Thing 10: Final Thoughts using VoiceThread

By the end of the module, you should have completed the following:

1. Learned about VoiceThread and its use in classrooms
2. Posted your final thoughts on the course in the VoiceThread

WHAT IS VOICETHREAD?

VoiceThread is an online platform for hosting group discussions.  It allows you to view presentations, files, or images by the teacher or creator of the VoiceThread.  This can then be shared and users then can comment on the discussion topic or presentation.   Comments can take many forms.  You can add in a written comment, an audio recording or a video comment.

There is a free version of VoiceThread, that allows you to view and comment on any VoiceThread.  You can create five VoiceThreads with the free account.  You are limited on the amount of video commenting you do with a free account.

This is great overview video of how to use VoiceThread: http://ed.voicethread.com/media/misc/IntroductionToVoiceThread.mov  This will help you know how to Comment on the VoiceThread for this class, but also how to create them now with your own classes.



USING VOICETHREAD:

In order to comment in VoiceThread, you will need to set up a free account.  You can do that here.

Here is the VoiceThread that we set up for this class as a place for you to post your final thoughts:



In order to make your Comments and final reflections on the course, access the VoiceThread through this link:  http://voicethread.com/share/4569323/

Thing 9: Polling Systems

By the end of this module, you should have completed the following:

1. Reviewed three polling sites
2. Made a Comment on which site you liked the best and a way you could use with a class
3. EXTRA CREDIT:  Make a poll using one of the sites.  Share your poll with us!

WHAT ARE POLLING SYSTEMS?

As teachers, we are always looking for feedback from our students.  We want to know they have comprehended the material, know the directions, or want to know their opinions on certain issues.   Sometimes you might do that through a show of hands, or some other symbol like holding up a green card or ringing a bell.

Polling systems are more advanced versions of these teaching techniques.  They allow you to set up polls or quick quizzes online that students respond to via a computer or their smartphone.  They give you real-time feedback as you see students anonymous responses right away.

Instead of the expensive clicker systems, these polling sites are free and leverage the technology that students already have in their pocket.

POLLING SITES

There are many out there, but these three are the ones most geared to use in a K-12 classroom.

• Poll Everywhere
• Socrative
• Soapbox

You should now explore these three at this site on Polling Systems from the MMRHS library.

After exploring these polling sites, you should make a comment below on which one you liked best and share ways that you could use this with a class.  

EXTRA CREDIT:  Make a poll for one of your classes using one of the polling sites.  Share the link with us!

Thing 8: Flashcards

By the end of this module, you should have completed the following:

1. Reviewed the online flashcard services
2. Created FIVE flashcards using one of these services for one of your classes
3. Share the link to your flashcards in the Comments section 

FLASHCARDS

Flashcards are cards that have information on them, usually with a term on one side and a definition on the other side.  They are a useful tool for studying chunks of information.  

The traditional pen and index card method is still a good one, but there are a number of online services that not only allow you to create your own flashcards tailored to your subject, but also allow you to search through banks of other flashcards already created.  

FLASHCARD CREATORS

Here are a few good online creators of flashcards:

StudyStack:  StudyStack allows you to create your own set of flashcards once you sign up for a free account.  You can also search through the other sets of flashcards that have already been created.  Study Stack allows you to also create crossword puzzles, matching games, word searches, and other classic study games for any subject area. You can create a game using any type of numerical or text data. Once you're data is in your account, you can use that data to create multiple games.

Quizlet:  Quizlet says that they make simple tools that you study anything, anywhere.  You can search through other sets or create your own.   You can study your cards in five different ways including playing a couple of games with your cards. When creating your flashcards you can enter information for each card individually or import information from a text document to be used in your card set. 

Flashcard Stash:  Flashcard Stash is built upon a dictionary, so when you put in a term, you will get a selection of terms to choose from.  You can also create your own.  You can sign up for a teacher account.

Cobocards:  Cobocards allows you to create customized sets of flashcards. One of the key differences between Cobocards and other flashcard services is that Cobocards provides you with pdf copies of your flashcards that you can print to study offline.

Printable Flash Cards:  If you want to be able to flashcards to simply print out and give to your students, then this would be a good service for you.  You input your information and then download the flash cards as PDF to print out for students.

MAKE SOME FLASHCARDS

Make at least FIVE flashcards for one of your classes using one of the services above (or if you find an even better service use that and share with us your find!).  

Share the link to your flashcards in the Comments section below. 

Thing 7: Infographics

By the end of this module, you should have completed the following:

1. Explore what infographics are and places to make them
2. Find TWO infographics that relate to something you are teaching and could be useful in a class
3. Post the ones you find in the Comments section below
4. EXTRA CREDIT: Make an inforgraphic and share!

WHAT IS AN INFOGRAPHIC?

An infographic is a visual representation of data.  It can include text, images, statistics, charts or diagrams.   Their appeal is that they are visually attractive and present large amounts of information in a succinct way. 

EXAMPLES OF INFOGRAPHICS

This is an example infographic that explains all the things your favorite librarian does :)  

This work by Mia MacMeekin is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License.

The Daily Infographic shares out a new infographic every day on a variety of topics.  

WAYS TO USE WITH STUDENTS

Here is a video on why infographics are an important learning tool:

Here is a video that looks at ways to use infographics as an assessment tool:



Infographics as a Creative Assessment from Kathy Schrock on Vimeo.


PLACES TO FIND INFOGRAPHICS

You are to find TWO infographics that you might be able to use with a class.  Here are a few places to begin your search:

• TIME Magazine: http://www.time.com/time/graphics
• BBC Interactive and Graphics: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/11628973
• NY Times and The Guardian Graphics: http://www.marijerooze.nl/thesis/graphics/?paper=All
• Cool Infographics: http://www.coolinfographics.com/

Feel free to seek out your own.  Tell us where you found it!

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN INFOGRAPHIC

There are now a few online programs that help you design your own infographic.  These are a few of the best, and EXTRA CREDIT if you make one!

FYI:  I've done a few of these projects with students and Piktochart and Easelly are the ones that get the best reviews.

• Visual.ly:  http://create.visual.ly/
• Infogr.am: http://infogr.am/
• Piktochart: http://piktochart.com/
• Easel.ly: http://www.easel.ly/

Thing 6: Bookmarking and Curating Sites

By the end of this module, you should have completed the following:

1. Explore the bookmarking and curation sites
2. Watch the video on curation
3. Comment on which one you liked best for your personal finds and how could this be helpful for students as well.
4. EXTRA CREDIT:  Sign up for one of these programs and add in THREE sites that you would like to bookmark or curate

WHAT IS DIGITAL CURATION?

Curation in the art world is about gathering together pieces of art in order to preserve and maintain them. Often it is about combining similar pieces of art to form a cohesive collection or show.

Digital curation is about the same thing, gathering together digital assets, whether it be websites, images, videos, or PDF files.  With the abundance of digital information, the curation of these assets is important in order to maintain them in a cohesive and understand way for your research projects or personal finds.

Here is a quick video overview of digital curation:


What is Curation? from Percolate on Vimeo.


PLACES TO CURATE OR BOOKMARK YOUR DIGITAL ASSETS:

There are many programs that will help you bookmark or curate your digital assets.  Take a look at what I have found to be some of the best options here.    Look at the choices in the right hand column.

Explore these options and then comment below on which one you liked best for your personal finds and comment as well on how you could see students could make use of these programs.

Remember, EXTRA CREDIT if you sign up for one of these programs and add in THREE sites that you would like to bookmark or curate.

Thing 5: Photo Editing

By the end of this module, you should have completed the following:

1. Explore two photo editing tools: PicMonkey and Thinglink
2. Edit a photo in one of those tools and share your results
3. Share with us in the Comments section your experience using these tools 

PHOTO EDITORS

Using pictures and other images can teach visual literacy to students, but can also be another creative project besides a poster.

Two good free photo editors that do different things are PicMonkey and Thinglink.

PicMonkey is a free online photo editor.  No registration is required.  Here is a quick tutorial on how to use PicMonkey:

Thinglink is an online image editor that allows you to "tag" the image with links to video, websites, music or simply add in content and information.   It is a free service and the images can be embedded on a webpage or blog, or can be shared via email.   It is very easy to use.

Here is an example one of the library.  Hover over the image to see the "tags".  Click on the tags to learn more information.



Here is tutorial on how to use Thinglink:

YOUR TASK

You are to pick ONE of the following to complete this week:

1. Edit a picture in PicMonkey and add TWO effects  and TEXT to the image.  Save the image and email a copy to your mentor.  
2. Create an interactive image using Thinglink.  Add  THREE tags to the image.   Share the link to your Thinglink in the Comments section.

Everyone should make a comment describing your experiences using these tools.  Could you see using it with students?

Thing 4: Streaming Video Sites

By the end of this module, you should have completed the following:

1. Explore several sites that stream videos and documentaries online
2. Find two videos that you could use with a class
3. Post the link to the two videos you found on the class blog

STREAMING VIDEOS

Teachers are no longer tied to a DVD player and TV cart to show students videos that relate to topics being studied.   There are some great sites that allow you to stream videos online and are free.  This allows you to not only show these in class, but to also assign students to watch them for homework, freeing up class time for other work.  You can easily link many of these from your Edline page, or if you have a class blog or website, you can embed them into your page.

FINDING VIDEOS

Check out the list of sites that stream videos from the list at the library site here:  https://sites.google.com/site/monumentmountainlibrary/homepage/library-links  The video sites are listed along the right hand side.

For the Discovery Education site, you will need the school's passcode to get full access.  I can give you this through email if you don't already have this code.

Explore this list and find two videos that you could use in a class. 

In the Comments section below, post the links to the two videos you found.