Animoto

Toronto Summer 2009

So, I have been meaning to try out a new website that I have known about for awhile.

It is called animoto (animoto.com). It is a site that uploads your videos, pictures, and music and turns it into a ready made collected video. Animoto is really easy to use! I made Toronto Summer 2009 concerning my trip to Toronto in, literally, 15 minutes. I didn't even have to worry about music. Animoto already has a large collection, albeit a little random. The site speaks for itself. My professional development on this site was to: a) go to the site, b) watch the 60 second demo, c) look at a sample video, d) register, e) go through the dummy proof instructions on making the video. Yay!

Drawback: You can only make a 30 second video with a free account.

Bonus: Your pictures and videos can come from anywhere! I used the pictures I had on Facebook. I chose that venue option and Animoto did everything else.

Try it out!!!

Glogster

Alright, anyone interested in a bit of new technology? Well, I am always game for any new, fun way for students to present information. Thanks to my friend Melody, I have been introduced to something new! It is called Glogster. I'm not sure how I want to use it, yet, but I am toying with the idea of it becoming my next nine weeks independent reading project. Educators and students check it out!

I think this is the link to my Glog. Yes, I know it is very primitive, I would like to do much more. However, I have "miles to go before I sleep" (Frost); I've got many things to do. If any student takes an interest, I would love to give them an account in order to let them really become the expert. It would be totally awesome if someone in each of my classes decided to become the expert, and then one day next nine weeks he or she could teach a lesson on how to use the new, cool form of blogging. If the expertise was good, I would be willing to use this work as a quiz trade. (In place of taking the grade of an in-class quiz, I would consider this as a replacement, provided the student would be willing to create a lesson for the class as well.) Right now, this is a first come, first serve bonus for each of my classes. If you are interested in a new activity and willing to create a lesson for the rest of your classmates, let me know.

Please post to let me know what you think.

Check What the Lincoln Sophomores are Reading!!

I want to see what kind of book reviews we can get from the Sophomore's independent reading. My regular English is in charge of reading 1 play and 1 fun book, my Pre A. P. are reading 2 plays and 1 fun book. I would like regular English to post a review about their fun book, and Pre A. P. to review a fun book and a play. The following is a list of what I need in order for credit:

1. Why would someone like your book/play?

2. Include at least 2 quotes from different sections of your book adequately integrated into your paragraph proving you have actually read the book.

3. Make sure your title of the post includes book/play title, author, your first name only:

ex. Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman - Heather

This should be done by March 5, 2010 and is worth 20 points.