As an elementary media specialist, part of my job is to help teachers bring their old lessons and projects into the 21st century by adding a technology component. Many times, teachers are hesitant to ask because they are afraid that using technology will be more difficult, create more work, and take more time. Please believe me when I tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way.
Any new technology will have a learning curve, but the elementary media specialists are here to be your guide and help you up the slope so it isn’t so steep. You need only have the courage to ask.
For example, one of the teachers at Chaparral, Barbara Fitzner, came to me and told me she wanted to make a movie of her students to share with parents, but wasn’t sure how to do it. It turned out to be easy and the result was adorable (see below). We are already planning on how to make it even better for next year. If you have an idea of a project you would like to transform, don’t be shy! Take advantage of your media specialist and ask her to help. You'll be glad you did.
Great idea, Nancy. We are very lucky to have you as a Media Specialist!
ReplyDeleteThank you Nancy for putting this out there for all of us! Please take advantage of us when we are visiting your sites or if you are lucky enough to have a media specialist on site by all means hit her up!
ReplyDeleteWhat did you use to video the kids? Ipad, digital video camera?
ReplyDeleteFirst, we scanned the drawings, saved them as .jpgs, and imported them into iPhoto. Next, we recorded the students using a digital video camera (although we could have used an iPad) and uploaded the clips to iMovie. We videoed each group of students separately so that it would be easier to edit the clips if necessary, although very little editing was needed. Finally, we created the movie in iMovie by ordering the clips and the photos and letting iMovie create the transitions automatically. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog post Nancy! I echo the sentiments both you and Karen expressed.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on having the most commented post on our blog!