Jun 26 2009
Portable PD Podcast - Episode 9 [20:44]
Podcast Picks
Jane, her new djembe and Leo Brooks (by the way, that was Leo playing her djembe in our podcast)
Leo Brooks’ percussion site
Web Resources
The Lesson
Jun 07 2009
Passport Please…
The idea of digital natives and digital immigrants has been around for a while. For those who haven`t heard about it… digital natives are the kids who are growing up with technology and digital immigrants are those of us who are older and for whom technology has come into our lives at a later age.
I admit that I am older but I like to think that I keep up with what is happening with technology and how it is being used and can be used. This week I realized that for all my reading, for all my playing with technology, for all my interest, I will always be an immigrant. There is nothing that I can do to change that. I will always be the “come from away” in Tech Land. Who taught me this lesson? My sixteen year old daughter.
The photo at the bottom of this post is a picture of the back of my daughter’s head. She had just returned from a band trip to Halifax and was sharing her photos with us. I was surprised at the number of photos she had taken of the back and side of her head…Why does she have these photos? Can you guess? I couldn’t.
You see (my daughter slowly and carefully explained to me in small words so that I would fully understand) a digital camera isn’t just a camera, it is also a mirror. Want to see the back of your head? Hold the camera over your head, behind you. Press the button down a bit so that you get the little red eye light that comes on before you take the picture. With the camera behind your head and a wall in front of you (or even the ground if a wall is not handy), use that light as a way to guide your hand and click. Instant picture, instant view of the back of your head. You now have a way to be sure that every hair is in place without benefit of a mirror or eyes in the back of your head. Seems obvious right?
Another thing I learned is that digital cameras are also binoculars. For this feature to work you don’t even need to take a picture. Use the zoom feature on the camera and you can get a close up view of something far away. Why didn’t I think of that? Because for me it used to be a waste to take pictures that you didn’t really want to keep. It cost money. My head is still back in the dark room ages…in more ways that one.
Our kids are using technology in ways that we would never consider. They understand it and use it to suit their needs. They solve problems with technology, they create with technology, and they manipulate technology. They own at technology in ways that I never will. All I can do is keep watching and learning. It is all very cool but it does make me feel a bit old. I don’t remember finding different uses for our eight track player other than to listen to Glenn Campbell sing Wichita Lineman…guess I was kinda slow.
May 27 2009
How do I burn audio onto a CD?
Here’s a question from one of our participants. Jane and I will be sure to get an answer up soon - maybe someone out there would like to leave a comment as well?
Hi folks. Maybe someone can help me. My students have recorded themselves reading a picture book using the digital recorder you provided us (thank you for all of the wonderful equipment by the way - side note). I plug the digital recorder into our computer and we listen and all is great…we are listening through the windows media player. Now the problem is, we are trying to put these “stories” onto cd’s to leave in our library as a listening centre for younger readers. It will not burn onto cd for me and I have tried a variety. I have also used the little laptop you provided us and they recorded using audacity. Can anyone help the “technologically challenged” as myself on how do I get all of this onto cd’s?
Thanks - Janine from MES
May 04 2009
TLLP Participant Survey
Please click here to fill in a survey about our TLLP program.
We would like to get some feedback from you about the usefulness (or lack of usefulness) of these past four sessions. We will use the information to help us in planning other workshops, in our report to the Ministry and as feedback for B & LT (they were the ones who paid for all your toys). Please take the time to fill it in. There are no names on the survey, we can’t track you down, we will not take things away from you, your families will not come to any harm.
Apr 27 2009
The Ultimate Podcast Organizer
Sonia Manchen and Tracy Nicholson from Jack Donahue P.S. have created the “Ultimate Podcast Organizer”. They took the items that they received as part of our podcast kit and found a container, I think at Canadian Tire, to house everything. With the labels on the items and in the box it makes it really easy for kids to take the kit and be responsible for returning everything to the proper place. The storage box is 38 cm x38 cm. The brand of the box is Plano model 3870 from the Plano molding company . A neat and inexpensive way to keep your podcast stuff organized.
Apr 21 2009
Portable PD Podcast - Episode 8 [17:20]
Happy 1st birthday to Portable PD! Here’s hoping we get at least 8 more eight episodes out by this time next year.
Links
Microsoft Innovative Teachers 2009
Podcast Picks
Spark - CBC Radio
Between the Covers - CBC Radio
Radio salle neuf by Colleen Chartrand-Wright
Web Resource
Lesson
Credits
Hot Doggin’ - by DeerFoot (Podsafe Music Network)
The Kool-Aid Makes Itself - Psykosoul (Podsafe Music Network)
Mumbo Jumbo - BD Lenz (Podsafe Music Network)
Hook, Line and Slinker - Podington Bear
Bump and Run - Derek Audette
Cindy Goes to a Party - Prelinger Institute
Apr 05 2009
Social Studies with Audacity
My grade 6 students studied explorers of North America this past term. One of their assignments was to do a talk show with an explorer to give us an idea of the explorer’s life and accomplishments. The students researched an explorer of their choice as an independent project. Then they worked with other students to do the talk shows. The students quite enjoyed working in pairs or small groups, one person as the interviewer and another as the explorer.
Adrianna started working with a partner but her partner was ill or away on a trip during a large part of the assignment so Adrianna did the project herself. Using Audacity, she recorded herself asking all the questions. Then she recorded herself as Sir John Franklin and answered the questions. Using the Change Pitch effect in Audacity she altered her voice for the Sir John Franklin part. In editing she went from the question track to the answer track. She added a little ghostly music and I think that she has put together a very strong project.
Audacity is a powerful tool and motivator for the students in my class.
Listen to Adrianna’s interview with Sir John Franklin by clicking here.
Mar 30 2009
How to add pictures to blog posts and pages
This screencast will show you how to take pictures from web pages, and insert them into your blog posts and pages. I use Flickr as the source for the pictures that I use as it has copyright friendly material available on it. This method of inserting pictures should work from other websites as well, but be certain that you are not violating copyright with your picture choices. Due to the size of the screen that I used for this Jing, it might be easier for you to see this by clicking the larger version. This is a large file…it will take a while but it is worth it (if I don’t say so myself)
Mar 29 2009
Students create Earth Hour announcement
Here’s our latest Green Team Here’s our latest Green Team announcement promoting Earth Hour at WEJ! It’s been airing all week over the morning announcements and is posted on our school blog site (www.wej1.blogspot.com)
Shaw
Mar 26 2009
Fabulous music created by workshop participants
Roger Lemelin created the following pieces of music using Acid XPress. After much arm twisting, he has agreed to share the music as long as he gets credit for it.
