PowToon
PowToon is a nifty video making website that students and teachers can use for many different projects. You can make any subject into a cool video by using animated people and your own text. There are many different templates to use that could inspire your project or you can start from scratch. You can even add your own voice to the video! The account is free to use but there are paid templates if you want to take it further. Students could do a book report, like the example I have below, on whatever they are currently reading in English, or even as a summer reading assignment. Teachers and librarians can also use this for class/library rules, or even explaining a project. Overall, the website is fun to use and offers so many options for students to play around with. The only part I had difficulty with was adding my own elements and using the timer slider at the bottom when creating, but with patience it can be done!
Pixiclip
Pixiclip is a tool that allows the user to draw or upload images and add both voice and video to them using their computer mic and camera. This is an interactive whiteboard that a student could use to present information. They can write on the whiteboard while talking and a video of the student will appear while they are drawing or writing. This is an excellent tool for complex math equations or working out experiments. It is extremely easy to use and free. I found the video addition really neat because it puts your face in a little box, but you still have the entire whiteboard area to write and explain. This is a great tool for students that allows them to use technology in a new way.
Wideo
Wideo is a video making website that allows you to create presentations of all types to share. The free version allows you a 30 second video and allows you to embed, but there are paid versions that allow longer videos. You can start from scratch and add your own elements or use their templates. You can create holiday cards, slideshows, and product promotion slides with this website. Students can use this in their campaign for class president, or even if they are selling things in a fundraiser. It is fairly easy to use, especially if you choose an already made template. If you decide to start from scratch, you have many options like choosing your own font, pictures, and even music. Have fun!
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Monday, June 20, 2016
Example Weebly Library Websites That Take The Cake!
Lowe Elementary Library
Lowe Elementary Library has a wonderful library website that is quite user friendly and has a great amount of interaction. The main page has a nifty suggestion panel that allows people to suggest a new book the library should get, as well as the mission statement, library hours, and even pictures to create a virtual library. The catalog is also on the main page and is available not only for the computer but for smartphones and iphones.
There are both librarian and teacher buttons that display resources for both, as well as a more, what's new, and awards section. There is a student section that has has resources such as AR, databases, a book blog, and a student showcase section.
This website certainly has flavor, a focus on teaching, and opportunities for participation by users. The problem with the student showcase section is that it is password protected so not everyone can view the work. This is a bummer since we want to see what the students are doing! The website also has a list of resources that are current and up to date such as twitter and a Dewey section, but that is password protected as well. The password issue is the only problem with this website. Otherwise, this is really neat and nifty and the librarian did a great job!
West Hall High School Library
West Hall High School has a library website that is chock full of amazing tools and information. The main page has pictures of the staff as well as students, and really allows the users to see who they would be working with. They have a great infographic on new books on their main page, as well as instagram and twitter information. The resource link has so many different resources such as research and writing links (Purdue Owl, Easy Bib, SIRS and many more), citations, google drive, and website criteria.
The site does have a teacher resources page but it is password protected so only teachers at that school can access it. This is unfortunate but I suppose they have great secrets only the teachers are allowed to know! There are a few student work showcased but not much, and the site does have a certain flavor to it. It is not too bright or busy, but is still catching to the eye.
Great job librarians!
Lowe Elementary Library has a wonderful library website that is quite user friendly and has a great amount of interaction. The main page has a nifty suggestion panel that allows people to suggest a new book the library should get, as well as the mission statement, library hours, and even pictures to create a virtual library. The catalog is also on the main page and is available not only for the computer but for smartphones and iphones.
There are both librarian and teacher buttons that display resources for both, as well as a more, what's new, and awards section. There is a student section that has has resources such as AR, databases, a book blog, and a student showcase section.
This website certainly has flavor, a focus on teaching, and opportunities for participation by users. The problem with the student showcase section is that it is password protected so not everyone can view the work. This is a bummer since we want to see what the students are doing! The website also has a list of resources that are current and up to date such as twitter and a Dewey section, but that is password protected as well. The password issue is the only problem with this website. Otherwise, this is really neat and nifty and the librarian did a great job!
West Hall High School Library
West Hall High School has a library website that is chock full of amazing tools and information. The main page has pictures of the staff as well as students, and really allows the users to see who they would be working with. They have a great infographic on new books on their main page, as well as instagram and twitter information. The resource link has so many different resources such as research and writing links (Purdue Owl, Easy Bib, SIRS and many more), citations, google drive, and website criteria.
The site does have a teacher resources page but it is password protected so only teachers at that school can access it. This is unfortunate but I suppose they have great secrets only the teachers are allowed to know! There are a few student work showcased but not much, and the site does have a certain flavor to it. It is not too bright or busy, but is still catching to the eye.
Great job librarians!
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Podcasts Can Be A Librarian's Best Friend
Podcasts are audio tools that educators often use because of their educational purposes and easy to access ways. These audio clips can come in series and often feature different subjects throughout such series.
Often teachers and librarians will choose podcasts that teach different and interesting subjects. Podcasts can also help student with research. This a creative way to get information across. For example, http://chinahistorypodcast.com/ is a fascinating series of podcasts on the history of China from over 5000 years ago to the present day. The histories range from the American Chinese cuisine to the Song Emperor and even the history of Hong Kong.
The Mid Autumn Festival
This podcast was quite interesting and delivered information about this Chinese festival. It is held on the 15th day of the 8th Chinese month. The Chinese and even some Vietnamese celebrate the moon goddess by gathering with family, giving thanks to the harvest, and praying for a good and long life. Mooncakes, lanterns, and match makings are all a part of the festival and the podcast really enlightened me on such a historical celebration.
Often teachers and librarians will choose podcasts that teach different and interesting subjects. Podcasts can also help student with research. This a creative way to get information across. For example, http://chinahistorypodcast.com/ is a fascinating series of podcasts on the history of China from over 5000 years ago to the present day. The histories range from the American Chinese cuisine to the Song Emperor and even the history of Hong Kong.
The Mid Autumn Festival
This podcast was quite interesting and delivered information about this Chinese festival. It is held on the 15th day of the 8th Chinese month. The Chinese and even some Vietnamese celebrate the moon goddess by gathering with family, giving thanks to the harvest, and praying for a good and long life. Mooncakes, lanterns, and match makings are all a part of the festival and the podcast really enlightened me on such a historical celebration.
Come And LISTEN To What I Have To Say!
Vocaroo Voice Message
Vocaroo.com is an audio tool that allows users to use their own voice and record a message of any type. This message can be posted on social media, blogs, and presentations. A student can use this audio tool if they are doing a powerpoint presentation on oral speaking to emphasize their point. Librarians can use this tool to speak about the book of the week or even summarize a book they are trying get a student to study or read. This audio tool is a quick and easy way to use one's voice to help bring words come to life.
Blabberize.com is a fun and creative audio tool that focuses on both the visual and audio to portray messages. In this application, you choose a photo of anything such as animals, people, and even silly things like cupcakes and add audio to their "voice". You cut out a little mouth and then record your message. Once you have done so, the audio message comes out of the tiny mouth and it looks like the photo is actually talking! Students can use this tool when doing history projects in very neat ways. They can take a picture of a historical figure and instead of having the student just read facts out loud, they can have their facts read from their historical figure picture and it will seem like the person is telling their story. This tool is great for teachers and librarians because they can have great fun with it and have their students can have fun as well.
Speakpipe.com/voice-recorder is another voice tool that allows users to record their own voice and save their clips to their computers. It is free to use and the person can make as many voice recordings as they like. Students can use this tool to add voice to their presentations as well as take notes and have these voice notes saved for later. This tool can help librarians and teachers record information they want to remember as well.
Vocaroo.com is an audio tool that allows users to use their own voice and record a message of any type. This message can be posted on social media, blogs, and presentations. A student can use this audio tool if they are doing a powerpoint presentation on oral speaking to emphasize their point. Librarians can use this tool to speak about the book of the week or even summarize a book they are trying get a student to study or read. This audio tool is a quick and easy way to use one's voice to help bring words come to life.
Blabberize.com is a fun and creative audio tool that focuses on both the visual and audio to portray messages. In this application, you choose a photo of anything such as animals, people, and even silly things like cupcakes and add audio to their "voice". You cut out a little mouth and then record your message. Once you have done so, the audio message comes out of the tiny mouth and it looks like the photo is actually talking! Students can use this tool when doing history projects in very neat ways. They can take a picture of a historical figure and instead of having the student just read facts out loud, they can have their facts read from their historical figure picture and it will seem like the person is telling their story. This tool is great for teachers and librarians because they can have great fun with it and have their students can have fun as well.
Speakpipe.com/voice-recorder is another voice tool that allows users to record their own voice and save their clips to their computers. It is free to use and the person can make as many voice recordings as they like. Students can use this tool to add voice to their presentations as well as take notes and have these voice notes saved for later. This tool can help librarians and teachers record information they want to remember as well.
Friday, June 3, 2016
Fantasy Character of the Week: Infographic
Infographics are amazing graphics and images that also provide you with information that would normally be seen as boring and uninterested in traditional means. Infographics can be used in presentations, posters, powerpoints, and so many more delivery methods. Graphs are used in many different ways to make infographics and these images are often colorful and unique.
This week's character of the week is Ginevra "Ginny" Weasley from the series Harry Potter. Being able to portray her information in an infographic allows readers to get a taste of the character without having to just read about it on a sheet of paper or boring website. Students will eventually read all about Ginny in the series, but take a look at some neat facts about our favorite red head witch!
This week's character of the week is Ginevra "Ginny" Weasley from the series Harry Potter. Being able to portray her information in an infographic allows readers to get a taste of the character without having to just read about it on a sheet of paper or boring website. Students will eventually read all about Ginny in the series, but take a look at some neat facts about our favorite red head witch!
Ginny Weasley. (n.d.). Retrieved June 03, 2016, from http://www.giantbomb.com/ginny-weasley/3005-5159/
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