Class Project: Interactive Whiteboards, PowerPoint, and Blogs

1. Class Project: Interactive Whiteboards, PowerPoint, and Blogs By: DeShea Jones LSIS 5614

2. Technology in Education • Used frequently in educational settings in today’s world. • Opening up new doors and methods that can reach more students. • Giving teachers new ways to help students learn. • There are many types of technology available to educators.

3. Interactive Whiteboards

4. Interactive Whiteboards • A technology used to replace regular whiteboards in a classroom. • Provide a way to show students what is on the teacher’s computer, using a projector. • They are touch sensitive, which allows the teacher and students to manipulate and create using their hand or a special pen. • They are usually mounted to a wall or on a stand. (2010, Interactive Whiteboards)

5. Types of Interactive Whiteboards SmartBoard Mimio eBeam ActivBoard Webster

6. Interactive Whiteboards Purpose • Allows teacher to project computer screen into a large format all students can see. • Allows students to take part interactively with the whiteboard. • Allows teacher to project images without having to use an overhead projector and make copies (saves paper, ink, etc.) (2010, Interactive Whiteboards)

7. Interactive Whiteboards Benefits • Students are visual learners and love this medium. • Provides a larger screen than traditional classrooms, so text and images are larger. • Teachers and students can manipulate images easily. • Brings learners in the classroom together. • Provides differentiation: visual, kinesthetic, audio = learning can be extended (Fredrick, 2010)

8. Interactive Whiteboards Benefits • Activities on IWBs can be recorded and saved for later use (to review, re-teach, help students, absent students, etc.). • Files on IWB can be uploaded to a teacher’s website or other device. • Students can access materials outside of class or make up work if missed in class. (Fredrick, 2010)

9. Interactive Whiteboards Acquisition • IWBs will benefit students and teachers. • Very expensive=$700-$3000 depending on brand and model • Need to first determine location of the board. • Many companies sell the boards or the school may provide one to the teacher. • Also, many schools have one that teachers can reserve. • There are also grants available to help offset the cost. (Fredrick, 2010)

10. IWB How-To Guide • Each model is different and has different programs. • However, the first step is to determine whether it will be mounted on a wall or on a stand. • Then the board and projector must be mounted. • The IWB needs to be hooked up to a computer.

11. IWB How-To Guide • After the computer is hooked up you must make sure that the IWB is turned on. • Then you can just start using it. • This website has a great list of videos giving demonstrations of how to use the most common functions of IWBs.

12. IWB Training • Without good training the IWB will probably not be used to its full potential. • Vendors usually provide training. • There are online webinars. • There are many video clips on YouTube and TeacherTube. • You can get help and tips from other teachers. • Local universities and educational agencies might provide workshops. • Online forums and websites are also a great resource for ideas. (Fredrick, 2010)

13. Tech Support/Upkeep • Technical support is critical. • Replacement bulbs should be on hand, but are costly. Can cost $300. • Most vendors provide support documents about the care and use of the boards. (Fredrick, 2010)

14. How IWBs Can Be Used • Can be used for all subjects and ages, even adults. • As a regular whiteboard, where the teacher writes something for the students to see. • IWBs are a great platform to show videos and movies because of the large screen. • Normal activities, like worksheets, charts, timelines, etc. can be used on an IWB. • Can also have interactive activities where students come to the board. (Fredrick, 2010)

15. A Few IWB Activity Ideas • Show presentations, like PowerPoints • Have students complete charts, graphs, etc. by coming to the board. • Interactive review game where students touch a place on the screen to get a question. • Show websites and online games/activities • Display warm up • Have students create online projects to show to the class.

16. IWBs for Students with Disabilities • Accommodate multiple learning styles (tactile, audio, visual) • Research results have shown that IWB produce positive results for students with disabilities. • Large screen with zoom function for visual impairments. • Files can be printed or used later for students who need copies and review. • Do not need a pen to write on board, so students with motor function problems can use it. (Basilicato, 2005)

17. Videos Below are links for the video depicting how I use a SmartBoard in my classroom and how IWBs are good for students with disabilities. Video Part 1 Video Part 2 Disabilities Video

18. PowerPoint

19. PowerPoint • A presentation software by Microsoft. • Typically present information in slides. • Can add text, images, animations, video, sounds, and music. • The slides can be set to change automatically, or they can be manually changed during the presentation. (NCDAE, 2005)

20. PowerPoint Purpose • A way to display, explain, or show a topic or subject. • Can use it to tell students about a certain subject. • Can be a way to give information for students to take notes on. • Can also do interesting things, like make a review game (Jeopardy).

21. PowerPoint Benefits • Flexibility and Customization - Many ways to use it - Many templates, layouts, and formats - Can make it fit the audience • Summarization - A great way to highlight the main points of a topic - Can use charts, graphs, statistics, etc. (Dutta, 2011)

22. PowerPoint Benefits • Educational Value - Add interest/value to lectures and notes - Students use it for assignments and projects • Effective Visual Tool - Can show visuals to the audience - The visuals can add value to topic/ presentation (Dutta, 2011)

23. PowerPoint Acquisition • Made by Microsoft • Can buy with the Microsoft Office bundle or alone. • Bundle = $100-200 depending on the version • Alone= $20-30 depending on the version • Most computers at a school will already have the software downloaded.

24. PowerPoint How-To • There are different version, but they all have the same functions. • After you open the program you can chose to use a completely blank presentation or use an already made template. • Then you can add in the text to the text boxes, images, animations, etc. • Microsoft has a great website that gives many step-by-step directions on all aspects of PowerPoint. • Here is an online PowerPoint presentation giving the basics on how to use PowerPoint.

25. How PowerPoint Can Be Used • Many teachers simply use it to present information to students. • Can also use it to present information to parents. • Teachers typically add pictures about the topic and sometimes animation, audio, and video as well. • However, there are also many things you can do with PowerPoint to make it a little more fun and interactive for your students (Tuscaloosa City Schools, 2002)

26. Thinking Outside of The Slides • Put questions or surveys along the way to get students involved in the PowerPoint. • You can make review games (if you hyperlink slides to one another) so that students can click a slide to get a question. Or try this website that lets you create one for free. • Use PowerPoint to create flashcards- you can create or students can create • Here is a website that has how-to tutorials for using PowerPoint in the classroom.

27. PowerPoint Jeopardy

28. PowerPoint Tips • Make sure the information is of value. • Don’t use animation, sound, etc. just to use them…make sure there is a purpose. • Do not have too little or too much information on a slide. • Sometimes you can tell the story, just by having pictures on the slide and then you can discuss the information. • If you are able, walk around while using the presentation. • Do not read verbatim, add things verbally to elaborate on the PowerPoint. • Make sure the layout is interesting, but does not take away from the information. (Voss, 2004)

29. PowerPoint for Student’s with Disabilities • Is visual so students who are deaf can see what you are saying as well. • The visual nature helps engage many students with disabilities. • Is a great way to provide information for students to review later (uploading the presentation to the teacher’s website or providing handouts).

30. Blog

31. Blog • Blending of the words “web log.” • Can be a website or part of a website. • Usually maintained by an individual who gives regular updates of commentary, description of events, or other materials (graphics or videos). • Many blogs are interactive and allow users to leave comments. (Blog, 2011)

32. Companies Offering Blog Setup • Blogger.com • Wordpress.com • Blog.com

33. Blog Purpose • To write about a topic that interests you. • To give opinions on a topic. • To update your audience. • To share information, graphics, or videos.

34. Blog Benefits (for the classroom) • Easy way to share information to students. • Easy way to share information to parents. • Great way to have students ask questions or make comments, when they do not feel comfortable doing it in class. • Can motivate students who are not typically motivated in class. • Opportunity for students to read and write. • Can enable scaffolding and mentoring for learning. (Olson, 2007)

35. Blog Acquisition • Can find many websites that are designed for regular use and classroom use. • Many are free. • Also, many website programs used by school districts allow you to create a blog on your existing website. • Examples of blogs for classroom use: - edublogs.org- basic is free - 21classes.com- entry level is free - education.weebly.com- free

36. Blog How-To • The specifics will depend on the website you use to host your blog. • There are 4 basic steps: 1. Choose your free blogging service 2. Register your account and create your blog. 3. Select your domain, theme, and other options. 4. Start blogging. • For more information visit this site. (Gunelius, 2011)

37. 4 Classroom Functions of Blogs • Classroom Management- foster a community of learners, easy to create and update efficiently, inform students of class requirements, post handouts, notices, and homework assignments, or act as a question and answer board. • Collaboration- “Teachers and students can work to further develop writing or other skills with the advantage of an instant audience. Teachers can offer instructional tips, and students can practice and benefit from peer review. They also make online mentoring possible. For example, a class of older students can help a class of younger students develop more confidence in their writing skills. Students can also participate in cooperative learning activities that require them to relay research findings, ideas, or suggestions.” (Olson, 2007)

38. 4 Classroom Functions of Blogs • Discussion- “Opportunity for students to discuss topics outside of the classroom. With a blog, every person has an equal opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions. Students have time to be reactive to one another and reflective. Teachers can also bring together a group of knowledgeable individuals for a given unit of study for students to network and conference with on a blog.” • Student Portfolios- “Blogs present, organize, and protect student work as digital portfolios. As older entries are archived, developing skills and progress may be analyzed more conveniently. Additionally, as students realize their efforts will be published, they are typically more motivated to produce better writing.” (Olson, 2007)

39. Blogs for Student’s with Disabilities • Great way for students to be able to review information. • Great way to help student’s see their progress throughout the year. • Can help student’s participate who fear class participation because of their disability. • Is a very visual way to present the information.

40. Different Type of Blog Glogster (edu.glogster.com) • Different type of online blog, much more visual. • Like an online poster. • Free for teacher and 50 student accounts. • Teacher can create their own glogster to present information to students. • Students can add text, images, sounds, music, videos, and animations. • Students can comment just like a normal blog.

41. Part of a Student’s Glogster

42. Observation of Blog/Glogster Date: 3/30/2011 Location: Lake Norman Charter School Time: 9:10-10:24 What was observed: Students using glogster accounts, given to them by the teacher, to create online posters for a country in SE Asia. Students were working in pairs.

43. Observation of Blog/Glogster Observation: • Students seemed to enjoy using the laptops and using Glogster for the first time. • Students seemed to like all of the choices and how they could make it their own and loved that they got to use technology. • There were many comments about how it was “cool” or “like facebook.” • There were a few technical issues with the computers and the website, but the teacher handled them to the best of her ability and offered suggestions if it would not work. • Students also seemed to like that they could view other student’s glogs and comment on them.

44. Conclusions • These three technology resources are great tools to use in any type of classroom. • There are very diverse and allow the user to do multiple things with the. • Most are relatively inexpensive. • IWB are expensive, but they give a lot to a classroom. • Teachers should try new technology in their classroom, but make sure there is a purpose behind the technologies.

45. Citations (2010). Interactive whiteboards in the classroom. Retrieved from http://rmtc.fsdb.k12.fl.us/tutorials/whiteboards.html ACT360 Media (2009). Powerpoint in the classroom. Retrieved from http://www.actden.com/pp/ Basilicato, A.N. (2005). Interactive whiteboards: Assistive technology for every classroom. Today’s School. Retrieved from http://www.interactivewhiteboards.com/www/files/ articles/Article_2005todaysschool.pdf Blog. (n.d.). In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog Cotte, J.(2011). Microsoft powerpoint [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.wiziq.com/ tutorial/71213-Description-of-Microsoft-PowerPoint Dutta, P. (2011). What are the benefits of powerpoint? Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/ facts_4886024_what-benefits-powerpoint.html Fredrick, K. (2010). Moving pictures: Interactive whiteboards and instruction. School Library Monthly, 26(10), 32-33. Free flash jeopardy review generator. Retrieved from http://www.superteachertools.com/ jeopardy/

46. Citations Gunelius, S. (2001). How to create a blog in 4 easy steps. Retrieved from http:// weblogs.about.com/od/creatingablog/ht/CreateBlog5Step.htm Mongan-Rallis, H. (2003). How to create a powerpoint jeopardy quiz. Retrieved from http:// www.d.umn.edu/~hrallis/guides/PP/pp_jeopardy/jeopardy.html NCDAE (2005). Tips and tools: Microsoft powerpoint. Retrieved from http://ncdae.org/ resources/factsheets/powerpoint.php Olson, L. (2007). What is a blog? Retrieved from http://www.elko.k12.nv.us/ jackpot/users/lolson/classroomblog.htm Oxford University Press (2011). Step-by-step video guide to interactive whiteboards. Retrieved from http://www.oupeltpromo.com/interactive/iwbs_step_by_step.php Tuscaloosa City Schools (2002). Using powerpoint in the classroom. Retrieved from http:// www.online.tusc.k12.al.us/tutorials/pptclass/pptclass.htm Voss, D. (2004). PowerPoint in the classroom, is it really necessary? Cell Biology Education, 3(3), 156-158. doi: 10.1187/cbe.04-06-0046. Retrievedfrom http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC520839/