All links to my images, audio and video are embedded in text to create a more fluid reflection, however I have also listed them here for your convenience.
recording my joke in my blog and wiki
voki my voki in my blog
Art movie maker my movie maker in my blog
Images
Resizing images is for me a relatively straight forward process. As photography and digitally enhancing images is one of my hobbies, I already had some knowledge of these tools. This allowed me the opportunity to play with several apps on my iPad and try something new. I found that some site platforms ask for payment when trying to upload larger images and in some instances images cannot load when too large, for example, email. For this reason, it is important to know how to change the size of images.
As well as the Ipad I played with the website befunky.com as suggested in the engagements activities this week. My beautiful daughter is the subject. A little fiddly initially, however it is great fun when you get going. I can see all students creating from this site for many different subjects. This can allow students the opportunity to alter images to illustrate their own text, use for designing posters or maybe create a board game.
This is one of my favourite things to do, once again technology knows no boundaries, here is my son at the front of his house on his motor bike (or is he?). This is an activity any student could create using technology. The students can show their likes, personality or what they may want with technology. This can be a reflective 2D piece of artwork.
Audio
Digital audio recording was both frustrating and daunting for me. I am not a fan of my own voice and struggled with recording my voice, however the task is complete. This is an area I must develop further in order to implement authentic engaging lesson plans for students in the classroom. With the help of audacity, archive.org and a study buddy (Stacey) with a good sense of humour, the activity was achieved. I loved the fact that we could slow down and speed up our voices to alter the pitch; unfortunately this left us time poor. Students may use digital recording to check their progress in public speaking tasks where they can reflect and improve on their speech. In small groups using Ipads they may have the opportunity develop these skills in a less formal, safer environment. These become lifelong skills that may help them in later life.
As teachers, these skills can assist learning in most areas of the curriculum as extra scaffolding or instruction for students. My recording is in my blog and wiki and voki is in my blog.
Podcasting is difficult for me and I have to learn more about the easiest way to download this. I found a great site to help with instruction. Thanks to ABC Radio National, I can now place an mp3 file in my wiki. This link explained podcasting and how to use it in a way that I understood.
I see podcasts as beneficial for students in their learning as there are so many great recordings; however I believe students are truly engaged if there is a visual as well. By combining these two tools students can be involved in positive lessons that provide more information than any one teacher can know. I am definitely out of my comfort zone in audio; this is an area I also need to improve upon.
Video
This movie maker file was created some time ago for ‘The Arts’ and was not intended for uploading. As a result the images are quiet large and took some time to upload. In future planning I will make sure all images are resized before inserting to movie maker. I have created a separate page for my Art movie maker as I am fairly self-conscious about people seeing this. I guess if I put it last not many people will view it. I hope the people that do view this don't have too much trouble as it is a big file. To upload this to weebly I have to pay for the upgrade. Ah weebly, you try but you won't get any money out of me, yet! I have created a link in my weebly to the movie page in this site.
I can see students having an absolute ball with this, it's just fun and students can work collaboratively to create, present and reflect on not only their own but others work also. Teachers can use movie maker to create engaging lessons or tasks that students can use in their own time or collectively using an interactive whiteboard.
All the group 2 tools explored above can assist students and teachers with the development of engaging tasks that allow everyone access to more authentic learning. Sadly, some students may not have the opportunity to discover these tools away from the school environment. Students may also miss opportunities if teachers are not skilled in these areas of learning. Thirdly, many of these tools require fast internet speeds and computers that are able to process information quickly. Students often become annoyed and frustrated when their creative juices are inhibited by inefficient technologies. The school community as a whole must take responsibility to help deliver these tools in a user friendly context where students can have fulfilling engaging lessons.
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