Mind Mapping / Concept Map

Assignment Title: Mind Mapping / Concept Map

Link to My Video

Uses in the Classroom: Mind mapping or concept mapping is a very useful and effective tool to utilize in the classroom.  It allows students to organize their thoughts and visual the content material as well as their though process on the material.  Students will use gliffy to create a mind/concept map on the multiple themes presented in the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, as read and discussed in class.  Students will need to connect how these themes are represented in the novel through characters, setting, and symbols.

Issues to Consider: Mind mapping or concept mapping is time consuming.  As such, students should be given time to brainstorm or jot down a rough draft of their map prior to sitting in front of the computer.  Students will also need to be introduced to mind mapping or concept mapping as well as gliffy prior to beginning this assignment as well.  Students will need to have access to a computer as well as to the internet.  Since students will need time to not only create but design their map, some time outside of the classroom and students access to the internet should be considered.

Copyright:
Hobgood, ED.D, B., & Ormsby, L. (n.d.). Inclusion in the 21st-century classroom: Differentiating with technology. Retrieved February 26, 2015, from http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/every-learner/6776

Moeller, B., & Reitzes, T. (2001, July1). Integrating technology with student-centered learning. Retrived February 26, 2015, from https://www.nmefoundation.org/getmedia/befa9751-d8ad-47e9-949d-bd649f7c0044/Integrating-Technology-with-Student-Centered-Learning

Wahl, L., & Duffield, J. (2005, January 1). Using flexible technology to meet the needs of diverse learners: What teachers can do. Retrieved February 26, 2015, from http://www.wested.org/online_pubs/kn-05-01.pdf

"Working Together Teamwork Puzzle Concept" by Scott Maxwell (lumaxart)

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lumaxart/2137737248/in/photostream/

Creative Commons Attribution, Share Alike - Some Rights Reserved

"Secure Computer" (in color) by Mark A. Hicks

Source: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/clip/computerkey_color.html

Clip art licensed from Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com

"Pathway" (in color) by Mark A. Hicks

Source: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/clip/pathway.html

Clip art licensed from Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com

Photo Editing

Assignment Title: Photo Editing

Uses in the Classroom:  Photo editing is a useful instructional tool to present information to students. For example, if a teacher were teaching photo journalism or demonstrating the strength of a photo's support for an article, a photo editing software program, like Photoshop, would prove to be a valuable tool.  The teacher could use Photoshop to show multiple ways the photo could be edited for different purposes or to convey different meanings.  The image/collage featured above could be used as an example for journalism students to examine and explain the overall effect that is produced by altering the image and how the alter image could be used in photo journalism.  The teacher could also use Photoshop to create animated gifs as a means to help students visualize concepts discussed in class.  For example, in the animated gif created above, the teacher could use this as an introduction to Polynesian culture before examining a work of literature, art or even history of the different islands. The gif could also be used to foster conversations regarding the colors and styles of the outfits that the dancers are wearing or even the different styles of dance which appear in the photographs which all contribute to the hula dance.  Students will need to find a photo and use Photoshop to alter the photo in order to produce a strong image that conveys strength and purpose for photo journalism. Students will present the before and after image to the class and describe the alterations of the photo and its desired effect.

Issues to Consider:  There are two majors issues to consider when using Photoshop in the classroom.  The first is availability of Photoshop for the classroom.  The teacher and the school would need to consider the cost factor of buying Photoshop software for students' use.  The teacher could consider utilizing a 30 day free trial, but it would eliminate long-term availability.  The second major issue to consider would be student usage.  Photoshop has so many tools available and ways in which photos could be manipulated that students may be overwhelmed with possibilities.  Therefore, the teacher may need to provide a crash course on Photoshop capabilities and limit functions that can and should be used for the assignments.  The only other issues to consider would be ensuring that the proper technology is available and set up for image presentation.

Copyright:  All images used for collage and animated gif were taken and belong to Edna Soave.

Infographics

Assignment Title: Infographics

https://magic.piktochart.com/output/4541247-the-roaring-20s

Uses in the Classroom: Creating and using infographics to present information to students is a great instructional tool.  For example, Language Arts teachers can use infographics to present background information of an author or to provide historical background information necessary to understand a novel studied in the classroom.  Students will be put into a small group and assigned a topic from the "Roaring 20's" to study and present to the rest of the class.  Students will use Piktochart.com to create an infographic on their assigned topic.  The infographic will be presented to the class in order to provide historical background information that relates to the novel, The Great Gatsby that will be covered in the unit.

Issues to Consider:  Students need to be introduced to what infographics are and how it is used. Students will need basic introduction to Piktochart.com.  Since students will be working in groups, computer use will need to be monitored to ensure that all students are staying on task.  Students' access to computers and the internet needs to be considered as well.  When students present their infographic to their classmates, appropriate technology, meaning computer, projector and screen, will need to be set up.

Copyright: The infographic was created by Edna Soave.  The images used for the infographic were provided by Piktochart.com.

Instructional Video

Assignment Title: Instructional Video

Uses in the Classroom: Students will use Windows Movie Maker or screencasting software, like Screencast-O-Matic or Jing, to design and create an instructional video which will focus on basic theater elements to teach their fellow drama classmates. Once their topic has been selected and approved, students will need to map out the procedures and content of the video to ensure that they use correct theater terminology and format.  Students will present their video to the rest of the class.

Issues to Consider:  Since this assignment requires that students use Microsoft Movie Maker or screencasting software, then students need to have access to computers and internet connect.  In addition, will need access to microphones.  Classroom noise environment and the effects that it may have on the students videos need to be considered. The speed of the internet will also need to be considered when students present their instructional video to the rest of the class. Students will need to be familiar with Microsoft Movie Maker or screencasting software as well.  Access to a computer and the internet outside of the classroom should also be taken into consideration.

Copyright: Many of the images used in the Stage Direction video above were created and belong to Edna Soave, with the exception of the images listed below.

"Auditorium Theater" by Get Directly Down
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/65172294@N00/8155509287
Creative Commons Attribution, Non-Commercial - Some Rights Reserved

"Vorhang auf" by Kerseten A Riechers (daskerst)
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/daskerst/2256561258/in/photolist-7R2rpj-3ETJSf-3ETTJm-z9tC-3ETUBm-3ETRXs-3EPnAX-3ETEFS-3EPmBR-3ETM3q-or3Yrk-8o2TqM-bHoBj-6B7FkL-gh7H3-4KExg4-5FHBdg-hthFjf-bjVQdA-5oV4B5-rBpPg-dvvCWT-4rpt3A-bq1SoC-edMzho-8pVgqB-8NFRsJ-4HGhfZ-359Dn-7aTAPN-nceNwc-r1jgqL-Q7Er2-cn6vCY-gSsnn2-5atFdB-gSUuC3-7XL3f1-3EPspT-3EPksV-4T1J9Z-3EPtgX-3EPrCa-3EPv1z-3EPudc-pmqyu5-9bycG-4paCoi-eK5Ncc-7GMpn6
Creative Commons Attribution - Some Rights Reserved

"44 Lines" by Pat Kight (Kightp)
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kightp/10615053253
Creative Commons Attribution, Non-Commerical, No Derivatives - Some Rights Reserved

Digital Storytelling

Assignment Title: Digital Storytelling

https://www.wevideo.com/view/313025197

Uses in the Classroom: Using copyright friendly photographs, students will design a digital story about an important accomplishment or goal that they achieved.  Students will need to describe the event in detail and explain how this event changed them.  Students will use Windows Movie Maker or WeVideo to create their digital story.  Students will need to find photographs and music that is suitable for the story and mood that they are conveying.  Students will need to design a storyboard which organizes their ideas and data prior to using the computer software.

Issues to Consider: Students will need to have access to Windows Movie Maker or WeVideo as well as to microphones to record their stories. One major aspect to consider is the classroom noise and the effects it may have on the students' work if created in the classroom.  The microphones used may pick up other students talking in the background as a student records their story. Students may also use their own photos for their story, so they will need to have assess to their photographs through USB or perhaps through cloud.  Students will also need to know the copyright laws and where they can access copyright friendly photographs and music. For those students who use WeVideo to create their video, the speed of the internet during presentation would also need to be considered.

Copyright:  Photographs used in the digital story were taken and belong to Edna Soave, with the exception of the photographs listed below.

"Hope" by Vince Alongi
Source:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/vincealongi/2535727910
Creative Commons Attributions - Some Rights Reserved

"Dealing with Zeke's Poison Ivy" by Nathan Rein
Source:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/nbr/491536524
Creative Commons Attribution, Non-Commerical, Share Alike - Some Rights Reserved / Desaturated from original
Image was cropped to focus on Children's Benadryl bottle

"Emergency Room" by L (lisastroud_2000)
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stroudlisa/95634783
Creative Commons Attribution, Non-Commerical, No Derivatives - Some Rights Reserved

"0408-Stethescope" by Rae Z/A (Rae Z)
Source:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/rszalley/4524445550
Creative Commons Attribution, Non-Commerical - Some Rights Reserved

Introduction

My name is Edna Soave.  I have taught 9-12 graders in Language Arts.  Some of the courses that I taught include Literature and Composition, American Literature, World Literature, Journalism and Drama.  I have also taught honor level courses in these subjects as well.  In addition to my English certification, I am also certified to teach political science.  During my time teaching, I also took on the role as an advisor for the Drama Club and the school newspaper.  I taught for five years, before I left to become a stay-at-home mom.  I am currently working on my master's degree and I look forward to the opportunity to return to the classroom.