BP11_Comment on Lauren's Blog

Please click here to see the comments on Lauren's fantastic findings.

BP10_Comment on Charlie's blog

Take a bite of the Apple by clicking on this link commenting on Charlie's thoughts of Teacher Tube.

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BP9_Web2.0: GoAnimate

The new Web 2.0 tool that I want to integrate into my environment is GoAnimate.com.  I found the website to serve a meaningful purpose in education, and I also believe it can engage a wide demographic reach.  The fact is, what I’ve learned is children love cartoons as well as adults.  It’s a medium that has stimulated our media literacy throughout our lives.  We appreciate a great cartoon no matter what generation or theme.   This Web 2.0 tool gives educators and students equal free access to develop cartoons about different topics.  A great feature is the flexibility of the animations and its preset templates.   My observations in my classroom inform me that my kiddos love cartoons similar to the Simpson's and Family Guy; I feel these cartoons are a little extreme in reality, but I can harness the power of cartoon development through GoAnimate to replicate such environments, but with the goal of using powerful learning content.  In addition, the students can harness the same power for other class projects providing a fresh tool to bring an engaging perspective.  The usability of this Web 2.0 tool is very user-friendly as the navigation is simplified with great spacing and readily identifiable areas.  You can formulate settings and themes, and introduce several new characters with its new character settings wizard.  The main goal I want implemented on a consistent basis is the access to several tools for use and exhibit versatility in conveying information.  Just like students want variety as learners,  we want to match that need with nuggets of resources. Go Animate continues the goal and I am very excited to use GoAnimate as a great change-up in classroom presentations. 

BP7_comment on Nancy's Blog

Please click on the comment link to proceed to Nancy Madrigal's wonderful introduction of a fantastic Web 2.0 tool.  Cheers!

BP6_comment on Richard's Blog

Here is a look at the comment I made on Richard's commercial of a Web 2.0 tool.  Please click on the comment link to view.

BP5_Wikispaces

The new Web 2.o tool that I found interesting to use in my environment is Wikispaces.com.  Using the concept of wiki’s has allowed for the integration of individuals into a team concept.  In a video recently, I heard the quote of,” nobody is smarter than everyone.”  I think this is true tremendously.  Wiki’s give you the opportunity to put everyone’s thoughts into play; but how does that happen?  In essence, a Wiki is a webpage that allows anyone the ability to manipulate the content.   The reason that is important is the fact that many can contribute to the particular subject at hand.  How can you contribute?  Well you can contribute with text, links, videos, audios, and pretty much any content that can be converter to embed into html.  For starters, you can introduce a concept or topic that can be viewed by students.   Students can easily add different variables to the Wiki page that can build on the learning of that particular subject, which means that introducing this element would create a bit of ownership for the class and the individual students.  Monitoring a site like this is made easy, so you can concentrate on the participation aspect of the site, as well as monitor the value of the information.  Students are attracted to empowerment, and this Web 2.0 tool would certainly provide such a thing.  As for the information, the ability to teach students to be resourceful with information would have to serve as a pre-requisite for the functional use of a Wiki.  The reason the latter must hold true is we want to make sure that the information posted on the Wiki has value in learning.  The most important factor I see about a Wiki introduce into my class is the ability to initiate lifelong learning skills for the students; because students feel compelled to add to a page that their peers are participating in, the research and evaluation of students are thorough, and are tremendously refined as students participate within the Wiki.   What the Wiki also offers is the ability to create an informal atmosphere.  What educators have learned throughout the years is that informal education overwhelms formal education, thus creating an informal atmosphere may cultivate success through informal but effective strategies.  What do y’all think?

PE3_iMovie

It's always cool at completion of training and the enhancement of your skills.  I found the tutorials on Lynda.com for iMovie to be refreshing, and very engaging because of the principles you learn as an independent film-maker.  The instructor was very good and not once did I find myself drifting off into another mindset; this I found to be important because all the learning happens online and he as an instructor has to make sure he's keeping the audience engaged.  The are many aspects of iMovie that I thoroughly enjoyed, but I think I'm enjoying the possibilities of solidifying an opportunity to create an extension of communication for my class through movies.  When you combine the foundation of this platform, and the insights of my classroom peers, the possibilities to develop meaningful hooks are endless.  What is my favorite part of iMovie you might ask?  Well I think it's the Ken Burns effect and the Green Screen effect that can take your projects to the next level.  I'm going to enjoy iMovie and I hope you do the same.