Hey all
I was playing around YouTube the other day and found some very interesting new features on the site. YouTube wanted their users to make their own animated movies and digital stories, so they have added these new 'create video' apps:
Last year in semester 2, I was lucky enough to have a lecturer and tutor by the name of Allen Scully for a subject called Child Development. Not only is he a profound educator, but I find him very inspiring with the way he teaches.I found this video on Matthew Kearney's YouTube on Mr Scully's retirement speech, and I highly recommend practicing teachers to watch it.
Allen's speech has reminded me of how worthy and influential the profession of teaching bestows upon students. I liked how he mentions the fact that when we as teachers work hard and educate effectively, we can bring about such an impact, or as Allen put's it 'mark', on our students. He articulates the importance of teachers being prepared and committed to teaching, to which these skills make efficient teachers.
I only hope that one day I will teach to the caliber level of Allen Scully.
During the past 2-3 weeks Jenny (a uni friend/group member) and I were in the process of making our Vodcast for an assignment. The assignment required us to make a podcast, but we thought making a Vodcast would look and sound better, so we went ahead for the blood, sweat and tears.
The making of this video brought about so much effort and time. We all know podcasting takes awhile to produce, but Vodcasting is of another world. Jenny and I went though hours of filming each scene, and even more hours editing. I must say after this video, I' am NEVER making another Vodcast EVER, I'd just stick to podcasting for now. However grueling it was I did learn a few things, such as how to use iMove and GarageBand.
Anyways I hope you enjoy our final product!!
Anyways I hope you enjoy our final product!!
Hey all
I made a digital story about my teaching inspirations, and why I had chosen teaching as my career :)
The video was made from iMovie and GarageBand on Mac :)
Enjoy
Kafai, Y. (2006). . Games and Culture, 1(1), 36-40.
This week's reading was very insightful, as it drew on the world of educational gaming in light of two perspectives. One of which is Instructionist views and other is constructionist perspectives.
When I read the word 'gaming' I think about playing Nintendogs on my brother's 3DS, I never really had the thought of incorporating something as games into the classroom. That was before I realised that there are such things as 'learning games'. I remember back when I was in Year 5, every time I finished doing my work in class my teacher would allow me free time on the classroom computer. The only thing I was allowed to do was play a game called "Where in the World is Carmen San Diego".
The main gist of this reading comes down to what type of games are beneficial to children. Although intructional techniques present a quality that will asisst students understand and learning of specific subjebcts. It's the contructionist built games that really render young minds into creators, as they are required to generally work in groups and come up with a game with characters, environment (presentation of the game) and themes (2006, p38). all to the aim of creating a game to teach certain subjects areas to younger students.
For me instructional learning games seem to only appeal and benefit Kindergarten-2 students as they are immensely engaging, however its the older kids that really appreciate constructive games, as it facilitates various cognitive elements such as creativity, imagination, collaborative skills and language.
Big Brainz is an educational video game, with attention grabbing graphics. I have found out about this game through practicum last year when a year 4 teacher introduced me to it. Students absolutely love using this program which you can download online. There are free versions and also paid school package versions.
Check this blog out:
http://www.bigbrainz.com/blog/
Check this website out:
http://www.bigbrainz.com/
Video of Timez Attack, this instructional game teaches maths with a game like environment.
Until next time folks!
Hoffenberg, H., & Handler, M. (2001). Digital video goes to school. Learning & Leading with Technology, 29(2), 10-15.
Hey all
This week's reading is based on 'Digital Video Goes to School' (2001), where Hoffenberg and Handler argue the idea of having digital video's in the classroom. The article suggests that nowadays software, cameras and computers are simple to operate and utilise, which has escalated the use of such resources in todays classroom (pg 11). In my opinion exposing this type of technology to students benefits them greatly. When children are allowed to hold the power of their own production (video), a sense of motivation and goal driven purpose is initiated in their learning.
In Professional Experience 3: Integrating Learning Technology we have been learning and producing digital stories. For those who have not heard of this, a digital story is simply a video production containing:
- a person narrating a story
- a slideshow of pictures or videos that corresponds to the story
- and music in the background.
If you want to know more about digital storytelling check out this website! The site gives a clear insight to the world of digital stories, 7 elements of digital stories, educational uses, the type of software to use, examples of digital, and more.
Here is an example of a digital story I have made recently.
Here is an example of a digital story I have made recently.
The article mentions a famous saying that 'a picture is worth a thousand words', I like the fact that Hoffenberg et al use this quote to best describe the integration of computer technology in the classroom. So what does a digital story involve? It's actually quite simple!!!
- Write up a story
- Collect pictures and videos (your own or from Flickr CC)
- Use a software to put it all together (E.g. Garageband, iMovie, Windows Movie Maker,Vuvox and/or Viddler).
Until next time everyone
By for now and not forever!
Hey all
During week 3's PE3 class, Ruth pointed out and described the workings of a site called Delicious. I went home that night and made an account 
(Delicious Logo). While browsing through the site with no expectations at all, I have come to a conclusion that this site is simply awesome, in both teacher source aspect as well as 20 year old university student perspective. Which is why I have decided to give you all a review, if you will, on this useful piece of website :)
(Delicious Logo). While browsing through the site with no expectations at all, I have come to a conclusion that this site is simply awesome, in both teacher source aspect as well as 20 year old university student perspective. Which is why I have decided to give you all a review, if you will, on this useful piece of website :)When you make an account on Delicious, it allows you to bookmark and save websites that you deem RELIABLE or USEFUL. Very much like your 'Bookmark this page' tab on your browser, the site let's you save websites onto its database!!!! I find this so useful if an occasion comes up and I don't have my laptop, and I want to search a website that I need but have forgotten the web address. All I have to do is log on to my Delicious account and TADA there it is, the site address!! 
The site is very simple to use and makes life that much more easier, which as all practicing teachers and teachers, TIME is a NEED and a MUST!!
I probably sound like I was paid by Delicious to advertise their site, but honestly I have so far found it a very useful source. I will most definitly use this while I am teaching to save me some time finding sites when I am conducting a lesson that requires students to see or experience certain web pages.
Until next time
Bye for now, not forever
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
