Multimedia Magic

I have long been a fan of multimedia and enjoy audiobooks, podcasts, video and visually pleasing materials. This class however opened my eyes to bringing all of these interests together into my classroom and my instruction. Why have I been constrained by the walls of curricular expectations and direct instruction while the non-teacher in me has enjoyed all of these other multimedia mediums? It's not that I didn't do any of it, I think I did things and didn't exactly realize what I was doing. 

I have grown as an educator by trying new things and exposing my students to new videos, audio clips and introducing them to podcasts! I will continue to improve my video skills and speaking through audio skills. I will continue to try new methods of sharing information with parents to keep them engaged and informed as well.

My favorite learned skill was the use of Quicktime. Why has this clever app been hiding in the files of my MacBook forever without any use? It is simple and effective and it's multipurpose use make it a front runner in my go to apps!

What's even better than me learning all of this is the fact that my students will benefit as well and that makes me a better educator!

Learning curves

For every time something goes right, the pendulum must swing so that sometimes it is is bound to go wrong. Making our book/trailer advertisement was a lesson in frustration for me. I tried a new video making tool called Vyond. I put a lot of time an effort into the video that I intended to use a launch to our new science unit. The time spent creating it versus the 2 minute video final product was impractical. It was also very crushing that when I went to upload my video Vyond asked for me to purchase an annual subscription $79.99. I, of course, was not about to pay that for a 2 minute video. I contacted Vyond and was told that I should read the trial agreement (in fine print) that the trail is not meant to publish pieces, but a sample of what Vyond can do. UGH!  I accepted that my video would have a watermark stamped on it forever. I showed my 2 science classes and gave them the background story and the lesson learned here is know what tools you are using so that you don't get burned in the end. I also thought this was a fun and engaging way to kick off a new unit but I will use Apple clips or another video program next time!

Screencasting...all the cool kids are doing it!

I have watched so many screencasts (Thanks, Sal Kahn) but never knew how to do it myself. This is my new favorite tool and I will be doing it again in my classroom. The learning curve was not steep and it was a seamless transition to me making my first screencast. I think the biggest benefit is in the scaffolding that it provides to students when learning a new skill especially those who are visual learners, like me! The only problem I found was not rambling on and that is not one of my strengths. I also found out the hard way that you don't want to make a mistake at the end of the video and have to reshoot the entire screencast. It was fun to do, an engaging and helpful tool, and really easy to do.

I've attached a copy of my screencast that shows how to use the amazing SeeSaw activity library.

Pretty To Look At

Graphic design is easily taken for granted but can make such a difference in the classroom. Students are drawn to colorful, bright, aesthetically pleasing images, aren't we all? Because our students all learn differently a well-created infographic can make all the difference in the world for the visual learners in the classroom. It can draw them into content and get them hooked into engagement. And being just like my 5th graders, I did not carefully read the instructions of Module 5 so I created an infographic on Picktochart. We are entering IAR/PARCC season and I thought this little flyer would help students prep for test taking. It was really fun to make and who doesn't love bulldogs, french toast, meditation, and babies. I am in for graphic design and getting our students excited!!