Matt's Monday Media Tips 10-24

Matt’s Monday Media Tips It’s All About the Stories

With Halloween just around the corner I thought it would be appropriate to highlight a few applications that you could use to tell some really “ghoul” stories.

Treat #1The first free application that I want to share with you is a site that I learned about from Wes Fryer’s presentation during the 2011 DEN Fall Virtual Conference. His presentation was amazing and inspiring. We’ll be posting the entire conference (including Wes’ presentation) at www.discoveryeducation.com/webinars. You can also check out Wes Fryer’s fantastic site and resources at http://www.speedofcreativity.org/

www.Audioboo.com (how appropriate is this name for Halloween?) is a site that allows you to create and share audio.

From there site:Audioboo is the simplest way to share audio.It's fantastic for many things. Impromptu interviews that you can put on your website,ambience that just sound wonderful, music you've made yourself, a record of your children growing up or even a full blown radio show. You can use it for reporting, for story-telling, educational use or quick tips. Think of it as your audio digital archive, your web connected dictaphone or simply a great way to let your friends know what you're up to. Audioboo works on iPhone, Android and Nokia devices, and you can also record via the web. Soon we'll be adding Blackberry and Windows Mobile. Our mission is to be the one platform you use when you want to record audio, share it or keep it safe for the

Take Teaching to the Next Level Where Microscope and Mouse Meet Connecting to a Global Community of Educators

Treat #2Ok we’ve covered publishing audio but how about images? I love www.posterous.com for this. Like audioboo you can use smart phones (Android and iPhones) to publish on-the-fly. You can also

use email and/or their website to publish and comment on your images. I like this

easy tool to use on field-trips, with roving reports, scavenger hunts, digital storytelling and more. If you’re a Principal, you can use Posterous during your walk-throughs to capture and share best practices with the rest of your school and, of course spread your kudos!

Discovery Education Webinar ScheduleDiscovery Education Webinar ScheduleDiscovery Education Webinar Schedule

Dates Time (EST) Link

10/25 7pm - 8pm May I have your attention please... The following is THEIR safety announcement

Great tips for creating Student PSAs

10/26 7pm - 8pm Siemen’s We Can Change The World Challenge

Awesome and Free Project Based Learning Challenge!

10/27 7pm - 8pm 2011-2012 Read to Succeed Program Overview

Check out the new and exciting changes to the 2011-2012 Read to Succeed program brought to you by Six Flags and Discovery Education for grades K-6.

What is a DEN Star Member?

Two spooky apps for your iPhone/iPad/iTouch

1. I’m not really sure about the educational value of this app but it is free and it is Halloween-y. Want to turn your iPhone/iPad into a Jack-o-Lantern? Crazy Pumpkin is a digital Jack-o-lantern! It's a scary sound effect machine, a multi-colored flashlight, a creative toy and/or a pumpkin carving design tool! It's all this and more...

http://itunes.apple.com/app/crazy-pumpkin/id292692071?mt=8

2. Halloween Card Creator - Free - Use Halloween Card Creator on your iPhone, iPad or iPod TouchThe unique thing about Halloween Card Creator is that you can customize as much or as little of the card as you want. The app comes loaded with fun Halloween backgrounds, clip art and fonts. After you've created your masterpiece you can share it with your friends and family on Facebook, through Email or save it to your Photo Album.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/halloween-card-creator-free/id464451172?mt=8

Community Spotlight!

This week I had the great privilege to participate in the Piqua City Schools Night of Discovery. Throughout the night students, parents, and community members gathered together to share and learn from each other. It was amazing to see the students lead the exhibits and showcase how they use technology in their classrooms. One of the best quotes of the nights came from a 2nd grade teacher who told me, “Last year my students created PowerPoints and this year they want to use Prezi...I don’t know what Prezi is but we’re going to learn it together!”

I observed kindergarteners demonstrate learning on netbooks and elementary and middle school students interact with SMARTboards and Discovery Education Science. I also got to see some great science experiments ranging from giant bubbles, storms in bottles, and underwater robotics. What a great exhibition! It was really fun to see the marriage of technology and curriculum from the students’ point of view.