Using Audio Podcasts in the Classroom

Another amazing feature of the iPod nano is the ability to download literally thousands and thousands of podcasts and audio books through iTunes.  If you are unsure how to download podcasts and sync them to an ipod, take a moment and watch the video clip below.



As I mentioned, there are thousands of applicable podcasts and audio books available for the elementary classroom. Many of them are free and the cost of others is minimal. Here are a few ideas for ways to use your audio downloads in the classroom:

Primary ideas:

1. Download audio books to an iPod and use as a listening centre for one student. Or pick up Belkin Rockstar and have up to 5 students listening to the same audio book with just one iPod.  Audio books range in price, but are typically cheaper than a CD and are less likely to be damaged.  For example, I downloaded The Little Engine That Could for free at Free Audiobooks for Children. 

2. Download podcasts such as the Storynory or the Story Cellar to share with students during a quiet time. Many of these podcasts are free.

Intermediate ideas:

3. Use podcasts like the above suggestions to help students understand the parts of a story, how to introduce characters, develop plot, add imagery, etc.

4. Download an audio book and have students follow along as the book is read for a whole class novel study or in smaller groups for literature circles.

I know you must have many of your own ideas, so please take a moment to share how you are using audio downloads in your classroom, by commenting below.  Or post a link to a great podcast that you have discovered.  Thanks for participating!

Creating Video Recordings on the iPod Nano

This post is dedicated to interesting ways to use the iPod Nano to record video in your classroom.  If you are unsure how to record Video on the iPod, please take a minute to watch the clip below.



Tips for integrating video recording into your classroom:  As with audio recording, video recording has unlimited possibilities in the classroom from recording presentations and special events to creating documentaries on "A day in the life of..."  Here are few ideas for use at the different grade levels:

Kindergarten - Make a video alphabet.  Have each student create, draw, colour or decorate a different letter of the alphabet and record each of them sharing their creation and the letter name it represents.  Once all of the letters are added, upload the video to a class website or burn it to disk and send home for parents to review the alphabet with their children at home.

Grade 1 - Ask the students to video what they are doing or interview a friend explaining their favourite classroom activities.  Use the footage to share with parents at Parent-Teacher interviews or simply as a window for you into the learning experience of the kids in your class (they will talk differently when you are not around).

Grade 2 - Have students create a 'How To' video to share with parents and classmates (i.e. 'How to measure temperature or the length of the classroom).

Grade 3 - Have students create a Vlog (Video log) of the life cycle of a plant (potato plants).

Grade 4 - Studying explorers?  Have students dress up as an explorer and record them playing the role of their chosen explorer.  They could prepare a monologue to describe themselves and their explorations to share on video.

Grade 5 - Instead of the old fashioned book report, have students create and record a commercial for a book they just finished reading.

PE (I haven't forgot about you Courtney!) - Record students  performing dance or gymnastic routines for self or class evaluation.

So there you have it!  Ideas for using the video recording feature of the iPod Nano at all grade levels.  Craving more?  Check out the slide show below with 43 more interesting ways to use video recording in the classroom.

43 Interesting Ways To Use Your Pocket Video C

View more presentations from Seth Hansen.

Please take a minute to share your ideas for using video recording in the classroom by commenting on this post.  Thanks!

iPods

The iPods have arrived!!  Thanks Dan and the Terry Fox PAC for purchasing iPods for our school.  Here is a quick video about some of the features of the iPods Terry Fox just received.  I am so excited about them and everything that our students and staff will be able to do in our classrooms with them.  I believe strongly in the benefits of this tool in the classroom.  There are so many ways to use the iPods and I plan to dedicate the next few posts to the iPod and different ideas for using them.  So stay tuned!!

In the mean time, I encourage you to charge up the iPods and bring them into your classroom.  My guess is that even if you don't know how to use them, some of your students will...yes even in Kindergarten...and you can spend time playing and learning about the features and capabilities together.  This particular iPod is called the iPod nano 5th generation (just in case you want to watch 'how to' videos on YouTube) and has been out for a year, so some of your students will definitely have one at home.  Have fun playing...

Drop Box

Dropbox is a great way to store your data online so that you can access if from anywhere.  Put your files into your Dropbox on one computer, and they'll be instantly available on any of your other computers that also have Dropbox installed.  You can also access them from any computer or mobile device using the Dropbox website because copies are stored on Dropbox's secure servers.  Dropbox provides users with 2GB of online storage for free, with up to 100GB available to paying customers.

Tips for integrating Dropbox into the classroom:  Dropbox is the perfect internet accessory for teachers.  Because we use computers in the classroom, computer lab and a home, accessing the same files in all of these places without trying to keep track of a flashdrive, is incredibly convenient.  In addition, you could Dropbox with your students by starting up a class account and saving documents, photos, videos, etc. that you want all of your students or students' parents to access.

Note: Send me an email to request a personal invitation to Dropbox and we will both receive an additional 250MB of storage space.

Tagxedo

Since many enjoyed learning about and playing with Wordle, I thought I would share another word cloud site with you that I recently learned about from a LTT friend  (Thanks Jill!).  Tagxedo is a word cloud site with style...and a lot of options.  In addition to typing or copy and pasting your text to make a cloud, you can also use a URL, twitter ID, Del.icio.us ID, RSS feed, search term or news article to create a cloud.  Once you have your text, choose your font and theme and then choose a shape or upload an image of your own.    I chose an apple and used the URL from this website to make the word cloud above.  Watch the video below for step by step instructions on how to create a Tagxedo of your own.




Tips for integrating Tagxedo into the classroom:  Use Tagxedo this Thanksgiving holiday and have students make a list of the things they are thankful for.  Then have the students create a word cloud with the list in an image of their choice and share it with friends and family.  Have fun Tagxedo-ing!

Blabberize

Blabberize is a fun and crazy website that allows you to make your pictures talk.  I mean really talk!  It is quick and easy to use, with instructions that are easy to follow.  I made the blabberize above in about 3 minutes.  Just select and upload a picture, crop it if you wish, place the mouth, record the sound and watch the magic happen.

Tips for integrating Blabberize into the classroom:  Blabberize will immediately captures student interest.  Have students create a Blabberize to demonstrate knowledge and share research information with others in class or on a class website.  Just have the animal, building or map do the talking!  When you are finished, you are given the option to save and make your Blabberize private or public.  Once saved, you can copy the link or embed the code into a website (like I have).  You also have the option of converting your Blabberize to video.  This is a great option if you would like to download the projects onto your computer or copy them to DVD for distribution or sharing. Check out this Blabberize I made on hippopotamuses!

Note:  Users need to log in and create a password.  Another option would be for the teacher to create a log in and have all of the students sign in on one account.

Don't forget to let me know how you are using Blabberize in your classroom by commenting below!

Storyline Online

Storyline Online is an on-line streaming video program featuring Screen Actors Guild Foundation members reading childrens books aloud.  Choose from nearly 25 stories including Stellaluna, A Bad Case of Stripes, Harry the Dirty Dog, and The Polar Express. Then listen to each story read aloud by an actor, such as James Earl Jones, or Melissa Gilbert  (there are even a few actors reading that the students might know like Haylie Duff, Amanda Bynes and Elijah Wood).  Each book includes streaming video of the actor reading the story, optional captioning for students to follow along and downloadable activities and lesson ideas that teachers can use to further student learning in the classroom.

Tips for integrating Storyline Online into the classroom:  Storyline Online immediately captures student interest and would be a great way to share a story with the entire class using a projector connected computer. (Remember that this is an on-line streaming video site, so you must be connected to the internet when viewing the videos.)  Storyline Online would also make a great literacy centre or bookmarked site for students to visit during exploration time in the computer lab.  Also, post a link to this site on your class website or send it home in a newsletter for parents to use at home with their children.

Don't forget to share a comment on how you are using Storyline Online in your classroom!

Wordle

Wordle is a tool for generating word clouds from text that you provide.  The words appearing more frequently in the text are given prominence.  Fonts, layouts and colours can be changed on clouds and the images created are yours to print or save.

Tips for integrating Wordle into the classroom:  Wordle would be a great tool to use with students at the beginning of the year to introduce themselves.  They can describe who they are and what they love and let Wordle do the rest.  Check out the example my son and I made above.  Print or post your Wordle's in the hallway or on a class website, for a great (and quick) gallery of student work...just in time for Meet the Teacher night! :)

Below is a slideshow with the how to's or Wordle.  This simple process can be completed in as little as the time it takes to copy and paste or type text into the word box.  Check it out!

Using Wordle In The Classroom

View more presentations from murcha.

Check out the slideshow below for more great ways to use Wordle in your classroom.

38 intersting ways to use Wordle in the classroom

View more presentations from mberner.