Bookmarking, Computer Style

Let's face it; we visit a lot of websites while we're on the computer.  I regularly access 20-50 sites per day while working on the computer.  During all of this time, I tend to come across a lot of great sites, which I soon forget.  Oh, if only I had a solution...

Well, there is a solution, and it's online bookmarking.  Now I'm sure that you do the same thing that I do; bookmark your sites on your computer.  What happens, however, when you aren't on your computer?  You go right back to exploring until you find your sites.  Well, with online bookmarking, otherwise known as social bookmarking, you have the ability to save your sites, and access them anywhere.  Some sites that offer this are www.delicious.com and www.diigo.com.  I have a video below, in real time, that shows how long it takes to create and set up a diigo account:

Diigo Run-Through Version 1 (the Link)

(Sorry, I had an embedded video, but the screen was larger than my blog site!  The link should work just fine...)

See, that wasn't too bad.  Now, why use something like this?  Well, it can be of great help for all of those research projects that our students will be completing over the years.  There can be connections to resources just by exploring with these tools, and the information will be updated.  Furthermore, it gives us a chance to network with others just like us; the same study patterns, the same interests, and that can be a great service to all of us at the end of the day.

I'm going to experiment with this a bit this week.  I'm looking at the Research Paper that I have to address later this quarter, but also to reports, speeches, and other major projects that will require thorough searching of a variety of sites.  Overall, though, I think that this can be a great tool for organizing, and I'll be the first to admit, I need all the help I can get when it comes to organizing.

So, don't be shocked if your kids come home this week to show you a completely different way of learning than the way you were used it.  The methods are rapidly changing, and this is just one of many new ways to help your child succeed.

As always, leave any comments or questions below, and I'll be more than happy to respond.

Tools! Tools! Tools!

While going through my Google Reader (that's an explanation for another day...), I came across this website:

Cool Tools for Schools

Special thanks for the bloggers over at Technology Integration for this fantastic site.  It organizes well over 100 hundred different websites and programs into various categories that may be of help to your children.  Words can't describe the amount of stuff listed here.  

Simply toy around, and see what tools you find in there that are beneficial.  You'll recognize a few sites that I've used, but there is a ton more out there.

Anyway, enough of me rambling.  Enjoy!

Presenting Ideas (PowerPoint edition)

As we come towards the end of the year that I have with your children (only 10-11 weeks left!), I'm trying to continue with what I started with your children this year. One of those items is the idea of presentation. I'm sure you've been more than happy with the presentations, speeches, PowerPoints, and other activities that have left you thinking, "Why is he assigning this? I don't even know how to help!"

Well, honestly, it's because I want your children to be ready for a variety of situations in which they may need to present. As someone who has sat through a lot of BAD presentations (in this case, I'm talking about PROFESSIONAL presentations. I'm not talking about your child.), I want to learn from those mistakes to help your child success. The more I can present to them now, the more likely they'll use it down the road.

So, that brings me to the slideshow below. Your children have begun using PowerPoints this year, and I desperately don't want them to fall into the trap of bad presentations. Feel free to watch it (it's about 3-4 minutes), and keep this in mind when your child is creating a presentation. They have the ability to be heard with not only the words they use, but the images they use to show, and the methods in which they give their message. I want them to be powerful. We'll have our missteps, there's no doubt on that. However, I want them to always revisit what they've done, and look at how they could make it better.

Well, I'll let you explore. Please share any ideas or beliefs that you have below, and, as always, have a good one!

Presentation Skills Version2 0

View more presentations from Simon Jones.

Digital Stories (aka Why Is My Kid Asking to Use a Camera?)

I hope that many of you saw that your children are responsible for turning in a digital story in two weeks.  I thought that I'd take a minute to explain what your child is doing and point out what you can do to help.

First, I had the students come up with a script, or story.  (I can't tell you what it's about; that would ruin the surprise!)  They have also begun storyboarding their stories as well.  In this process, they draw out possible images that they would like to go with certain parts of their story.

Now comes the interesting part.  They need to add images, and then take a microphone to narrate over it.  They have several options of getting images.  They include:

1. Taking the photos, and downloading them into the computer.
2. Drawing them, and scanning them into the computer.
3. Using a cartoon website (ToonDoo, GoAnimate) to create images.

So, if you're wondering why your child's asking to use a camera so much, this is why.  They're currently at the stage of getting all of their pictures together.  Once this has been completed, they need to narrate and add music to it, and then it becomes something that they can convert to video.

Below is my example.  I hope that this gives you a better idea of what your child is creating in class.

As always, leave any questions or comments below.  Hope to hear from you soon!

 

Introduction-What Is This Used For?

Hello!

I'm sure you're thinking, "What on Earth is Mr. Corcoran sending me now?!?!?" Well, to be honest, I'm trying something new out. I've been blogging (or writing a web log) for a while, and I was challenged with finding a way to use this in the class. After bouncing a bunch of ideas around in my head, as well as seeing a few other examples, I decided to come up with a blog for my students and their families.

So, what's the purpose of a blog? In this case, to give information. For me, it's to become better organized. I tend to leave things here and there, and that gets a bit frustrating after a while. This gives me an opportunity to directly give you information that you may need. The best part is, this blog will organize it; if you forget, you can simply look back through the titles and find what you want!

Now that I've mentioned that, here's what you can expect to find in the blog:

• Project assignments with links for help. 
• Reflections on ongoing assignments. 
• Upcoming school events. 
• Items that may be of use to you and your family, in terms of education. 
• A chance to SHARE your voice.

There are many other options, but I want to wrap this up. I'll be adding a post or two later today, so I'll get the ball rolling.

Here's how you can help me; make your voice heard. If you have questions, this is the perfect spot to ask. You may find that other students, parents, and others may have the same questions as you. Please ask. I don't mind one bit.

Well, that sums up my introduction to blogging. I hope that this becomes a successful activity for us all. As always, leave comments below.

Thanks, and have a good one!

-Bryan Corcoran