10 Tips for Filming
Summarized by Karin Lindstrom
How to Produce Video Interviews
Media College
Each of these resources walked through basic steps to produce a quality video interview with little or no experience. Some of those steps included: planning and capturing more than necessary, audio, lighting, what to include and positioning in the frame, editing tips, and more. These are incredibly useful to me because I have absolutely no experience editing and only minimal experience filming. I appreciated that these steps were easy to understand and implement in any filming scenario with or without proper equipment. I found the rule of "Thirds" in framing and the audio tips most useful because I have never considered either of those factors. After looking at different pictures and videos, those two factors made a drastic difference. With these tips in mind, I plan to do a practice filming with a friend, simply to see each of these different pieces in action. This will help the interview run smoothly and produce the best footage possible! Having this information also makes me consider where I want to hold the interview; the location needs good lighting and no background noise. Overall, the information in each of these resources has opened my eyes to the realities of filming and the factors needed to create a quality digital story. Now I'm just excited to start....
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Using Technology to Support Learning
In this study, a first grade teacher was observed as she incorporated technology into her classroom. The technology included various websites, cameras, and programs like PowerPoint. Ms. Rathkey, the teacher under observation, emphasized that technology is a learning support and used it to facilitate her students' connection of prior knowledge to new material. The children had the opportunity to make digital stories that studied animals and their habitats that they could take home to show their families. Any tool that builds a relationship between parents and the classroom while supporting students in their exploration of a topic is a huge benefit to a teacher. Projects like this allow children to be exposed to computers and learn to animate and organize, but also to compare to the research and knowledge gained from previous reading and class discussions. Technology has the capability to blend many projects together into one document the children can save and be proud of. I believe strongly that technology should not replace other styles of learning in the classroom because social interaction and play is extremely important, but it has such a unique use in supporting and connecting learning as well as communication between parents, students and teachers. It is a tool that should definitely be taken advantage of.
Potential of the Digital Language Experience Approach
Exploring the Potential of the Digital Language Experience Approach in Australian Classrooms
by Jan Turbill
In this article, the author reflects on her study of D-LEA with a young students named Penny. In this project, Turbill assisted Penny as she took photos using a digital camera and uploaded them to create a digital story using PowerPoint. She was able to write captions for each photo, then go back and correct the spelling and grammar before she shared her story with the class. This is such a useful tool in classrooms because students can pursue their individual interests and will be much more engaged and motivated to read and write. By writing what they are familiar with and watching as the words are corrected, students will learn extremely fast--not only to read and write but also develop skills using computers, cameras and programs they will encounter later in schooling. The idea of digital stories is especially appealing because it can be applied to almost any subject area and be different every time. It is an excellent individual project but could easily be adapted for small groups or the class as a whole. I remember authoring my own stories as a child and loved it--digital stories are simply a step further to develop even more skills and can be easily saved, posted or distributed to classmates or families.
The article also mentioned how digital stories aid English Language Learners. I think digital stories are an excellent way to incorporate cultural pictures that those students are familiar with and will be more able to write about. It's a great opportunity to educate the class on other cultures, make new students welcome and comfortable, as well as develop social, cognitive and technological skills.
by Jan Turbill
In this article, the author reflects on her study of D-LEA with a young students named Penny. In this project, Turbill assisted Penny as she took photos using a digital camera and uploaded them to create a digital story using PowerPoint. She was able to write captions for each photo, then go back and correct the spelling and grammar before she shared her story with the class. This is such a useful tool in classrooms because students can pursue their individual interests and will be much more engaged and motivated to read and write. By writing what they are familiar with and watching as the words are corrected, students will learn extremely fast--not only to read and write but also develop skills using computers, cameras and programs they will encounter later in schooling. The idea of digital stories is especially appealing because it can be applied to almost any subject area and be different every time. It is an excellent individual project but could easily be adapted for small groups or the class as a whole. I remember authoring my own stories as a child and loved it--digital stories are simply a step further to develop even more skills and can be easily saved, posted or distributed to classmates or families.
The article also mentioned how digital stories aid English Language Learners. I think digital stories are an excellent way to incorporate cultural pictures that those students are familiar with and will be more able to write about. It's a great opportunity to educate the class on other cultures, make new students welcome and comfortable, as well as develop social, cognitive and technological skills.
Tool for Knowledge Construction
Technology: A Tool for Knowledge Construction
in a Reggio Emilia Inspired Teacher Education Program
by Seong B. Hong and Mary Trepanier-Street
The authors of this report compiled data, reflections, experience and research during the technology work project, concluding that technology improves learning and teaching in the classroom. This is because it allows students to represent their ideas and understanding in a way that their motor skills cannot yet accomplish, collaborate as a whole toward organizing ideas, use visual and auditory tools to reflect on learning and to interact with communities outside the classroom. These tools are important and significant to children's education because it allows them to pursue their interests and learning above and beyond what we could without these resources. Technology that is child-friendly allows them to express themselves and share their ideas beyond what they are physically capable of with only a paper and pencils. Technology allows material to be instantly reviewed in multiple formats that are interesting and engaging, really improving the quality of learning. This reinforces knowledge more effectively than simple repetition and gets the students excited about learning and participating. In my classroom, I would incorporate videos and pictures about what we are studying, a tool that engages them and is also easy to add to if their interest becomes focused on one particular thing that I had not prepared for. I would also have interactive tools like Smartboard and Kid Pix that allow students to be involved in organizing and representing their ideas. I like those tools in particular because students can work together and add to each others ideas--or I could lead the class in a group project to produce something together.
in a Reggio Emilia Inspired Teacher Education Program
by Seong B. Hong and Mary Trepanier-Street
The authors of this report compiled data, reflections, experience and research during the technology work project, concluding that technology improves learning and teaching in the classroom. This is because it allows students to represent their ideas and understanding in a way that their motor skills cannot yet accomplish, collaborate as a whole toward organizing ideas, use visual and auditory tools to reflect on learning and to interact with communities outside the classroom. These tools are important and significant to children's education because it allows them to pursue their interests and learning above and beyond what we could without these resources. Technology that is child-friendly allows them to express themselves and share their ideas beyond what they are physically capable of with only a paper and pencils. Technology allows material to be instantly reviewed in multiple formats that are interesting and engaging, really improving the quality of learning. This reinforces knowledge more effectively than simple repetition and gets the students excited about learning and participating. In my classroom, I would incorporate videos and pictures about what we are studying, a tool that engages them and is also easy to add to if their interest becomes focused on one particular thing that I had not prepared for. I would also have interactive tools like Smartboard and Kid Pix that allow students to be involved in organizing and representing their ideas. I like those tools in particular because students can work together and add to each others ideas--or I could lead the class in a group project to produce something together.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Benefits of Web-Based Learning
Integrating Educational Technology Into Teaching
(Chapter 8)
M. Roblyer
This excerpt details several benefits of incorporating web-based learning into the classroom, particularly the unique opportunities that are impossible using traditional classroom methods. Communication is one of those, an extremely important aspect of education as students get older and need to collaborate on group projects, receive mentoring, or connect with students around the world. Other benefits include researching, analyzing, and publishing information quickly and easily. Another exciting aspect of web-based learning is the limitless possibilities; the resources available to teachers and students online can apply to any learning objectives in every subject area. The list included in the chapter covered history of farming and prairies, consumer practices, science, math, geography, ecology, art, and many more. Teachers can meet any learning objectives using these tools and make the process quick and more efficient for students. It is important for teachers to be innovative and adapt to the students needs as society and cultural practices change over time. These websites have access to numerous resources for information and application of classroom studies. The more that is available, the more potential students have to grow.
(Chapter 8)
M. Roblyer
This excerpt details several benefits of incorporating web-based learning into the classroom, particularly the unique opportunities that are impossible using traditional classroom methods. Communication is one of those, an extremely important aspect of education as students get older and need to collaborate on group projects, receive mentoring, or connect with students around the world. Other benefits include researching, analyzing, and publishing information quickly and easily. Another exciting aspect of web-based learning is the limitless possibilities; the resources available to teachers and students online can apply to any learning objectives in every subject area. The list included in the chapter covered history of farming and prairies, consumer practices, science, math, geography, ecology, art, and many more. Teachers can meet any learning objectives using these tools and make the process quick and more efficient for students. It is important for teachers to be innovative and adapt to the students needs as society and cultural practices change over time. These websites have access to numerous resources for information and application of classroom studies. The more that is available, the more potential students have to grow.
Smart Steps
Smart Steps: Teaching with Technology in Early Childhood Classrooms
Krista Byrd, Charlie McIntyre, Dana Wiggins
This page includes a model lesson to reference in preparation for using technology with young learners, including a site for Smartboard support. There is also a list of different websites to incorporate into lessons for children developing basic literacy, math, or technology skills. They are interactive and appropriate for young children with the assistance of an adult. Some of those include Starfall, Story Place, Literacy Center, AAAMath, and many more. As children are beginning to learn these basic skills, the tools on these websites can offer excellent support and enrichment. These are made for young children, so they will be able to interact with the technology and work together to grow. I would use programs like these at computer stations in the classroom, set up so that two or three students could work together with the guidance of a teacher or aide.
Krista Byrd, Charlie McIntyre, Dana Wiggins
This page includes a model lesson to reference in preparation for using technology with young learners, including a site for Smartboard support. There is also a list of different websites to incorporate into lessons for children developing basic literacy, math, or technology skills. They are interactive and appropriate for young children with the assistance of an adult. Some of those include Starfall, Story Place, Literacy Center, AAAMath, and many more. As children are beginning to learn these basic skills, the tools on these websites can offer excellent support and enrichment. These are made for young children, so they will be able to interact with the technology and work together to grow. I would use programs like these at computer stations in the classroom, set up so that two or three students could work together with the guidance of a teacher or aide.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Web 2.0 in Early Childhood Education
Top 10 Web 2.0 Tools for Young Learners
by Chris Riedel, 02/02/09
In this article, Riedel reports the findings of Gail Lovely, an education technology consultant. She lists the top ten most useful Web 2.0 tools for children to be used in the classroom. This list was primarily composed of communication tools including Wikis, Skype, Voicethread, Yack Pack, Voki, Blogs, etc. There were also animation sites like Kerproof, Create-a-Graph, Animoto and Glogster. For use in early childhood education classrooms, I love the idea of using Kerproof and Animoto for class discussion to incorporate movies, create class characters, or show pictures to aid the lesson. Create-a-graph would also be a great tool if the class were to do surveys of classmate's or family's favorite color and report findings. I believe that creating a visual aid could really help students see similarities and patterns or understand the concept of percents. There are so many possibilities to incorporate these tools for children who are just being introduced to technology and help them be comfortable around using the tools at an early age. They could even use Voki to begin to associate letters with sounds and learn to read or spell. To keep families in the loop and encourage that children practice using technology with their family at home as much as possible, it would be incredibly useful to have a class Wiki or Blog where parents could get information, contact the teacher, and contribute/respond to class discussions. There are endless possibilities to incorporate these tools into lessons, as well as connecting to the families of the class and creating a community of involvement.
by Chris Riedel, 02/02/09
In this article, Riedel reports the findings of Gail Lovely, an education technology consultant. She lists the top ten most useful Web 2.0 tools for children to be used in the classroom. This list was primarily composed of communication tools including Wikis, Skype, Voicethread, Yack Pack, Voki, Blogs, etc. There were also animation sites like Kerproof, Create-a-Graph, Animoto and Glogster. For use in early childhood education classrooms, I love the idea of using Kerproof and Animoto for class discussion to incorporate movies, create class characters, or show pictures to aid the lesson. Create-a-graph would also be a great tool if the class were to do surveys of classmate's or family's favorite color and report findings. I believe that creating a visual aid could really help students see similarities and patterns or understand the concept of percents. There are so many possibilities to incorporate these tools for children who are just being introduced to technology and help them be comfortable around using the tools at an early age. They could even use Voki to begin to associate letters with sounds and learn to read or spell. To keep families in the loop and encourage that children practice using technology with their family at home as much as possible, it would be incredibly useful to have a class Wiki or Blog where parents could get information, contact the teacher, and contribute/respond to class discussions. There are endless possibilities to incorporate these tools into lessons, as well as connecting to the families of the class and creating a community of involvement.
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