Storyboards, originally developed at the Walt Disney studio after the late 1920s (OPPapers, 2010), are graphic organizers used to visualize illustrations or images used in the creation of various forms of multi-media (Wikipedia, 2009). The process of storyboarding is defined as, "A highly interactive, visual process that combines both creative and analytical thinking, also known as displayed thinking" (McGartland, ND).
To learn more about the history of storyboarding, view the following video titled, "Finding Lady: The Art of Storyboarding".
There are many ways to create a storyboard. The following video identifies some steps on "How To Make a Storyboard" (Crosby, 2009).
I have included a storyboard template created by Jason Ohler. To download the PDF version of the storyboard template, click here.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Web-based Flash Cards
A request came in from a teacher asking if I knew of any programs available to make review/study cards. This teacher wants to use the study cards as a review tool that could possibly be shared amongst the students. They thought of using PowerPoint but wanted to know if there was anything else out there other than the traditional pen and paper method.
First of all, for those of you out there using the traditional pen and paper method...there is nothing wrong with traditional :-). My first response to this request was to use the "Notebook" software for the SMARTBoard, although this specific teacher does not have a SMARTBoard. Not really knowing what was available, I did what most "not knowing" people do...Google. My search came up with some wonderful results which I discuss and provide links below.
First of all, for those of you out there using the traditional pen and paper method...there is nothing wrong with traditional :-). My first response to this request was to use the "Notebook" software for the SMARTBoard, although this specific teacher does not have a SMARTBoard. Not really knowing what was available, I did what most "not knowing" people do...Google. My search came up with some wonderful results which I discuss and provide links below.
- Flashcard Machine - A free web application enabling users to create interactive web-based flash cards and share them with others.
- Cramberry - A free web application allowing users to create simple flash cards in an easy to use, clean interface. Appears to have an app for the iPhone/iPod touch.
- FlashcardExchange - A free web application where you can create, study, print and download flashcards. Some features include creating flashcards in different languages, sharing flashcards over the Internet, creating flashcards with images (jpeg), creating audio flashcards (mp3).
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Popular Science and Google Team Up
Image retrieved March 11, 2010 from: http://www.popsci.com/archives
Monday, March 8, 2010
Bitstrips for Schools
Bitstrips for Schools The fun way to improve literacy Bitstrips for Schools is a revolutionary web-based service that empowers students to make and share great looking comics without drawing a line, and helps teachers unlock the educational power of comics. Why Use Bitstrips for Schools? STUDENT ENGAGEMENT The best reason to use comics in the classroom is that kids love comics! Your students become will become hooked on reading and writing without even knowing it! LITERACY Comics are a proven tool for building language skills, and are particularly powerful in developing boys' literacy. DIGITAL MEDIA EXPERIENCE Bitstrips for Schools helps develop media literacy by engaging students in a collaborative and social online experience. INSTRUCTIONAL ENHANCEMENT In any subject, at any grade, Bitstrips for Schools offers an entirely new medium to teach the curriculum. SAFETY Bitstrips for Schools features private and secure virtual classrooms, with automatic and manual content filtering. Join the 12,000+ teachers already using Bitstrips for Schools in their classrooms. Start your free trial right now! Or take a quick tour to learn more! Distributed by 1 800 865 7617 waynor@marlineducation.com |
Thursday, March 4, 2010
14 Technologies Educators Should Watch in 2010
Chris Riedel reports on technology tools that can improve instruction, boost productivity, and improve organization. Technology Tools that made the list are:
- Jing
- BT-1 Bluetooth Web Cam
- Photo Booth
- Poll Everywhere
- Prezi
- EtherPad
- Orbicule Undercover
- Tripit
- Evernote
- Twitter Widgets
- Netbooks
- Flip Cameras
- Zamzar
- SlideRocket
- Epson BrightLink
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Division Policy on Privacy for Blogging
In a discussion with one of our NESD Superintendents and Technology Coordinator, I found out some of the division policy relating to how we should handle student privacy within our professional blogs.
First of all, the division supports and encourages teachers to use blogs. However, when teachers create professional blogs we must remember that, depending how they are shared, they are open to students, parents, administrators, and anyone else who may come across it. We must therefore be literate in understanding the digital footprint we are leaving for ourselves and everyone identified in our blog.
The NESD privacy policy states that we are not to use student names in anything that is accessible over the Internet. This means that when you are blogging about experiences in your classrooms be sure not to use names of students (first or last). One way of dealing with this is to be creative and possibly have your students make up a sudo name (alias or fake name) that can be used if needed. Photos and videos can be placed or linked to your blog as long as names of students are not used. Write your blog in a professional manner, cognizant of divisional policy, and you should be fine. Happy blogging!
Take care,
Kirk
First of all, the division supports and encourages teachers to use blogs. However, when teachers create professional blogs we must remember that, depending how they are shared, they are open to students, parents, administrators, and anyone else who may come across it. We must therefore be literate in understanding the digital footprint we are leaving for ourselves and everyone identified in our blog.
The NESD privacy policy states that we are not to use student names in anything that is accessible over the Internet. This means that when you are blogging about experiences in your classrooms be sure not to use names of students (first or last). One way of dealing with this is to be creative and possibly have your students make up a sudo name (alias or fake name) that can be used if needed. Photos and videos can be placed or linked to your blog as long as names of students are not used. Write your blog in a professional manner, cognizant of divisional policy, and you should be fine. Happy blogging!
Take care,
Kirk
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Why Blog?
Recently, I met with a teacher to discuss a project involving a web 3.0 application. I asked the teacher if they would blog about their experience? The immediate reaction to my question was that the teacher was not a fan of social networking tools like Facebook and feels somewhat the same about blogging. We continued our discussion focusing on blogging and a comment that eventually came out identified that the teacher was self-conscious and thought colleagues would see blogging as arrogant and boastful. This somewhat set me back, as I never really thought that others would look at blogging in this manner.
So, what is the purpose of blogging? For me blogging allows me to organize my thoughts into a single location accessible from anywhere on the Internet. These posts can include many forms of media including text, images, videos and sounds. Going back and reading posts allows me to reflect and potentially gain a greater understanding of the topic.
Now, the previous reasons for blogging were mainly for me. What can it do for others? Blogging can provide insight into your experiences, allowing others to learn from your experiences. When you share your experiences with others it helps to build capacity allowing others to build on your experience and knowledge. It is because of this reason I would never consider blogging to be arrogant or boastful. In fact I see it as informative, helpful and supportive. So, I ended my discussion with the teacher by saying, if they won't blog for themselves please blog for the rest of us so we can learn from their experiences.
Why do you blog?
Resources:
So, what is the purpose of blogging? For me blogging allows me to organize my thoughts into a single location accessible from anywhere on the Internet. These posts can include many forms of media including text, images, videos and sounds. Going back and reading posts allows me to reflect and potentially gain a greater understanding of the topic.
Now, the previous reasons for blogging were mainly for me. What can it do for others? Blogging can provide insight into your experiences, allowing others to learn from your experiences. When you share your experiences with others it helps to build capacity allowing others to build on your experience and knowledge. It is because of this reason I would never consider blogging to be arrogant or boastful. In fact I see it as informative, helpful and supportive. So, I ended my discussion with the teacher by saying, if they won't blog for themselves please blog for the rest of us so we can learn from their experiences.
Why do you blog?
Resources:
- Resources for Blogging in the Classroom ( Jamie Tubbs)
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