Last week...

Last week in IT 486, we learned about a new feature called Voicethread. Voicethread is a really neat website that allows you to upload photos to an album and create cool slide shows. In addition, you can record your own sounds and add little doodle drawings to create effect. Prior to using Voicethread, our class went on a scavenger hunt to get the images for our album. The group I was in decided to capture a glimpse of nature in our very own Circle Park. Our photographer, Ashley, took some amazing photos of nature at its finest. After we collected our images, we uploaded them to Voicethread.

Now I'm still a bit nervous when it comes to uploading and downloading. I still haven't found my comfort in these new features that Jennifer has been showing us. However, after seeing how easy it was to get our images online, the rest was a breeze. As I played around with the album, I thought about how I could use this new tool in the classroom. I thought about using Voicethread as a holiday or end of school year theme. Students would upload photos of themselves and leave a vocal message of the particular holiday theme, or they could leave a cool message to the rest of the class for the end of the year theme. Students would be able to save this album as a keepsake to remember all of their friends, or simply relive the holiday (who knows?).

As I thought more about this idea, I began to think about parental consent and everything that goes along with that. Of course I would get parents' permission to upload their photos, but it made me realize that times have definitely changed. There was once upon a time, where students could take pictures carefree and not have to worry about their image being exploited. But I guess that's what happens when we continue to move up the ladder in technology. Sad, sad thing :(

Digital Portfolio

In class today, we created a digital portfolio. We had to capture images from five different sources:

• digital camera
• scanned photo
• free graphic
• big box photo
• screen shot

After we uploaded our photos, we stored them on our google photo collection. I enjoyed doing this activity because I was able to explore different resources for great photos. I would have to say that searching the free graphics for pictures was my favorite part of this project. I am a true believer that you can find a free image for absolutely ANYTHING!!!

I will definitely use this activity in the classroom. Whenever students have trouble finding images for various projects, I can lead them to a resource that is filled with photos that'll meet there needs.

Feel free to check out my portfolio:

Aha!!!

So....

After reading through a few of my peer's blogs, I discovered something very interesting and useful. Last week in my Instructional Technology 486 class, we learned about using and accessing google docs without the hassle of sending multiple emails to each other. As a read through some blogs, on in particular mentioned using google docs with her mentor as a way to collaborate on lesson plans. I thought that was so unique and very cool. Using google docs to create lesson plans with the teacher will allow us to be the head and tail of the same penny. In other words, the both of us can edit and modify documents at the same time even though we're not in the same atmosphere. I'm so excited to use this feature in full force.

Thanks to the blogger who shared this idea, and thanks to google for this little piece of heaven :)
Check out Ashley's Education Blog for more other awesome posts!

Something new....

Wow, Instructional Technology 486... The name of the course sends chills through my spine. I have to admit, after reading through the syllabus, I was very afraid. Never before have I had a course like this. I have never worked intensely with computers and technology. Sure, I've typed a few papers in my day. Even created a few power points. But, I haven't had the opportunity to explore and appreciate this new phenomena called technology.

However, I must say that a part of me is very excited about this new journey. I am anxious to see how this course will prepare me for my career as an educator. I can't wait to learn how to incorporate this world with my instruction. I hope to learn how to use different Microsoft Programs other than Word and Power Point. Furthermore, I want to learn more about Photo Shop, Movie Maker, and all the other cool things technology offers. Overall, I just want to be more experience with the technologies that are available. I want to be "hip" to the tech world if you will.