BP 14 Flash is making more sense now...I think!?

The second tutorial was far more informative than the first. There were some really basic concepts about creating graphics and the toolbars that I needed to understand before I could start using Flash in earnest. What was the most surprising to me is that ten years ago I was using Freehand when I was a typesetter for my husband and my printing company. Much of the way graphics are created and manipulated and the toolbars to accomplish tasks is the same. I can't believe how much I forgot after not having done this type of work in so long. I felt like a complete novice in that department.

After my graphics refresher, I was able to explore and understand a few more principles of using Flash. I still have a lot to learn so I am glad we have class coming up that will give us the opportunity to explore  Flash some more. I think it's a great tool and can't wait to see how I can use it in my classroom.

BP 13 My head is spinning...can I animate THAT in flash?!

So I've just watched all the videos on lynda.com for "Flash CS4 Getting Started" and I am definitely NOT ready to get started! As soon as the topics turned to creating animations, I was lost. The vocabulary used was way above my head and was geared toward people who have experience with computer design, which I do not have. I opened flash and performed all the operations being explained, but to be honest, I was not quite sure what each step in the tasks was meant to do and how I would apply it later.

In frustration, I decided to look through the other tutorials for flash and it looks like there is a more basic tutorial that explains many of the terms I was struggling to understand. So, I am back to the drawing board...it's "Flash CS4 Essential Training" next. Hopefully, this will make more sense to me. I'll keep you posted...

BP 12 Why Flash?

For my ETC practical experience I have chosen to learn more about Flash. I have no experience what-so-ever using this program and frankly, I feel a bit intimidated by it. When I saw that we will be learning about and using Flash in a future class, I figured this would be a great opportunity to get my feet wet. I am planning on using the tutorials located on lynda.com to learn the basics about using Flash. Please check back on my blog as I will keep you posted on my progress...see you soon!

BP 11 OMM_PBWorks

Here is my one-minute video on PBWorks. Hope you enjoy!

BP 10 Comment to Bob

Follow this link to my comment on Bob's blog. 

BP 9 Comment to Dana

Follow this link for my comment to Dana on Bookemon.

BP 8 PBWorks

The web 2.0 tool I reviewed this week is called PBWorks, which can be used in education, the workplace or personal use. PBWorks is basically a personal website, wiki, and discussion board all in one online source. The pages in PBWorks are called workspaces, which can be edited just like any word document. You can import images, videos and links. These workspaces can then be shared with others either publicly or privately with pre-determined people. You can also control the level of editing those who access the workspace can have. You can also allow others to just view or read the workspace, add to (write) or edit the contents of the page.  In addition, there are other features on the page that are ideal for teachers to use as their classroom webpage. There are workspaces to post assignments, your class syllabus, and keep track of any other workspaces you want to create.

Students can also have their own workspace where they can keep track of their assignments and notes, post homework or download files. You can create workspaces that students can use to collaborate, and since you control who can access the workspace and what they can do that workspace, it is ideal for group projects.

Access to PBWorks is free for a basic workspace. This basic workspace is ideal if you just have one course, however if you need multiple courses, you will have to upgrade to a classroom or campus edition. The classroom edition gives you more storage space and options and costs $99 per year. The campus edition gives unlimited workspaces to up 1000 users and costs $799 per year.

BP 7 OMM_Twiducate

This is my one minute movie about Twiducate, a social networking tool for teachers and students.

BP 6 Comment to Jessica

Follow this link to Jessica's blog on GoAnimate.com

BP 5 Comment to Crystal

Follow this link to Crystal's blog on yoyogames.

BP 4 Cmapper

 The web 2.0 tool I reviewed was Cmappers (http://www.cmappers.net/), which is a collaborative mind mapping software. Users can add text, pictures, links, etc. to create interactive mind maps. I feel this tool could be useful for my Action Research project. At my school, we are implementing a new behavior program for the upcoming school year that requires collaboration and reviewing amongst teachers, committee members and administrators. Throughout the school year, teachers will need to review how the behavior plan is working in the classroom and in the school in general; so being able to communicate this progress is an important part of this process. A tool such as collaborative mapping could be used to allow all of these people to share strategies and ideas for dealing with difficult behavior issues not just in the beginning of the year, but also as the year progresses. It is flexible enough to allow users to add topics, share on topics, and add links to websites that could provide more information on a give topic. The ability to do this can really open up the lines of communication in the group and provide much needed support for teachers during the implementation this behavior plan. In addition to the implications this software can have on my Action Research project, there are many features I liked about this software. It is free, easy to access (since it is web-based), the website provides users with tutorials on using the software and has a database of concept maps added by users.

BP3 Twiducate

          The web2.0 tool I chose is Twiducate (http://www.twiducate.com/), which is a free, private social networking environment geared specifically to education. I think Twiducate can be useful with my action research project, which is based on my school’s implementation of the Positive Behavior Support (PBS) project. Along with the other teachers at my school, I will be using this program to improve behavior in my classroom. In addition, since the whole school will be using the program, we are hoping to see improvement in behavior outside the classroom as well.

            The PBS program is highly dependent on the collaboration of teachers and administrators in order to implement, assess and revise behavior intervention plans. These plans are created by a team, which in turn communicates the plan with the rest of the teachers on campus. The PBS program is individualized at the school level and is revised throughout the school year to meet the needs of the school. All members of the school become part of the shaping of the school’s unique plan by providing feedback and suggestions, and implementing the expectations that are decided upon by the PBS team.

            This collaboration process can be time consuming and I think Twiducate can help streamline this process. Twiducate is like Twitter, where users can post thoughts about any given topic. Other users can then comment on this post, which allows for the open collaboration of all members. At our school, the PBS team could post a plan they are considering and get immediate feedback from the teachers in order to “fine-tune” it. Once a plan is implemented, teachers could share ideas, frustrations, suggestions, etc. all of which can be used by the team to make decisions on the progress of plan.

Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com.

BP2_iGoogle Screen Shots

BP1 Google Reader

Positive Behavior Support

The first RSS feed I added was related to my Action Research project, which is the school wide behavior modification program my school is implementing next school year. The program is called Positive Behavior Support (PBS). The PBS website has an RSS feed with lots of information that will help me along the way, both in using the program in my classroom and with my action research requirements.

NCTM

The RSS feed from the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics provides a wealth of information and articles specifically targeted for math teachers. Since not all the articles or stories they post will apply to what I am teaching, I can easily see which ones I am interested in reading further and just read those. What a time saver for me!

Wild About Math

This feed is a little more fun, but it is math related. It posts challenges, word problems, puzzles and books about math that can used in the classroom. It provides a way for me to quickly get new ideas to use with my students without having to come up with it myself.

TechLearning

With technology changing and evolving so quickly, it is hard to stay abreast of the latest technology being used in the classroom. This feed gives up to date information on how technology is being used in education. I can easily read more about the specific aspects of integrating technology that interest me most without reading through a whole magazine.

Teacher Tube

I really don’t enjoy reading so much so this feed is right up my alley. This is the You Tube for teachers. The videos vary widely, but they are all related to education. Some can be shown in the classroom to reinforce concepts you are teaching while others are more informational and highlight specific subject areas or education in general.