10 March- Digital Story 3

You wouldn't believe how many pictures I had to take to get one semi-good one! 2 little tinies aren't very excited to sit still when they could be running around, terrorizing the house, and drawing on the walls. These girls are a hoot to have around for sure. Ashlyn on left, Brielle on right! Love my little goobers.

Creative Commons is a site where you can receive a license for your work, as well as a community of sharing and helping each other. There are 6 different attribution licenses, creative commons makes it simple deciding which one will be best for you. Just answer a few questions about your work found HERE!

Sooo, exciting news! Jessica and I finally know what we are doing for our Digital Story. We are meeting tomorrow during "work study time" to start it. So exciting I know. I will post a link when we are finished, but until then just get pumped up.

I don't even think a blog post due is today. Just doing one in case I am wrong, and because I am an over achiever! Adios.

3 March - Digital Story 2

Ridgeline Raccoons are amazing Readers!

I am so excited to do my Student Teaching in Highland at Ridgeline Elementary. Jessica, my field partner, and I went to the school this morning and met the students. We played a get to know you game that we learned in Art class. We also read a pirate book since I was already dressed as a pirate for Read across America day at Lehi Elementary. The students are energetic, smart, and sponges for new information. I hope we can live up to their standards and deliver worthy, memorable lesson plans. We are in the 4th grade and focusing on Social Studies. I can already tell the 3 weeks are going to fly on by.

I mentioned we are teaching Social Studies. Jessica and I will create 5 lesson plans to teach, one of them being a Digital Story. I wish I knew the subject we were doing because I am more than ready to get started.

In the meantime, I am currently learning about copyright acts and fair use laws. This will help me when I use images from the internet to put on my digital story. You can tell if an image is copyrighted if it has: a copyright symbol at the bottom of the picture, a watermark over the image, or if it states the publishers name with the year, it is NOT okay to use. However, if none of the above apply, you should be safe. You for sure know it is safe to use if there is a link to download it. If ever in doubt, you can contact the person or company to see if it is okay to use their image.

Which brings me to another point. Did you know it is illegal to lend a DVD to a friend or family member? It is true. When you purchase a DVD you are agreeing that it is for your own personal use. Which also means, it is illegal to show a movie that I have purchased for my family in my classroom. If you break the law, you can be fined up to $250,000.

It seems that the copyright laws just can't keep up with technology. You would think that internet users would be honest and live by the golden rule. It is breaking the law when you download free music and access dishonest sites. This is not helping anyone. Not only could you serve jail time and be charged with hefty fines, but think of the artist you are ripping off. Would you want someone to rip off your work? No. If you like an artist enough to want to download his/her music you should be willing to pay a minimal fee. The same goes for software. If it is a program you'll use that will help your business, save you time, and benefit you, why not support the programmer that made it available to you in the first place?

I guess I'll get off my soapbox now. Stampin Angie here, signing off!

24 February~ Digital Story 1

Happy 34th Birthday to my Jared. He totally completes me. Love this man.

Digital Story- The next 6 weeks I will be working on a digital story. I am still unsure of my topic although I have many ideas. I want to make sure it will be something I can use while teaching in 4th grade for my field experience.

In class we watched many deep digital stories. I was fighting back tears in most of them. The Holocaust one was so emotional. It made me feel connected, as if I was there. The pictures with the music was very powering.

A digital story would be a great way to introduce a subject. It sparks interest so you'd want to know more. It would also be a fun way for students to navigate and be creative with any subject.

When designing a digital story you must:

• Decide your content area
• Design a general script
• Gather music
• Embrace revision
• Sequence the story so it flows

17 February - Vidcast Reflection

Lydia and I laughed at this picture I took of Ethan and Bolt. Ethan loves his "pal" Bolt. He loves him so much that he wants him to sleep in his bed. Bolt is too chicken to sleep in Ethan's bed so Ethan brought up his pillow and blanket and snuggled Bolt in the front room. He's a little snuggle bug.

Street Sign Reflection with Chris, Natalia, and Angie!

10 February- Vidcasts

Awe. A quiet moment hanging out with their dog. To say the babies LOVE their bottles would be a huge understatement. I just love how they play and pitter patter around the house together. So cute.

WHAT? Vidcasts. We learned how to do a few different types of videos and post them on the internet. You can do videos of you talking, singing, dancing, whatever your heart desires. You can also create one using pictures, music, and fun effects. You will be able to view mine next week. Get excited.

SO WHAT? You can use vidcasts for a variety of things.

1. You could do a HOW TO video where you give oral instructions while doing it. For example; hair, cooking, clean something, the possibilities are endless.
2. You could do a Tutorial on something, step by step instructions on a specific subject. Examples: Tutorial on uploading your pictures, downloading software, etc.
3. Introduction to new content in any subject.
4. PSA-Public Service Announcement on any safety concerns or helpful information for students.

NOW WHAT? Wouldn't it be fun to make a classroom video on a science project? It would be so engaging to do a vidcast on the Solar System. Everyone could participate. You could assign every student a topic that they are in charge of. You could even do Social Studies and Language Arts. I love to take a topic that kids don't think is going to be very fun and turn it into the best thing ever that they'll remember FOREVER! Another idea, not school related, would be to make a vidcast of pictures for a loved one with your voice. A grandma, spouse, or friend would love a vidcast as a thoughtful gift.

3 February~ Podcasts

My little Lydi Bug just hours old just celebrated her 5th birthday on Friday. Love this princess.

What? PODCASTS! They are so fun. I have never had so much fun writing up a Public Service Announcement with Natalia. We planned what we would each say and then recording it on an iphone. I don't think I've ever had so much fun or laughed so hard while doing an assignment.

So What? You can use Podcasts for a variety of things. I am going to focus on the educational benefits. In my psychology class our teacher allows us to turn in our assignments using a podcast. Now that I know how to do it, I can record my homework terms and upload them. It would be beneficial to me for studying and reviewing the content in my ipod while I excersise, clean, and cook. So convenient. Now all I need is a way to record my podcasts.

Now What? I can also podcast a lecture that I am giving, take for instance math. If a student misses a day of school or just needs a review he/she can download the lecture and be able to understand the material better. If I knew I was being recorded I would be more attentive to not only writing the problems out but also speaking them to the ones that listen to it later. It would also be a good review to do a podcast on some likely questions/concepts that would be on the upcoming test. This would help students prepare better and lessen test anxiety. It would also be fun for older age students to record their own podcast for an assignment, individually or as a group. I am excited to do some podcasting with my kids and my future students. Watch out. We might get a little CrAzY!!

27 January 2011~Google Part 2

Had to add a picture of 2 of my kiddos, Lydia and Ethan. They are such good friends, I love it. In my opinion, a blog post isn't a real blog post unless it has some sort of picture!

What? I created my own website on google sites. It was so easy as long as you have Doc Waters there to guide you. Ha ha. No really. It was a "wizzy wig" tool. Very self explanatory. I could do it again if I need to. Go to it HERE and make sure you take my New Year Quiz in the Survey/Test/Quiz link.

So What? I can use this tool/website now for my field experience. I can use the calendar for real lessons and the daily agenda. I can also have friends and family test out my quiz and the whole website to get their feedback. I think it is a great way to keep the students, as well as the parents informed on what is going on at school.

Now What? Well, I am definitely going to have to play with the site more so I feel 100% comfortable, 6 hours just wasn't enough for this girl! I will definitely use this when I am officially "Mrs. Adams" to 25-30 cute little munchkins. I want to be the most effective teacher I can be. I can do this by integrating technology not only in the classroom, but using it as a means of communication for the busy parents and students. I also think it would be a good idea to let the principal know of my site so she/he can monitor it and provide feedback as well.