Polls

One of the great ideas that was discussed in many of the workshops I attended at TCEA, was about using polls in your classes. There are several different websites that you can use to create and administer polls and surveys for your students, parents, and fellow teachers.

One that I have used for several years is Survey Monkey. It's a free site that let's you create surveys and keeps track of all of the results for you.

However, it seems that this is now an "oldie but goodie". There were tons of other options presented recently. Vizu, Poll Daddy, and Poll Everywhere were among the most discussed.

I am posting an example of a Poll Daddy poll that I created just for you. You can also check my website for one that I created for parents.

Each of these sites gives you the code that you need in order to add it to your website, blog, or your actual lesson or presentation. One of the cool features with Poll Everywhere is that when you create a poll or survey, you can use it with a live audience. They can text or Twitter their response to the poll and the website tracks the information for you! I plan to use this in the next staff meeting to show you exactly how it can work.

Shelfari Bling

My previous post today is an example of a way to "Bling your Blog". Last year I started a Shelfari account to post on my school website. I kept this Shelfari bookshelf loaded with my favorite chapter books, along with another bookshelf with picture books, on my website so that my students from K-5 could see what I liked to read. It helped to encourage them to read some of these same great books!

I'm working on adding another bookshelf to the left of this blog (right above "followers"). This is the one that I'm using this year with my 4th grade class. I created a group for my class to keep a list of each of the books that we have read together this year.

If you start an account with Shelfari, you can network with other educators in book clubs. Your students can become part of the discussions and recommend even more great books. If you join, add me! I'd love to share.

Shelfari: Book reviews on your book blog

One more for tonight!

I promise I am done with the blog for tonight after this post!

I was also introduced to another website this week that will store my podcast. It's called PodOmatic. I've set up an account and you can view anything that I've created so far. I will continue to update it as I go. Students also have access to view these podcasts when they need to. I can also search and share with other members.

Here is the link to my profile on the site: http://www.podomatic.com/profile/turnerslearners

Spelling Podcasts Examples

Here are the two spelling podcasts that I created tonight using the method that I just explained in the last post. They aren't perfect, but it's a start.

I'll use this first one on Monday to introduce the new words. Then I will allow students to view it on the iPods throughout the week.

This next one can be used to actually give a spelling test to my students. However, I probably will only use this if a student happens to be absent. They will be able to sit at a table with the iPod and take the test without me having to call the words out. They have the ability to pause the recording and play back anything that they may have missed. This isn't anything fancy so keep in mind this is a very simple podcast that is only going to be used for a spelling test.

Spelling Podcast

Tonight I decided it's time to start creating some podcasts for the year. Yes, I realize I'm getting started a little late in the game, but I figured that it's better now than not at all.

I decided to start with something fairly easy and I chose our weekly spelling list. First I created slides in PowerPoint with each word listed. Then I saved those slides as JPEG's to import them into Windows Movie Maker. Once I was in Movie Maker, I recorded my voice to read along with each slide. After saving the file, I was able to convert it into an MP4 so that I could import it into my iTunes account. From here I can put the file on our class iPod so that students can follow along with the reading. I can also save the file to our class website so that students can practice the words at home.

I followed the same process for creating a spelling test. However, instead of giving a slide with each word listed, I just created one slide and called the words in random order. Now if I have a student absent on Friday, they can make up the test on their own using the iPods without needing me!!

I know that many of you probably didn't understand everything (or anything) that I just explained. So, I created a couple of short videos to help you understand the process. I will be glad to walk you through any of this at school if you would prefer.

This first video explains how to save your PPT slides as a JPEG.

After you create your podcast in Movie Maker, you will want to save it as a Movie Maker Project, and then publish it as a .WMV (Windows Media Video). Saving the podcast as a MMP allows you to go back into the project and make changes. After you save the file as a .WMV you will have to convert the file to an MP4. I use either Jodix or Any Video Converter to do this. Once it is an MP4, I can import it into my iTunes library. The next video will explain importing to iTunes.

New Site

Hello! I've been working on a new site that I learned about today. You can find some of my notes and info from the conference at http://turnertcea2010.weebly.com. I'll keep adding info as I can. One more workshop in the morning on iTunes and then to the closing session to hear Eric Wahl!

Visual Storytelling

This morning I've been in a workshop called "Visual Storytelling Using Five Picture Stories To Facilitate the Writing Process". We got to go out on a mini safari to take some pictures and create a story. We are only allowed to choose five pictures and tell a story without words. Here is the sample that I created during class! It was so much fun and can't wait to share some more ideas with you.

TCEA 2010

Today is day 3 of the TCEA conference in Austin! I've gotten lots of great tools and ideas to share with everyone when I get back. I'm excited to show you some of things that I've learned over the last few day, and I've got some great workshops again on Thursday!

I've already done podcasting, wikis, blogging, broadcasting, and much more. This morning I got to hear Chris Gardner speak at the Opening Session which was awesome! Right now I'm sitting in a session with Tammy Worcester on blogging. She has several books out and speaks all over. Check out her site at www.tammyworcester.com!

More to come.....