528 Digital Learning » Student Work http://528tech.edublogs.org Digital Learning in Grades 5 to 8 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:02:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 en hourly 1 iTouch, iLearn http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/10/15/itouch-ilearn/ http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/10/15/itouch-ilearn/#comments Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:40:27 +0000 kschaefer http://528tech.edublogs.org/?p=309 We were finally able to use the iPod Touch Cart today with Mrs. Hall’s 5th grade History class. It took some learning on my part to make sure the settings were correct to insure the students would be able to use them on our wireless network in a safe manner. Mrs. Hall had a great lesson designed that used Moodle, Dictionary, All Countries, Today in History, and Google Earth. Students found their pen pal school in Shipley UK.

This is a picture the student took of Shipley using Google Earth on the iTouch.

From Google Earth on an iPod Touch

From Google Earth on an iPod Touch


Download

We purchased the following apps: (When possible I purchased multiple copies of the application since we have 30 iPods)
SAT Princeton Review $4.99
AlgebraPrep Equations $2.99
AlgebraPrep Factoring $2.99
AlgebraPrep Graphing $2.99
AlgebraPrep Real Numbers $2.99
Lemonade Stand .99 cents
Word Warp .99 cents
JV idioms .99 cents
More Blanks $1.99
Units – Converter .99 cents
Chemical Touch .99 cents
USA Factbook and Quiz .99 cents
Today in History .99 cents
Art .99 cents

We use the following free apps:
LA
Vocab Wiz
Stanza – eBook reader
Shakespeare
Dictionary and Thesaurus
VocabDaily – Word of the Day
GrammarUp

Math
Math Drills Lite
Math Tricks Lite
Elementary Math Lite
HiCalc Lite

Science
iSeismometer
EpiCentral
Distant Suns Lite

History
Constitution
Declaration of Independence
All The Countries
Maps of the World
USA Presidents

Languages
Spanish Tutor

Other:
FirstClass
iHandy Level
GoodGuide
Pandora
Google Earth

Podcasts and iTunesU Movies
Speaking of History
Grammar Girl
WGBH Earth and Space
WGBH Physical Science
Lit2Go

Technorati Tags: ,

]]> http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/10/15/itouch-ilearn/feed/ 0 Social Collaboration via Twitter, Ning and Voicethread for a Sharing Experience http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/10/13/social-collaboration-via-twitter-ning-and-voicethread-for-a-sharing-experience/ http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/10/13/social-collaboration-via-twitter-ning-and-voicethread-for-a-sharing-experience/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:03:27 +0000 kschaefer http://528tech.edublogs.org/?p=295 In the past with Melissa Tredenick and I worked together with NCAIS Blended Learning Conference. She is now at The Linsly School in Wheeling, West Virginia. She posted on the Voicethread Ning how her and the 5th grade teacher had created a Voicethread to discuss their favorite scene in the book Because of Winn Dixie. We kept in touch and today our students are adding their voices with their favorite scenes. Our students created an avatar in Photobooth and then logged in to Voicethread. They did no pre-writing but recorded their favorite parts of the book – cold.

Very cool. I am including a screen grab of the Twitter direct messages that Melissa has sent me as she listened and approved the many comments.

Nice when a plan comes together.

Twitter Direct Messages
Oh, yes there is a reporter from the Herald-Sun coming last period today.

Check out the Voicethread as well.

http://voicethread.com/share/591694/

Technorati Tags: ,

]]> http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/10/13/social-collaboration-via-twitter-ning-and-voicethread-for-a-sharing-experience/feed/ 0 First Voicethread with Students http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/09/17/first-voicethread-with-students/ http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/09/17/first-voicethread-with-students/#comments Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:19:25 +0000 kschaefer http://528tech.edublogs.org/?p=285 It has been one year since a student named Justin Straus died of Chordoma Cancer. I knew Justin since first grade when he was first diagnosed. We had many moments together as did his fellow students. We started using Ed.Voicethread this year and I realized it would be the perfect tool for students and faculty to share their memories. I am in awe of what we created and wanted to share it with anyone who is reading my blog.

Here it is and I love coming back to it to see who has added a comment. You can view it but not comment as it is protected which is the wonderful part of Ed.Voicethread. Students and teachers added either text or audio comments.

Technorati Tags: , ,

]]> http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/09/17/first-voicethread-with-students/feed/ 0 Camps going well http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/07/22/camps-going-well/ http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/07/22/camps-going-well/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:06:45 +0000 kschaefer http://528tech.edublogs.org/?p=279 Good numbers of students learning Lego Mindstorms. Check out the pictures and movies at http://gallery.me.com/damiddleschool#100183 Week two is underway with pictures coming soon. Scratch and Alice camps have had smaller numbers but still working out nicely. We just showed the campers how to create a pong game with scoring. Check out our wiki, gallery and photos.

]]> http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/07/22/camps-going-well/feed/ 0 Summer Camps and Audio Boo http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/07/22/summer-camps-and-audio-boo/ http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/07/22/summer-camps-and-audio-boo/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:10:44 +0000 kschaefer http://528tech.edublogs.org/?p=280 I am in the middle of doing the two summer camps I started last year. Lego Mindstorms and Scratch with some Alice. Lego has been full with this week’s camp having 21 campers. Check out the wiki for more information and pictures. http://dalegoscratchcamps.wikispaces.com/

I have also started testing out Audio Boo on my iPod Touch. It is a free application for the iPod or iPhone that allows recording and posting to a web site. I think it is an interesting concept and wonder how teachers might use it with their Moodle courses. There could be an RSS of audio recorded by the teacher showing up in their Moodle course. Check mine out at DigitalKarl

]]> http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/07/22/summer-camps-and-audio-boo/feed/ 0 Learning Projects from the MS Digital Learning Labs http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/05/28/learning-projects-from-the-ms-digital-learning-labs/ http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/05/28/learning-projects-from-the-ms-digital-learning-labs/#comments Thu, 28 May 2009 13:37:08 +0000 kschaefer http://528tech.edublogs.org/?p=276 In the last month, the digital learning labs have been a very busy place for students and teachers. Early May found eighth grade students working with Mrs. Birgel and Ms. Kim Arrington (Artist-in-Residence) as we worked with students on multimedia projects based on The Life of Pi book they had read. Students created ID Poems and Vox Pops using many software and hardware tools.

As this creative project came to a close, students in Sr. Glass and Sra. Harrell’s 6th grade Spanish classes learned about one of Spain’s most famous poets and playwrights, Federico García Lorca. The culmination of the unit was for the students to create a podcast on his poem, “Canción del jinete”. In the podcast, they recite and illustrate the poem with images that they believe capture the poem’s essence.

This week, Mrs. Hall’s 5th grade students finished their 20th Century History Podcasts which began 3 weeks ago in the Library with Mrs. Longee. Students worked in teams to research and write scripts (reports) to record. Images were used to illustrate their reports along with proper citation.

These projects represent a wonderful illustration of the digital learning that can happen with the software and hardware tools we have available today. As I told the students in each class though, without a script or report, all you have is dead air. Research, writing, recording, illustrating, citing, and preparing products that will live outside of Durham Academy are central to providing a 21st Century learning experience. The critical element of engagement was present in all students as they worked to create their masterpiece. Bravo to all!

All projects and many others are available at http://web.me.com/damiddleschool/MS_08_09/Home.html

Technorati Tags:

]]> http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/05/28/learning-projects-from-the-ms-digital-learning-labs/feed/ 0 When the Shelf is Emptied and Learning Leaps http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/05/08/when-the-shelf-is-emptied-and-learning-leaps/ http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/05/08/when-the-shelf-is-emptied-and-learning-leaps/#comments Fri, 08 May 2009 12:19:39 +0000 kschaefer http://528tech.edublogs.org/?p=275 In February I wrote about shelf technology where I lamented the lack of integration of many of the tools we have at the ready for our students. I have had a wonderful week working with Kate Birgel, (8th grade Language Arts) and Kim Arrington (Artist-in-Residence) as we worked with students on multimedia projects based on The Life of Pi book they had read.

We used all of the “shelf technology” plus some last minute software tools that solved a need we discovered we had.

Idpeoms540

ID Poems: Check them out at our Digital Locker
Write a poem that communicates who you are and how you have transformed as Pi transforms.

* What’s in your name? You may look up the origin of your name http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com/ to add to this activity.
* What does your name mean to you?
* What power do names hold?

Construct your poem as follows:
I am _____________
I am Favorite Animal
I am Favorite Candy
I am Favorite Color
I am Favorite Season
I am Favorite Clothing
I am like Pi….
My Favorite Quote
Name Meaning

Voppox540

Vox Pops: Check them out at our Digital Locker
Collectively the groups came up with at least 3 questions about one of the themes in the book. They then took turns recording each member’s response to the question. These are recorded, edited, and uploaded. In addition to audio Vox Pops, students documented the process with video cameras.

Themes for Vox Pops

* Storytelling
* Find Self
* Man vs. Nature
* Human Relationships
* God/Religion
* Man’s Inherent Nature
* Man’s will to live
* Good vs. Evil
* Rebirth

I am a proud and grateful teacher and happy that we had the shelves stocked.

Technorati Tags: , ,

]]> http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/05/08/when-the-shelf-is-emptied-and-learning-leaps/feed/ 0 Romeo and Juliet Project = Tears of Joy http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/04/08/romeo-and-juliet-project-tears-of-joy/ http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/04/08/romeo-and-juliet-project-tears-of-joy/#comments Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:28:18 +0000 kschaefer http://528tech.edublogs.org/?p=269 Every year it seems that a student who I am lucky enough to teach reminds me why I am a Digital Learning Coordinator. This year, Matthew A. showed me what happens when students are given a challenge, some limited instruction, the gift of time, and the opportunity to learn and instruct with their Whole Mind by Daniel Pink. I worked with our faculty last June to delve into this book and ideas for classroom. Mrs. Birgel was there and has applied the ideas of design, story, symphony, empathy, play and meaning into her teaching. I believe that Matthew’s project demonstrates most of the themes. Can you see them with your mind?

Background: Matthew is new to our school this year and I had not really had the chance to work with him. He is a good student but quiet in how he goes about his day. In many schools, students like this become invisible. I wondered about Matthew as I did not know his story. While I do not yet know his whole story, I do know that his mind is capable of the themes Daniel Pink discusses. He worked hard on this project with very little (I mean little) help from me other then showing him a tool or a trick (Alpha channel in Keynote). The rest he did with dedication and the sticktoitness of a digital engaged learner.

The tools he used were: Keynote, Skitch, Garageband, Paper (Romeo and Juliet were drawn by hand an scanned using a Scan Snap 300), and of course our Moodle Blended Learning Environment where he shared his project as a QuickTime movie for his classmates.

Watch this project and learn about Romeo and Juliet Act 2 – Scene 2 as well as how our students are using their whole mind to learn

Download
.

Technorati Tags: ,

]]> http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/04/08/romeo-and-juliet-project-tears-of-joy/feed/ 0 Telling the Story of Romeo and Juliet http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/03/04/telling-the-story-of-romeo-and-juliet/ http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/03/04/telling-the-story-of-romeo-and-juliet/#comments Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:47:34 +0000 kschaefer http://528tech.edublogs.org/?p=263 Mrs. Birgel and I started to work with the students on the Romeo and Juliet project. It involves giving students the creative license to retell an Act from a Scene. They are working either alone or in pairs and choose the Act and Scene by “claiming it” in the Moodle discussion forum so all classmates can see what is open. Of course there are scenes available for extra credit.

So far students are using the following software tools:

Garageband to record
Skitch to illustrate their recordings
iMovie to record a narration with video (video shot with the Flip Mino HD)


Download

iChat to create a chat sequence. Screenshots are being taken to compile into Keynote. I have to let the students use my computers so they can get around the filter and blocking to make it happen. They also knew how to do the rest. I call this the learning back story or the learning that happens outside of the classroom. Most teachers are never aware of its existence although some are beginning to harness it into their Moodle courses.

Romeo 4

Scratch to create their Romeo and Juliet game
Comic Life to create comics to be used in Keynote or for print
Keynote for presentations which will become QuickTime Videos

So far students are using the following hardware tools
Flip Mino HD to shoot scenes
Logitech headsets

The reason this is so awesome for me is because of Daniel Pink’s book Whole New Mind as we are touching on the elements he discusses.

Last week I was having these same students take a Technology Assessment at Atomic Learning based on the NETS standards. Once they took it, they then started to work on creating their digital portfolio which will consist of a Word, Excel and PowerPoint document. Not my choices but are desired by the Upper School to show that students are capable of handling the curriculum from a technology point of view. If students complete all of the elements successfully, they will be exempt from taking any technology courses for the next four years. I only hope they get to work with a teacher like Mrs. Birgel who will employ creative projects that demonstrate all aspects of learning and the mind.

Technorati Tags: ,

]]> http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/03/04/telling-the-story-of-romeo-and-juliet/feed/ 1 Who is the Teacher Here? http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/03/03/who-is-the-teacher-here/ http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/03/03/who-is-the-teacher-here/#comments Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:05:34 +0000 kschaefer http://528tech.edublogs.org/?p=254 A long weekend reveals these gems from my “students”.

Dear Mr. Schaefer,
Thank you so much for converting my MPEGs to DVs! I couldn’t have done my Independent Project without you! I really appreciate it! I hope you enjoy my picture of you working on my movie- I did it on Skitch!
Thank you,
Amanda

Amanda Jowell
Ryan created a tutorial of images on how to use the My Files.

Ryanexplainshomedirectory-2

Technorati Tags: ,

]]> http://528tech.edublogs.org/2009/03/03/who-is-the-teacher-here/feed/ 0