Uses in the Classroom: A ScreenCast is a nice tool to have in a classroom to show students, adults or anyone how to complete a task. Having a ScreenCast is helpful for students who need a visual to help them with directions. Teaching in the Kindergarten classroom it is especially helpful to have a step by step visual for students. ScreenCast could also help when meeting with small groups, one group could work on the ScreenCast task and the other could meet with the teacher. Issues to Consider: Not all students learn best with visual and audio. Some students would also be working ahead or clicking on different buttons just to see what they do. If a teacher doesn't have access to several computers, some tasks would not be able to be done by all students at the same time (small group or one on one time), but that can lead to confusion with some students.
Copyright: Microsoft Word was used during this presentation.
Uses in the Classroom: One could use digital storytelling in a classroom to introduce a topic, have students complete their own presentations or even document a field trip or other special occasion. Due to the fact that I teach Kindergarten this would have to be a teacher-led activity, but would be a fun project to share with parents.
Once this particular Digital Storytelling was shared, the teacher could approach germs in several manners. Students could create their own germs. "Glo-germs" and a black light could be used to allow students to analyze how quickly germs can spread. The possibilities are endless! Issues to Consider: Teaching at the Kindergarten level, this type of presentation isn't as easy for young children to use. Also, not all students have access to a computer with a microphone for recording or a digital camera to take pictures with. If a presentation was created at home, copyright laws may not be followed by all parents.
Copyright: All photographs in this video were taken by Jennifer Leik. Credits for the music used can be found on the ending credits of the video.
Uses in the Classroom: Fotobabble could be used in a classroom to leave students a message when the teacher was not present. Fotobabble could also be used as a way to introduce yourself to students on the first day of school. Having a Smartboard in my classroom, I could also use Fotobabble to show interesting pictures as a new subject was introduced in the classroom. Issues to Consider: Not all students would have access to the tools needed to create a Fotobabble. Students would need to have access to a computer, microphone, digital photo and Internet access. Also, I teach Kindergarten, so in order for students to safely use Fotobabble parental permission and strict adult supervision would be required to protect the student.
Copyright: The photo was taken by Marisa Henry from Photos by Marisa Henry out of Ionia, Michigan, in October 2013. Copyright was released by the photographer to the author of this blog.
