For the past week I have tried to download audacity and have not had very much success. Yesterday I found some information on one of our HWDSB conferences and it was a big help. Although it did not help with the download itself, it and encouragement from others on the forum helped me move forward instead of quitting.
I went back to the download site and the same error came up. Then I contacted our IT and she sent me a link that got me directly to the download. This worked.
Once I had audacity downloaded I followed the instructions step by step with success. I played around with the program, recording and erasing, and time flew by. Now I see the advantages to this sort of program. It is quick and easy, teacher and student friendly, and can be saved or erased depending on the outcome.
Then the saved works can be save to a usb or on a website which makes it available to a lot more people than a cassette or CD does.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Keeping up...
I am really enjoying this course. I must admit that at times I am intimidated by the knowledge of others, but at the same time I realize we each have a different area of expertise and bring different focuses to the Forum.
The challenges I have are: our school equipment is older and simple programs like Kidpix and not working. They freeze as soon as they are loaded; we are an elementary school so we do not have the more intricate programs in use that a middle school or high school have; and I want to try and do it all successful and there are just way too many good ideas.
In the meantime, I focus on what needs to be done to meet the needs of the classes that I teach with the equipment that I have. I am more fortunate than many as I rallied for a SMARTboard and we now have 3 in our school. The students love the SMARTboard and it is so interactive that it motivates the students to learn.
In the lab, the Grade 4s have been doing a lower level Blooms activity. They have been locating provinces and territories. It always amazes me how quickly the IEP students and other struggling students learn these when all they have to do is point and click. This unit expands in second term and the students go on a webquest. So as you can see, we start out with the thinking and knowledge component first term and at this time a lot of guiding and modeling occurs. Then second term, the students start applying the knowledge to complete a webquest and third term is more open ended and students are expected to research and use their knowledge to be creative.
We have finished our Social Studies in the lab for this term and now move on to Data Management.
The challenges I have are: our school equipment is older and simple programs like Kidpix and not working. They freeze as soon as they are loaded; we are an elementary school so we do not have the more intricate programs in use that a middle school or high school have; and I want to try and do it all successful and there are just way too many good ideas.
In the meantime, I focus on what needs to be done to meet the needs of the classes that I teach with the equipment that I have. I am more fortunate than many as I rallied for a SMARTboard and we now have 3 in our school. The students love the SMARTboard and it is so interactive that it motivates the students to learn.
In the lab, the Grade 4s have been doing a lower level Blooms activity. They have been locating provinces and territories. It always amazes me how quickly the IEP students and other struggling students learn these when all they have to do is point and click. This unit expands in second term and the students go on a webquest. So as you can see, we start out with the thinking and knowledge component first term and at this time a lot of guiding and modeling occurs. Then second term, the students start applying the knowledge to complete a webquest and third term is more open ended and students are expected to research and use their knowledge to be creative.
We have finished our Social Studies in the lab for this term and now move on to Data Management.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Blogs
The classroom blog has really created an interest in writing. Not only has this interest been created, but students are finally seeing the importance of editing. 8 students have written a response, conferenced and added their input on the blog.
Unfortunately I have discovered over the last few days that the blog I am using has a limited number of lines for responses and this has been frustrating, but it is a learning experience for my class and myself, so that is a good thing from a bad thing.
In the meantime, I am creating some higher level blog questions that require short answers.
Unfortunately I have discovered over the last few days that the blog I am using has a limited number of lines for responses and this has been frustrating, but it is a learning experience for my class and myself, so that is a good thing from a bad thing.
In the meantime, I am creating some higher level blog questions that require short answers.
Taking Vocabulary Podcasts to another level
The vocabulary podcasts are proving to be successful motivators in my Grade 4 class so I was thinking about how this type of thing could be extended into different grades and subjects. There are several ways that I could think of that short podcasts could be incorporated.
- science or math formula could be produced for daily short podcasts and then put online for study purposes
- french (and other languages) verb conjugation lists (especially irregular verbs) could be done on podcasts subject specific vocabulary podcasts
- literacy: a higher level question could be on a podcast prior to a read aloud or prior to a unit of study
- health: a healthy eating tip of the day could be announced
- music: name that tune, composer, instrument..
- visual arts: a podcast critiquing a specific piece of art or with a question specific to a piece of art
These ideas could become further challenges by having the students create the podcasts. These could be open ended for the higher level thinkers and students who need help could get specific, step by step instructions or peer help. This would encourage students to plan, create, and produce a podcast. I am planning to have the Grade 4s do this with the "Word of the Week".
Friday, October 23, 2009
Classroom Website
Today was a very exciting day in our class. We finally got our classroom website up and running. There is a blog question on the site. Students must respond in writing to the question and then we conference together to get a "finished and fabulous" copy that is good enough to type onto the blog. 4 students managed to complete the answer and type it onto the blog. They were so motivated and very excited. One of the 4 was an IEP student, in grade 4 working at a Grade 1 Reading/Writing level. That was awesome.
Also on the site is the "Word of the Week" podcast. The students loved it and are motivated to learn new words and want to have a turn to be the "Word of the Week" announcer. This course has been very motivational to me and this made learning much more fun for the students in my class.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
"Word of the Week" Podcasts
I discovered a couple of great sites with vocabulary podcasts on them and from there I have developed a section on our classroom website with a "Word of the Week". This week the word prefix was introduced along with the prefix un-, so I created a podcast with the definition of prefix and then a sample to go with it.
What a great way to motivate students to learn spelling rules. Once they realize how the "Word of the Week" works then I will train a student or two to record it. Then those students can train other students. This can easily become a center in my guided reading program.
In the meantime, in the lab I had some great success with a website that tests student's knowledge of where the provinces and territories are. I have them do the quiz first and record their marks then I challenge them to beat their score within two weeks. Then we go off on other sites to learn the province's/territories' names. The students get so excited using the computers vs how bored they are when I do it with the texts. When it does come time to label and colour the maps the students are confident and do a great job overall.
There are lots of positive things happening with computers and grade 4s this year.
What a great way to motivate students to learn spelling rules. Once they realize how the "Word of the Week" works then I will train a student or two to record it. Then those students can train other students. This can easily become a center in my guided reading program.
In the meantime, in the lab I had some great success with a website that tests student's knowledge of where the provinces and territories are. I have them do the quiz first and record their marks then I challenge them to beat their score within two weeks. Then we go off on other sites to learn the province's/territories' names. The students get so excited using the computers vs how bored they are when I do it with the texts. When it does come time to label and colour the maps the students are confident and do a great job overall.
There are lots of positive things happening with computers and grade 4s this year.
Monday, October 19, 2009
My Exposure to Podcasts
On first reading "Podcasts" in the Assignments section I thought about what exposure I have to them so far. Really I didn't think that I had any. Then I got thinking a little more and realized that a year ago when I began walking someone recommended a podcast to walk/run to. It was a couch to 5km in 9 week program: Podcasts for Running. These podcasts are awesome for auditory learners like myself. I realize now that I have always had a problem with my breathing when walking or running. The podcasts helped because with them my body fell into a natural rhythm. So before reading any research whatsoever I can see specific benefits to using podcasts, particularly with auditory learners.
It seems to me I also used a podcast once to double check how to cook a turkey. Then two weeks ago when I was at an inservice about First Class, podcasts were part of the agenda. This really helped me to fully understand what podcasts are all about.
While in the lab with the grade 4s today we were using an interactive website to test whether students can locate provinces and territories. As we were doing this I thought that it would be really helpful if there was sound with the program. This would have really helped the ESL learners and the IEP students who are unable to read the print.
Now I have cruised the web a little bit and realize that there are endless things that can be done and are being done with podcasts everywhere, including in the classroom. Now I want to see how I can implement podcasts into my class.
It seems to me I also used a podcast once to double check how to cook a turkey. Then two weeks ago when I was at an inservice about First Class, podcasts were part of the agenda. This really helped me to fully understand what podcasts are all about.
While in the lab with the grade 4s today we were using an interactive website to test whether students can locate provinces and territories. As we were doing this I thought that it would be really helpful if there was sound with the program. This would have really helped the ESL learners and the IEP students who are unable to read the print.
Now I have cruised the web a little bit and realize that there are endless things that can be done and are being done with podcasts everywhere, including in the classroom. Now I want to see how I can implement podcasts into my class.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Back Up Plans
Well I must say I am very frustrated in the lab this year, but I have done this enough times to know that just before a roll out of new machines everything starts to freeze up and break down.
Yesterday I modeled how to create a tally chart using Kidpix, for the Grade 2 class. They excitedly logged on and got started, one by one EVERY machine in the lab froze, before Kidpix was even fully functional. This is so disappointing for the students. The message for us all is to have a non computer back up plan just in case.
You never know when the Board IT guy is going to come along to reimage machines, the machines are going to freeze or the network itself is going to go down, therefore as in anything that involves power, make sure you have a back up plan.
With the grade 2s, although they were disappointed, they created hand drawn tally charts and collected their data. This is a good lesson for them too.
Yesterday I modeled how to create a tally chart using Kidpix, for the Grade 2 class. They excitedly logged on and got started, one by one EVERY machine in the lab froze, before Kidpix was even fully functional. This is so disappointing for the students. The message for us all is to have a non computer back up plan just in case.
You never know when the Board IT guy is going to come along to reimage machines, the machines are going to freeze or the network itself is going to go down, therefore as in anything that involves power, make sure you have a back up plan.
With the grade 2s, although they were disappointed, they created hand drawn tally charts and collected their data. This is a good lesson for them too.
Word Processors
Student Writing Center is a great word/processing program that works to transition students from Kidpix to Microsoft Office. The menu items are easily viewed and accessible for changing font, inserting pictures or changing alignment.
We don't tend to think of Word Processors when thinking in terms of Bloom's Taxonomy, however many elements are addressed. When using a word processor of any kind students may be planning, designing, creating,producing, organising, listing, etc. Often the "everyday" programs are overlooked because we take them for granted.
It is such fun to watch the development from students in Grade 1 seeing letters appear for the first time when typing on Kidpix, to creating a sign or poster, or writing a report in Student Writing Center, and then planning, designing, and creating a pamphlet or newsletter on Microsoft Publisher.
We don't tend to think of Word Processors when thinking in terms of Bloom's Taxonomy, however many elements are addressed. When using a word processor of any kind students may be planning, designing, creating,producing, organising, listing, etc. Often the "everyday" programs are overlooked because we take them for granted.
It is such fun to watch the development from students in Grade 1 seeing letters appear for the first time when typing on Kidpix, to creating a sign or poster, or writing a report in Student Writing Center, and then planning, designing, and creating a pamphlet or newsletter on Microsoft Publisher.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Grade 4 software reflection: Cross Country Canada
With the Grade 4s I do a lot of Social Studies based lessons. Typically I begin the year by teaching the game Cross Country Canada. Pardon me, early in my career I was told I cannot use the word game because that would suggest there is no learning involved. (wink, wink) However anyone who knows the "program" Cross Country Canada would know that it touches on the following Grade 4 expectations:
- describe a variety of exchanges that occur among the communities and regions of Ontario
- identify Canada's provinces and territories
-identify the natural resources necessary to create Canadian products, and the provinces and territories from which they originate
-use cardinal and intermediate directions
While this game seems very straight forward there is logic involved in determining which city a commodity should be picked up in and planning out a route. The program also shows the climate in the various regions, e.g. it always snows when you go to Thomson, Manitoba. Students who need a challenge can gather more commodities or read details about the city or province they are entering. This could be used for note taking as well.
This program has always been a favourite, but as in all learning it works best if the teacher models then guides the students through the lesson first. I do this using LanSchool in the lab or with a pre lesson in the classroom on the SMARTboard.
By the time the students have caught on to this program the board has sent out the IDs for the students and the research component of the unit begins. Cross Country Canada is then used as a reward for finishers or as a back up when our machines crash trying to get on the Internet to do our research lessons.
- describe a variety of exchanges that occur among the communities and regions of Ontario
- identify Canada's provinces and territories
-identify the natural resources necessary to create Canadian products, and the provinces and territories from which they originate
-use cardinal and intermediate directions
While this game seems very straight forward there is logic involved in determining which city a commodity should be picked up in and planning out a route. The program also shows the climate in the various regions, e.g. it always snows when you go to Thomson, Manitoba. Students who need a challenge can gather more commodities or read details about the city or province they are entering. This could be used for note taking as well.
This program has always been a favourite, but as in all learning it works best if the teacher models then guides the students through the lesson first. I do this using LanSchool in the lab or with a pre lesson in the classroom on the SMARTboard.
By the time the students have caught on to this program the board has sent out the IDs for the students and the research component of the unit begins. Cross Country Canada is then used as a reward for finishers or as a back up when our machines crash trying to get on the Internet to do our research lessons.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Reflecting on Software
Well I have not updated my blog lately as we had a family wedding Saturday and I did not get near my computer all weekend, but while keeping busy I was reflecting on the various software programs I have used over the years and where computers fit into the curriculum.
We have a wide range of programs in our lab but the program I use most with the primary students is Kidpix. This is a program that very easily leads primary students through beginning word processing as well as painting. The subject areas I use this most with are Mathematics and Social Studies as these are the subjects I am teaching in the lab.
In Math, Kidpix is an awesome program for developing patterns. Students create their own complete patterns, then the complete partial patterns and trade with a buddy to complete each others. We often do this after using Plumo at the Zoo. The "peacock" is a patterning activity that progresses at the child's pace. Students who have difficulty with a basic a b a b pattern stay with that until they are proficients. If the student gets the pattern then he/she progresses.
In Data Management, students create tally charts, print them off, collect data in the lab and then create pictographs using Kidpix.
The lab provides an opportunity for students with varying learning styles to demonstrate their understanding differently and with success.
We have a wide range of programs in our lab but the program I use most with the primary students is Kidpix. This is a program that very easily leads primary students through beginning word processing as well as painting. The subject areas I use this most with are Mathematics and Social Studies as these are the subjects I am teaching in the lab.
In Math, Kidpix is an awesome program for developing patterns. Students create their own complete patterns, then the complete partial patterns and trade with a buddy to complete each others. We often do this after using Plumo at the Zoo. The "peacock" is a patterning activity that progresses at the child's pace. Students who have difficulty with a basic a b a b pattern stay with that until they are proficients. If the student gets the pattern then he/she progresses.
In Data Management, students create tally charts, print them off, collect data in the lab and then create pictographs using Kidpix.
The lab provides an opportunity for students with varying learning styles to demonstrate their understanding differently and with success.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Reflections on the Lab
Everything in the lab is settling down. There are only two machines that are still done and the IT emailed yesterday that he has the server for one and will check the other when he is in. The wiring IT was in earlier this week to check the wiring for the new roll out and all is looking ready, but we are not on the roll out list yet and the newest list goes to December 2009.
The good news is we will be ready when the time does come.
The Grade 1 classes now know the computer lab routine and are ready to learn the programs. I find that many know how to open games and click, but very few really know how to play the games. This is the same for all of the grades I teach, so I model the game first using either the SMARTboard or LanSchool or both.
I modelled: "How to evaluate a website?" this week with the Grade 4s. We were looking for sites that would be appropriate for grade 1 and what makes the site appropriate or inappropriate. I find it works well doing this with the grade 4s for grade 1 because some of the students read a lower reading level and this allows them all to be at the same place.
The grade 2s will be starting Data Management and graphing using the computers next week.
Also, all of the student IDs are in now so I will pass them out to the other staff so the students can save their work.
All in all a very good week in the lab.
The good news is we will be ready when the time does come.
The Grade 1 classes now know the computer lab routine and are ready to learn the programs. I find that many know how to open games and click, but very few really know how to play the games. This is the same for all of the grades I teach, so I model the game first using either the SMARTboard or LanSchool or both.
I modelled: "How to evaluate a website?" this week with the Grade 4s. We were looking for sites that would be appropriate for grade 1 and what makes the site appropriate or inappropriate. I find it works well doing this with the grade 4s for grade 1 because some of the students read a lower reading level and this allows them all to be at the same place.
The grade 2s will be starting Data Management and graphing using the computers next week.
Also, all of the student IDs are in now so I will pass them out to the other staff so the students can save their work.
All in all a very good week in the lab.
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