xtranormal is a text to movie site
I first found out about it through a friend's link on facebook that explained Quantative Easing. For such a serious subject, I couldn't stop giggling. But even more importantly, I learned. I now *understand* Quantative Easing. To a point...as much as anybody can.
I then made a xtranormal clip that followed the text of a blog that I follow..it was funny, I enjoyed it, and it was fun to make.
I have most recently used it in my classroom to make videos that grab the students' attention. Here is my most recent:
Unlike other sites I have shared, this one isn't free for everybody. However, if you send xtranormal a message letting them know you are a teacher they will give you free xp points (which are required to publish a movie, you can make and preview movies for free)...when those points run out, they will give you more. So that's cool.
I had originally wanted to have student have the ability to make their own movies. Sadly enough, the movie that is on the front page of their website currently is NOT school friendly. Funny...but not school friendly.
My advice is to check it out. Used sparingly, I think it is a unique way to grab the attention of your class. And...it's fun/addictive to use!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Math Interactive Whiteboard Resources
I don't teach math. That being said, if I did I would definitely find a use for this website:
Whiteboard Resources
It. Is. Awesome. I played on it for entirely too long, just messing around.
And...you know if it's on my blog, it's FREE! You also don't need to register - click and use, that's all you have to do. Well...and make sure it meets your objectives for the day.
Yep - check it out. If you use this resource, please leave a comment letting me know. I'd love to know how you use it in your classroom!
Whiteboard Resources
It. Is. Awesome. I played on it for entirely too long, just messing around.
And...you know if it's on my blog, it's FREE! You also don't need to register - click and use, that's all you have to do. Well...and make sure it meets your objectives for the day.
Yep - check it out. If you use this resource, please leave a comment letting me know. I'd love to know how you use it in your classroom!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
My Fake Wall - EDITED...NEW AND IMPROVED!!!
Edit: I love the idea of the fakewall. However, there is advertising on the site and it is very bulky to work with. So I have researched better options. Lucky for all of us, there are people out there that see the same shortcomings in the fakewall site and they have improved the usability by creating...FAKEBOOK!!
Here's what I like about Fakebook:
No ads (yay!)
when you enter a name, the site goes out to the WorldWideWeb and finds pictures for you! I think as teachers we have to take a look at the technology/tools we are using and make sure they are not impeding the educational objective of the assignment. Fakebook is such a user friendly site you can use it to get the details down (i.e., conversations, relationships, etc.) but you are not bogged down with the finer details (saving pictures to upload, etc.).
If you link back to the originating site (classtools) you will also find some other cool stuff. But I'm saving that for another day.
End Edit
There has been quite a bit of a buzz about the following site. I've been wanting to have students make a facebook page for a historical person for quite awhile now. The only thing holding me back was the lack of a site that would make it easier...enter My Fake Wall!
I had a Google doc template that would've done the job. With some tweaking. Major tweaking. With this site, however, students can just plug in the information and shazam! There's the wall. In case you just want to do something different, there are also some already made, such as this one for Ben Franklin.
Pros: um...free & easy! Also, you really have to know quite a bit about a person and the events they are associated with in order to write a fakebook wall. I also see this as being relevant and interesting to students. This would also be fun for book characters, IMHO.
Cons: You have to create an account, and in order to do so you have to have an email. I honestly don't think that's a problem for most students today, but I don't feel comfortable making it a required activity because of this factor. Not really a con in the sense I will just have a choice of assignments that will all meet the goals I have for this assignment...but still kind of a bummer.
So here is my practice wall...made in honor of my kitty, Mozilla (and just for the record, if I were to get another it's name would be the vastly superior Chrome...just sayin').
http://www.myfakewall.com/
Here's what I like about Fakebook:
No ads (yay!)
when you enter a name, the site goes out to the WorldWideWeb and finds pictures for you! I think as teachers we have to take a look at the technology/tools we are using and make sure they are not impeding the educational objective of the assignment. Fakebook is such a user friendly site you can use it to get the details down (i.e., conversations, relationships, etc.) but you are not bogged down with the finer details (saving pictures to upload, etc.).
If you link back to the originating site (classtools) you will also find some other cool stuff. But I'm saving that for another day.
End Edit
There has been quite a bit of a buzz about the following site. I've been wanting to have students make a facebook page for a historical person for quite awhile now. The only thing holding me back was the lack of a site that would make it easier...enter My Fake Wall!
I had a Google doc template that would've done the job. With some tweaking. Major tweaking. With this site, however, students can just plug in the information and shazam! There's the wall. In case you just want to do something different, there are also some already made, such as this one for Ben Franklin.
Pros: um...free & easy! Also, you really have to know quite a bit about a person and the events they are associated with in order to write a fakebook wall. I also see this as being relevant and interesting to students. This would also be fun for book characters, IMHO.
Cons: You have to create an account, and in order to do so you have to have an email. I honestly don't think that's a problem for most students today, but I don't feel comfortable making it a required activity because of this factor. Not really a con in the sense I will just have a choice of assignments that will all meet the goals I have for this assignment...but still kind of a bummer.
So here is my practice wall...made in honor of my kitty, Mozilla (and just for the record, if I were to get another it's name would be the vastly superior Chrome...just sayin').
http://www.myfakewall.com/
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
ViewPure
The other day I went to view a video from YouTube. I had previewed it - I had connected it to what the objective I wanted to address - I had embedded it into a flipchart.
When it opened the side bar showed some "related" videos. And the comments showed up. None of which were bad or inappropriate, but it very easily could've been. I had gotten in the habit of using zamzar for those video clips I wanted to embed into a prezi or save for future use, I've also been using my YouTube channel in the classroom to show only the content I have vetted as appropriate. However - when I made this flipchart on the spot I just linked to YouTube.
This got me thinking. And searching. And I found a very useful site called ViewPure that allows me to view clips without all the distracting sidebar content and viewer comments (which lets face it - no matter how educational the subject matter they are not always appropriate!
If you use YouTube in your classroom I would urge you to check out the ViewPure website - it's easy to use, quick in the classroom, and best of all...FREE!
When it opened the side bar showed some "related" videos. And the comments showed up. None of which were bad or inappropriate, but it very easily could've been. I had gotten in the habit of using zamzar for those video clips I wanted to embed into a prezi or save for future use, I've also been using my YouTube channel in the classroom to show only the content I have vetted as appropriate. However - when I made this flipchart on the spot I just linked to YouTube.
This got me thinking. And searching. And I found a very useful site called ViewPure that allows me to view clips without all the distracting sidebar content and viewer comments (which lets face it - no matter how educational the subject matter they are not always appropriate!
If you use YouTube in your classroom I would urge you to check out the ViewPure website - it's easy to use, quick in the classroom, and best of all...FREE!
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