Google Draw

I want to share how I was able to turned an old postcard from the turn of the last century into a larger 4 x 6 postcard and a gift tag that I can use today.

First, I scanned two different postcards at the same time, laying the two images together, one above the other.  This took a little more time to edit, so in the future, I would make a separate scan of each image.

Next, I imported, edited, and enlarge the image in Google Draw, but I was also able to crop and edit it in Windows Photo.

The cool thing about using Google Draw would be the ability to change the image into a circle.

Like this:

Now, even though you see this as a circle, the image is on a standard 8 x 11 piece of paper, so the cursor is farther over than the circle image, like the example above on the right that was captured using Jing. 

Here is a step by step of how I accomplished the change.

First, upload an image.  Click on crop and select area to crop.

Click crop again to get the image without the extra image surrounding it.

Under crop, you can select different shapes.

 

Click crop to view the image within the new shape.

Click crop again, and you have the image in the new shape, without the extra area you have cropped out.

The only issue is that I don't believe that this image, a circle, will transfer to other documents, such as Shutterfly, unless it's turned into a JPG file, which is possible as an option under 'download' under 'file.'

Here is a video using Screencast-o-matic explaining how I was able to crop and change the shape of the image.

Recap & Flipgrid

Two "video response and reflection apps" include 'Recap' and 'Flipgrid.'

Both Recap and Flipgrid appears to be video journaling sights, where students can video tape themselves answering questions or expressing their views using their Chrome Books or other media, then share with their teacher, or fellow students.  Flipgrid offers a free 30 day trial, but I don't see the cost after the 30 days listed.  Recap is free.  I heard about Recap through Bonita School.

Recap

Click the link below to watch a video of what Flipgrid can do.

Flipgrid

Animoto

Animoto takes still images and turns them into video.  Below are videos of Alvera Street and Chinatown.  The images are screenshots using Jing.  The links will take you to Animoto where you can play the videos.

https://animoto.com/play/DZaf62kMYEhFOIxpPJqbJA

C:\Users\jamaddox\Pictures\2016-11-14_2144.png

Visme

Another example of a slide presentation using Visme.  This was very quickly made to get an idea of what Visme is capable of accomplishing, so I apologize that the image is not very pleasing.

Word Families

Visme

The following slide presentation was created using Visme.  It is similar to both PowerPoint and Slides, but also has music.  I believe you can also create jpg pictures with Visme, so if you want to add text to an Animoto video, save the text as a jpg first in Visme, and then use the images of text in the video.  I also believe there is another way to save the jpg file for text that I used in the "Colors" video, and I think I used Google drawing to accomplish that.  I used Jing to capture the image below, so this is a screen shots.

Visme

Tech Infused Classroom Assessment

The final task in the Tech Infuse Classroom course I have taken this summer is to assess my learning over the last three weeks.  I must admit that I am very pleased with what I have learned, and what I was able to accomplish.  I completed 15 projects using eight new tech tools, and ten tools overall.

Let's take a look at the following ways to assess a student's work that I learned last year:

Did the student:

• try to solve problems before asking for help,
• display creativity and critical thinking in the achievement of goals,
• teach others,
• create a document that included all the elements required, 
• shows evidence of learning by using tech knowledge and save what they created in their portfolio,
• transfer knowledge from previous lessons, 
• complete daily goals, and 
• know correct language to verbalize.

I did try to solve problems before asking for help. I even get that scrunched up face you get when deep in thought. "How do I do this? Think, think." But, I also enjoy the back and forth conversation you can get on a discussion board when you ask for ideas on how to solve a problem.  "Have you tried...."

I find myself wondering, "Can you also do this, when you do that?" honing my ability to display creativity and critical thinking in the achievement of goals. I'm a bit like a bulldog, not letting go until I solve a problem. Loved ones tell me, "You're getting OCD on this." But I find that one answer leads to another question.

It's no surprise that a teacher wants to teach others. I love it when I solve a problem, and I want to tell everyone how I did it. I accomplished this by making "how to" videos using Screencast-o-matic, or by posting instructions and images on discussion boards using Jing.  And if you don't know how to do that, I can help you with it.

I was diligent in creating my final project to make a screencast presentation regarding a webtool showing how to use the tool, then embed the screencast and a project example into the class wiki ‘Skills’ tab to create a document that included all the elements required. I shot several versions until I had the time close to the requirement, and was satisfied that the information I shared, showcased the ThingLink tech tool I had selected.

I love showing evidence of my learning by using tech knowledge and saving what I created in both my Wiki portfolio, and my blog. I tried to test at least one new tech tool a day, and posted it to my Wiki page in order to complete daily goals.  I do have to admit that I was so engrossed with exploring the many tech tools that I learned, that I got behind in keeping up with my blog. Blogs can be time consuming.  Even though I posted a tech tool to my Wiki page, and checked off my assessment log while completing each task, I wish I had also made a simple blog post every day regarding what I had accomplished in my learning. A note about an article I read, a video I watched, a tech tool I learned. This would have been helpful in keeping me organized, as well as reflecting on my work.  I found myself thinking, "Have I read this article yet?" "Did I watch that video already?"

While I haven't used as much tech as I would like to in my teaching, I am happy that most of the information I learned last year came back with some practice, and I was able transfer knowledge from previous lessons to grow, and develop new skills. I am especially thankful that I was already familiar with both the Wikipage and my blog from last year, making it easier to jump right into learning new tech tools.

In the past, it was difficult to remembering the correct language to verbalize, wondering, "Should I embed, link, or post; upload, or download?"  I'm already famous around my house for speaking in an encryptic code, "Where's that thing?"   This year, I paid more attention, and reshot my screencast when I found mistakes.

Although I am quite pleased with the overall learning, it's not to say all went well. Two problems arose using Twitter and Google Hangouts.  First, I had difficulty establishing a professional twitter account, and viewing my tweets and the tweets of others in a timely manner.  The second tech issue came from my laptop and tablet, where I was not able to turn my web camera on in my laptop, to take a visual part in the Google Hangout, and my tablet stopped transmitting live.  I believe that both of these issues stem from not using these tech tools enough, but that is an easy fix, and a new goal.

Again, I am happy with the results of my learning in my Tech Infused Classroom summer course these past three weeks. I enjoy talking with others about what I have accomplished, and what I still need to master.  I am quite excited to share my blog with my fellow teachers now that I have amassed almost 30 new tech tools in my repertoire of skills!

Status of My PLN

The task: Summarize the status of your PLN.

The status of my PLN is limited. I follow several tech blogs where I can explore tech sources, ideas, read the latest reviews, or learn what's new regarding using technology in the classroom. I also have a Pinterest file for technology and teaching ideas using tech.

I have a few friends that I have met through the online classes I have taken through Ask a Tech Teacher, along with some personal friends. If I have a quick question, I'll turn to the school's tech teacher.

Because I work as a sub or a tutor, I'm not invited to attend the grade level team meeting with the teachers I help with tutoring. I don't have the opportunity to share my tech ideas, or learn how they are using tech, although I do see some tech used during the actual class. When I ask teachers what tech they are using, it is usually limited to using videos to support a lesson, or having students work on various programs such as Imagine Learning, or Starfall.

A Tech-infused Classroom Summary

The task:  Write a blog post summarizing the tech-infused classroom.

The tech infused classroom uses technology for all facets of teaching and learning.  

The teacher uses technology every chance she can to show students how technology can be used in their daily lives, as well as how to use a tech tool, and accomplish a task.  Through indirect teaching, the teacher can show how using tech can become second nature; and how technology can be automatic, quick, and easy to use.  When tech goes wrong, the teacher shows how perseverance brings learning, and results.  

The students use technology to learn tech tools, accomplish a tasks, and communicate their knowledge with other.  Students become problem solvers, collaborators, and experts in the use of technology.  They can see similarities in tools, transfer the knowledge from one tech tool to the next, and make connections they can apply to the real world.  Technology becomes second nature to them.

Wiki Discussion Box

Wiki Discussion Box

I wanted to add a screen shot into a discussion box on my Wiki page, but I wasn't sure how to go about dong that.  On the far right hand side of the Wiki page is a drop down menu under 'save.' Within this menu is 'Wikitext Editor' that provides the code to embed into the discussion box.  Sounds odd to place the code there, but it works.  

Below are screenshots of the steps, and my discussion box with the image embedded.  

I also added the video I made showing how to accomplish this goal.

Jing

Jing
I captured the following image using Jing. I then used their editing tools to add arrows and text boxes.

Screeen shot of Jing tech tools.

ThingLink

ThingLink

ThingLink is an interactive tech tool. This is a screenshot, so it is not interactive, but usually you can hover the cursor over the photo for more information. Add icons with text, video, photos, music, and web links to a still image. Use it for book reports, state reports, to identify key features of the photo. Teachers can post questions, and students can remix it, which is to copy the image, and add their own icons to answer the questions.

This is a screenshot, so it is not interactive.

Glogster

Glogster

This is a screenshot, so it is not interactive.  This tech tool reminds me of ThingLink, where you have a poster that you can embed with video and images. I was able to create an interactive poster with pictures, and links to more information on the subject, in this case, The Alamo, the River Walk in San Antonio, Texas, and Georgetown, Texas. You can usually hover over these pictures, and click for videos or a link to a websight with more information on the topic. This tool also has an attachment option, but I was unable to get it to open.

Powtoon

Powtoon

Powtoon is another tech tool that uses slides, that reminds me of PowerPoint, and Animoto, but faster, with more color. Students are able to write text, and add images. Below is a screenshot of a Powtoon that I edited from one of the templates, where I added several of my own photos. There is also a way to add video.

Storyboardthat

Storyboardthat

Students can write stories and create them in a comic book format. This web tool has many options for backgrounds, and characters. Below is an example I created for The Three Little Pigs.

Newsela

Newsela is another sight that I don't want to forget. This one has the same news articles available at different reading levels to differentiate for students, along with open ended test questions. This is a screen shot of my text sets that I was able to save and place into files based on theme.

Bookopolis

Bookopolis

Bookopolis is a book review web sight that I want to remember for the future. Students can write book reviews, share favorite books with fellow students, and keep track of books already read, and/or books they want to read. Here is a screen shot of the page I created that lists the books I have read while I read my way through the Newbery award books.

PhotoPeach

Here is another tech tool that I had the chance to explore.  It is called Photo Peach and it is very similar to Animoto.  It takes your photos and displays them in creative ways.  I took screen shots using Jing of the tech examples I have created over the last year, and saved them on the Photo Peach sight.  Then I was able to place the photos in the order that I wanted, and labeled each photo according to which tech tool I used.  The whole display was then set to music.

PhotoPeach

Click on the link above to see an animated version of the display.

Penzu and ReciteThis

I tried out a few of the 25 Digital Tools suggested in the reading from my Tech-infused Classroom course that I am taking this summer.  I'd like to work my way through the list, but for now, here are two tech tools I tried.

Penzu

This tool would work well to record reflections on work, or just to take notes.  It's limited on the free choices for fonts, and colors.

The cover of my Penzu journal.

 

Inside my journal is text regarding the tech class, and a screenshot of the masthead.

A screenshot of a journal entree regarding the differences between the old and new version of Penzu.  I also used the tools within Jing to add arrows and text boxes.

Video of how I made the Penzu entree.

ReciteThis

Fun web site to create quotes.  This tool creatively arranges text, such as quotes, into pictures.  I didn't count how many images they have, but it seems a little limited.  I wasn't able to change the size or style of font either. This one says, "Tech-infused classroom rocks!"

Tech-infused Classroom Greeting

Just a quick hello to my fellow classmates enrolled in the Tech-infused Classroom.

I learned so much last year that I just had to come back for some more tech tips, and deep thinking this year.  I do have to admit that if I don't practice what I've learned, it tends to slip away.  So I'm glad to be enrolled in this class as a refresher of the skills I developed last year, and I hope to add a few new ideas to my repertoire.