Gliffy

Link to view Gliffy in a new window-

http://www.gliffy.com/go/publish/5411197

Assignment Title: Gliffy

Uses in the Classroom: A Gliffy can be helpful in the classroom when demonstrating to students how thoughts, ideas and concepts can be related to one another. Gliffy's website makes mind-mapping quick and easy. When presented on an interactive whiteboard mind-mapping could be done quickly by students of all ages.

In Kindergarten, the students would not be able to complete a mind-map on Gliffy independently. However, as mentioned above, an interactive whiteboard could be used to make a whole group map when a new concept is being presented or even when reviewing concepts previously taught. This could be most easily done with images. When having students use images, especially in Kindergarten, it would be most beneficial for the teacher to choose copyright appropriate photos and images ahead of time. Having the images loaded into a file on the computer would also help protect students from searching online. When the photos are pre-selected, the mind map could be used as an assessment for younger students as well.



Issues to Consider:  Not all students at a Kindergarten level will be able to complete a mind-map using software or websites. Some older students will also struggle with connecting their thoughts and ideas appropriately. If using a mind map as an assessment, a student may not clearly mark the connection between items. This can cause grading issues and frustration for the teacher and the student. Using Gliffy also requires an internet connection and a piece of technology capable of accessing the web and running the Gliffy website.

Copyright:  All sources are cited directly on the mind map created using Gliffy.

Image Editing

Assignment Title:  Image Editing

Uses in the Classroom: Image Editing in Photoshop or other image editing programs can be helpful in the classroom when creating communication tools for parents, images for your classroom website or just for everyday use. Creating animated GIF's can add to learning as well, especially if you are trying to focus attention on a particular item or point that you are trying to make.

In Kindergarten students are learning to differentiate between make-believe and reality. The students could be presented with several different images that have been altered in one way or another. After viewing the images, the students could analyze the images in groups to discuss whether it is real or make-believe. Students could also share their assigned image with the class and share their findings in a presentation form with their classmates.

I do not feel that it would be appropriate for the students to actually edit images in Kindergarten due to copyright issues and the one on one attention that a teacher would have to give to each individual student.


Issues to Consider:  Not all students at a Kindergarten level will be able to understand that images can be manipulated, edited and changed. Also changing and editing images can confuse younger students as well. Without proper guidance and discussions being held about what happened to the original image and copyright issues, students may take the work of others and use it with or without permission.

Copyright:  Original flower graphic can be found by clicking here. The image was taken by Balaji B. on June 12th, 2007.



Infographic

Assignment Title:  Infographic

Uses in the Classroom: Infographics are a great tool in the classroom to present information to students. Infographics can also be used as a communication tool with parents in regards to special events, weekly activities, fundraising information, etc. Infographics could also be created by students instead of a standard book report, Power Point presentation, or a speech!

After creating an infographic students could quickly analyze data, information and ideas being presented to them. Taking that information, students can create new thoughts, ask more questions and quickly identify important information. This particular infographic is intended to help parents, especially first time parents, understand how to go about enrolling their child in Kindergarten.


Issues to Consider:  Not all students learn best with visual information. Some students would benefit from hearing the information in audio form, rather than looking at a "poster" styled graphic with text. Also, some of the infographic creation websites have a free version and a paid version. Not all school districts or individual teachers can afford the fees, which limits what features are available for use.

Copyright:  All graphics were part of the www.Piktochart.com graphics library.

Online Instructional Video

Assignment Title:  Online Instructional Video

Uses in the Classroom:  Online instructional videos are a great tool in the classroom to capture student's attention and access prior knowledge that a student may have. This particular instructional video about mixing colors can be used as introduction to colors or even as a review for students who have been learning about colors. Ideally this would be presented to a Kindergarten class.

After showing the video, you could have students conduct many of their own explorations using different materials and mediums to do their own color mixing. You could also have students predict what would happen when mixing other colors together and analyze their results as well.


Issues to Consider:  Not all students learn best with visual and audio. Some students may benefit from a hands on activity as opposed to the video. Also, when relying on technology in a classroom, one must always have a plan B, which can create a brief moment of panic for the teacher or a moment of chaos with the students.

Copyright:  All photographs were taken by Jennifer Leik.

Music is credited at the end of the film on the credits list.