Digital Tools Gone Mad

IL-TCE Conference-2/26/2008

February 22, 2008 by riles3821

Alpha Smart Word Processor

Alpha Smarts are small, portable one-to-one computing devices. They are fairly easy to use and allow for one-touch file access. Teachers can control student access to programs and selected functions. Included is learning software for developing writing, keyboarding, and quizzing skills. Students stay on task without Internet distractions like Web surfing, online games, or instant messaging, and the devices require little maintenance. They are rugged and weigh about 2 pounds each.

Potential uses of Alpha Smart word processors in the classroom:

Typing practice
Pre-writing activities
Writing Roulette-one student starts a story and the story is passed on to another student
Writing Games
Notetaking
Importing

Other Collaborative Writing Tools

Skrbl-Free, interactive whiteboard for student collaboration

Google Docs and Spreadsheets-Free word processing and presentation software that allows for multi-users and tracks revision history of documents as students collaborate

Tips for integrating the Alpha Smart word processor:

ELMO Projector/Document Camera

The Elmo projector is a device that projects three-dimensional images and printed text onto a screen or wall. The document camera allows you to zoom in.

Potential uses of Elmo projectors:

Read alouds
Demonstrating an art project
Modeling how to use math manipulatives
Study plants and animals specimens
Use the camera feature to document the steps in an activity (steps in a math problem, assembling an object, document terrarium growth over several days)

Tips for integrating the ELMO Projector/Document Camera:

http://www.pre-kpages.com/elmo.html

Image Editing Software

GIMP - A free, open-source image editing program similar to Photoshop
Picasa - A free photo-editing tool from Google
FD’s Flickr Toys – Free applications for manipulating images and creating movie posters, trading cards, and calendars from digital photos
Image Resizer – This free utility, which is part of the Windows Power Toys for Windows XP, allows you to resize one or many image files with a right-click of the mouse. I use this utility whenever I need to quickly resize an image or group of images in order to decrease the file size and make them easier to e-mail

Free Multimedia Resources for Student Projects

Flickr – Flickr is an online photo management and sharing application. You limit your search to only include free Creative Commons-licensed photos. Click on the check box near the bottom labeled “Only search within Creative Commons-licensed photos”
The Freesound Project - Free music and sound effects for podcasts or digital storytelling projects
The Internet Archive – Free video, audio, and music files for use in student projects
Wikimedia Commons – Free videos and images for student use
The Library of Congress’ Flickr page - A huge collection of free copyright free images
Copyright Chart – This handy chart provides guidelines regarding copyright and fair-use for student projects

Digital Camera Equipment

Composition:

Get closer to your subject. Make the subject the focal point of your composition and eliminate unnecessary or distracting details if possible by moving. The macro setting (if your camera has one) allows you to get very close to a subject to provide an different perspective. The rule of thirds is also something to consider when framing your subject.

The Rule of Thirds:

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/rule-of-thirds/

http://silverlight.co.uk/tutorials/compose_expose/thirds.html

Lighting:

Make sure your subject is adequately lit. You may need to turn on the camera’s flash, turn on an overhead light, or turn on a nearby lamp to gain adequate lighting conditions. When outside in sunny situations, make sure your subject is facing the sunlight. Using the fill flash outside can help to get rid of shadows on people’s faces.

Camera control:

Camera control is important in ensuring that your subject remains in focus. In low light situations, a tripod can help your subject remain in focus. If you don’t have a tripod look for a natural tripod, such as a rock, ledge, or wall to brace the camera against. When using the camera handheld, tuck both of your elbows against your side to minizmize camera shaking when taking the picture. When taking a picture, breath in, hold your breath, then snap the picture before exhaling.

Tutorials and tips for taking pictures with a digital camera:

http://www.shortcourses.com/use/

http://www.basic-digital-photography.com/shooting-photos.html

http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2002/10/22/digi_photo_tips.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2OcUeJ08bU (video tutorial)

Ideas for integrating a digital camera into classroom lessons:

Digital storytelling

Capturing school and classroom events

Assigning a “Class Photographer” for the week

Many more ideas can be found at the following websites:

http://coekate.murraystate.edu/camera/ideas.htm

http://www.adobe.com/education/digkids/index.html

http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/jcheek3/digitalcameras.htm

http://www.wam.umd.edu/~toh/image/DigitalCameraUses.htm

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech148.shtml

Podcasting with Audacity

Audacity is a free audio editing program that can export audio projects in mp3 or wav format. These projects can be used in digital storytelling projects that your students are completing.

Download Audacity at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/

Download the LAME Mp3 encoder for Audacity at http://www.free-codecs.com/Lame_Encoder_download.htm

Audacity video tutorials: