Play around with Powerpoint

PowerPoint Show:

Tips:
Use a good microphone; sound quality is more important than video quality
Can be used like a podcast.
It's easy to use

In the classroom:
Much more interesting than a normal power point
frees teachers so they can interact with students instead of having to change slides and narrate the show.
Can be posted online for students to view when at home
Could send lessons to a student who will be absent for a while

Differentiation:
Can be done in multiple languages for English Language learners
The audio track can be used to teach students who are auditory learners or who have a visual impairment.

Assessment:
Students can create their own narration to a book, set of pictures, or other information.

A site called Quest

Webquest:

Tips:
Keep a narrow focus to avoid a confusing quest

In the classroom:
It's Free!
Online scavenger hunt
Dynamic way to teach and to add depth to a topic
Makes seeking information an adventure
By making learning fun, it inspires students to seek out information
Can be like taking a field trip without even leaving your seat
Adds depth to what's being studied in the unit

Assessment:
Shows the research students are doing on a given topic, and a lot more fun than writing a long research paper
Teaches the students to educate themselves by researching on their own.
Used to reinforce what was learned in class.

The Value of Video

Video:

Tips:
Save after every change you like and want to keep.

In the classroom:
Don’t dim the lights(Makes students tired)
For time management, edit out the points in the video that aren’t relevant to your lesson.
Preview video first (Make sure it's appropriate and relevant).
Make sure you have all the requirements to make it useful. (No Technical Difficulties)
As teaching technique it's more visually engaging than a lecture accompanied by a Slide-show
Have plans for how to assess what the students are getting from the video.
Have students watch for specific information or points in the video. (Keeps focus)

Creation:
Could have the class make a Class final video showing what a fun year they had.
Filming any drama productions the class performs
Make video to present content area.

Assessment:
Students Use video project to show their knowledge after a lesson.

Premium Prezi

Prezi:

Tips:
Add pictures to your frames before adding text since adding a picture will reformat your text
Don't add too many zooms and turns.it can make you viewers motion-sick
Their themes and templates make it easy to make your presentation more interesting
great how-to videos

In the classroom:
It's Free!
More professional looking than a power point
Can incorporate a wide variety of other media
adds layering and depth to an otherwise flat presentation
It's easy to add pictures, video and links to other websites
Very customizable

Assessment:
Easy enough for students to use it themselves to make presentations

Why to Web?

What would spider man be without the web?
Website:

Tips:
Re size your pictures to fit the website before uploading them into Dreamweaver.
Plan well and make a map before starting your website.
Use tables for everything.
Don't make your website wider than the screen
In the classroom:
Great way for teachers to connect students and their families to the classroom.
If the parents want to see what their children are studying, a website can be a great way to expose them to the classroom.
Teachers can show off how awesome their classroom is in a Virtual tour.
Link to resources for the current unit in the classroom.
Parents and students can both access information required to complete assigned projects
Teachers can link to their blogs.
Assessment:
Gives students and families more access to the teacher.
students can upload homework to the website.

The Bounties of Blogging

It seems oddly self-serving to be writing a blog post about the usefulness of blogging. I hope nobody's hoping for me to post a how to guide on blogging; that would be like writing a book on how to read! A vd on how to operate your DVD player... I got a million of these! :)

Blog:

Tips:
Make visually appealing, but not obnoxious or distracting.
Don't have a personal blog linked to your class blog. (Teachers are still expected to be saints)

In the classroom:
Its Free!
Running journal of classroom happenings
Post and receive homework assignments
Post syllabus for students and families to refer to.
Can be used to show the interests of the teachers so students and parents know what to expect them. (What kind of teacher?)
A place to post a calendar of upcoming events
Can be used to post important notifications for parents. (Permission slips, classroom needs, volunteering)
Post a video highlight of the student "Star of the week".
Remember to consider your audience.

Assessment:
It's a great way to receive feedback if students and parents are allowed to post comments.
administration can use it as a tool to evaluate teachers.