Creating E-Portfolios With Web 2.0 Tools
Dr. Helen Barrett has created a list of the best Web 2.0 tools for online portfolio creation. Also included are instructions and examples of sample portfolios using a wiki, Googledoc, Google pages, and a blog.
Sample Organization: Instructor Portfolio
The staff at Penn State University provides a graphic organizer to show the organization plan for an exemplary professional portfolio. See also numerous examples of completed professional portfolios.
Five Reasons Why You Need a Portfolio and Seven Reasons Why It Should Be Online
Michele Martin describes why e-portfolios are highly effective career-building tools, and then explains the nuts and bolts of setting up a professional online portfolio.
San Lorenzo High School Senior Eportfolio Description
San Lorenzo (CA) High School has developed a detailed description of the essential items for a senior portfolio. Also included is an exit portfolio rubric.
Here are samples of exemplary senior portfolios:
Mission (CA) High School Senior Portfolios
Senior Digital Portfolio
Rubric for Electronic Portfolio
A useful rubric to evaluate seven aspects of electronic portfolios.
Tech Tip – Converting Google Presentations to PowerPoints
You can now convert your Google presentations to Microsoft PowerPoint format.
In Google Docs’ file menu choose "Save as PPT" or “Save as PDF”. You can also embed your presentation on a website or blog (Video – 1 minute, 18 seconds)
Labels: Powerpoint, Tech Tips
posted by Karen Franker, Editor @ 5/13/2008 05:43:00 PM
The Common Craft staff members have created an excellent short video to illustrate how Google Docs facilitates collaborative projects.
Google Docs
The Tech Learning staff provides tips on getting the most out of Google Docs and includes examples for collaborative use in the classroom.
Google Docs and Spreadsheets: Collaborating in the Classroom or Library
Christopher Case describes how Google Docs & Spreadsheets has transformed his classroom, and offers tips for veteran users as well as first-timers who want to make the most of these tools.
Teach Collaborative Revision with Google Docs
The Google for Educators site contains helpful articles from Writing magazine with student-friendly tips and revision techniques. Also included is a teacher’s guide with ideas for using Google Docs to create innovative lesson plans about revision.
Google Docs Tutorials
Atomic Learning provides a series of free tutorial mini-movies showing how to use Google Docs’ main features, with special sections on publishing and collaborating.
Tech Tip – PowerPoint Design/Copyright Do’s and Don’ts
How to Create a Great PowerPoint Without Breaking the Law (video 44 min. 51 sec.)
Labels: Collaboration, Powerpoint, Tech Tips
posted by Karen Franker, Editor @ 4/09/2008 08:01:00 PM
Teaching the Effective Use of PowerPoint
Tech Tip: Copy a PowerPoint Template Design
PowerPoint Extreme Makeover
Dean Shareski’s excellent “must see” video demonstrates common PowerPoint design mistakes, as well as tips on how to teach and model the effective use of PowerPoint in the classroom.
Scoring PowerPoints
Jamie McKenzie describes how to avoid “PowerPointlessness”, and shows how teachers can structure the effective use of PowerPoint to promote high-level thinking skills.
PowerPoint Magic
Pamela Lewis provides a quick list of important guidelines for teachers to follow in order to develop the full learning potential of PowerPoint.
9 Tips for Student Presentations
Wendy Russell lists nine critical tips for students to keep in mind when designing their presentations including: limiting the number of slides, choosing fonts carefully, and limiting the use of special effects.
A+ PowerPoint Rubric
A useful rubric which provides clear-cut guidelines for the evaluation of student PowerPoint presentations.
Tech Tip: Copy a PowerPoint Template Design
To copy the color scheme and formatting of an existing PowerPoint into a new presentation:
1. Open a presentation containing the design that you wish to use in your new presentation.
2. Create a new PowerPoint presentation file.
3. You will need to see both presentations at the same time. In order to do this, choose Window - Arrange All. This will show open presentations side by side on the screen.
4. To copy the color scheme, click on the title bar of the original presentation to make it active, then click on the slide whose formatting you wish to copy in the Outlines/Slides pane.
5. To apply the color scheme to your new presentation, click on the Format Painter button on the toolbar, then click on the title bar of the new presentation.
6. Next, click on the mini-version of a slide in the Outline/ Slides pane. This applies the formatting to a new slide.
7. To apply the color scheme to several slides at once, double-click on the Format Painter button, and follow the rest of steps 5 and 6 above.
*View Wendy Russell’s animated video of these steps.
What Our Students Are Saying…
About the Building Better Instruction With Technology class:
“The biggest "aha" was how much I learned about things I already thought I was doing well – setting objectives, questioning, non-linguistic representations, group work, homework, etc. There wasn't a single module where I didn’t have to think more deeply about how and why I do things and also come up with new ideas to do things differently. ~ Sue Francis, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
“You gave me so many opportunities to better my teaching. I never thought I wanted a Smart Board, but now I will be writing a grant for the department. This has really gotten me out of my trench and into the battle.”
~ Margorae Freimuth, Naples, Italy
Sign up soon for: EDUC 744 956
Building Better Instruction with Technology
Instructor: Becky Mather
Register online at: http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/register.shtml
Labels: Powerpoint, Tech Tips
posted by Karen Franker, Editor @ 9/13/2007 08:02:00 PM
Must-See Websites for Educators
Today’s Topic:
Must-See Websites for Educators
Tech Tip: Powerpoint Attention-Grabber
- What are some of the most engaging and innovative K-12 Websites?
- How are the best new Websites using multimedia to create rich, interactive learning experiences?
(Most of these sites will require the free Shockwave and QuickTime plug-ins to view, as well as a broadband Internet connection.)
Sound Junction
This incredibly rich multimedia site is bursting with information about all aspects of music –- styles, musicians, world music, and instruments. A special feature is the excellent Composer Forum where students compose and play music.
Make Beliefs Comix
Bill Zimmerman’s creative and interactive website where ELL students and other learners can write printable comic strips and improve reading, writing and language skills as well as practice sequencing and predictions.
Can I Have a Word?
Barbicon’s Education’s innovative and visually appealing site, a 2006 Webby Award winner, provides amazing new ideas and resources to inspire creative writing including poems by leading poets, video animations, and classroom activities.
If These Walls Could Speak
This stunningly-designed Atlanta History Center site provides a virtual tour of four historic homes in the Atlanta, Georgia area and the people and lives connected with them. Take your students through each home to view pioneer farm life, the emerging black middle class, rural pottery making, and the grandeur of Atlanta’s early suburbs.
Invention at Play
This engaging and playful Smithsonian site focuses on the link between kids' play and science, and explores the role that toys and play have had in invention. Included are interactive games that teach problem solving, visual thinking and exploratory learning.
Tech Tip – Powerpoint Attention-Grabber
Here’s a quick and effective way to get your audience’s attention when showing a Powerpoint presentation with a multimedia projector:
1. Go to the View menu and choose Slide Show.
2. When you come to a slide where you’d like to draw attention to you, the speaker, simply press B to make the screen black, or W to make it white. Then when you want to resume the slide show, simply click B or W again to reveal the slide where you stopped.
Register online at: http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/register.shtml
What Our Students Are Saying…
About the E-Learning for Educators course:
“It was a great first experience with online learning! I would, I have, and I will, recommend the course to colleagues with whom I work. I couldn't have asked for a better experience!”
~ Middle School Librarian, Los Angeles, California
“Dennis was a patient facilitator who cares about his students. This class has been an eye-opening growing experience and a foundation for teaching online classes.”
~ Corporate Trainer, Franchise Restaurant Co. Green Bay
“Using Moodle was very helpful, as well as becoming familiar with the survey and quiz programs.”
~ Middle School Librarian, Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania
Labels: e-learning, Powerpoint, Tech Tips
posted by Karen Franker, Editor @ 5/28/2007 09:06:00 PM