Storybird

I found this neat online writing tool called Storybird. Storybird is a service that uses collaborative storytelling to connect kids and families. Two (or more) people create a Storybird in a round robin fashion by writing their own text and inserting pictures. They then have the option of sharing their Storybird privately or publicly on the network. The final product can be printed (soon), watched on screen, played with like a toy, or shared through a worldwide library. Watch a quick tour of how it works.

Since my students do not have email addresses to create accounts, I would create one teacher account and let my students create their Storybirds through it. I like the round robin idea where students can work together and take turns editing a story.

Class Blog

I decided to create a blog for my second grade class. I liked the idea of having a Facebook class page. However, we all know we can not use Facebook in school. I plan to use this blog to inform parents about class projects, field trips, special events, and just let them know what's going on in our classroom. My students and I would decide together what we want to share in the blog. I also want to post pictures of student work samples. I know many parents are busy and not able to come in to school to see their child's work. So this is an inside look to our classroom where parents can comment and learn about what's going on. Check it out!

Tikatok Example

I have been exploring Tikatok some more. I really like how user friendly the site is for young students. After students pick a topic, they can start adding text to the text boxes. Some pages have sentence starters and suggestions for what to add. Many of my students struggle with writing and always tell me I don't know what to write. After typing, they can add pictures by clicking on the box and selecting a picture. Students click on an arrow to move ahead or back. After students finish their books, they can save and preview the book in a pdf.

I have added a few screen shots of a book I started to make to show the step by step process.
I am planning on sharing this site with my teammates and sending a parent consent form home so that we can get started on creating storybooks.

Pick a topic


Add text and pictureAdd text and picture

Tikatok

I found this great site while I was on Barnes and Nobles. Tikatok is an online tool students can use to create, illustrate, and publish story books. Teachers can register their class for free and assign each student a user name and password. Students log in using their user name and password and create a story book. This site can be used for elementary-middle school students. Here is how it works.

After students create their story books, they have the option of purchasing the book. Ebook download cost $2.99, soft cover start at $15, and hard cover start at $18. Since I can't purchase a book for every student, there is a way for parents to purchase their child's book.

Teachers can use this online tool along with their writing objectives. Story starter templates and pictures are available for younger students to use. Students can also upload their own illustrations.

So far I have entered my class list and assigned user names and passwords. After winter break, I plan on introducing and starting Tikatok. I can't wait to share some of my students story books!

Prezi on Butterflies and Insects

I created my first Prezi! First, I went to www.Prezi.com. Then I watched a step by step tutorial. The process was fairly easy. Creating the Prezi took me about an hour or so. Most of the time was spent deciding and finding the information I wanted to use.

In my opinion, Prezi is good for a quick presentation with not a lot of text. The movement on the screen may make your eyes hurt if you go to fast. Overall, I would use Prezi in my class and recommend it to other teachers.

Here is a link to my Prezi. I plan on using it in the spring as a review with my second grade students. I still need to add some more details, design features, and information.

Uses for teachers and students:

• Middle and High School students can use this as a presentation tool
• Teachers can use Prezi in any subject area for mini lessons and reviews
• Create Presentations and share with others
  

Feel free to add a comment on how you have used Prezi.

Prezi

A few of my classmates have used Prezi to display information during their presentations. I had never seen or heard of Prezi before. I think Prezi is a new an interesting way to present information to students. My goal is to learn how to use Prezi and create a project that I can use with my students. Here is some more information on Prezi and a step by step guide to creating a Prezi. I'll be posting the Prezi that I create soon.

MSEA

Maryland State Education Association
Educator 2.0 Article

Blogging with students

Last year I created a class blog through edublogs for my students to use in our school computer lab. Creating one blog for my class seemed easier for them to use since they are younger. My students had just finished creating book review podcast in their technology class. So I decided to have each student write a review of a different book from our class library on our class blog. I wanted the students to share their favorite book they've read in hopes of encouraging other students in the class to read it.

Here is my second grade class blog http://jacklyn7.edublogs.org/

The students really enjoyed participating and reading each others responses. It was a great way for them to learn about new books in our classroom library. With second graders it does take some time to introduce and explain the process of adding a comment. I was able to use the LCD projector to walk the students step by step. Second graders also need time and some help with typing. I personally think it may be difficult to have Kindergartners or First graders blogging without additional teacher support.

Benefits to Blogging:

• motivating to students, especially those who otherwise might not become participants in classrooms

• excellent opportunities for students to read and write.
  

• effective forums for collaboration and discussion.

Blogging Do's:

• Get parental permission.
• Know your school and district acceptable use policies (AUPs) and convey them to your students.
• Avoid blogging sites that require students to publish their complete names and/or e-mail accounts.
• Avoid sites that ask students for any personal information.
• Make students aware of what subject matter is appropriate and permissible.
• Teach students the importance of tone and respect for others' opinions.
• Have clear expectations, rules, and consequences.

Resources:
33 Ways to Use a Blog in Your Classroom
How to Use Blogs in the Classroom
Classroom Blogs and Wikis

Please feel free to add any other additional uses for blogging in education.

Blogging

A blog features diary-type commentary and links to articles on other Web sites, usually presented as a list of entries in reverse chronological order. It also provides people the opportunity to leave comments. Creating a blog is easy and does not take a lot of time. Blogger.com provides step by step directions. Once you have set up a blog, it is fast and easy to update. Take some time to go through the settings. There are several options available to monitor post/comments.

Why Blog?

• Post Resources
• Share Lessons
• Online Discussion
• Get Feedback
• Newsletters
• Share Multimedia

In education, blogs can be used...

• with your students
• with other teachers in or outside of your school
• with your students to communicate with other students outside of your school
  

Here is a short video explaining what a blog is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2I1pWXjXI

Creating a blog:
http://edublogs.org/
http://blogger.com/

This year I plan to continue to use http://edublogs.org/ with my students. My next post will include the blog I used with my second grade students last year and my experience using it.

Web 2.0

This blog will be used to share web 2.0 technologies and its educational uses.