Wikis- Tool #6

What a great tool to use in the classroom! There are countless ways that a teacher can utilize wikis with students. My son's class made a Wiki to say good-bye to seventh grade. I got to see how each child contributed to the wiki. The teacher gave them a list of things they could add to the wiki and they were to choose 5 or 6. Some of the things included were: an acrostic poem, things you learned, advice for incoming 7th graders, plans for summer, etc. Each child incorporated links, images, power points and more. I was really impressed.

For my classroom, I could see using a Wiki with photos, icons and images that are linked to websites and other images to include things surrounding a theme, the students' favorite websites, or music. I don't feel that I can fully appreciate the use of a Wiki with my class until I can brainstorm the idea with other life skills teachers.

For life skills teachers in the district, I think it would be a very valuable tool to plan district functions, e.g. study trips, Special Olympics/field day, meetings.
image: http://portal.educ.ar/debates/eid/lengua/para_trabajar_clase/

Social Bookmarking-Tags-and more... Tool #5

Using Diigo, I found two very interesting groups and MANY websites that were new to me. Two websites that I found particularly interesting and full of ideas were Deafblind Online and Sen Teacher. Deafblind Online has printable and down-loadable resources and application for use with deafblind/low vision students and Sen Teacher has printable resources for use in the classroom and links to many more resources that are available. It's like a "Gold Mine"!

The tags I used to find these resources were: deafblind and, AAC.

The application for diigo and social bookmarking in my classroom would be more as a resource for me and way that I can share neat websites and information with other Life Skills teachers.


image: blog.tuvinh.com

Google Docs and Google Reader-Tool #4

Exploring the uses and applications for Google Docs and Google Reader was entirely NEW to me. I used Google Docs for composing a letter that needed input from several other people. It was so helpful in that we didn't have to keep exchanging emails. Since this document IS for one of my students, that appears to be one way that I can collaborate with others for my classroom. Google Reader will help me to keep up with all the educational sites and blogs that I follow. It's so convenient to have them all in one place.

Image Generators and Mashups- Tool #3

I'm embarrassed that my son has used Animoto many times and this is my FIRST attempt. I chose some really cute photos to show off the love in my classroom. In case anyone is wondering, I do have photo releases for ALL my students!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Typically, I use Power Point to make slide shows set to theme music. I try to make a "movie" for each one of our adventures. Since my class is "non-verbal", I use these movies to reinforce vocabulary and to stimulate spontaneous language (via sign language or communication device). One of my students' favorite PPTs this year was our trip to the SBISD FFA Barnyard Adventure. It was set to a really fun song about farms (not Old Mac Donald).

I can envision guiding my students through the process of making their own animoto about our activities. I think it will heighten their interest level and create many opportunities for language. What fun to watch "THEIR" creations during morning circle and not mine!

Wow! This would make a great Mother's Day Gift!

Most of the Image Generators and Mashers are great! The problem I encounter is not being able to use my own photos. The bookr site would be great for children who are able to use prior knowledge to select photos. My students needs images and photos that directly pertain to them. Again, I have to fall back on Boardmaker by Mayer-Johnson. It allows you to make an interactive book with your photos, their icons, text and with sound!

I enjoyed looking at each and every site listed under Tools #2. I will add a few of them to my bookmarks for future use. Maybe when I am in the thick of a project I will see a better way to utilize some of these applications with my students.

Keep in mind that my class is made up of students that need modifications for everything. Flashy graphics and images, as much as I like them, are not always appropriate for them as a learning tool.

I'm open to any suggestions for using any of the sites listed under Tool #2.

Credits: animoto, imagechef, spell with flickr, imageshack

PLN- Here I come!...Tool #2

What I wouldn't give for a PLN for special educators in our district. We all have basically the same software, hardware, and equipment. However, not all of us are adept at using what we are given. It takes so much time to learn software and to get BEYOND the basics. An online learning community would allow an open dialogue for everyone to add their thoughts and ideas.

Utilizing the new Activboard with Activinspire, Boardmaker, and Power Point is a PERFECT example. No one in the tech department could answer my questions about using boardmaker with the Activboard. I burned many hours playing around with the software and flip charts until I got a working model. Everyone that sees our interactive "morning circle" loves it.....BUT....I know there has to be a more effective way to do some of the activities. That is where brainstorming through a PLN would be invaluable.

Another example for a topic is Augmentative Communication and Devices available through the district. It would be so helpful to read chronicles of how children are doing with certain devices. What low tech and high tech strategies are other teachers using and how are they being implemented?

Am I getting off topic?...on my soap box? Pardon me!


Thoughts about commenting on other blogs....Be kind, be helpful, be supportive




credits: image @ imagechef.com

What's with that Avatar!....Tool #1

I had more fun thinking up a user name and Blog title than the actual set up. I have never used the Voki avatar site. I was disappointed in their poor selection of avatars and accessories. However, in order to complete the required assignment I used their avatar. I would have preferred to another icon generator. I did recommend Blinkiebee.com, but lately the avatars are not loading. I think they're having a problem with their servers. (Update: I have changed my avatar).

If you don't have Adobe products like photo shop or illustrator, then try some free downloads to add, make, or decorate graphics for your blog: Gimp (it's like photoshop, but free), colorpic, or paint.net.
How about online services to dress up your photos and graphics: lunapic, photobucket, picnik.

You might try some free graphics generators too:
www.textspace.net
http://www.mytextgraphics.com/
www.glittermaker.com
www.glitterfy.com
www.glitteryourway.com
www.familylobby.com
www.glitterbase.com
www.blingee.com
www.glitter-graphics.com

Yea! Tool #1 Complete!