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  • kvnmclaughlin 4:57 pm on December 8, 2009 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , ict in education,   

    Using new technologies to enhance learning experiences 

    A few months back I wrote an article for Terry Freedman which was published in Computers in Classrooms online newsletter. Today the same article has been published on ictineducation, Terry Freedman’s site. The article refers to the use of Edmodo, Animoto, Audacity and VoiceThread in the classroom.

    Thanks for that Terry

     
  • kvnmclaughlin 7:04 pm on December 7, 2009 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: #TMETRU09, blue screen, chroma key, green screen, iMovie09, movie editing   

    Green screen on Windows Movie Maker 

    Last night I attended the very successful #TMETRU09 online flash meeting which was also been shown on JustinTV and followed on Twitter using the same hashtag. Read about it here

    My presentation (blogged about by Kathy Schrock)was the use of Green screen in iMovie’09 which led to many people enquiring about a similar effect in Windows for Movie Maker. Doug Belshaw posted a link in the FlashMeeting and also explained to have a look through Google to find how; so I did.

    Here’s the easiest to follow guide I have found and also a YouTube video demonstrating the principle. I’ll definitely give it a go and let you know how it works. By the way, from what I gather it’s best to use a well lit blue screen and not a green screen on MovieMaker.

    Steps to take to get Chroma Key (Green screen effect) in Windows Movie Maker

    Many, many thanks to Doug and Dai for making the whole event possible.

     
  • kvnmclaughlin 5:02 pm on December 4, 2009 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: #TMETRU, edtechroundup, ETRU,   

    #TMETRU09 – Using a green screen effect in iMovie 09 

    Teachmeet’s are a fantastic opportunity for those that know about using tech in education to demonstrate their uses to others. The EdTechRoundUp TeachMeet edition (#TMETRU09) is special in that it will be entirely online – through a flash meeting and video presentations that will be streamed on justintv.

    My presentation is about using the green screen effect in iMovie09 for a Mac. Unfortunately this may mean that many other teachers may not be able to use this as they don’t have a Mac. But for those that do I’m sure you will find my presentation useful and perhaps give you ideas how to use it with your class.  It’s a mere 2 minutes. Let me know what you think.

     
  • kvnmclaughlin 7:44 pm on December 2, 2009 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , arcademic, maths, numeracy,   

    Netbook Maths – arcademicskillbuilders 

    Arcademic Skill Builders

    This is a quick post about the following site, arcademicskillbuilders.com which I found out through my PLN on Twitter via @bevevans22.

    I’d been looking for some Maths sites for Netbook use and in particular team games and collaboration. We have used and still do use the brilliant tutpup site but I’m always on the lookout for others to add to the resource list. This is one site that will be bookmarked for continued use by my class as they enjoyed the activities and learned too.

    (More …)

     
  • kvnmclaughlin 5:57 pm on November 14, 2009 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: handheld devices, mobile, mobile learning   

    Learning in your hand 

    Mobile learning can be defined as

    the exploitation of ubiquitous handheld technologies, together with wireless and mobile phone networks, to facilitate, support, enhance and extend the reach of teaching and learning.  MoLeNET programme

    On Thursday afternoon, I found myself sitting in a room of the NCLS with an eager group of colleagues from many educational sectors who were invited by BECTA and the ALT to discuss, share, identify and record how each of us used handheld devices in teaching and learning. When the workshop finished on Friday afternoon I was mentally exhausted but I left elated and inspired.

    Image courtesy mobile devices in classrooms

    (More …)

     
    • Jenny Ellwood 4:23 pm on November 15, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      Thanks for the great writeup Kevin! It was a pleasure to meet up with you! You can find some more videos either about using PSPs or taken with a PSP here. Be happy to talk with you later on when you’ve had a chance to explore using the PSP further.

  • kvnmclaughlin 7:20 pm on November 11, 2009 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: pln, private learning network, thanks,   

    To those that help 

    A couple of days ago I asked for guidance from my PLN on Twitter. I simply asked

    Asking for help

    I received a great response and one person in particular; @primarypete_ offered his help through direct messages and then emails. He has even offered to help me with the process by going through my school’s journey towards the ICT Mark and suggesting what we could do to get there. His help is very much appreciated. And that got me thinking. Sometimes we go through our lives in Education without receiving the thanks that we deserve. So here’s to you all

    Thank you all for your help

    (More …)

     
    • Mark Warner 8:26 am on November 13, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      … and thanks to you for all your help, advice and inspiration too Kevin.

      • primarypete 8:39 am on November 14, 2009 Permalink | Reply

        ” ” Mark Warner’s comment :)

  • kvnmclaughlin 7:59 pm on October 27, 2009 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: coordinator, ICT, new, position, role   

    Time for change 

    image courtesy @david reece flickr

    Just a quick note to say that I have recently been appointed ICT Coordinator at my school. I’m really excited and looking forward to the new role and what it entails. I have a lot of ideas and a lot of questions too, but, my PLN on Twitter has responded with support and offers of help so,

    ‘Thank you to you all.’


     
  • kvnmclaughlin 4:17 pm on October 25, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

    Apps for education 

    I’ve got an iPhone and I’ve decided to start using it in class.

    But what if the children drop it? What if it gets scratched? What if…?

    I’ve no intention of letting any of those things get in the way. So over the next few weeks of this term I’ll post about how useful I’ve found the apps on my iPhone to be with my class. I hope you might find this useful and if you have any suggestions of your own I will be very happy to read them. The link for this is on the right in the Pages section, or just click here.

    I am focusing mostly on free apps for the moment until I find out which are worth purchasing.

     
  • kvnmclaughlin 6:17 pm on October 4, 2009 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: excursions, friendships, relationships, school trip   

    School trips. A time to connect. 

    Image courtesy of Analía Manetta, @flickr

    Image courtesy of Analía Manetta, @flickr

    The following post contains absolutely no references to the use of technology in the classroom. So be warned, if you’re looking for possible uses of handheld devices during schooltrips you won’t find anything contained within. (More …)

     
    • Claire Jones 6:26 pm on October 4, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      I totally agree. Took my class to Skegness last year for the day and was such a moving experience. I learnt so much from them and they did the same from me. Was so nice to talk with them and explore new things together. Always rewarding and most importantly fun!

      • kvnmclaughlin 6:34 pm on October 4, 2009 Permalink | Reply

        You’re right, they are always rewarding and fun. No matter the number of hurdles there may be with regards to its organisation, the trip itself makes that time spent worth it.
        The children will be using a lot of tools this week to document their trips and tomorrow I’m hoping to introduce them to PhotoPeach.
        Thanks for your comment.

    • Stuart Ridout 6:40 pm on October 4, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      I completely agree with everything here Kevin. School trips, extra-curricular activities and residentials are great times to build valuable relationships which continue into the classroom.

      Many students cannot ‘get’ the concept of teachers
      and other school being real human beings. To allow them to see a glimpse of you in a different way on a school trip means that a student may listen a little harder in class or is more willing to ask questions if they don’t understand.

      I went on a trip a few years ago with a group of students where I brought my DS along (when they were still new!). I actually didn’t get to use my DS for most of the trip as students were passing it about. Those little students are now big ‘orrible Year 11s but they still remember the trip and speak of the things we did.

      I personally really enjoy residential activity holidays where many children build up confidence through outdoor activities and are able to build up confidence by attempting things they would never have otherwise tried.

      • kvnmclaughlin 7:04 pm on October 4, 2009 Permalink | Reply

        Thanks for the reply Stuart. The relationships built outside of the classroom on trips and extra curricular activities are invaluable. Times like this should be encouraged in schools and teachers should not feel apprehensive about them due to possible ‘risk assessment’ issues.

    • Doug Belshaw 8:14 pm on October 4, 2009 Permalink | Reply

      I wholeheartedly agree. My most recent trip was to the WWI battlefields with some of my GCSE class. It was a shared new (moving) experience for all of us that brought us closer together. :-)

  • kvnmclaughlin 5:31 pm on September 22, 2009 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Maths and PSP, , teaching with PSP, using PSP in classroom   

    Using a PSP in Maths 

    PSP preloaded with SUMS Handheld Maths software

    Today was the second day that I used the PSP’s with my class during Maths and the effect was just as good as the first – instant feedback during work creates a better learning atmosphere.

    (More …)

     
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