Thing #2.2.3 Animoto, Voki and Bookr

Our school has an animoto account, and I have enjoyed using at home and in the classroom.

I think that all three of these are fun, and of them, Bookr has the most practical classroom basis. Last year I had the students make trading cards for 3D shapes, and they found their images mostly from Creative Commons. I can see Bookr being used in the same capacity.

Of the image generators I have been most excited about the Wordle and Wordsift. I can picture me using them regularly in the classroom.

Thing #2.2.2 Glogster and Voicethread

I didn't really love glogster, but I think it was because there were no clear directions (I had trouble getting a link to work and my video and pictures wouldn't load, even after I resized). Some of the examples were very cool, and I think that I will use this as one of the options for students to show what they have learned from their research. I will just have to make sure that the students have pictures and whatnot saved before they start the project, that will make using the program easier.



I didn't make a voice thread, but I do like the implications. I can see this being useful as they work on their research projects as well. Since the class will be divided into 2 or 3 groups, they could find pictures and make comments about what they learned. I also think that I will share this with our art teacher. The kids could comment on one another's work, or on famous paintings that follow lessons, and parents could see and comment as well. Given exact parameters, ie discuss how you feel the student/artist used color in this painting, this could be used very constructively. I think that I will take pictures throughout the year and start a class "scrapbook" and let them comment on the pictures and what they were doing at the time. How priceless will that be?

Thing #2.2.1 Wordle and Wordsift

I am going to have to do this thing in many different posts because I am spending so much time playing! I love both of these, and can imagine their very different applications in the classroom.

I like wordle because you can instantly see what words you are OVERUSING! So important when teaching fourth graders to write. I put in my summer reading blog address, and loved the result. I like that you can play with the color, font, and arrangement of words too. The kids will really enjoy this. Since I have them spend a lot of time typing on the wiki, they will have plenty of work to choose from.

I like wordsift because of the word web and the more academic application. I think they could use this in science and social studies when they are researching. The quick links will help them find pictures, or more information, and the visual thesaurus has the potential for helping them understand vocabulary they would usually skip over. My mind is in overdrive right now with ideas for using this!