 | … on #TMETRU09 – Using a gree… |
 | totebagteaching on Phototeach? Use PhotoPeac… |
 | Jenny Ellwood on Learning in your hand |
 | primarypete on To those that help |
 | Mark Warner on To those that help |
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
… and thanks to you for all your help, advice and inspiration too Kevin.
” ” Mark Warner’s comment 
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,
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.
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 …)
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Stuart Ridout and one other person are discussing. 
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.