When I made my video, I used some music from my itunes account because it was so fitting for my two cute actresses. I did explore some free royalty free music and I think it's good to know that it's out there. I found this site helpful http://www.royaltyfreemusic.com/free-music-resources.html
Royalty Free Music.com offers a comprehensive music library of production music for your various royalty free music needs including full albums, tracks and free music clips, loops, and beats available for download.
Sounzabound was also a good site.
http://www.soundzabound.com/
I think royalty free music is very useful for the classroom. As I learn more and more about video production, I want my kids to know how to add music to enhance the video.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Videos
This was my favorite assignment so far. I used IMovie and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! I did the video shots with my Flip camera and the clips were saved as media clips and they would not work in Movie Maker. I used the Flip software to make movie clips for each one and then was able to use them in IMovie. IMovie also has great tutorials that are easy to access while you are making your video. I'm so bad about trying to figure things out on my own, so I finally gave in and watched them....they were very helpful.
I highly recommend IMovie it is very user friendly and there are so many cool options. I had the old version of IMovie and I went ahead and upgraded to the IWork 09 for my next movie. I plan to use this software for vacations, classroom activities, etc. I loved it.
For the next video, I think I will try and borrow an actual video camera. My Flip was fine, but some of the shots at a distance were a little fuzzy. I also will use a tripod next time. My hand wasn't so steady. A couple of my shots (the tilt especially) were filmed too quickly. I will take multiple shots next time so that I have choices when I'm editing the video.
Another problem I had was compressing my video. The original video was over 95 MB and when I compressed it to upload to MediaFire, it was still 91 MB. I think next time I will need to compress the movie files before I edit the video. I'm still trying to figure out the whole "compressing" thing. If anyone has any tips, I would love them!
I highly recommend IMovie it is very user friendly and there are so many cool options. I had the old version of IMovie and I went ahead and upgraded to the IWork 09 for my next movie. I plan to use this software for vacations, classroom activities, etc. I loved it.
For the next video, I think I will try and borrow an actual video camera. My Flip was fine, but some of the shots at a distance were a little fuzzy. I also will use a tripod next time. My hand wasn't so steady. A couple of my shots (the tilt especially) were filmed too quickly. I will take multiple shots next time so that I have choices when I'm editing the video.
Another problem I had was compressing my video. The original video was over 95 MB and when I compressed it to upload to MediaFire, it was still 91 MB. I think next time I will need to compress the movie files before I edit the video. I'm still trying to figure out the whole "compressing" thing. If anyone has any tips, I would love them!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
GeoTech 2010
I really enjoyed the GeoTech conference today...especially the afternoon session. It was neat to interact from teachers all over. There were even people from Wyoming and Rhode Island! I was very impressed with the technology presented and I was also impressed with Bishop Dunne. The quality of work displayed throughout the hallways was amazing. I went to 2 different sessions. The first was an intro to GIS and the second was about using technology to enhance reading and writing.
GIS
What is GIS? It stands for Geographical Information Systems – which are map layers with data attached. We can ask the map/data questions to better understand georgraphy…like transparencies.
Why bother? We need to understand patterns. GIS gives you an opportunity to teach analysi, solve problems and make decisions. In the professional environment this software is designed to make city decisions and landscaping decisions. You are looking for patterns & trends.
GIS tools: GPS (data collection device), Geocaching & Earthcaching – world community of people who are putting out there….you can try and find them,
GIS software tools:
• Online mapping – all you need is a web browser
• Virtual globes – free software
- Google Earth
- ArcGIS Explore (AGX)
Online mapping: http://www.nationalatlas.gov/
You can download GIS files/map-maker
Collections of 14 lessons for GIS - http://www.blogger.com/www.isat.jmu.edu/stem
Desktop GIS:
ARCEXPLORER Java – free tool…desktop GIS – you don’t need an internet conncetion.
My World GIS – desktop GIS
The presenters made a really good point. If you are going to start using GIS….START FREE! Try the free stuff first before you start purchasing things.
Run With Scissors in the Literacy Classroom
Building a culture of readers and writers requires that students become engaged in the writer’s work. This uses technology as their hook for engagement in reading & writing.
Must See Youtube Videos –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZTVX21jPtc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecFizWZgIiA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZfRaWAtBVg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2p5augniQA - These kids go to a low SES school in NY and Stevie Nicks saw this video and showed her manager. These kids got to perform with her in Madison Square Garden and then were invited to fly to a couple of other performances...what an opportunity for them!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnQLnWhzmPE - OK now I want one! :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGK84Poeynk
2 Recommended Reads:
• Steven Johnson – Everything Bad is Good for You! You can analyze complex social networks! The skills aren’t tested by the current school system.
• Daniel Pink – A Whole New Mind Why Right Brainers Will Rule the World – today we live in a left brained society. Anything that involved with left brained thinking can be outsourced, if our kids are going to be prepared, we need to learn how to use both hemisphere’s effectively.
*If you need an e-mail address for your kids - Create a gmail account
melinda.mccoy+whateveryouwantitisignored@gmail.com
Technology tools that will help engage your students and make you cooler:
www.wordpress.com – helps you create your own blog-export-and carry with you on a flashdrive. Your students can have a portfolio of their whole k12 experience and then they are given a flashdrive of their own portfolio.
***Google Wave – Email 2.0 – it is in BETA it’s being developed now. You must have an invitation to use it. The first program to use HTML 5 – a new language for the web. This is a combination of blog/email/search/INSTANT instant feedback
Create your own WIKI - www.wikispaces.com
Create words/poems/language - www.smilebox.com
I am looking forward to checking out some of these tools. I received an invitation for gmail wave, so I can't wait to learn more.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Teacher Tube
What a great site this is! I am going to use this when planning for math lessons. I love incorporating videos in my classroom and in the past I have used United Streaming and/or You Tube. This site will be great because I can look specifically for certain subject/content area. I looked for videos on multiplication and I found many videos that I could show my student. I have seen this one before, but it cracks me up every time. I have never shown this one to my students, but I think this would be a funny video to show when learning multiplication and division. It is similar to the Ma & Pa Kettle video that many of you have probably seen.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Audio in the Classroom
I remember when I first heard about a podcast in the classroom. It was a couple of years ago and I had an ipod and I couldn't imagine creating something that I could actually listen to on my ipod. The thought actually overwhelmed me and I tucked that thought away as something I would deal with later. Once I actually played around with audacity and realized how easy it is to record and create, I realized how greatly audio can impact teaching.
Podcasting is exciting to my kids. If I tell them that they are going to take a piece of their writing a make a podcasting of it, they think it's the coolest thing ever! It is such an easy way to give some novelty to a writing assignment and my kids will take ownership of it. I think that using audio can enhance their reading as well. In third grade, we are trying to build fluency. I love for my kids to listen to good reading and I also like for them to listen to themselves read.
I think audio is even more beneficial when it has a video component. With software like Jing and Camtasia, students can create tutorials, make demonstrations, ask questions and so much more. My students love to make a Jing of a particular math concept instead of doing a math worksheet. I usually give them the option. They will spend an hour making a great Jing video instead of doing a boring worksheet that would have probably taken them 5-10 minutes. I think showing me their thinking is more beneficial and they have more fun.
I have also talked about Voicethread. This is a great use of both audio, text and graphics. If you haven't tried it with your students, you should check it out (www.voicethread.com). This is an easy way to make any lesson more engaging for your students. It allows them to be creative and expressive as well as to collaborate with others...which is key for 21st century learners.
I wish I had been a student in the 21st century...it's so much cooler.
Podcasting is exciting to my kids. If I tell them that they are going to take a piece of their writing a make a podcasting of it, they think it's the coolest thing ever! It is such an easy way to give some novelty to a writing assignment and my kids will take ownership of it. I think that using audio can enhance their reading as well. In third grade, we are trying to build fluency. I love for my kids to listen to good reading and I also like for them to listen to themselves read.
I think audio is even more beneficial when it has a video component. With software like Jing and Camtasia, students can create tutorials, make demonstrations, ask questions and so much more. My students love to make a Jing of a particular math concept instead of doing a math worksheet. I usually give them the option. They will spend an hour making a great Jing video instead of doing a boring worksheet that would have probably taken them 5-10 minutes. I think showing me their thinking is more beneficial and they have more fun.
I have also talked about Voicethread. This is a great use of both audio, text and graphics. If you haven't tried it with your students, you should check it out (www.voicethread.com). This is an easy way to make any lesson more engaging for your students. It allows them to be creative and expressive as well as to collaborate with others...which is key for 21st century learners.
I wish I had been a student in the 21st century...it's so much cooler.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Animation
Wow...this week was a challenge, but I can honestly say that I enjoyed the learning process (as frustrating as it was). Yes, I think animations are a fantastic way to engage students in their learning. I think students could benefit from watching animations as well as creating their own animations.
I chose to use an animation software called Alice. I had never used it before, but they offered some good tutorials. I spent a lot of time playing around on Alice. One of the things that frustrated me was the limitation to objects you could add. Originally, I wanted to stick with a planet theme, but the space objects were limited to 3 objects...none of which were planets. I decided to use the sea objects instead. At first I tried using an ocean floor background, but the layers were extremely difficult. Objects would hide between layers and I couldn't find them. I gave up on that as I could not get my shark to show up and I stuck with the basic template. After creating it, I realized there were some good sky backgrounds that are user friendly.
To me the most frustrating thing about Alice was the saving/exporting option. I wish there had been a tutorial on exporting the video. You have to install 3 Java applets. I wouldn't have figured this out on my own....I'm not that tech savvy. Once you install those, it's pretty easy to export.
I haven't use the software, Scratch, but I've heard great things. It ws develped by some MIT students. Our CIT (Campus Instructional Technologist) really likes this animation software.
http://scratch.mit.edu/
Another site I've recently learned about is Kerpoof. This is geared towards children. They can even earn points every time they create a story, picture, drawing, etc. They can use their points to by new tools for their creations. I am letting my kids create their own accounts with a fake e-mail. If they have their own e-mail they can use it. They are all very excited about this!
http://www.kerpoof.com/
I am glad I have learned more about animations.
I chose to use an animation software called Alice. I had never used it before, but they offered some good tutorials. I spent a lot of time playing around on Alice. One of the things that frustrated me was the limitation to objects you could add. Originally, I wanted to stick with a planet theme, but the space objects were limited to 3 objects...none of which were planets. I decided to use the sea objects instead. At first I tried using an ocean floor background, but the layers were extremely difficult. Objects would hide between layers and I couldn't find them. I gave up on that as I could not get my shark to show up and I stuck with the basic template. After creating it, I realized there were some good sky backgrounds that are user friendly.
To me the most frustrating thing about Alice was the saving/exporting option. I wish there had been a tutorial on exporting the video. You have to install 3 Java applets. I wouldn't have figured this out on my own....I'm not that tech savvy. Once you install those, it's pretty easy to export.
I haven't use the software, Scratch, but I've heard great things. It ws develped by some MIT students. Our CIT (Campus Instructional Technologist) really likes this animation software.
http://scratch.mit.edu/
Another site I've recently learned about is Kerpoof. This is geared towards children. They can even earn points every time they create a story, picture, drawing, etc. They can use their points to by new tools for their creations. I am letting my kids create their own accounts with a fake e-mail. If they have their own e-mail they can use it. They are all very excited about this!
http://www.kerpoof.com/
I am glad I have learned more about animations.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Exporting Your Video on Alice
This was really hard for me, but I finally did it! I hope this video will help you when exporting. Make sure you download those 3 Java applets. Let me know if you have any questions.
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