Search+for+Innovative+Uses+of+Technology,+An+Individual+Project

Searching for Innovative Uses of Technology An Individual Project By        Gloria Cousins **  Case #1   ** 1. Reference Information: Website: [] Author: Jacqui Sharp Article Title: Fotobabble Journal Title: Web2.0 and Education 2. Description of the case: Ms. Sharp has imbedded a photo of a distant area and has recorded her voice that describes the environmental area for the students. She has provided this as an example for the project that the students will be required to do later by imbedding a photo into the class wiki that has a narration recorded by the students that describes the content of the photo and is related to the theme of the wiki. 3. Purpose of the innovation: Fotobabble is used as a tool in this instance with another innovation, the wiki, to create a visual and give a meaningful explanation to the students about an environmental issue in the area. 4. Technology and resources involved: __ Facility __ : Both home and classroom-Elementary School 4th-5th graders __ Network __ : Internet Windows required __ Equipment __ : PC or MAC, photo (from clipart) saved in JPG, JPG, or GIF images, and MP3,FLV or WAV audio formats; speakers, microphone __ Software __ : Adobe Flash, blog, or wiki __ Online Program __ : Fotobabble.com 5. Prior Skills and knowledge required of students: Ability to speak clearly, If photos from web are used, students need to be aware of the different licenses that apply and the permission to use them so that they can give credit to the authors. Students need the ability to edit by copying and posting the imbedded photo into the blog or wiki. 6. What students are asked to accomplish: The students are asked to find a photo that relates to a story in the blog and narrate its contents. They are told that they might first want to write their information and practice in front of a mirror before actually speaking into the microphone so they won’t sound robotic or as though they are reading. 7. Procedures of the project: Students are asked to obtain a photo from clipart, upload it to fotobabble, record their voice with a description of the photo, and click save. While in the edit or viewing mode, they are to copy the imbed code, then paste the code into html site of the blog or wiki. 8. Advantages of the project: Fotobabble is a free program and easy to use. It gives students a chance to display some of their favorite photos and discuss them. Several recordings can be made until the student is satisfied with the result. 9. Disadvantages of the project: The audio portion can only be 60 seconds long. The photo can be no larger than 2MB. Only 1 picture at a time can be used, no slide shows. 10. Types of effective instructional strategies: Students are graded on their ability to orally describe their photo. If the assignment is given at the beginning of class and at the end, an assessment can be made by comparing the 2 assignments. This information can be passed along to parents and administrators. 11. Possibilities that the innovation can be transferred to other teachers, subject content and different school settings: Ms. Sharp states that this concept is not limited to Math, Science, English, Biology, History, or Geography. It can be used for any subject on any level in Elementary, Middle, High, and Post Secondary grades. Higher grades 6th-12th and post secondary grades will be allowed to obtain photos from the web or their personal files in addition to clipart. 12. Other resources/articles used to evaluate this innovation: Ditzler, K. 2011. Give your photos a voice. http://kditzlerteacherresourcepage.wikispaces.com/ School Library Association of Victoria. Bright ideas. [] Cabassi,R. 2011. Fotobabble. Aim high jump often. [] **  Case #2   **  1. Reference Information Website: [] Author: Elinda Gjondedaj Article Title: Fotobabble, Talking Photos Journal Title: Magic in Education  2. Description of the case: Fotobabble is used in an English classroom for the evaluation of speaking, listening, and writing skills of the students.  3. Purpose of the innovation: This exercise is being used for the students to develop social skills as well as higher order speaking, listening, and writing skills.  4. Technology and resources involved: Facility: Home and classroom 9th grade English Class Network: Windows Equipment: PC, MAC, photos-personal file or web-saved in JPG,PNG, or GIF images, FLV,WAV, or MP3 audio formats; speakers, microphone Software: Adobe Flash Online Program: Fotobabble  5. Prior skills and knowledge required of students: Willingness to learn/and or ability to speak clearly. Ability to listen and analyze without being negative or spiteful. Ability to express ideas in writing as a follow-up and summary of the theme of the exercise, tell what it has meant to them, and how they have grown from the experience.  6. What students are asked to accomplish: Students are learning to talk and write about their favorite activity. They will be developing their skills in presenting orally which will be needed in higher grades and in the workplace.  7. Procedures of the Project: Students are asked to find a photo on their computer or on the web, analyze its contents, and write 1 to 2 descriptive sentences about it. Students are then asked to practice at home speaking in the mirror or with parents before speaking into the microphone. Go to Fotobabble and upload the photo of your choice that represents your favorite activity from your personal file or from the internet. Speak directly into the microphone and try not to sound as though you are reading. After the recording is made to your satisfaction, it can be saved. The fotobabbles will be presented in class, and students will rank them according to the rubric provided earlier in class. Students will then write an essay on the theme of the project,, what it meant to them, what they have learned, and how they feel this experience will help them later.  8. Advantages of the project: Students are able to develop social skills by working together as a team. They will also develop higher order thinking skills-speaking, listening, and writing.  9. Disadvantages of the project: All students in the class are not on the same level, are not capable of speaking clearly, and might feel uncomfortable with other class members hearing their taped voices. Students can only upload 1 photo at a time, which might not be adequate in describing their favorite activity.  10. Types of effective instructional strategies that are included: Students are given a grading rubric in the onset of the project which describes all facets of the assignment. Project is designed using the team approach so that the stronger students serve as an inspiration to help students of lesser speaking and writing skills to perform better.  11. Possibilities that the innovation can be transferred to other teachers, subject content and different social setting: According to the author, this innovation can be used for any grade level k-12, or post secondary and for any subject. This was an English class; however, it can be used for any subject including math, science, biology where the teacher is concerned about developing social skills and preparing students for higher grades and/or careers.  12. Other resources/articles used to evaluate this innovation: James, I. 2010. TeflTecher: Tasks, videos and opinions for tefl teachers. Talking photos: Fotobabble and wallwisher. [] Verschoor, J. 2010. Cool websites to teach writing. My integrating technology journey. [] Wordpress.2011. Talking photo…fotobabble. []