Collaborative Lesson Planning!

Hi everyone!
     This week we were given the opportunity to work in small groups to create our own collaborative lesson plans! In doing so, we were able to incorporate different tools that we have been exploring throughout the year into a lesson plan for any subject we would like. This was something that was not only fun to play around with, but also interesting to see the different ways that different technological tools can be used across subjects!
     My group decided to focus on human organ systems within the Grade 5 Science curriculum for our lesson. In doing so, we chose to have our lesson involve our students researching the harmful and beneficial effects that technology can have on the body through the use of an introductory newsletter, followed by the students creating Poppits and Prezis to demonstrate their learning through their research. Finally, we chose to use a Google Form in order to consolidate our lesson, and gain an understanding of what our students were able to learn.
     Feel free to check out our lesson plan and learning objects below!

Tech Class This Week!

Hi everyone!
     In this week's class we explored many different learning objects that we could use to incorporate technology into classrooms! Some I had heard of before, but for the most part they were new to me, and I found myself very interested in the few that I was able to explore.

Crow, D. (2007, July 17). Jing Project version 1.2.3. 

Retrieved from http://bit.ly/1W7Hzci

     For instance, I had never thought of the different uses that screen capturing could have in the classroom! I found it very interesting to read and hear about how different screen capturing tools, such as Jing, could be used to show students how you mark them and give them audio feedback as you go through the process. I believe that this could be a great resource to use for those students who would learn more from being able to hear where and why they went wrong, and how to improve, rather than read about it in comment on a page.
     Another way that I was able to explore screen capturing being used was though adding audio to slideshow presentations. This could be a great way to receive audio explanations of projects from student who may be shy or anxious presenting in front of the class. It could also be used as an alternative to students writing an essay or book report. Instead, they could create a slideshow with images from the book, or their own images of how they image the setting/sections of the book would appear, with voice over narration of their thoughts, feelings, and opinions on those areas. I believe that this would be a fun way to allow for more creativity in the classroom, and for students to explore topics and possibly learn more through needing to verbalize the information they have learned.

Becoming More Tech Savvy

Hi everyone!
     This week in class we worked on adding voice over narrations to our Powtoon videos, and began making movie trailers for our Genius Hour projects! Yes, you read that correctly, movie trailers! How exciting is that?!
     However, my first thought was not excitement, I was actually a little bit nervous. Why you may ask, because I have never made a movie trailer or video online before, and I am not very tech savvy to do so on my own. Yet as the class progressed, I found that it is not that difficult, as long as you use programs that you are comfortable with, or in my case, one that gives you step by step instructions.
My Genius Hour movie trailer is not yet complete, but I think it is coming along well, and will be posting it for you all to see once it is finished.
     Stay tuned until then!
   

Genius Hour Continues

Hi everyone!
     This past week has been a busy one, but my Genius Hour project still continues!

Krebs, D. (2012, March 20). Genius Hour [photograph].
Retrieved from http://bit.ly/1WNZUI6

     As I progress through this project, I find myself finding more and more interesting information. For instance, before this project I had never thought of all of the different ways that music therapy can be used! I may be focusing on one specific use, but throughout my research I have found a plethora of uses for music therapy, which I find myself wanting to look into, perhaps creating another, slower paced project for myself after this one. This is something that I did not imagine would happen at all.
     When I first started this project I thought it would be fun and interesting, because it involves things that I find interesting and am passionate about. However, I did not imagine I would find so many other interesting uses for music therapy, and become even more interested in it's use. I suppose the above image is correct, when genius and passion are combined, the possibilities truly are endless. Where this project will take me, I do not yet know, but I am looking forward to finding out.

Stay tuned to find out too!