How to Upload Documents on Blogger

Wanting to upload a document on blogger without cutting and pasting?  Use www.scribd.com  It is easy to use!  Here's a video to make it even easier! 

Making a Stop Motion Project

Here is a fun task, with a number of benefits, that you might like to try with your students.  A stop motion project may be used to demonstrate their knowledge of a subject, a PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) theme or be used as a Design and Technology Task.  Stop motion projects involve taking up to 750 photographs with a slight movement of an object in each photo.  The photos are then uploaded into imovie or a similar program that speeds up the display of the photographs much like an animation.  Stop motion projects:

• engage students in learning
• motivate students to share their knowledge
• encourage collaboration
• enhance technology skills
• provide opportunities for students to share their knowledge beyond the classroom

Step 1
Firstly decide on a Subject area.  I chose Year 6 Design and Technology. 
Step 2
Next choose a topic. I chose Information and Communication and the outcome 'changes to information and communication over time'. 
Step 3
Then decide on a design task.  The task I set was to create a 'Stop Motion' project to help teach a Foundation (Prep, Kindergarten) child learn the Math's concept Position.
Step 4
List down your ideas.  I listed position words and then decided on which ones to animate.
Step 5
Look through children's colouring books for inspiration for the characters.  I chose to create a dog and cat - Fido and Pumpkin (any guesses what colour Pumpkin was?).  Remember this is for inspiration not to copy.
Step 6
Make your characters using split pins to attach the head, legs and tail so that you are able to move them.
Step 7
Make the background.  I glued a a large blue piece of cardboard on to white foam card and added a variety of green card for the grass and tree.  Then I added a kennel and some 3D flowers.  I attached the tree with foam mounts so that the characters could move behind it.
Step 8
Next make an introduction sign so that the audience knows what your stop motion is about.  I printed the words "Fido and Pumpkin are learning about:, then added POSITION one letter at a time so that in the animation it looked as if POSITION was being written.
Step 9 
Next set up a camera on a tripod.  I had the camera I used facing down to the floor so the animals would be flat and easy to move.
Step 10
Take up to 750 photos with the animals gradually moving to different positions and upload your photos into iPhoto.
Step 11
Open imovie and using the photo icon to locate your photos and select and drag them into the project space.  Then simply press the play button and there you have it.

You can also add sound, text and special effects as I have.  Your more able students might experiment with these features in imovie.

It was really exciting coming up with the ideas and seeing them come to life.  Your class will love this project. See the finished result by clicking on this You Tube Link.

                  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=linFWJlJ9RY

Note: Your students need to experiment before they attempt this task and using your photos is a good way to let them practise.  My friend did this with my photos so there may be another version of Fido and Pumpkin that hits the net at some stage!

Ethical Behavior Podcast

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Here is my first attempt at a podcast.  It took a while to work out so be prepared to spend the time searching the internet for You Tube videos to assist you.  I recorded a number of sound files on Adobe Audition, then chose a sound track in garage, saved it to itunes so I could access it and then cut and pasted pieces of the sound between my audio clips.  When you are wanting to change the levels of the sound simply click on the yellow line and drag it up or down.  It is a similar idea to editing video in that you can click on the audio track and delete sections if you don't want them.  

Be prepared to record yourself a few times on some sections because if you are like me and the thought of an audience makes you nervous you will find yourself making a number of slips (or was it just because of the time of night?).  The tricky part is loading the file onto the web.  For this I used Podbean and a number of You Tube videos to assist in teaching me what to do.  Here is a link to podbean

                                  http://www.podbean.com/  

If you would like to see a pdf of the presentation.  Click on the link below:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/112718149/Teaching-Ethical-Behaviour-with-Technology-in-the-Primary-School-Setting

Promoting Ethical Behavior in the School Environment

Wondering how to use technology in the classroom?

Check out this great site with links to hundreds of ideas

http://www.avatargeneration.com/2012/09/pinterest-boards-in-educational-technology/

Want to know more on using computers with ESL students?

The Internet TSL Journal

Teaching ESL Reading Using Computers

iteslj.org/Techniques/AlKahtani-ComputerReading/

Using Technology to Help ESL/EFL Students Develop Language Skills

iteslj.org/Articles/Ybarra-Technology.html

Review of the article: Implementing Language Acquisition in Classrooms

Introduction

‘Implementing Language Acquisition in Classrooms’ was written by Richard P. Carrigan a former administrator, in English Language Learning, at Milo Adventist Academy based in Oregan.  In this article, written in two thousand and nine, Carrigan outlines a number of ways that ‘English as a Second Language’ (ESL) students acquire language.  While his ideas are very relevant he appears to be unaware of the benefits technology, specifically the use of computers.

 Carrigan

Overview

Carrigan provides the reader with a number of teaching methodologies to support the learning of ESL children in the classroom.  He introduces: the idea of language absorption, fluency before accuracy, the order of language acquisition skills and integrating student interests in to lesson planning.  Carrigan advises teachers to provide safe learning environments and be aware of student’s feelings.  Finally he warns against judging ability by language output and stereotyping the ESL child.

Strengths and Weakness of Implementing Language Acquisition in Classrooms

Carrigan article introduces a number of ideas relevant to the teaching of ESL children.  He stresses the importance of first knowing English through listening.  He refers to this as language ‘absorption’.  Carrigan continues by introducing a number of methodologies for ESL teachers.  He outlines the importance of communication based classrooms that focus on expression of language rather than accuracy. Carrigan presents the concept of ‘language in language out’ teaching that “provides opportunities for learners to develop listening skills before reading, reading skills before writing and writing before speaking” (Carrigan, 2009, p2).  He encourages the use of materials that are at an appropriate level and of interest to the learner.  Teachers are urged to create safe places of learning where students feel free to try without fear of failure (Carrigan, 2009, p3).  Carrigan builds an awareness of the ESL student’s emotional needs that begin with excitement and soon give way to despair and frustration. Teachers are further warned to be aware of their body language and general comments and to avoid stereotyping.

While Carrigan has raised some relevant and very useful ideas it is surprising that he has omitted the potential of Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) with ESL students (Ybarra & Green, 2003, p1).  Computers have been shown to motivate and “maintain learner focus, stimulate problem solving, anchor discourse, and encourage learner directed talk and action” (Meskill, 2005, p55).  In short, they are an excellent resource for encouraging verbal exchange.  Ybarra and Green (2003) note the varied verbal interactions between ESL students using computers, these include: making commands, sharing opinions, suggestions, asking questions and giving responses (p2).  Computers may provide immediate feedback, added practise, increased interaction with texts and improved comprehension (Ybarra & Green, 2003, p3).

Conclusion

Carrigan’s article is a useful resource for creating an awareness of ESL methodologies and the needs of the ESL student.  However, it is important that teachers acquire a variety of teaching methodologies and remain at the forefront of teaching innovations and research.  The use of computers in education and their benefits to ESL learning must not be ignored.

References

Carrigan, R. P. (2009). Implementing Language Acquisition in Classrooms. The Education Digest, 75(4), 57-61 [Electronic version]. Retrieved from: http://search.proquest.com.databases.avondale.edu.au/docview/21

Meskill, C. (2005). Triadic Scaffolds: Tools for Teaching English Language Learners with Computers. Language Learning and Technology [Electronic version]. Retrieved from: http://II.msu.edu/vol9num1/meskill/

Ybarra, R., Green, T. (2003). Using Technology to Help ESL/EFL Students to Develop Language Skills. The Internet TESL Journal, 9(3), [Electronic version]. Retrieved from: iteslj.org/Articles/Ybarra-Technology.html