Making Progress

I know people don't tend to keep up with each other's blogs after the 21 Things class ends, but I wanted to document my progress and share with anyone who might still be checking in how I'm doing.

I am teaching Digital Storytelling this trimester. So far I've had students load Audacity and Photo Story onto their school computers. I uploaded a video from YouTube to my school web page (I have a page for each class, actually). It is an old Muppets clip of two worms dancing. This is our "seed" idea.

We made puppets out of dryer hose, ladies trouser socks, craft trim, wiggly eyes and pipe cleaners. (Students were given free creative reign).

Then students found a song (preferably instrumental) to download. They took the song into Audacity to edit. I told them the piece should be no less than 1 minute long, and preferably not much more than 2 minutes. We then exported their edited music as an MP3 so that we can later use it in Movie Maker.

Students created storyboards (I'll include examples later) and practiced with their puppets and their music. I set up a puppet stage, which I had from past years because I have taught theater classes in our program.

We used my Flip camera to video tape their performances. These were then downloaded so that students could import them into Movie Maker and begin editing their programs.

Next week we will finish video taping, and will import their video and sound into Movie Maker, adding titles and credits. I will post their final versions on You Tube and have thought I might bring all of their productions into one Movie Maker video to post on You Tube and, of course, the school web site.

Check back next week to see how it went!

Using Web 2.0 in the Classroom

Create your own sms poll at Poll Everywhere

I really like using technology in the classroom, however there are a couple of things that slow me down. First is the learning curve. I am much better now at some things, but I have to try each thing and I always run across a few snags as I become fluent with a technique or technology.
Second, the school is resistant to some applications, partly because of funding, and partly because of old-fashioned ideas about what students should be allowed to do in the classroom.

How about you? Respond to the poll and let me know what challenges you!