Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Photo Editing

Original Image

 
Image Cropped. Change in Brightness/Contrast


 
Image changed to Black and White. Name added.


 Image Change in Color.

Assignment Title:  Photo Editing

Uses in the Classroom: "A picture is worth a 1000 words."  Today's students are visual learners, and the brain is able to process images much faster than text.  In the classroom, a picture can demonstrate as much understanding as a written paper or exam.  Images are powerful.  They invoke emotional and feelings.  Images can tell a story or provide details not within a story.  Students can look for images on the Internet or draw, trace and create an image.  Images can be used in all content areas to provide clarity and detail to a lesson. Photo editing allows students to become engaged in the image and add a personal touch to the image to demonstrate what they see and understand. 

Issues to Consider:  Students will need access to a computer, a photo editing software program (some that a cost associated with it).  There are many photo editing programs out there.  Some are more user-friendly than others, and some photo editing programs work better with certain computer operating systems.  Students may get frustrated with the program(s) and give up on the task.  Evaluating different photo editing programs should be done before implementing in the classroom. 

Copyright: Image From - Flickr.  The National Archives, O'Rear, Charles. 1975.  Retrieved on 2/17/14 from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usnationalarchives/7159025264/


Photo Editing Images - edited with GIMP.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Screencast: Embed Fotobabble into Blogger





Copyright: The screencast below is an original work of art by the author of this blog.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Digital Storytelling Example #2

This is an example of a digital story created by my daughter using VoiceThread.  After spending a day at the museum with her dad, she created this digital story as an example for a workshop I was conducting. 


Copyright: The digital story below is an original work of art by the author of this blog with the assistance of her daughter.  Images in this digital story are original works taken by Paul Guerrazzi.  Permission was granted to use the images.

Digital Storytelling: Welcome to Schavey Road Elementary


Assignment Title:  Digital Storytelling
Uses in the Classroom:  This technology tool can be used in a variety of ways. The story can be told by the teacher or by the students.  Digital storytelling can be powerful, and they create an opportunity for learning.   Digital stories can enhance learning when created by the student as they evaluate the content for the story, organize it and tell their story.  The below lists exhibits different types of digital storytelling and some of the uses in the classroom:

  • Instructional
    • How-to directions
  • Information/Expository
    • Summary Reports
    • Book Reports
    • Biographies
    • Character Reports
  • Historical
    • Biographies
    • Documentary
  • Persuasive
    • Advertisement
    • Describe/conclude
    • Analyze/conclude
    • Analyze/persuade
    • Compare/contrast
  • Narrative
    • Personal Reflection
    • Personal Expression
    • Short Story
    • Docudrama


Issues to Consider:  Students will need access to a computer, digital photos/video/other media forms, and a possibly a microphone for this task. Digital storytelling software programs range from simple to very complex.  There are many different storytelling software programs, so you need to find the one that best fits the needs of your students.


Copyright:  The digital story below is an original work of the author of this blog with the assistance of Mrs. Hanson's 2nd Grade Class at Schavey Road Elementary. 

My Screencast- Embedding a YouTube Video to Blogger


Assignment Title:  Screencast

Uses in the Classroom:  Screencating can be used in the classroom in multiple ways.  Screencasts can be created by both teachers and students.  A teacher could use a screencast to demonstrate how to use certain functions of a software program, like how to insert an image into a Word doc. Another use of a screencast creation is demonstrating how to navigate a website.  A student can create a screencast to demonstrate his/her knowledge and understanding of how a piece of software works.  For example, the student is asked to edit an image in Adobe Photoshop.  S/He can use a screencasting sofware to capture how they used Adobe Photoshop to edit that image.  In addition, screencasting software can be an excellent resource for online courses.  If a student is having a problem with his/her computer while trying to complete an assignment or receives error messages with a certain program, the student can capture the issue in a screencast to be sent to the instructor.  The instructor can then better help trouble-shoot the issue.

Issues to Consider:  Students will need access to a computer, a screencasting software program (some that a cost associated with it) and a microphone for this task.  There are several screencasting programs out there.  Some are more user-friending than others, and some screencasting work better with certain computer operating systems.  Students may get frustrated with the program(s) and give up screencasting.  Evaluating different screencasting programs should be done before implementing in the classroom. 

Copyright:  The screencast is an original work from the author of this blog. 

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Prof. G's Fotobabble

Assignment Title:  Fotobabbble

Uses in the Classroom:  This technology tool can be used in a variety of ways.  The teacher could use fotobabble to introduce a topic using a mysterious photo and clues to describe the topic.  Students would have to apply prior knowledge to help construct meaning of what the photo is representative of.  Students could use fotobabble as a way to produce and present a final poem, animal report, or  math problem.

Issues to Consider:  Students will need access to a computer, digital photos, and a microphone for this task.  If fotobabble will be the assigned and evaluated task, then teachers should provide time in the school setting where the equipment is definitely available.  Otherwise, other options of assessment projects should be offered.

Copyright:  The photo is an original photo from the author of this blog.