This is another test blog

Here is a VoiceThread video that my daughter created:

http://voicethread.com/share/554147/

Her VoiceThread creation helped me get great information about how the audio commenting worked. Plus she was excited to have her story made into a video. This would be a great tool to use for audio visual projects for all subject areas.

Test

This is a test to see if I can see a VoiceThread video from the blog.

http://voicethread.com/share/551370/

This is a link to my unfinished project. More to come later.

Updated the presentation

I updated the presentation to include pictures of shapes on real life objects. I think that this makes the visuals more interesting. I added the link to the handout webpage created in Google Docs.

Fiddling with the worksheet

I was not really happy with the way that the word document was imported into Google Docs, so I saved the document as a .htm and imported it that way. The table formatting was preserved, but the pictures disappeared. Fortunately, the drawing applet in Google Docs has all of the different geometric shapes, so I was able to add them in later. I am going to save the handout as a web page so I can add a link to the page in the Video Thread.

I am using the notes capability in PowerPoint to write a script for the audio portion of the VoiceThread. I may have to play with the audio timing a bit. After I record the audio, I will add some visual comments to help clarify the lesson. Then I will invite everyone to play too!

How can social networking sites be used educationally?

I really had to think about this. Much of the research I have seen on this (which is really not that much) indicates that there is a problem overcoming the school/social barrier. Students will use the site if required, but will not willingly continue using the sites after the class has ended. Perhaps one way around this problem is to use the social networking sites to network across classrooms or schools. This would be a great way to set up "pen pal" relationships or collaborate with other school sites on science or math inquiry projects. The collaboration could occur with students of other nations too.

This last year I applied for and was granted a school seismograph. However, it has been difficult staying in touch with the other teachers that I trained with. Perhaps Facebook, Ning, or even Linked In would be a good application for use to use to share information, ideas, and earthquake files!

The social networking sites that I am most familiar with are Linked In and now Ning. I like the sharing of information, but I would like to have more freedom to post static information on the page, such as important links etc. The way that the EDS Facebook page would be most useful for me is for sharing information with other teachers. Maybe there can be a link to a lesson plan repository. Or a link to a different delicious accounts. Also a list of what teachers are teaching where. A blog about what research is currently being done by the EDS department would be interesting too.

Clarification

Wow, I just read my last post and it did not make sense! I meant to say that VoiceThread allows the user to set a time between each slide transition, but it is the same time for each slide (as opposed to say PowerPoint that allows transitions to be set for each slide).

Some workarounds needed

I uploaded the .png files I created of my PowerPoint presentation. I am going to have to time my audio carefully. Voice thread allows the user to set that each slide is up before it transitions to the next slide, but the interval is the same for each slide. I played around with the comment features. I will have to make sure to mark all of the initial comments I make as part of the lesson permanent. Next task: record the audio. I plan to use my Mac's built in microphone. That's all for now!