore new possibilities for my teaching. Before tackling this project, I have never created a wiki, nor have I worked with digital storytelling. I was able to learn how to create a wiki, become more familiar with iMovie, youtube, and digital stories.

I found that working through the learning process of creating a wiki has opened up new learning opportunities in my future classroom. I have explored other educators wiki’s before, but never knew how to create one. Now I feel that I have the skills and ability to create a wiki with my own classroom.

There are endless possibilities that teachers can use to create a digital story with their students. We have only provide the ground work. Give it a try!

A Growing Interest in Twitter

Twitter? What is Twitter? How do you use this? I follow people and they follow me? What? This is how I sounded when I was introduced to Twitter only 3 short months ago. I did n0t see the purpose or understand how to use it. I found it hard to believe that Twitter would help me build my PLE. But for some reason, I joined it anyways. At first it was hard to figure out the point of it, when I was not following anyone and no one was following me. I asked courosa, my ECMP 455 instructor to introduce me to some of his followers and things happened from there. I started having people following me and I found people that I wanted to follow. It was working I was building my PLE!

So what is Twitter? Twitter is a social networking site that allows you to connect with people around the world in 140 characters or less by answering the question, what are you doing?

Why Twitter? Twitter is a great place to meet educators around the world and to collaborate information about teaching.

Does it build you PLE? YES! I have been able to follow over 100 educators around the world, sharing information, getting feedback, and support. I also have over 100 people following me, who are interested in getting to know me.

Would I recommend Twitter to you?Absolutely! Even Ellen uses Twitter!

Can you use Twitter with you classroom? YES! Your students can ask the teacher a question from home and get a quick reply. Students can help students with questions and so on. Your class could build your own learning environment.

Twitter is something that I am starting to hear everyone talk about and I was glad I was introduced to it. I enjoy meeting people from around the working and building my PLE. It keeps me connected!

If I still do not have you hooked on becoming a part of Twitter, check out this blog, Nine Reasons Why Teachers Should Use Twitter

And if you need a good laugh about Twitter, here is a video for you!

Girl Power with Technology!

Do you think that there are more males dominating in the technology field? Are more male teachers integrating technology into their classes than female teachers?

From my experiences this holds true. It appears that several more male teachers use technology in their classrooms than female teachers do. I have seen this evidences in my internship experience. There was one dominate male who was the “go to technology guy.” The females did not seem to have as much experience using technology in their classrooms.

I know that this does not hold true for everywhere or everyone, but why is it that more guys are engaged in technology than girls. Us girls need to use technology in the classroom as well. It does depend on individual experience and interest, but think about how technology can increase your teaching and learning styles in your classroom.

To start using technology in your classroom, you will first have to learn it yourself. It really is not that bad. You can do it!!! Explore, experiment and use. You never know how it can change your classroom for the better. I know that in my first job, I will be using technology at every change I get.

If you need some girl power inspiration, watch this video.

Aint Gonna Hold Us Back – D-I-G-I-T-A-L

What is your ideal classroom?

During  my second interview with Regina Public School Board, I was asked the question what would your ideal classroom look like. At first I was overwhelmed with this question, but when I was ready to answer the question all I could talk about was technology.

My ideal classroom would involve all the technology possible. I would have a classroom laptop cart full of Macs. Not only would I have one Smart Board, but maybe three. There would be computers set up with literacy station, blog stations, Garage  Band  Station, Nintendo DS and an iMovie Station. Maybe there would even be a news station to record our classroom Podcasts. The students would be able to access the computers and technology at any time they feel the need to and every student would know how to manage the equipment.

I would also have digital projects around the classroom for the students to view different videos, and for teaching lessons.

I cannot forget the treehouse that I would have in my classroom. The treehouse would be built into the classroom, allowing the students to go to a quiet place for silent reading time. There would be pillows and lots of books for the students to read. Maybe there would even be laptops in the treehouse for the students to read books online.

I would also have an art station, full of art supplies. The students can use this  station to express their artist side at any time.

There would also be a science experiment station, with all interesting science things to look at, and explore.

Oh, and did I mention that I would have only 15 students in my class.

I know this sounds like a big dream, but what if the way of the future was full of technology? Is it something that teachers will adapt to their teaching?

The person who interviewed me thought that my ideal classroom was quite interesting. He found it unique that I had such an interest in having so much technology in my classroom.  I always knew I would have technology as a part of my teaching, but I did not realize I would want to be so involved in it. This class has allowed me to meet a lot of people and build a PLE to have a successful teaching career using technology. I am excited to get into the classroom and start making this dream a reality. Although a budget may play a huge part of this dream, I can always start with baby steps.

What would your ideal classroom be like?

Wacky Web Tales

Are you wondering a new and exciting way you can get your students to write in your class? After visiting the website Wacky Web Tales you will have a new and fun way for your students to write stories. This site allows for you to pick a topic of interest, you then have to fill in areas of the story that are blank. These are things like character names, adjectives, and verbs.  It allows you to get creative and have some fun with writing a story. Give it a try. Here is the story I came up with.

A Crazy Night at the Library

One night something really thoughtfully happened at the library. The characters in the stories started running from their books!

Stanley climbed into Charlotte’s Web and started going with Wilbur the Pig! Farmer Brown wandered into an encyclopedia and ended up lost in Emerald Park!

The craziest part was when Franklin wandered into Don’t let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and said, “Sharky, I don’t think we’re in Saskatchewan any more.”

Then Sue walked in and said, “HELP! Everybody back in place!”

The characters were around the room. Just in time! The students in grade 3 came in to get books for their reports, but it was safe. All the characters were back in the books where they belonged.

Flat Stanley – Travels Around Regina

As part of my mentoring project, I have been working with Kelly Hines and her Grade 4 class. They have studied about Flat Stanley earlier on this year. Flat Stanley is new to me, but a colleague of mine is working with Flat Stanley in her classroom. I immediately jumped on board with this fun project.

For those who are not familiar with Flat Stanley. It is a book created by Jeff Brown. The book is about a young boy named Stanley who is accidentally squished “as flat as a pancake”  when a bulletin board falls on him. Stanley is very, very flat but otherwise fine. The story goes on to tell how Stanley discovers some real advantages to being flat. He can slide under doors, go down into the sidewalk grates and even fold himself up small enough to fit into an envelope and be mailed to California for an exciting vacation.

This project allows for Stanley to travel around the world and learn about different cities. Stanley then returns to your class and teaches you about the places he has been to. It is great to capture images of Stanley visiting exciting placing to show to your students.

So, Flat  Stanley has had to opportunity to be in Regina, Saskatchewan and learn about Regina.  He has been to many exciting places such as: the Legislative Buildings, Wascana Park, Cornwall Shopping Center, Downtown Regina, City Hall, and several other places. Stanley has gained a lot of knowledge about Regina and is looking for new and exciting places to visit around the world. He is currently on his was to Chocowinity, NC to learn about that city. Regina is 3329 KM from Chocowinity,  so Stanley has a long journey ahead of him.I am sure he will have a great time in Chocowinity and Mrs. Hines class will be great to him.

If you are interested in Stanley visiting you class, please let me know.

Here are some pictures of Stanley’s visit in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Podcasts – A Classroom Idea

After yet another great session in ECMP 455, I have gained knowledge on Podcasts. Dean Shareski delivered a great presentation about Podcasts to our class. Before this session, I had several questions on the how to’s , the what’s and using Podcasts in the classroom.

A Podcast  can be used for several different outcomes. Some people may create Podcasts on educational information, sports, and news are only to mention a few. A podcast is like a radio program that can be downloaded to a portable media play like an iPod. You can then listen to the podcast at your own convenience.

How can you create a Podcast? You can create a Podcast with your classroom by having the right equipment. All you need is a computer, internet, and an audio recorder. (microphone) Once you have recorded your classrooms Podcast on whatever topic you want, you will need to edit the audio. A free and easy program you can use is Audacity. After your Podcast has been edited and is ready to share with people from around the world, all you have to do is  upload it to iTunes.

People will be able to subscribe to your Podcast and listen to it regularly. Give it a try, what do you have to lose? It is a fun and new way to bring literacy into the classroom. You can use a Podcast to “publish” your students work, after working through the writing process.

Check out Mr. Coley’s Class to see how he had integrated Podcasts into his classroom.

Here is a video to get a better understanding on Podcasts.

One Shot, One Sentence- My Flip Video Debut

In our ECMP 455 class we had a session using flip video to create a video. I have never been exposed to this type of technology to create a video. I found it to be an exciting adventure.  The theme of the video we had to create was, “The Door Scene.”

Step One

The first step was our introduction to visual storytelling. We were in a group and had to create a scene with the following scripted scenario:

“A person is about to open a door. The person hears a sound and becomes mildly concerned. The person finds the door locked and searches for his or her keys. The person hears the sound again and becomes visibly apprehensive. As the filmmaker, you goal is to build tension and growing panic, using any visual element or device that you can think of.”

Here is what our group game up with:

Step Two:

The second step was to create a storyboard script scenario for the Door Scene in a manner that we thought that would be most visually effective. At this time we also had to create a new or exciting ending for our video. We had to use different shots while filming the scene and include every detail in our storyboard.

Step Three:

The third step was rather exciting. We had to exchange our storyboard for another groups storyboard. Once we had another groups storyboard, we had to film their storyboard.

Here is what we came up with:

I found this to be a very exciting session for ECMP 455. I have created several videos in the past, however, never thinking about different angles that can be used while filming. I found that the different angles of each shot added a lot to our scene. I also found it very effective when using the flip videos! Although there was not stop or delete button on this piece of equipment, it was still a not bad debut we filmed.

After the completion of this project in class, Krysta and I will be incorporating this form of digital storytelling into our wiki. There are so many ways to create a digital story in your classroom and this is another fun way for children to write a story. We will post our wiki in the near future for you to check out.