My link for the ebook didn't work - operator error again, I suspect. I really want to get the hang of it so am having another try at putting a (working) link into the blog. Hopefully, this one will work better.
http://www.storyjumper.com/book/index/6231802/50025551ba713
I know it will work on mine as I am signed in - but.... will it work on others??
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Week #10 Booked In
I have spent some time playing with the ebook sites and checking out their free offerings. In the end, I downloaded a book by Clifford Simak from the Gutenberg Project. Clifford Simak is an author from years back of science fiction stories - and probably not as well known as I think he should be. I admit that I was quite suprised to find his works available for download and very pleased as well.
It was very easy to navigate the site and really simple to download the book. There were a number of formats available which made it really easy. I choose to use the ePub format which I was more used to - having used it before to download stories onto the ebook readers we use at the school.
The section on creating e-content was interesting and I finally decided to use the StoryJumper program and write a picture book for my nearly 4yr old grandaughter who LOVES giraffes. This was a lot easier that I expected and the whole thing came together really well. My only problem that I can't seem to fix, is that the text from page one keeps showing up in the cover page where I had intended to have a scene. If I delete that, then I delete the first page - so I have done something wrong. So far, I haven't figured out what or how to correct it.
I can see a lot of uses for this program, especially with Primary school students. I had a lot of fun with it and I think the kids would as well. I am going to introduce some of our teachers to it - we had a Yr 7 class writing stories and picture books for a competition last term and this would have been great to use.
http://www.storyjumper.com/library/my
Above is the link to the story and I have set it to share so I am hoping that you can access it from this link.
Looking forward to the next round of 'classes' - I have had so much fun with all of these. I think I feel more confident about just 'playing' with things on the Internet having had the opportunity to try all of these out.
It was very easy to navigate the site and really simple to download the book. There were a number of formats available which made it really easy. I choose to use the ePub format which I was more used to - having used it before to download stories onto the ebook readers we use at the school.
The section on creating e-content was interesting and I finally decided to use the StoryJumper program and write a picture book for my nearly 4yr old grandaughter who LOVES giraffes. This was a lot easier that I expected and the whole thing came together really well. My only problem that I can't seem to fix, is that the text from page one keeps showing up in the cover page where I had intended to have a scene. If I delete that, then I delete the first page - so I have done something wrong. So far, I haven't figured out what or how to correct it.I can see a lot of uses for this program, especially with Primary school students. I had a lot of fun with it and I think the kids would as well. I am going to introduce some of our teachers to it - we had a Yr 7 class writing stories and picture books for a competition last term and this would have been great to use.
http://www.storyjumper.com/library/my
Above is the link to the story and I have set it to share so I am hoping that you can access it from this link.
Looking forward to the next round of 'classes' - I have had so much fun with all of these. I think I feel more confident about just 'playing' with things on the Internet having had the opportunity to try all of these out.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Week # 9 Condensing Resources, Managing Time
I love the idea of managing time - it is a great idea. I never seem to pull it off successfully - I lurch from one project to another, usually just squeaking it all in in time. So you can see why this seemed like a great week of stuff to learn and master.
Well, it didn't all go to plan - as per usual, I guess. My favourite one was Wibbitz. I could see definite possibilities there - thinking mainly of our younger students - especially the ESL ones.
My first try was putting in the URL for my school blog and it worked quite well. However, it would only go so far and no further. So I tried out a range of URLs - most of which, or so the site informed me, were 'not valid'. I came to the conclusion that if it couldn't find headings and/or pictures, it just decided the site was 'invalid'.
Trying to find a text-based site with a relevant URL became a headache. I had planned to use it for web evaluation lessons with our Yr 7s (eg: Tree Octopus, Dehydrated water and similar) but I think I will have to give that idea up. But it looks to be a really fun program - if I could only make it do what I want.
The other one I signed up for was TopicMarks. It looked easy, seemed like a good idea - and once I was in there - it all got too hard. Even when it had uploaded something, it then presented me with a blank page.
The conclusion to be drawn from this, I think, is that it was operator error. The one constant in all this, was the person trying to make it work - ME. Either I was asking the programs to do more than they were designed to do - or - and this is more likely - I was making mistakes in what I entered or tried to upload.
This requires more 'playtime' so the links will be kept to attempt and, hopefully master, at another time.
I also had an attempt at signing up with Strawberry Jam - however, once I had inputted the email address and a password - I was presented with the same page. Operator error again?
Maybe lots of reading, paper and pens is the way to go for me. (And I should give up the idea of managing time?)
Well, it didn't all go to plan - as per usual, I guess. My favourite one was Wibbitz. I could see definite possibilities there - thinking mainly of our younger students - especially the ESL ones.
My first try was putting in the URL for my school blog and it worked quite well. However, it would only go so far and no further. So I tried out a range of URLs - most of which, or so the site informed me, were 'not valid'. I came to the conclusion that if it couldn't find headings and/or pictures, it just decided the site was 'invalid'.
Trying to find a text-based site with a relevant URL became a headache. I had planned to use it for web evaluation lessons with our Yr 7s (eg: Tree Octopus, Dehydrated water and similar) but I think I will have to give that idea up. But it looks to be a really fun program - if I could only make it do what I want.
The other one I signed up for was TopicMarks. It looked easy, seemed like a good idea - and once I was in there - it all got too hard. Even when it had uploaded something, it then presented me with a blank page.
The conclusion to be drawn from this, I think, is that it was operator error. The one constant in all this, was the person trying to make it work - ME. Either I was asking the programs to do more than they were designed to do - or - and this is more likely - I was making mistakes in what I entered or tried to upload.
This requires more 'playtime' so the links will be kept to attempt and, hopefully master, at another time.
I also had an attempt at signing up with Strawberry Jam - however, once I had inputted the email address and a password - I was presented with the same page. Operator error again?
Maybe lots of reading, paper and pens is the way to go for me. (And I should give up the idea of managing time?)
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Week # 8 Search Engines
It has been interesting trying out new search engines. I was aware of Google's tendency to accept payment to put various sites higher up the food chain so to speak.
Working in a Secondary school, the first inclination of the students is to 'Google it' - and they are convinced if they just stay on Google long enough, it will all be provided for them. They have trouble even conceiving the idea that it may not be there. It is always there - how can I possibly suggest otherwise? Use a book - what medieval century did I arrive from?
My favourite out of these was Blekko - the spam free engine. It was quick and simple to use and didn't even blink when I tried out a Boolean search on it - whereas Twurdy just quit on me. Twurdy took forever to respond to search enquiries and often just presented me with a blank page instead of results.
Kngine was just an app - so I need to download it onto my Galaxy Tablet and give it a try. It looked very similar to the searching app on a friends iPhone - Seri, I think it is called.
Qwiki lost me very quickly - it appeared to be a presentation program rather than a search engine. Podscope I couldn't get into at all - just 'Page not found'. Wolfram Alpha I had seen before but it is very hard to search. I found it was brilliant at maths queries but little else, I think.
Dewey Digger was way too complicated, even for a Librarian who knows Dewey - or maybe it is just me with little patience. Not something I would use with the students.
We are currently overhauling our Library and Research classes and I will be including Blekko in our section on Web skills - and possibly Kngine if I can download it onto the iPads.
Others I have used at school which are not too bad are: Quintura Kids and Sweetsearch both of which are fairly easy to use:
http://quinturakids.com/ - cloud type search engine
http://www.sweetsearch.com/ - search engine designed for students.
Both are worth having a look at - especially if you work in a school environment.
Another one that I use regularly at home is Copernic - which is a search engine that searches multiple search engines. I can't use it at school as the network blocks it - but it is my usual 'go-to' search engine at home.
Working in a Secondary school, the first inclination of the students is to 'Google it' - and they are convinced if they just stay on Google long enough, it will all be provided for them. They have trouble even conceiving the idea that it may not be there. It is always there - how can I possibly suggest otherwise? Use a book - what medieval century did I arrive from?
My favourite out of these was Blekko - the spam free engine. It was quick and simple to use and didn't even blink when I tried out a Boolean search on it - whereas Twurdy just quit on me. Twurdy took forever to respond to search enquiries and often just presented me with a blank page instead of results.
Kngine was just an app - so I need to download it onto my Galaxy Tablet and give it a try. It looked very similar to the searching app on a friends iPhone - Seri, I think it is called.
Qwiki lost me very quickly - it appeared to be a presentation program rather than a search engine. Podscope I couldn't get into at all - just 'Page not found'. Wolfram Alpha I had seen before but it is very hard to search. I found it was brilliant at maths queries but little else, I think.
Dewey Digger was way too complicated, even for a Librarian who knows Dewey - or maybe it is just me with little patience. Not something I would use with the students.
We are currently overhauling our Library and Research classes and I will be including Blekko in our section on Web skills - and possibly Kngine if I can download it onto the iPads.
Others I have used at school which are not too bad are: Quintura Kids and Sweetsearch both of which are fairly easy to use:
http://quinturakids.com/ - cloud type search engine
http://www.sweetsearch.com/ - search engine designed for students.
Both are worth having a look at - especially if you work in a school environment.
Another one that I use regularly at home is Copernic - which is a search engine that searches multiple search engines. I can't use it at school as the network blocks it - but it is my usual 'go-to' search engine at home.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Week # 7, Picture Pop
My choice of photo-editing software was BeFunky. I uploaded a photo that I had taken of the Devils Marbles at sunset eons ago. (Well, maybe not that bad - but quite a while ago)
Then using Befunky I tried out some of the effects. There were a couple of effects where I found myself saying... "Ohh, so thats how they do it".
I can't see myself using these in a work capacity - but then, never say never. Who knows? I find myself using the oddest things at the school.....skills that were just for fun have sometimes become a teaching moment. (Not that I am a teacher - but you never know when you will be asked to give a hand) Teaching a Yr 7 class to make ice-cream in a ziplock bag comes to mind. Really handy when you are on a Guide Camp and it's 30plus degrees - but a Home Ecomonics class.... who knew?? Could be Science as well.
Anyway....below is the original photo and then some of the effects I tried out. Cool or what? I had fun with this.
Original
Then using Befunky I tried out some of the effects. There were a couple of effects where I found myself saying... "Ohh, so thats how they do it".
I can't see myself using these in a work capacity - but then, never say never. Who knows? I find myself using the oddest things at the school.....skills that were just for fun have sometimes become a teaching moment. (Not that I am a teacher - but you never know when you will be asked to give a hand) Teaching a Yr 7 class to make ice-cream in a ziplock bag comes to mind. Really handy when you are on a Guide Camp and it's 30plus degrees - but a Home Ecomonics class.... who knew?? Could be Science as well.
Anyway....below is the original photo and then some of the effects I tried out. Cool or what? I had fun with this.
Original
Fisheye
Temperature - Colder
Enhance Detail - Check out the grass in the foreground!
Colour Filter - Pink
Pop Art Effect.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Week # 6 & AV Content
I wasn't aware that there were so many sites that provide video clips or on-line lessons. Maybe I shouldn't have been surprised given the explosion in home schooling over the last few years as a knee-jerk reaction to the perceived problems in schools concerning standards of education.
I had come across the TED talks before - however the TED ED was new to me - and I certainly hadn't heard of the Khan Academy.
The above sites are the main ones that I have been checking out. I liked the Khan Academy with its myriad lessons and the challenges. (I confirmed all over again that I am lousy at maths by taking one of the challenges) http://www.khanacademy.org/exercisedashboard
I also liked the idea of designing or constructing a lesson relevant to the teachers needs and then putting it up there to be used or tweaked by others. With students that are comfortable with self-directed learning, this would be great.
http://ed.ted.com/tour
My 88 year old mother had been telling me about U3A - University of the 3rd Age - and grumbling that she hadn't been able to find anything that interested her on the website. I suggested that she should check out these sites and see if there was anything there that appealed to her.
Although I cannot see myself using any of them at school, I will more than likely return to them again for my own personal interests. I was happily engrossed in watching a video about Darwin and his ideas on skin colours and genetic diversity when I was interrupted by someone wanting me to work!! I don't think they believed me when I said I was studying.
I had come across the TED talks before - however the TED ED was new to me - and I certainly hadn't heard of the Khan Academy.
The above sites are the main ones that I have been checking out. I liked the Khan Academy with its myriad lessons and the challenges. (I confirmed all over again that I am lousy at maths by taking one of the challenges) http://www.khanacademy.org/exercisedashboard
I also liked the idea of designing or constructing a lesson relevant to the teachers needs and then putting it up there to be used or tweaked by others. With students that are comfortable with self-directed learning, this would be great.
http://ed.ted.com/tour
My 88 year old mother had been telling me about U3A - University of the 3rd Age - and grumbling that she hadn't been able to find anything that interested her on the website. I suggested that she should check out these sites and see if there was anything there that appealed to her.
Although I cannot see myself using any of them at school, I will more than likely return to them again for my own personal interests. I was happily engrossed in watching a video about Darwin and his ideas on skin colours and genetic diversity when I was interrupted by someone wanting me to work!! I don't think they believed me when I said I was studying.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
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