As I start a new class I am always nervous. Am I going to understand what we are learning? Am I going to have enough time for the work required? How many technical problems am I going to run into along the way? Well, so far I understand what we are learning and I have found time to get my work done. I have had a hiccup at home with my internet access, but it was brief, so on I go.
I managed to create my graphic using Image Chef. It was very easy to use. I chose to create a word mosaic, but it had many other options to choose from. Some of the other programs allowed you to create a short video with a character that you create and script the character and have them do certain things. Other programs allowed you to create a comic strip. Some programs were like paint programs. I could easily use many of the programs in one class in particular. I teach Intro to Business. One of the projects is to market a new football team. The student must create a new team logo, which could be created in one of the programs I have looked at. If we have time, I also do a short unit on advertising. The project for that unit is to create a cereal box for a new cereal. Part of the project is to create a TV commercial and draw the story board for the commercial. Instead of drawing the story board, the students could create a comic strip for it or actually create the commercial instead.
I also use many presentations in my classroom and sometimes the students have to create presentations. Any of the presentation software programs could be used instead of PowerPoint. PowerPoint is available at school on all of the computers, but if a student needs to work on the presentation at home and doesn't have PowerPoint, they are forced to find time in study hall to finish their assignment. Also, if students are working on a group project, they all would be able to access it. It is risky for students working in a group to save on the public drive at school. I have had many students lose projects because of other students deleting them. This would eliminate the possibility of other students deleting work. We have also had server problems at school this year and some of the students lost work on their personal drive. Using online presentation software would eliminate that. I would also not lose work by using online presentation software.
So far I am enjoying what we are learning about and am excited to learn more!
