Adapting Technology to Document and Engage Learners

Overview:

1.       Introduction

2.       Examples of Engaging Students (Problem/Inquiry/Project Based Learning)

a.       Connecting Canadian Kids to the World: http://blog.scs.sk.ca/ar6/

b.       Weather: http://blog.scs.sk.ca/weatherproject/

c.        Bio-Resource Management 20: http://onestop.gscs.sk.ca

d.       Travel Blogging: http://blog.scs.sk.ca/bernardtravelfour/

3.       Overview of Free Documenting/Engaging Learner Programs

4.       Overview of Resources From SCCS Free to Use

5.       Overview of Hardware

6.       Questions

Free and great programs or websites to use for documenting and engaging learners.

Microsoft Based Partners in Learning Teacher Toolkit

1. Photosynth: Create 3-D experiences from multiple images. http://photosynth.net/
2. Songsmith: Musical accompaniment to match your singing voice. http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/redmond/projects/songsmith/
1. Example (Cougar Song)
3. WorldWide Telescope: Virtual telescope using the Hubble and more. http://www.worldwidetelescope.org/
4. Digital literacy curriculum: Classroom-ready digital-rights curriculum.
5. Kodu: A (free) new visual programming language made specifically for creating games (runs on xbox also) http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/kodu/
6. Microsoft Photostory 3: Create slideshows using your digital photos. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=92755126-a008-49b3-b3f4-6f33852af9c1
7. Dream Spark provides professional-level developer and design tools to students and educators around the world at no charge: https://www.dreamspark.com/default.aspx
8. Microsoft Moviemaker - Moviemaker is on all Windows based computers. You can use this program to merge movies, pictures and audio to create a video.

 is an international learning and teaching project that uses a 3D multi-user environment to immerse children, ages 9-16, in educational tasks.  http://atlantis.crlt.indiana.edu/

 A vibrant, multi-sensory learning experience which integrates learner's knowledge and skills into traditionally text-oriented subjects and motivates learner's desire to explore topics in which they may previously have been less interested.
http://edu.glogster.com/

   A site for generating "word clouds" from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. This can be used for letters and colours and other words you may use often. The Wordle's are printable.
http://www.wordle.net/

 Turn your Photos into a unique mosaic. Lots of amazing possibilities for documenting images from a complete unit. http://mosaically.com/

 Make your own animated video. Use as a presentation tool or documentation tool. Students of all ages love this one! http://goanimate.com/

 Turn your photos and music into stunning video slideshows. http://animoto.com

 http://www.ustream.tv/ - Ustream is a live video streaming website that allows you to easily broadcast from your home computer. Any user with a webcam and Internet connection can create their own free web broadcast.

   Edistorm takes the metaphor of sticky notes on a boardroom wall and brings it online allowing anyone - anywhere to brainstorm with only a web browser. Each user picks their favorite ideas and Edistorm brings the best ones forward. http://www.edistorm.com/

Story Mapping http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/storymap/index.html

Free SCCS Resources

 Blogs
Blogs websites that are easy to update. If you can type and send an email, you can update your blog..
To register for a free blog go to http://www.scs.sk.ca/cyber  under the Registration tab click on Blogs.

Examples:

• I love Smart Boards Blog: http://blog.scs.sk.ca/ilovesmartboards
• Elementary School Math Blog: http://blog.scs.sk.ca/sproat/
• Teachers Love Smart Boards: http://www.teacherslovesmartboards.com/  

 GSCS Pre-K to 8 Curricular Resource One-Stop-Shop
This site is organized by grade level, subject area and curricular indicators and outcomes. If you are looking for resources specific to what you are teaching, this site is for you. Please note: this site is constantly being updated, added to and checked to make sure the content suits your needs.

To access the site go to http://blog.scs.sk.ca/resources

Grades 2-8 Online Classrooms

Cyber Planets are essentially Learning Communities for students in grades 2-8. Cyber Planets are housed in the secure online learning platform Web CT. Cyber Planets are web based and can be accessed with a valid username and password from any computer connected to the internet. Presently, Cyber Planets are being used by classrooms teachers as an "Online Classroom", whereby only students in that particular classroom can log into their Cyber Planet.

The Cyber Planets include secure e-mail, chatrooms, bulletin boards and calendars that can all be monitored by the classroom teacher.

To Register go to: http://www.scs.sk.ca/cyber and under the Registration tab click Cyber Planets

SCCS Grade 9-12 Hybrid Courses

By taking the on-line courses developed by SCCS teachers and using them in a face to face classroom, you have what is called a hybrid course. The courses can support or be used as the actual course in a face to face classroom. The courses designed in cyber school can be used free of charge by the teaching staff of the Saskatoon Catholic System.
Available Courses: http://blog.scs.sk.ca/generalinfo/course_list/

To Register go to: http://www.scs.sk.ca/cyber  and under the Registration tab click Cyber Planets

Hardware:

1.       Mp3 Players - Audio Books, Voice Recording & Music - $25 + up

2.       Ipod/Ipod touch - Audio Books, Educational Apps, Video Recording, Pictures & voice recording - $250 + up

3.       IPAD - Audio Books, Educational Apps, Video Playback, Pictures,  Voice Recording, Internet, Larger Size - $600 + up

4.       Web Cam - Video Classroom activities, Audio/ Voice Recording, Pictures - $25 + up

5.       Flip Cam - High Definition Video, Images, Voice Recording, Easy to use. - $179 =+ up

6.       Digital Camera-  Pictures & Video - $150 + up

7.       Netbook - Smaller Computer, speed is ok, can run most programs, built in web cams, speakers, microphone, light weight, price is right - $200

Contact Info:
Kelli Boklaschuk
Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
Consultant- Learning Services
kboklaschuk@gscs.sk.ca
306-659-8166