Meeting the challenge(s)

To meet the requirements for DPS Tech Challenge #3, I am sharing the products created with the websites/tools recommended.  I attempted several, but really enjoyed using Animoto, Go Animate and creating a Voki.  I have lots of experience with Prezi and Google Docs, so I was happy to try others.  To date, I have created  7 or 8 Animoto movies over the past year and I have helped family and some friends create movies as well.  I think is appealing and applicable to students and teachers.  The 3-minute time limit may stifle a little creativity, but overall, it is a wonderful tool to introduce and use with students.  Over the past few months, I have seen several media coordinators use Go Animate to share media center policies, market and publicize events/programs and share literature, etc.  It may be more exciting for elementary and middle school applications, but I think it could also be interesting for high schoolers.  I definitely plan to share these websites and tools with our high school faculty and with students!!  Check out links to some of my end products:
1.  http://animoto.com/play/dMIifKVk70t3PXOs2ejCPw - Animoto created with my soon to be 7th grade nephew highlighting his summer experience at Duke basketball camp.
2.  http://goanimate.com/movie/0FU42Ofpj_2g?utm_source=linkshare - Go Animate 30 second movie--my first!  I know that I need to play with this a little more before creating something I can really use, but it was fun and easy to create and I think students will enjoy using this site.
3.  Creating my Voki was easy and fun and would add a nice element to my blog and websites, but I have had a LOT of trouble embedding or getting it to display properly.
4.  Recently, I tried tagxedo.com to create a Wordle in a shape I select.  Try it!! 

Incorporating E-Readers to encourage reading...

   The Illinois middle school librarian, Kathy Parker's pilot program introducing Kindles to 7th and 8th graders was successful because she found a way to incorporate technology and great books! The SLJ article Librarian brings Kindles into the classroom (5/1/2010) describes ideas which could be used with any e-reader and potentially with upper elementary to high school students.  I am hoping to to create just as much enthusiasm and interest in my high school with a similar program because I believe e-readers do encourage student readers, especially reluctant readers to read.  I wish the article went a little further--sharing some of her experience addressing the challenges of making these programs work in schools--e-reader policies related to book accounts; uploading, theft and lost of devices, etc.  However, I could "tweet" Ms. Parker to get a conversation going which might answer some of these questions since the author made a point of including her Twitter name.  The price of e-readers is "coming down" so this is a wonderful project to begin with a relatively small amount of funds.  :)  

Challenge 2: Google Reader, RSS Feeds and Twitter

Using an aggregator is a wonderful way to organize information of interest to me and share it with others!!  I used Google Reader to keep up with feeds to CNN, WRAL, Durham Public Schools and Room to Read--an international organization whose mission is to advocate for a quality education for all children and a few others.  I see this as a way to avoid "clogging" my inbox and taking time to "travel" to numerous websites versus checking Google Reader to stay abreast of updates, news, etc. 

I have had a Twitter account for a few years.  It took a while for me to get used to this social media and I know I do not "tweet" as much as many of our students and many of my colleagues.  One of my favorite Twitter followings is Kiva, an organization which offers very small loans to empower people all over the world.  Check it out at www.kiva.org .

Meet Kimmi , my Avatar!  She has a message for you.  Click on her name to meet her and hear the message.  (Click on  the BACK arrow to return here.)

Riverside HS Pirate Graduation 2011

Congratulations to the Riverside High Class of 2011!  To view an Animoto (2-3 minute movie) of the graduation exercises, click on Riverside HS Pirate Graduation 2011 .  Enjoy!

The DPS Technology Challenge...

I did it!  I created my first blog and made my first post a few minutes ago!!  I just heard about the DPS Technology Challenge and I was excited about the opportunity to learn and practice social media (and web 2.0) skills I can then share with students and teachers.  Challenge 1...check!  What's next?!

Most inspirational book...

   We all have a favorite children's book...,Share that one children's book and tell what memory it holds for you (or...why it is a favorite).