We want our students to start creating…
We want them to use different media to express themselves, demonstrate their understanding, learning and connections to the world.
So, the teacher has agreed to the substitution of the traditional written book report (from years past) with allowing students (5th Grade) to create and record a PhotoStory based on a [...]

Kindergarten spent time on the Pinky Dinky Doo site. It is well worth exploring with your younger students. We directed students to go to Story Podcasts on the site.

and to choose “Create your Own”.

They are able to choose from 5 different story categories.

The story is divided into three segments, Beginning, Middle and End. The site [...]

Six schools in six countries in one hour? Is it possible?
Over 100 participants in 23 countries have shown desire to connect with other schools and left their contact information.
Time zones issues seem to be the biggest hurdle in connecting our students with schools from the Eastern Hemisphere during school hours.
I invited the students in my [...]

Many times there is pressure to teach the “traditional” Office programs (word processing/spreadsheet/presenting software) in school. Parents and administrators have something tangible to see/say that their child/student is learning/getting computer skills. It is harder to recognize/put your fingers on skills like communication, collaboration and connections.
So far, we had started first graders out on using PP [...]

I watched this recording from one of Alvin Trusty’s presentations and thought it was well worth sharing.
He gives great ideas and logistical how-to in order to create better PowerPoints. Here are some techniques and points I will want to experiment and consider further:

motion path
animation grow/shrink
graying out items on list
“fade smoothly” transition
cropping images within PowerPoint
contrast/repetition/alignment/proximity

At the [...]

Mike Artell, illustrator, cartoonist and author of several children’s books, has contacted me because he read (on Langwitches) about the fantastic connections my school is making via Skype.
He offered to “visit” us as well, via Skype:
I’m very interested in seeing how we might be able to work-in some drawing instructions when I visit with the [...]

I checked out PhotoPeach.
Our idea is to help users tell better stories online using photos. Our inspiration for this service came from enjoying sharing photos with friends in real life.
You can create a rich slideshow in seconds to engage your friends or family in a natural way. This is done by allowing two-way commenting right [...]

I have been asked by Mary Hillis, if I would be willing to be the Guest Speaker of Week 4 at Images4Education.
In this six-week online workshop offered through the Electronic Village Online, participants will be introduced to various online image manipulation tools and will learn how to effectively incorporate these resources into their teaching practices. [...]

Through technology, I have been able to connect with more and more people who have or make their home in different parts of the world.
Being passionate about teaching global awareness to my students, comes partly from the fact that I grew up with different perspectives of what is “home”. I have the heritage on my [...]

Around the World with 80 Schools is making waves around the world.
Check out some of the sites that have blogged about the project. Thank you bloggers for spreading the word!

Bulgaria

Teacher Blog

Israel

Israel Teacher Ning

Portugal

Around the world with 80 Schools :: ZarcoEnglish

England

Integrating ICT into the MFL classroom:: Around the World with 80 Schools Project

USA

School ‘langwitch’ teacher to [...]