I am thrilled to be publishing a guest post by Andrea Hernandez, cross posted from EdTechWorkshop Blog on Langwitches.

http://www.edtechworkshop.blogspot.com/

In the Lifelong Kindergarten group, we’re trying to change that. We believe that it is critically important for all children, from all backgrounds, to grow up knowing how to design, create, and express themselves. We are inspired by the ways children learn in kindergarten: when they create pictures with finger paint, they learn how colors mix together; when they create castles with wooden blocks, they learn about structures and stability. We want to extend this kindergarten style of learning, so that learners of all ages continue to learn through a process of designing, creating, experimenting, and exploring.

As part of their mission to “sow the seeds for a more creative society,” the MIT media lab has developed a free program called Scratch that encourages the kind of open-ended exploration and creative problem solving that is not on the test, but that promotes the trial and error learning that is the heart of math, science and technological innovation. The beauty of Scratch and similar applications is that while the processes they engage are complex, most children are naturally drawn to them and find them fun. Kids ask to “play Scratch.”

In my STEM classes and, to a lesser extent, my weekly lab classes I attempt to provide students with the time and space to engage in this kind of exploration using freely available resources. In my role as the teacher I model possible approaches, support students in their attempts, validate and encourage them as they proceed, and open the door by introducing them to what’s out there. When appropriate, I push students to go a little deeper. Some students are more inclined than others to enjoy the open-ended, for those who require more structure I can help by defining a problem or assignment for them. I can also help them to reflect on their learning styles so that they grow in an understanding of their own abilities. Some students can’t wait to get to the computer and play, others prefer a tutorial (there are many tutorials online for most applications. It can be great practice and reflection to have students who are more advanced create tutorials for others), some students are more comfortable watching first before trying. Any and all approaches to learning are valid as long as students understand the process and challenge themselves.

In addition to Scratch, here are some other recommended resources for open-ended, creative exploration:

Whizzball -from Discovery Education, whizzball is a puzzle creator. Students can design puzzles, submit their puzzles for others to solve and solve puzzles created by others. I have found this to be challenging and fun for grades 1-5.

Fantastic Contraption- physics challenge. Use the materials provided to create a contraption that solves the challenge of getting something from point A to point B. There are multiple challenges and endless solutions. I am using this with a first grade STEM enrichment class, and they LOVE it. I could see it being popular with older students as well, although I haven’t introduced to other grades yet.

Lego Digital Designer – design tool using virtual legos.

PHUN – 2D physics sandbox. This one is more advanced. I recommend viewing at least one tutorial before jumping in to play. I used this with 5th grade, and it was fun (phun) at first, but many of them became frustrated quickly.

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 same time his presentation is about Copyright. I can’t decide which part is the better? They are very cleverly interwoven.
Here are the books that Alvin recommends:

How to Create a Great PowerPoint – Take 2.0 from Alvin Trusty on Vimeo.

Just a little trick, I found out from my twitter network (Thank you jansmith) regarding embedding YouTube videos.

It has been bugging me for a while, that after finishing watching the clip, “related” videos would pop up on the screen. Now there is a way to avoid that.

Next to the embed code, find and click the blue settings wheel, then uncheck the “Include related videos”.  Copy the code and paste into your  blog.

I just found a cool new site, PicsViewr ,  that allows you to show Flickr images in different slideshow layouts. Sumply type in the username, choose the layout, then choose from different sets if available.

I found a great example of using the SmartBoard to make a difference in students learning. Linda from CSDsmarties put together on Adding Fractions-Flash-Student Explanation a great explanation of how her instruction and student comprehension differed with and without the SmartBoard.

I do not think Paul’s understanding would be as strong with an overhead materials. When students trade 1/2 for 3/6 it is often confusing for them. So far I have noticed that this model does not seem to confuse students.

She also added the student created final screen movie how he explains . Definitely worth checking out. In the comments someone asked how to insert the Fraction flash file into the SmartBoard notebook.

I really thought that the flash file was very cool, so I followed the link provided for the flashfile. Downloaded the Circle Fractions SWF file. Then I added a new page in an open SB Notebook and under the Insert Drop down Menu inserted the flash file. Worked like a charm

Want more Flash files to add to your repertoire on your SmartBoard? Linda wrote another post about how she goes about finding them online.

My school updated all computers with the newest version of Microsoft Office 2007 suite last summer. I have to admit, that I have been slow to warm up to it. I do want to share with you the feature of creating visuals from PowerPoint 2007, that I am enjoying tremendously. I don’t necessarily use it only in a presentation style slide, but I am printing them out for flyers or use a screenshot in letters, tutorials, and now blogs.

The example below is from a chart, I am creating for our faculty. I get asked many times what program they should choose when wanting to create a digital story. I usually tell them, it depends on what kind of media they are working with that determines the program that is most suitable.

Create an empty slide with no title, then on your Toolbar ribbon, choose the Insert tab and click on SmartArt.

This will allow you to choose from a large variety of visuals. You can pre-select from lists, processes, cycle, hierarchy, relationship, matrix or pyramid style graphics here. Don’t be too concerned in picking the "right" layout here, since it is very easily changed and edited later on.

No you can enter your text in an outline form, or if you choose directly into the visual.

Just right click on a button and choose to add a shape after, before, below or above. The rest of the layout, including the size of buttons and font will adjust according to the quantity of shapes you choose.

Once you have all your shapes and labels in place, it is time to have fun with colors, design, style and layout.

Just by moving your mouse over the different choices, the layout will adjust accordingly.

Changing colors…

Choose from 2-D or 3-D styles

And change the look again, by simply moving your mouse over another choice. Very cool.

I am still a relative newbie to the MAC (converted almost a year ago to a Macbook). So if you are a MAC pro, don’t even read further. If you are a newbie yourself, you might be interested in the following shortcuts that I learned of :

1. FN-Delete
   1. will allow you to delete from your cursor on forward. I missed that function from the PC (backspace vs. delete)
2. CTRL and two finger mousepad scrolling
   1. will allow you to zoom into a specific area on your screen. (Thanks @GingerTPLC on Twitter for this tip)
3. Command +
   1. will make your text larger
4. Command -
   1. will make your text smaller
5. Command -R
   1. Refreshes the page

When I learn of a shortcut, I usually make myself a note and stick it to the computer screen. I force myself to use the new shortcut every day if I want to start internalizing it.

What kind of shortcuts do you use on a regular basis? Can you contribute some cool new ones to my list?