Got all of the BUGS out, hopefully.

I hope that all of the issues that were observed with my Wikispace have been resolved. I just have to go into YouTube and make my video public (which was not what I wanted to do with the pictures of me during my time of illness). However, it is my understanding that others will not be able to view without it. I'll just open it up today, and after the Gallery Walk, set it back to private again. Hopefully that will do the trick. Other than that, and having to try many different fonts to be able to enter my standards and reflections, I'm finally finished. This week was supposed to be for tuning the website up a little. Unfortunately, I had to spend my time problem solving. From trying to get banners larger and centered, to trying to center my projects once embedded. That's when I had problems. Anyway, many lessons learned. Maybe I'll get the rest of the secrets in Year 2.

Finishing Up!

Oh, how I would love to say that I was totally finished putting everything on my Wiki space. However, I am still trying to get the text to look like I want. Add banners to be centered or get larger. However, over the last few weeks, everything I have attempted to do has not worked out well.

On a more positive note, the anonymous Voice Thread turned out very nice. I can see using it as a tool to evaluate what you've done over a unit or a quarter or even a year. It will save plenty of space and I will not have to shuffle through 300 papers.

Satisfied

I do have to say that being in the STEP program was very satisfying! I have learned a lot of technology that I didn't expect to learn when I started this school year. It is also technology that I can use not just at school! Not only can I use the Elmo in my classroom with the students, but I can also use it to blow up pictures and to make home-made posters! Using Photostory I can put my pictures into a slideshow as a memory keepsake! I love free websites, and I also gained a lot of knowledge about websites I can use that cost me nothing! That's great, especially in this economy.

Even though I did feel satsified with the STEP program, I also felt it was a lot of work. As I have said before, the projects themselves weren't the problem...it was the Wikkispace that was soo sensitive to everything we did on it. With teaching Kindergarten, I feel I have advantages over the other STEP members, because my projects (as a whole) were more simple than theirs! If I were teaching an older grade, I do not know if I would be so happy with the outcome of this program, because I would feel like it was a lot of work for the stuff we learned how to use!

Overall, I'm very happy with the STEP program and what I learned from it this year! Can't wait to see what this Gallery Walk is all about.

Wikki Spaces, and Podcasting

So I have decided that if I ever want to keep some sort of online portfolio with my technology uses, or projects I have created I will be looking for a new website to do so. Wikkispaces is good for being free, but can be very complicated. When I finished my projects, I was so happy to be finished. I enjoyed doing the actual projects, but definitely dreaded when I needed to publish them. Using wikki spaces alone cost me at least 2 hours for each project. There has to be some easier way to post projects online! I will be hunting for an easy to use online portfolio!

On a different note, I had an idea. Not too sure about how it will all work - but I'm thinking I might do a Podcast through Voicethread to see how the kids and parents felt about this school year! I have to collect some thoughts before I do so, but the last week of school I do not have much going on, so I might create some project for the kids to work on in class, and have the parents and kids respond to it at home! It might be really neat to see how the parents felt about the school year, and maybe ask for pros and cons....just an idea that popped up into my head just today!

Kindergarten Photostory

I have finished with my photostory for the end of the year. It turned out quite a bit longer than I expected, but I figure...if it's too long, I'll see that this year, and I'll adjust my ideas for next year! I picked really fun songs that will hopefully make the kids smile as they see their pictures from this year. I have included things in the photostory such as their zoo trip, fun art projects they completed, to even just silly pictures we took in class!

Having the knowledge of how to create a photostory is really nice! Now, not only can I compile pictures all in one place, but I can also keep them off my computer, which will save room on my computer!

New VoiceThread Project

OK. I have to come up with a new project to use for the STEP Wiki that can be completed prior to the June 2nd deadline. I am going to put something together where everyone can comment. I'll give it as either a class or a homework assignment. Hoping the technology fairy is nice to me over the next few days. LOL!!!!!!!!!! Trying to keep it light with a positive attitude attached.

May have to abandon the project

I've been out of the office this week. Been pretty much out-of-commision since last Saturday. That makes me well behind my timeline for both the Online Music Careers Portfolio and the Speaking with the Instrumentalist project, both using Voice Thread. I am trying to load the videos to the Voicethread site but have been unsuccessful today. I don't know if it is the computer (using the PGCPS laptop). Just a word to the STEP Program administrators, we really need items that are able to get the work done. I've had to use my personal computer to accomplish most of my work, especially those things that require a lot of space to be used for pictures or video. If you are going to successfully get all of the projects done as well as actively use the equipment and ideas in your classroom, you need more memory and faster machines. Again, just an idea. It would keep the participants from getting so frustrated and give better quality projects instead of settling for things that take up less space.

Good Knowledge to have!

I was sharing my End of Year Photostory with my sister the other day (who also works with children as her career) and she was amazed. She explained that she is hoping to get pictures onto a DVD in a Photostory type manner, so she can look at her pictures in the future, but not have them clogging up her computer.
I introduced her to Photostory, and showed her some unique things you can do with the pictures, and she was really excited. When she is ready for music, I will be helping her convert music for the background. My only question, which I am not sure how to answer, is whether or not it can be saved in DVD format to watch on a tv....? If you are reading this, and you know the answer to my question, that would be really helpful!

It would also help to know, because in the future (since I continue to make end of year photostories every year...) I can save it to a DVD and it could be watched on tv as opposed to having to have a computer!!!

End of Year Slideshow

I have come up with a brilliant idea to put a slideshow together of all the pictures I have taken this year. I am just in the beginning process right now, but I think the final result will be worth all of the hard work. I think it will be neat to not only have technology in the classroom this year, but to also send a little bit of it home with each student at the end of the year. I will be making copies of the photostory for the children. Then we will all be reminded of the technology we used in the classroom.
After working with Photostory, I checked out the Windows Movie Maker, and realized that, even though I can start and stop songs in specific spots of the music, it is much easier to use Photostory. Not only for me, but if I have the students make one, it will be more user friendly for them as well!

Photo Story

Today was great! My effort and hard work was worth the cheers and excitement from the class on the metric system photo story. They continually asked why so many pictures, why do we need to jump, make funny faces?

After they watched the finished project the were very excited! I think they enjoyed the music more than the concept.

Podcasting (VoiceThread)

Maybe I was a little too ambitious with my voicethread project. Trying to do an online Music Careers Portfolio has proven to be much more work than I was ready for or even have time for with Spring Concert, Choral Festival, Muffins for Mom, Donuts for Dad, Yearbook, Music Field Trip, and Principal Retirement Dinner. Trying to keep students on schedule and filming them for the posts is very difficult with everything else I have going on. However, I feel it will be worth it if we are able to get imput for professionals in the Music Industry.

Wikispaces has a blog feature

Why couldn't we use the blogging feature of the Wiki spaces page instead of having to create and manage all of these accounts. Keeping up with accounts, passwords, log ins, features and limitations is a hassle. STEP should try to consolidate some of these programs to uses multiple features within one or two products. Just for meeting the requirements of the STEP portfolio, I have had to create 10 different accounts, some of which I've only used once or twice for conversion purposes. What we are doing needs to be as functional as possible so that we can continue implementing the Technology standards instead of fumbling through the access information of different sites. I love the technology and hate the multiple passwords.

Making progress

My class is enjoying the new skills that I've been teaching them. The "technology club" has become quite independent with their movie making. In fact, they prefer photostories and movie-making over PowerPoints. However, if I give an assignment, the negotiations begin immediately. "Please, let me do a photo story instead? May I come in at recess to work on my project? How about-- I do two. One the way you said and another one for 'extra credit'" I don't think they realize that they are working harder than they have to. There's little surprise that they never offer to write any report though.

Finished

Well, it is official! I have put my projects all up online, and I am finished! Even though it was frustrating at times, I have learned new and interesting technology tools to use in my classroom. I used Voice Thread in one way, having the students respond to questions about a book we read in class. As I sit and plan for my weeks' lessons, I know that I can also have the students complete a project and then talk about it online. Then I can have professionals go on and comment to them! It is really a neat tool that both the students and I enjoy.
The digital camera is also nice. Not only can it be used to put together educational lessons, but I can also use it for my "End of Year Slide Show". I am now headed to work on that!
The Document camera as always is proving to be a good tool. I know that if I want the students to see the money we are working with, we can put it under the document camera. Then students can manipulate the money as we are counting its value, and other students can watch to agree or disagree!
Technology overall is excellent! It gets the classroom out of the normal "paper and pencil" everyday work. It puts the excitement back into learning not only for the students, but also for the teachers!

Embedding

How easy is the embedding technique? I think STEP should teach us how to embed at the first session and review it at the second session just in case someone hadn't actually tried it independently between sessions. That way as we complete our projects, we know exactly what to do and how to accomplish it. My group and I weren't familiar with embedding. Actually I didn't even consider that it was different from linking documents to the page. Once I got the hang of it, I was embedding everything and enjoying the look of embedded media too. I even called my mom on my way home and started explaining it to her.

Elmo Use

I have been using my Elmo with my students to look at math problems. The children volunteer to come move manipulatives around, and the other students then look at the board and can see what is being done. I usually have manipulatives in front of each child so they can work with theirs as the volunteer is working with my set. I have taken notice that the students really enjoy this interaction. To take it further, I have the students explain what they are doing while the other kids are watching.
Another way I have been using Elmo in my classroom is to help with reading. The students are able to get out of their seats and come to the board. I am trying to train the kids to point at each word as they read (1-1 correspondance) and the Elmo is a great tool for this. The other students can watch as the volunteer is up in front showing how we read sentences correctly.
Overall, I feel the Elmo is an awesome tool that not only engages the students' attention, but also gets them involved!

Metric Conversion

WOW, what was I thinking??? I have wonderful ideas for my photo story only to find I got myself into some serious headaches!

I had visions of having a very fancy project, I have taken close to 300 pictures only to find that I had to go back and take close to the same amount again because I forgot little things.

The biggest problem I encountered was that photo story is not user friendly for what I was trying to do. Editing music, you can not do this with photo story, so I had to use windows movie maker to edit my music, then burn a disk. I found that I have gone through countless Cd's trying to get my music perfect. If anyone wants a copy of my edited music, just ask. I have no idea what to do with all of these Cd's. I guess I will give them to the students?

I am one of those people who are totally uncomfortable hearing my own voice on tape, so I decided to do most of my narration through my music. I know that it does not meet the guidelines of STEP, but my point gets across the lesson I am teaching.

I have spent countless hours putting this photo story together. If I was ever to tackle such a project again, I would just use windows movie maker.

Although, I do enjoy photo story for it's simplicity. I feel that is better for student projects.

MICCA

The conference has come and gone! Overall I thought the experience was a good one. The technology the presenters were sharing was very informative and made me want to better my classroom with those tools. The only problem I ran into was the fact that we do not have the money to buy all the expensive equipment that was being talked about. Our STEP team walked around the vendors, and we talked to a few people about what they were trying to sell. I especially liked the Ellison Machine that was all computerized so the letters could be made bigger/smaller depending on the size you needed! As a team we really enjoyed the ID maker, and to go with it, the tardy checker. Then we would run into the road block again, and that is the means of getting this awesome technology to our school.

Being at a Charter School, us teachers want the best for our students. We want to give them a good opportunity to learn and succeed. We also want to give them the access to the best tools out there (technology being one of them). It's just hard when we hear how much money the "neat technology" is costing.

I know I used the term "we" a lot in this blog, but I feel as a group we pretty much felt the same way and agreed that having the technology would be awesome, but how can we afford it!?

To top the conference off.. I won a free student laptop. I sent away for it in the mail, and I'm anxiously awaiting !

Voice Thread

In science we did an experiment about density that went over excellent! I decided that since I "wowed" them I would use voice thread to check for understanding and comprehension.

I used the opposite science class for my models, than I used for the photo story. I wish I would have been able to incorporate more of them into the videos, but it just worked out the way it did.

The student models had a great time recreating the experiment. They followed the directions given and the one video makes me laugh everytime I watch it.

When I showed the finished product to the classes they were very excited and excited to respond. They keep commenting to me about my music selections and the timing. I did use windows movie maker to produce the videos I used.

I spent only 40 minutes creating the three videos used, compared to countless hours I spent on my photo story project. I also think the students really enjoyed the pictures I used when creating their identities. I have nicknames for most of the class and they enjoyed the pics I used. I did not have one student ask me to change their picture. I spent about four hours locating and making each identity. Other students have responded, just so I will post a crazy pic for them! I just hope they are learning and not doing this for their 15 minutes of fame?

Photo Story

In math and science we have been talking a lot about metric conversion and the students have been having trouble grasping the concept. I got the idea to do a photo story about metric conversion due to the lack of understanding of the concept.

I have a bunch of ideas floating around in my head about how I would like to do this as a Photo Story. I hope that this idea pans out for me now that my previous ideas washed up on me.

I have begun to ask my home printer to produce numerous print-outs of the materials I need. I plan to start taking pictures very soon.

MICCA Conference-Baltimore Conference Center

The conference was great. However, I was a little upset. It's wonderful to go to see all of the wonderful things you can do with technology, but hard to accomplish when you don't have a classroom or the basic equipment. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for what we have received from the STEP program ( I've done lots with it), but I would like to do so much more. Maybe I could win a classroom makeover complete with all of the latest technology. Or maybe just a classroom, LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MICCA

I really enjoyed the conference, although I did not win anything! I came away with some great ideas and also wondering where to find the time to implement more technology into the classroom.

I often wonder how I will ever get the curriculum taught let alone find time to do fun technology projects.

One of my favorite web sites I learned about is Yack Pack. I had wonderful intentions of setting this up this tool to use in my classroom. I had gotten all of my student's email addresses, when I went to the site they were experiencing difficulties. I checked back for a few days with out much luck. My student's seemed disappointed because I had told and showed them what we could do with this web site.

As for now, I will keep it on the back burner for next year.

Podcasting with the Kids

Okay, we have activated the podcasting unit and we aren't quite ready to run yet. I have gotten some very enthusiastic entries under the wrong identities as well as some really off topic entries. I think it will be great as they begin to take their comments as seriously as they do the digital projects that they are always asking to make in place of their reports. So, I have asked them to review their comments at home before I review them again and hopefully everyone will take advantage of that opportunity before I begin grading and deleting the weaker voice threads. I plan to give a quiz via voicethread and hope that will be a useful endeavor.

MICCA, Finally!

I have waited years to attend the MICCA conference. I have asked for substitute coverage and fees to be paid each year and always was told, "No." So, when STEP sent us this year, I was super excited. I was looking to learn somethings that I could teach my students and use to enhance or upgrade other things that I do. I was introduced to Google docs and Microsoft Publisher. I was also introduced to the concept of 'projects' in lieu of 'homework' and became obsessed with getting a set of clickers (EPR-devices). Well, I still don't have any clickers but I tried to win some daily. The very best session that I attended was about using the computer to create art project, you know-digitally. I can't wait to show the kids what I learned! Thanks STEP. So, how about a set of CLICKERS, huh? Maybe I, or we can get them as part of the year two technology program.

Dr. Campbell, from the University of Maryland came to my classroom today and gave an awesome presentation! Although, he was unable to identify only a few specimens. He said if I was able to tell him where they where from he would have a better shot at narrowing it down. Dr. Campbell stated that it was sort of like finding a needle in a haystack!

I was very disappointed because I thought this would make for a great photo story. I thought of finding pictures on the Internet of specimens and then assigning them to the students but realize I would not be following the parameters of the STEP assignment. Back to the drawing board, again.

Pictures

In Kindergarten I have been trying to get pictures of my students througout the year. Having my digital camera has been a lot of help, because I can take as many pictures as I need until the picture looks right. I have a personal digital camera, but it's nice to not have to bring my own camera into school.
I also have been teaching the students how to use the digital camera in the classroom. After they take the picture, I put it on the mode to view what was taken, and we decide together if it was taken correctly. Sometimes we are looking for space above our heads...sometimes we are looking for zoomed in shots - and by looking at the picture right away, the students have the knowledge of how to "fiddle" with the camera to get their pictures just right.
I also think the students feel special when they are asked to take a picture. It is a big responsibility and the students have learned to be extra careful when using the camera.

The VoiceThread Project

Ok. I've finally decided what I'm going to do for the VoiceThread project. It's genius. I'm going to do an online Music Career Portfolio where the students will post questions and I will send the link to Music Professionals that are leaders in the various career clusters. It will be so wonderful. Maybe a few will send a video or upload a recent picture and encourage the students to follow in their footsteps. Oh, the joys of using technology!

Rocks and Minerals

I have been in contact with Dr. Campbell from the university and he is personally going to come to my classroom and speak about rocks and minerals and try to help us identify some of the specimens.

I have decided to turn this into a photo story by assigning the students a rock or mineral to research. We then can take pictures of their specimens and they can narrate the research they have done.

I have been taking pictures using ELMO when I display them for the class. ELMO has come in very handy for displaying the rocks and minerals. I do not have to pass them around, the students have time during other parts of the day to get a closer look if they want.

I have started...

The kids and I read a story this past week and I had them work with the pod-casting tools.  It was so neat to watch the students, who once were chatterboxes, now sitting in complete silence.  You see, I told them that their voices would pick up on the microphone (which they do) and that they needed to be absolutely quiet if they wanted their turn.  Listening to the child who was talking, and watching the other children sitting still and quiet was definitely an awesome experience.  I had the students first predict what they thought "Our friend Spot" would change into next.  Some answers were well thought out, others... not so much!  The second slide was to tell us who they loved and why.  I haven't gotten through all of their answers yet, but certainly will.  I think pod-casting is a fun tool that not only gets the students involved, but entertains them as well!  I'm going to look into a way I can assign it for homework... it might be tough because not all of my students have computers at home, but worth a try!  I cannot wait to continue to use this tool in my classroom!

Photo Story

I was given a rock and mineral collection from a family member and have been using them in class during this unit. The family member that gave me this collection did not give me any information about the specimens, so I am lost on what they are or how to identify them. I went to the bookstore and bought a field guide in hopes of identifying them. I was able to identify 1 specimen out of 50 or more.

I got the idea to check out the University of Maryland to see if they had a geology department. With luck on my side, the University of Maryland does in fact have a geology department. I sent an email in hopes of a response..... I received a response the very next morning. I am going to call Dr. Andrew Campbell to see if he can possibly sens a student to help my class identify the specimens.

Photo Story

After my memory card was "misplaced," I started to retake the pictures for my photo story I had planned on doing for a geometry lesson. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate the weekend I wanted to go to DC to take pictures. I have to abandon this project idea until I get some time to get to DC to take pictures

Now on to Podcasting!

Well, let's talk about Podcasting. Wow, what a wonderful tool. I will be using this quite a bit. I have to remember that I must sign in for the students, let them comment, wait for their response and then embed it. I guess. A lot of work. But so worth it.

OMG!

I can't believe how hard it was for me to keep up in the STEP program. We had a lot to do and the computers were so s-l-o-w! I kept getting lost in the session between the links being on the periphery of the screen and the computer taking forever to respond to my key entries. Oh yeah, the itty-bitty text din't help either. Now, I really would like to take a few days off to play with and master what I just learned/missed. But we know better than to do that, now don't we?

At my wit's end

The question of the day is What about your favorite radio station? Well, I like to listen to Christian talk radio and news radio. The funny thing is that since I only listen in the car, I listen to the news station for weather and traffic and avoid the news. The Christian station however, has more to offer me. I like listening to the testimonial programs like those that Focus on the Family features from time to time. However, I cannot be in the car at 7:00 and 8:00 pm without tuning into Adventures in Odyssey. The reason it matters is because Adventures in Odyssey is a radio drama and there is a site that features podcasts from the characters of the show. So, my kids and I can now listen to Odyssey in the house at any time by going to www.whitsend.org.

Back to Normal

My frustration has subsided now that I have my project finished and posted onto Wikispaces. I am looking forward to the use of other technology skills for my classroom! Podcasting is the next topic we will be looking at, and I am very interested to find out what this is all about. I have heard about it but I'm not very familiar with it! Here we go :o)

I have had to go back and begin taking pictures again for my photo story I was working on...... Seems one of our wonderful students decided to borrow my memory card or accidentally picked it up??? It was the 2 gig card, why couldn't they have borrowed the 16 mb card?

I lost all of the pictures for my photo story plus other pictures from a field trip. Oh what fun I have been having.

Catching up is no fun!

Well, I am a little dismayed because Megan got the jump on everyone. So, let me say that using the camera has been fun. We took pictures and Hard Bargain Farms, where on of my child prodigies stuck his finger in the lens and broke the shudder thing. However, the camera works still. We have been to a Shakespeare workshop, because one of my classes is participating in the Folger's Shakespeare Festival. So, the other class is the Techno-group and takes pictures and creates technological projects like the PHOTO STORY! With that, I have 22 photo story projects about civil disobedience and another 12 samples from the kids.

Working on PhotoStory

Let's just say that I'm slightly frustrated. I've been trying to finish my photostories to post on Wikispaces. Did all of my narrations to find out that once I previewed the PhotoStory, there was nothing there. Real smart. I should have checked the first one to see that it had worked. Won't make that mistake again. Well, back to the drawing board. Now, if I can just remember all the wonderful things I said about each photo.

Student Photo Story

I have started to receive student photo stories. I have not been all that impressed with the ones I have seen so far. For example, a student choose to do one on math concepts covered this year. It was obvious he had spent some time taking pictures around his home, but a lot of the information in his narrations was incorrect.

The majority of student work included pictures taken from the internet, when the stories were published, the pictures are very distorted and hard to see. Also, most of the student were unable to narrate their projects because they do not have access to a microphone or headset.

I am extremely happy with their effort considering they are as new to Photo Story as I am.

Frustration Settled In

Friday 3/6/09

Today was a pretty frustrating day. I finished both of my Photo Stories. I selected a few students to come in at recess to do the narration of the student project. After school I finished the narration for my instructional photo story. I then proceeded to struggle my way through Wikispace. I had a hard time editing my page for my Digital Camera. As soon as I thought I fixed something, and saved it…it would go right back to the way it was before I started the editing. I was very frustrated. I decided to bring the rest of my work home (as it got to be 7pm) and I am finally finished at 9:30. I enjoy using my Elmo Document Camera, and I enjoy using my Digital Camera, but it is really a downer when I get my projects finished and then struggle for hours to upload it onto a website to be viewed. Now that my project is finished, I can sit back and take a deep breath!

~Megan~

MSA Review

I have been thinking about using Photo Story to review for the MSA. I will let the students pick a particular math or science concept and make a photo story to share with the class as a review.

Some of the students seem very excited about the idea. Of course I have a handful that are making up excuses as to why they can't do this project.

I am very curious to see the work from the students.

Digital Camera usage in the classroom

Tuesday 3/3/09

It is a blast to use the digital camera in my classroom. I really enjoy working with the students and helping them take pictures as well. Their faces light up when they realize they have just taken a picture and it builds their self-confidence with technology. The more I work with the Photo Story, the stronger my decision is to use this program for my end of the year picture compilation. I think the digital camera is a great tool to have in the classroom, because it helps catch “the moment” in teachable moments, and helps with making instruction clearer. I will definitely continue to use the digital camera in my classroom!

~Megan~

Welcome to EXCEL Academy STEP Blog

This is the blog setup for EXCEL STEP participants to post their reflections and ideas. Enjoy!

Finally, the Digital Camera

After several cancellations, we've finally had our workshop involving the Digital Camera. I love having this piece of equipment. I do find that the shutter is rather slow. I can see where it would be good for staging pictures, but it will not release my need for a professional photographer for programs. Maybe the powers that be will shine on me and offer use of a higher end camera for the programs. Just a thought. Music teachers ask for a lot.

Using ELMO

I'm using ELMO nearly everyday. It has become quite the buzz at our school. Many other teachers have wanted to use it. STEP Team members get requests everyday. I almost feel like a kid and want to say "MINE", not wanting to let go of a new toy. However, I must share the gifts I've been given. I have not been blessed to be in this program and get to use the ideas and equipment by being "tight fisted". I must share. Have a STEP Workshop scheduled for tomorrow. Hopefully we'll get some more information. I'm looking forward to getting the Digital Camera.