25 Ways for Student Inquiry

using Technology
in a Powerful Learning Environment

www.barnstable.k12.ma.us/mme/

PowerPoint for this presentation available at:

http://www.barnstable.k12.ma.us/mme/news/technology.html
(available in PDF format)
Julia Zangl Colby, M.Ed.
Instructional Technology Specialist
E-Mail: colby_julia@barnstable.k12.ma.us
Blog: http://jzcolby.edublogs.org
1. Wikis
2. Blogs
3. Podcasts
4. Social Bookmarking and Photo Management
5. RSS
6. Google Tools
7. Google Earth
8. iPod
9. Digital Camera
10. Video Camera
11. COW – Laptops on a Cart
12. SMART Board Interactive Whiteboard
13. Alpha Smarts
14. Mouse Brigade
15. Yahoo Maps
16. Digital Microscope
17. iMovie, Movie Maker, Photo Story 3
18. Kidspiration
19. Paint
20. Search Engines
21. Internet Applets
22. Study Island
23. Microsoft Word
24. Microsoft PowerPoint
25. Microsoft Excel
 Wikis
• Definition:
– Type of web site/tool that allows users to collectively and easily
add, remove, and edit content.
– Great tool for collaboration.
• Where Can I Get a Wiki:
– http://www.wikispaces.com/site/for/teachers
– http://www.pbwiki.com
• Helpful Resources:
– http://k12online.wm.edu/WikiWhileYouWork.mov
(takes long time to download because it is a movie but worth it)
– http://blog.wikispaces.com/
– http://pbwiki.com/videos/
Video Tutorials for using PBWiki
– http://educationalwikis.wikispaces.com/
Wiki of articles and resources for using wikis in education

1
 Blogs -- “Web Log”
• Definition:
– Website where entries are made in journal style.
– Online diaries.
– Most blogs are primarily reflections, comments or news on a subject; some
containing photographs, videos, audio, and many times links to other blogs.
– Creates a collaborative learning community.
– Can help support and enhance the development of reading, writing, and the
language arts.
• Where Can I Get a Blog:
– www.blogger.com
– www.edublogs.org
– www.blogmeister.com
– www.vox.com
• Helpful Resources:
– http://help.blogger.com/
– http://blogfolio.kboan.com/2006/05/18/edublogs-wordpress-workshop/
http://blogfolio.kboan.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/wordpress.pdf
Handout for WordPress Blogging
– http://teachteach.com/workshop/
Step-by-step Video tutorial for Edublogs

2
 Podcasts
• Definition:
– A blend of the word “iPod” and “broadcast.”
– Record your voice and/or music and post it to the web. Students can become “radio
broadcasters.”
– The host or author of a podcast is called a podcaster.
– A podcast is distinguished from other digital audio formats by its ability to be downloaded
automatically using software capable of reading feeds like RSS.
– Podcast can be downloaded and played on your iPod or MP3 player.

• Where Can I Go to Make a Podcast:

– Sound Recorder on a PC
• Start > All Programs > Accessories > Entertainment
(need a built-in microphone or external microphone)
Creates a wav file. Need to convert to mp3 file.
– Audacity on a PC
• Free Download of Audacity
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
– Pod Producer
• Software to help you produce and record your podcast http://www.podproducer.net/en/index.html
– Garage Band on a Macintosh (part of iLife suite)
• http://www.apple.com/ilife/garageband/
– Recorder connected to an iPod
• Belkin Tune Talk
http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=277661

3
 Podcasts
• Helpful Resources:
– http://teachdigital.pbwiki.com/podcasting
• Wesley Fryer’s wiki on Podcasting – excellent resource
– http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/
– http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/17-audacity-tutorial.htm
– http://www.apple.com/quicktime/tutorials/podcasting.html
– http://www.webmonkey.com/webmonkey/05/52/index4a.html
– http://www.podcast.net
– http://www.podcastdirectory.com
– http://www.podcastingnews.com
– http://odeo.com
• Podcast service that lets users search, find, and subscribe to
podcasts, as well as a tool to create your own podcasts with
minimal hardware.
(Teacher Supervised)
Social Bookmarking

and

Photo Management

4
 Social Bookmarking
• Definition:
– allows users to save and categorize a personal
collection of favorites/bookmarks and share them
with others.
• Where Can I Sign Up:
– http://del.icio.us/
– http://www.furl.net/
• Helpful Resources:
– http://del.icio.us/about/
– http://www.furl.net/faq.jsp#howWork
– http://personal.strath.ac.uk/d.d.muir/Delicious1_2.pdf
(PDF document on getting started and using Delicious
written by David Muir)
 Photo Management
• Definition:
– allows users to save and categorize a collection of
photographs and share them with others.
• Where Can I Sign Up:
– http://www.flickr.com
– http://www.bubbleshare.com
– http://photobucket.com/
• Helpful Resources:
– http://www.flickr.com/help/
– http://www.bubbleshare.com/help/
 RSS
(Rich Site Summary/Really Simple Syndication)

• Definition:
– You subscribe to an RSS feed to be notified of and receive the latest content
posted on someone’s blog, website, news site, etc.
– When you use or access an RSS feed, you are requesting and pulling
information from somewhere on the Internet to your computer.
– RSS means “pulling” rather than “pushing” to your computer. Pushing example
is spam and junk e-mail.
– Two components needed:
• an aggregator aka News Reader or feed collector (software that interprets the RSS
code (reads the feeds) and pulls it into the web browser in a readable format).
• RSS feed for each source.
• Where Can I Sign Up with a News Reader:
– http://www.bloglines.com
– http://www.google.com/reader/
– http://netvibes.com
• Helpful Resources:
– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS_(file_format)
– http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/3223484.stm
n
co
e dI
Fe
5
http://www.google.com/intl/en/options/

6
 Google Earth
• Definition:
– Google Earth puts a planet's worth of imagery and other
geographic information right on your desktop.
– A globe that sits inside your PC. Point and zoom to anyplace on
the planet that you would like to explore. Satellite images and
local facts zoom into view.
– View exotic locations as well as points of interest such as local
restaurants, hospitals, schools, and more.
• Where Can I Get Google Earth:
– http://earth.google.com/download-earth.html
– http://earth.google.com/ (Google Earth Home Page)
• Helpful Resources:
– http://www.google.com/educators/p_earth.html
– http://www.google.com/educators/index.html

7
 iPod
• Definition:
– Portable digital audio/video player.
– Engages individual learners.
– Download and store
• educational videos
• Audio Books
• Photos for class Experiments
– Connect a Voice Recorder and make podcasts
• Where Can I Get an iPod?
– I think we all know the answer to this one!
• Helpful Resources:
– http://www.apple.com/education/products/ipod/

8
 Digital Camera
• Class Newsletter Illustrations
• Photo Journal of Field Trips
• Bulletin Board Photo Journal
• Scrapbook of Students’ Year
• Classroom Alphabet
• Concept Illustrations for Math
• Yearbook
• Video Reports
• Create Sequence Stories
• Science and Weather Journals
• Photos for your Blog or Wiki

9
 Video Camera
• Class Yearbook
• Video of Class Field Trips
• Video of Class Activities
• School Movie
• Class Interviews
• Curriculum Review
• Training

10
 COW – Computers on Wheels
• 20-25 Laptops stored in a cart
• Cart goes into the classroom for use
• Wireless Network goes with the cart
• $20,000 to $25,000

11
 SMART Board
Interactive Whiteboard
• Interactive Whiteboard, Projector,
and Laptop go into the classroom
for whole-class instruction
• SMART Board
– Approximately $1,000
• Additional cost
– Projector and Computer

12
 SMART Board
Interactive Whiteboard
Resources
• SMART Board Main Product Support Page
http://www.smarttech.com/support/product/sb/index.asp
• SMART Board Training
http://www.smarttech.com/trainingcenter/online/sbBasics.asp
• SMART Board Training – Educator Resources
http://www.education.smarttech.com/ste/en-US/Ed+Resource/
• Online Community for Educators using SMART Board
Technology (contains lesson activities to download)
http://www.education.smarttech.com
• SMART Board Training Materials
http://www.smarttech.com/trainingcenter/windows/trainingmaterial
s.asp
 AlphaSmarts
• Definition:
– A mini-word processor
– Can go anywhere because it runs on AA batteries.
– "It's really easy," said Anna, a seventh-grader, "and I
can get more done than regular writing because I can
type faster. It's more fun than writing."
• Where Can I Get an AlphaSmart?
– http://www.alphasmart.com/
• Helpful Resources
– http://www.alphasmart.com/k12/solutions/index.html

13
 Mouse Brigade
• Teacher-selected students in a classroom
• Responsible for technology duties
• Help other students
• Students feel empowered
• Trained by Technology Specialist

14
 Yahoo Maps
• Definition:
– Yahoo Maps allows you to enter a specific address
and generate a map
• Where Can I Get Yahoo Maps:
– http://maps.yahoo.com/
– http://www.mapquest.com (another map program)
• Helpful Resources:
– Can right-click on map/Copy/Paste into Word
document
– Use Auto Shapes to put in the star
– http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/maps/
15
 Digital Microscope
• Definition:
– Microscope which connects to your PC or
Mac via a USB cable. Image is generated on
your computer and you can create digital
images of your shots.
– Magnification of 50X, 100X, 200X, and now
400X.
– 50X costs approximately $210.
• Where Can I Get a Microscope:
– http://www.proscopehr.com/

16
iMovie – Macintosh

MovieMaker – PC

Photo Story 3 – PC

17
 iMovie – Macintosh
• iMovie (Macintosh Platform)
– Part of iLife (software on Apple Computers)
– Easy to use
– Saves movie in QuickTime format on older
Macs; on newer Macs, save on DVD and can
be viewed on any computer or TV
– Tutorial:
http://www.apple.com/support/imovie/tutorial/
 MovieMaker – PC
• MovieMaker (PC Platform)
– Part of Windows XP software.
– Movie is saved and viewed on a PC.
Media Player used to view the movie.
– Tutorial:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/
moviemaker/getstarted/default.mspx
 Photo Story 3 – PC
• Photo Story 3 (PC Platform)
– Free download from Microsoft
– VERY easy to use
– Can record audio and import music.
– http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/
digitalphotography/photostory/default.mspx
– http://www.windowsphotostory.com/
 Kidspiration
• Definition:
– Visual Learning Tool for K-5 learners.
– Students build graphic organizers by combining pictures,
text and spoken words to represent thoughts and
information.
– Younger learners develop early literacy skills, and more
advanced students improve comprehension skills and
better organize ideas for writing.

• Where Can I Get Kidspiration:

– Check where your district purchases educational software.
– Example: http://www.ccvsoftware.com/ (approx. $55)

18
 Kidspiration
• Helpful Resources:
– http://www.inspiration.com/productinfo/kidspiratio
n/index.cfm
– http://www.picadome.fcps.net/lab/teacherl/lesson
_plans/kidspiration/kidspiration_ideas.htm
– http://www.northcanton.sparcc.org/~elem/kidspira
tion/collection.html
– http://www.canby.k12.or.us/technology/integratio
n/kidspiration/kidspiration.html
– http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/jcheek3/inspiration.
htm
 Microsoft Paint
• Definition
– Drawing Tool used to create simple or elaborate drawings in
black-and-white or color.
– Print your drawing, use it for desktop background, or paste it into
another document.
– Not only for drawing – use for Math
• Geometry – Shapes and Angles

• Where Can I Get Microsoft Paint?

– Start > All Programs > Accessories > Paint

• Resources:
– http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/
all/proddocs/en-us/mspaint_overview.mspx?mfr=true
– http://www.fayette.k12.il.us/99/paint/paint.htm
– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Paint
19
 Search Engines
• Filamentality
– http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/
• Search Engine Hotlist
– http://www.barnstable.k12.ma.us/mme/news/s
tudentinvestigations/WebQuests/searchengin
es.html
• $ NetTrekker: http://www.nettrekker.com/
(Pricing available through NetTrekker)

20
 Internet Math
• Barnstable School District Applets
– Math Applets Organized by Grade (K-4) and Math Standard
– http://www.barnstable.k12.ma.us/BCAS/
• MMEHMCPS Math Hotlist
– Math Applets for Math Activities
– http://www.barnstable.k12.ma.us/mme/news/studentinvestigations/Web
Quests/math/mathhotlist.html
• NCTM Illuminations Math Site
– http://illuminations.nctm.org/
• Utah State University
– National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
– http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html
• Shodor Education Foundation, Inc.
– (Science and Math)
– http://www.shodor.org/

21
 Study Island
• Definition:
– Web-based program.
– Helps students prepare for state standardized tests.
– Accessible from computer with Internet connection.
– Teachers have access to detailed progress reports for
an individual student as well as their class as a whole.
– Self-paced. Students learn at their own pace.

22
 Study Island
• Where Can I Get Study Island:
– http://www.studyisland.com
• Helpful Resources:
– http://www.studyisland.com/demoAsk.cfm?
myState=MA
• Demo for your state; replace MA with your two-
letter state.
• You can get pricing info on this page
• Example:Grade 3 Math <125 students is $414 per
year. Math and Reading is $745
 Office
Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Microsoft Office -- $
• OpenOffice – free download at:
www.openoffice.org
• Free online Office available at:
www.thinkfree.com

• Helpful Resources:
– http://www.microsoft.com/education
– http://office.microsoft.com
23 24 25
 Office
PowerPoint and Excel
• PowerPoint Ideas:
– Use with photos from digital microscope. Students write summary
with each photo. Students can also insert a narration using Sound
Recorder.
– Use for math journals; i.e., geometry, fractions, patterns.
– Insert photos from students’ field trip and have students write a
summary for their slide or, again, they can insert a narration using
Sound Recorder.
– Use for digital story telling. Students can create their own stories.

• Excel Resources:
– http://www.lttechno.com./links/spreadsheets.html#Elementary%20School
– http://www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow4/may99/spreadsheet.html
– http://www.sabine.k12.la.us/class/excel_resources.htm#Elementary%20School