Our most ambitious project this semester was the creation of our own website using Google's platform. If you like, you can visit my site: Mr. Troupe's Classroom.
What went well/not well?
Being a google product, the web creation was straightforward, but not without its share of glitches. I found it difficult to get the text to format the way that I wanted it to. The choices for fonts and other design options were pretty limited, and I sometimes had trouble getting gadgets to work (like my Google slideshow from the Scavenger Hunt project). All that being said, it was remarkably easy to create a website...and FREE! The rubric and instructions made the structure of the website pretty clear.
What would you change?
I don't know that I would change much with this assignment. I feel like the experience of creating the website was good, and having the website as an artifact is even better. It definitely felt productive.
How do you plan to use in practice?
I plan to use this website as a personal resource and as a showcase to potential employers of my technology skills. When I have a classroom of my own, I will link my school webpage to this website in order to give my students extra resources for the class. Now that I know how to create and edit on the web, I will continue to refine and expand the site to suit my future classrooms.
Class Evaluation:
I consider myself a reflective user of technology. I'm rarely an early adopter, but neither do I shun all new technology. That being said, I learned about a lot of new technology in this class, and even more so, I learned how to effectively use that technology in the classroom. I think the most valuable things going forward will be the resources that my fellow social studies teachers found, the website that I created, and the knowledge of how to use the interactive whiteboard. The class was a lot of work, and I think that things could be pared down a little to focus on the most important technologies and go a bit more in depth on those.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Digital Story
This week we created digital stories using iMovie. Here's my video:
What went well/not well:
Overall, I think the project came together nicely, but it was a lot of work and struggle. IMovie is mac-easy but that means that if anything does go wrong, it can take a while to figure out how to fix it (for those of us who are native to PC). Having high quality pics from my own camera and saved in dropbox made the process easier. Also my basic story was flexible enough to accommodate different pictures if one turned out to be poor quality.
What I would change:
The main thing that I would change is to have taken better photographs in the first place. I am not a professional photographer, but I found that it was easier to use my pics off of the camera than to find high quality, non-copywrited versions on the web.
How I would use it:
This is a rather involved project for high school students, and I would not want to use it with middle schoolers at all. Even in high school, I might restrict this project to upperclassmen. For students who can handle it, this project would display both their technology skills and their ability to present History or Geography in simple, concise stories. I could easily see using this as part of a senior project.
What went well/not well:
Overall, I think the project came together nicely, but it was a lot of work and struggle. IMovie is mac-easy but that means that if anything does go wrong, it can take a while to figure out how to fix it (for those of us who are native to PC). Having high quality pics from my own camera and saved in dropbox made the process easier. Also my basic story was flexible enough to accommodate different pictures if one turned out to be poor quality.
What I would change:
The main thing that I would change is to have taken better photographs in the first place. I am not a professional photographer, but I found that it was easier to use my pics off of the camera than to find high quality, non-copywrited versions on the web.
How I would use it:
This is a rather involved project for high school students, and I would not want to use it with middle schoolers at all. Even in high school, I might restrict this project to upperclassmen. For students who can handle it, this project would display both their technology skills and their ability to present History or Geography in simple, concise stories. I could easily see using this as part of a senior project.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Animoto
Check out this video I created with Animoto, an online video collage software.
Make your own slideshow with music at Animoto.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Google Forms
Today, Kristen and I taught a lesson on Google Forms. I blogged about Google Forms earlier in the semester, so I will just say a few words about the presentation.
What went well/not well?
The presentation went pretty well. All of our fellow students were already familiar with Google Docs, and I perhaps assumed a greater proficiency than I should have. Our original plan was sidetracked a couple of times because of the way that our example forms worked (or didn't work). That being said, I am confident that most of the students know what a Google Form could be used for and how to create one on their own.
How would you change?
If I could redo the presentation, I would probably spend more time showing them how to create a form in a step-by-step manner. I would have the whole class try to create the same form with me as I demonstrated on the Promethean board.
How would you use this with your students?
As we discussed today, this tool is ideal for informal class surveys and formative assessments. I may use it to give a quick quiz or to learn something about my students at the beginning of the year. I might use it to allow the class to vote on some issue or even it for teacher evaluations at the end of the semester (if I am brave enough).
What went well/not well?
The presentation went pretty well. All of our fellow students were already familiar with Google Docs, and I perhaps assumed a greater proficiency than I should have. Our original plan was sidetracked a couple of times because of the way that our example forms worked (or didn't work). That being said, I am confident that most of the students know what a Google Form could be used for and how to create one on their own.
How would you change?
If I could redo the presentation, I would probably spend more time showing them how to create a form in a step-by-step manner. I would have the whole class try to create the same form with me as I demonstrated on the Promethean board.
How would you use this with your students?
As we discussed today, this tool is ideal for informal class surveys and formative assessments. I may use it to give a quick quiz or to learn something about my students at the beginning of the year. I might use it to allow the class to vote on some issue or even it for teacher evaluations at the end of the semester (if I am brave enough).
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
ActiveInspire/Promethean Board
Our latest project was to create an interactive whiteboard presentation using ActiveInspire software. I created a presentation on the build up to the Civil War and the Compromises of 1820 and 1850.
What went well/not well?
I found the ActiveInspire software very easy to use. The potential for interactivity is great, I only wish that I had more time to explore all of the features. Some of it seems a little gimmicky for high school students, but in general I think the interactivity could really improve some very dry History lessons. If anything did not go well it was only because of my poor eye for design and lack of time to fully explore the software.
What would you change?
I doubt that I would change anything. I only scratched the surface of ActiveInspire for this project. I don't think the software was too complicated to use, but I was glad to have the tutorial from Ginny Britt when getting started. For someone who is used to Powerpoint the interface was a little difficult to get used to.
How do you plan to use this with your students?
Interactive slides everyday! History teachers have to cover a lot of content every day. The interactive whiteboard will allow me to incorporate a little activity into some otherwise dry material. Of course, I was already planning to use plenty of pics and short audio or video clips, but this just gives me the ability to get my students moving and thinking.
What went well/not well?
I found the ActiveInspire software very easy to use. The potential for interactivity is great, I only wish that I had more time to explore all of the features. Some of it seems a little gimmicky for high school students, but in general I think the interactivity could really improve some very dry History lessons. If anything did not go well it was only because of my poor eye for design and lack of time to fully explore the software.
What would you change?
I doubt that I would change anything. I only scratched the surface of ActiveInspire for this project. I don't think the software was too complicated to use, but I was glad to have the tutorial from Ginny Britt when getting started. For someone who is used to Powerpoint the interface was a little difficult to get used to.
How do you plan to use this with your students?
Interactive slides everyday! History teachers have to cover a lot of content every day. The interactive whiteboard will allow me to incorporate a little activity into some otherwise dry material. Of course, I was already planning to use plenty of pics and short audio or video clips, but this just gives me the ability to get my students moving and thinking.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Inspiration...the software
Here's a little screen shot of my latest Inspiration project:
What went well/not well:
Overall, the software was very easy to use. At the suggestion of Chris Richeson, I used the outline function to start my diagram. This did make it easy to create the structure. From there it was a matter of changing the look. This is where I ran into a little bit of trouble, since my design skills are a bit rusty. But with a little guidance from Dr. O'Bannon, I managed to create a diagram that is fairly well organized.
What would you change:
I think the software is very user friendly. I messed around with the software a little before class, but I still found this to be a time-consuming project. I still don't know that I would change anything. Some things just take time to learn.
How do I plan to use it:
As a social studies teacher, I love charts and graphs. I can see myself using this tool all the time to create charts and diagrams for presentations. Also, this would make a great project for my students. For instance, I could have students create a diagram showing the checks and balances of the 3 branches of the government or diagram the flow of capital in the European Union. I don't think I would use it as a student project very often though. It is just a little too time-consuming for the uninitiated.
What went well/not well:
Overall, the software was very easy to use. At the suggestion of Chris Richeson, I used the outline function to start my diagram. This did make it easy to create the structure. From there it was a matter of changing the look. This is where I ran into a little bit of trouble, since my design skills are a bit rusty. But with a little guidance from Dr. O'Bannon, I managed to create a diagram that is fairly well organized.
What would you change:
I think the software is very user friendly. I messed around with the software a little before class, but I still found this to be a time-consuming project. I still don't know that I would change anything. Some things just take time to learn.
How do I plan to use it:
As a social studies teacher, I love charts and graphs. I can see myself using this tool all the time to create charts and diagrams for presentations. Also, this would make a great project for my students. For instance, I could have students create a diagram showing the checks and balances of the 3 branches of the government or diagram the flow of capital in the European Union. I don't think I would use it as a student project very often though. It is just a little too time-consuming for the uninitiated.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Smilebox
Smilebox can be used to create collages, video collages, thank you notes, and myriad other artifacts that can be fun and informative in the classroom. Here's a fake newsletter that I created:
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Thursday, March 8, 2012
Scavenger Hunt, part 2
Remember that scavenger hunt that I just blogged about. Well here's a Google Presentation of all those artifacts. Enjoy.
Scavenger Hunt
Today we participated in a totally rad photo scavenger hunt!
It was fun to get out of the classroom, but finding images that would capture the ideas that we were supposed to find. Finding a newspaper was easy, but finding a depiction of "similarities and differences" required some creativity. Taking the pictures and downloading them onto a computer turned out to be pretty easy. I've done that before many times. Also, changing the resolution was easy on the Mac (I've never tried it on a PC). Uploading the photos onto Picasa Web Albums was also seamless, however it took a while to figure out how to navigate through Picasa in order to get the embed code for the slide show. Google Presentation was a snap, since I could load my pics directly from Picasa. Embedding from Google Presentation was also much easier to figure out. I don't know that I would change anything about the assignment. As a social studies teacher, I could definitely simplify this assignment for students and have them create a slideshow of local landmarks or historical markers. As long as I give them plenty of guidance, I think my students will have a lot of fun AND learn something.
Here's a slideshow of the artifacts we found on our slideshow today:
It was fun to get out of the classroom, but finding images that would capture the ideas that we were supposed to find. Finding a newspaper was easy, but finding a depiction of "similarities and differences" required some creativity. Taking the pictures and downloading them onto a computer turned out to be pretty easy. I've done that before many times. Also, changing the resolution was easy on the Mac (I've never tried it on a PC). Uploading the photos onto Picasa Web Albums was also seamless, however it took a while to figure out how to navigate through Picasa in order to get the embed code for the slide show. Google Presentation was a snap, since I could load my pics directly from Picasa. Embedding from Google Presentation was also much easier to figure out. I don't know that I would change anything about the assignment. As a social studies teacher, I could definitely simplify this assignment for students and have them create a slideshow of local landmarks or historical markers. As long as I give them plenty of guidance, I think my students will have a lot of fun AND learn something.
Here's a slideshow of the artifacts we found on our slideshow today:
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Picasa Web Albums
I've been using Picasa for a while, but I wasn't familiar with all of the features. I could definitely see creating a web album for any region or country that my Geography students are studying. Here's an example for London:
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Timetoast
Today we learned how to make an interactive timeline using a website called Timetoast. I don't think I need to tell you that my inner History teacher was celebrating. But outside...I stayed cool. Real cool.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Delicious
I just learned how to use Delicious to store and categorize links. I can definitely see using this tool to help organize my whole life, not just my classroom.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Embedding Videos
I recently learned how to embed videos...so I'm embedding this awesome clip. It's Richard Burton reading "Leaden Echo & Golden Echo" by Gerard Manley Hopkins.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Web 2.0 Tool: Google Forms
This week I was introduced to Google Forms as a classroom tool.
What went well or not well?
I have used Google Docs for several years, so I was familiar with the interface, but I had never attempted Google Forms before. I found it just as easy to use as the other Google Docs tools. Of course, it is a bit limited in terms of capabilities, but since it's free, I can't complain. The process of creating a form is simple. The only difficulty that I had was in trying to edit one that was already created, but it didn't take me long to figure out how to do that either. The form can be emailed to students (which can pose difficulties in schools without sufficient technology access) or it can be embedded in a website or blog...as I have done below.
How will you use this tool?
If I have a class with computer access, I could easily see myself using Google Forms once a week. It is great for pre-assessments. I might use it to survey student interests. I might survey my fellow teachers or even poll parents to get their thoughts about a particular topic. I would definitely use it for short quizzes. I might even open myself up to student evaluations using Google Forms (if the class is mature enough to give useful feedback). The spreadsheet function means that my data would be instantly graphable and easy to read. The limitations of using Google Forms is that a classroom would have to have sufficient computer access.
What will you do differently next time?
I am still trying to think of a good way to have students use this tool to create an artifact. I want them to create a survey or assessment themselves, so that they can begin to think about the nature of assessment and also gain valuable tech skills. I am sure that many businesses/organizations use Google Forms on a regular basis. If I can find a way for my upper-level students to begin using it, then they will have yet another tool in their professional toolbox. The opportunity is there; I just have to find a way to properly frame the task.
What went well or not well?
I have used Google Docs for several years, so I was familiar with the interface, but I had never attempted Google Forms before. I found it just as easy to use as the other Google Docs tools. Of course, it is a bit limited in terms of capabilities, but since it's free, I can't complain. The process of creating a form is simple. The only difficulty that I had was in trying to edit one that was already created, but it didn't take me long to figure out how to do that either. The form can be emailed to students (which can pose difficulties in schools without sufficient technology access) or it can be embedded in a website or blog...as I have done below.
How will you use this tool?
If I have a class with computer access, I could easily see myself using Google Forms once a week. It is great for pre-assessments. I might use it to survey student interests. I might survey my fellow teachers or even poll parents to get their thoughts about a particular topic. I would definitely use it for short quizzes. I might even open myself up to student evaluations using Google Forms (if the class is mature enough to give useful feedback). The spreadsheet function means that my data would be instantly graphable and easy to read. The limitations of using Google Forms is that a classroom would have to have sufficient computer access.
What will you do differently next time?
I am still trying to think of a good way to have students use this tool to create an artifact. I want them to create a survey or assessment themselves, so that they can begin to think about the nature of assessment and also gain valuable tech skills. I am sure that many businesses/organizations use Google Forms on a regular basis. If I can find a way for my upper-level students to begin using it, then they will have yet another tool in their professional toolbox. The opportunity is there; I just have to find a way to properly frame the task.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Wiki!
My mind is reeling with the possible applications of wikis in the classroom. This is the ultimate collaborative tool for class projects, and I had never considered it before. The creation of the wiki itself is surprisingly easy. Just a few steps and a whole network of pages appears, all easily navigable and incredibly flexible. As a secondary social studies teacher, I am envisioning how my students will create travel guides, historical bio pages, display cultural developments in several time periods and generally create or co-create artifacts, conceivably on a daily basis.
Of course, there are obstacles to the use of this technology. The wikis must be carefully set up by the administrator (teacher), students will need lots of step by step guidance to successfully participate, and they will require constant monitoring to make sure that the wiki is fulfilling its educational objective. Students will first need an education in the ethics of wiki collaboration and showing respect for each other on the wiki just like in the classroom.
The most exciting aspect of this technology is the way that it encourages collaboration. With mutual respect and the proper guidance from their teacher, students can use this technology to work together, even if they are not in the classroom, to create a very impressive product that they can be proud of and that can be easily assessed by the teacher, the principal, and the parents.
Of course, there are obstacles to the use of this technology. The wikis must be carefully set up by the administrator (teacher), students will need lots of step by step guidance to successfully participate, and they will require constant monitoring to make sure that the wiki is fulfilling its educational objective. Students will first need an education in the ethics of wiki collaboration and showing respect for each other on the wiki just like in the classroom.
The most exciting aspect of this technology is the way that it encourages collaboration. With mutual respect and the proper guidance from their teacher, students can use this technology to work together, even if they are not in the classroom, to create a very impressive product that they can be proud of and that can be easily assessed by the teacher, the principal, and the parents.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Evaluating "Famous Trials" Website
Today I evaluated the website "Famous Trials." I found the evaluation process very helpful. I have learned about website evaluation in other courses. This is the first time that I was asked to evaluate a website not just for its accuracy and reliability but for its usefulness in a classroom. I had to step back a moment and consider how, say, a high school freshmen would see that site. That added requirement did make me think about how I would use websites as resources in the classroom. Teachers have to be very picky. It's not enough that a website be factually correct (although this is a necessity). The site must also be clear and easy to use for students in a classroom. Having to complete the form made me think through use of the website in a very thorough manner. I think that systemic thinking about a website's usefulness and appropriateness is absolutely necessary for a teacher.
Yesterday, I observed some High School Juniors learning in a computer lab. They were extremely difficult to keep focused, and these were Juniors! That was enough to convince me that accessibility is one of the most important teacher requirements for a website. These students were in a college prep class, but they were having trouble following simple instructions to navigate the school's own website. I am very interested to see what other resources my peers have evaluated and how useful they judged those to be. I will be setting some pretty high standards for websites in my classroom.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Welcome!
Welcome to my technology blog, created for TPTE 486 at the University of Tennessee. I have high expectations for this course, since I am only somewhat familiar with the instructional technology that is available today. I am not especially tech-savvy, but I'm no techphobe either. It has been over ten years since I've been in a high school classroom, but I have been keeping up with some of the advances in instructional technology (smartboard, use of youtube, class websites). I am looking forward to learning a great deal more about web-based tools and how to actually use one of those "smartboards". I hope you enjoy my blog as I reflect on this class throughout the semester.
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