BP12_OMM_Quizlet.com

BP12 Quizlet.com
A new twist to an old study tool!
by Ginny Holm

BP11_Comments to Jazmin

My classmate at FSO EMDT, Jazmin Jones has found a really neat program that could aide students who are spatial learners as well as ESL students. Find out more by following my comments about WordSift.

BP10_comment to Tremeris

Tremeris Sanders, a fellow FSO student in my ETC class has found a great Web 2.0 that I think would enhance my classroom and allow students to share their culture with one another.

Follow this link to Tremeris' blog and view my comments on Google Earth.

BP9_Quizlet.com

BP 9: Quizlet.com

by Ginny Holm

Every time test times nears in my Graphic Design class, I see the panic in my student’s eyes. The uncertainty, the unease and the questions… “Mrs. Holm what should we study?” “Mrs. Holm is ___________ going to be on the test?” “Mrs. Holm… the questions and anxiety go on and on.

My methods of preparation include vocabulary words, a review that includes visuals that use PowerPoint and group discussion followed by the exam the following day. My test format is a combination of fill-in-the-blank, true or false, and essay. I wonder though, is the vocabulary a good way to study for all of my students? What about the spatial learners? Although the PowerPoint helps them, I wonder when they go back to their dorms is the vocabulary enough for them to study and retain the information to successfully complete their test?

I stumbled upon Quizlet.com via the Web 2.0 links on the Dashboard. My idea was that by using this freeware the students could create flashcards that help them better prepare for tests. The students in my class represent 40 different countries. Some of them have only been speaking English for 3 years or less. I hope that this Web 2.0 tool can provide them with an alternative to studying vocabulary words with definitions.

It’s easy to access, allowing for signup through your Facebook account so you don’t have to create yet another log on screen. Getting started was super easy; you can create your own flashcards or choose from theirs. I decided to create my own, since my class is pretty specific. Quizlet prompted me from there, allowing me to create a few samples. The program even offers the option to upload pictures, which would be great when studying the tools in the CS4 applications. The really neat thing is that it offers you the ability to quiz yourself using the flashcards that you created. The student could begin quizzing themselves immediately. It’s a really neat little Web 2.0 tool. I could see my students using it instead of the vocabulary and they wouldn’t have to worry about losing the papers I hand out. The downside could be Internet access. If your school has unreliable access and the student is solely dependent on Quizlet to study there could potentially be a problem.

PE1_Google Sketchup

Google Sketch up

by Ginny Holm

I can't wait to get started!

Every blue moon at work I am asked to do a rendering of sorts. I’ve done buildings, a park, an athletic complex… but they are always in 2D. I use Illustrator for the most part to do these renderings and overall everyone is happy. I would prefer to have the 3D option available, but CAD software is super expensive and I doubt I could learn it that quickly.

A few months ago one of my students told me about a really neat 3D program. He said it was easy to use. Best of all, the basic version is free. I downloaded it and opened it for a few seconds and that was it. I haven’t had any time to really check it out. I was really excited to read about this particular assignment. I had originally considered Flash, but I have tried an older version and was totally lost. I also think some of the other applications we’ve learned like iMovie cover what I need (at least for now).

The software that I downloaded was Google Sketchup. It’s a 3D modeling program that claims it’s also fun and easy to use. We are currently gearing up for our Centennial at my school. Part of our plan is to build a beautiful park in the center of our campus for all to enjoy. I’ve done a 2D rendering of what I envision the park to look like using Illustrator. I’d like to come up with a 3D version that would show better on the website I am designing for the event. So my software that I’d like to learn more about is Google Sketchup. In the next two postings I hope to have an actual rendering to show you. Wish me luck! r

W3 Reading

       By Ginny Holm    

      I feel like I have my groove on now within regards to this research thing. Finding valid AR topics is something I am pursuing greatly in hopes of getting organized so that I can begin my Literature Review next month without totally stressing out. Below are this week’s results.

Reading 1 by Christie, B., & Collyer, J.

            It was suggested that three factors determine how an audience responds to a successful multimedia presentation. By assessing these three factors, one could use this to model a multi-media supported presentation that would also be successful within the classroom. The three factors were how much research and information was provided. Second, the overall design and creativity of the presentation. Third was how engaged and entertained the audience was during the presentation.

Reading 2 by Colvin, S.

            This article really grabbed me with the title How to Keep the Audience Awake and Learning.  That is exactly why I chose my AR topic - to get my students more involved in the lecture portion of my class. The author stressed the importance of constructed learning, a way of receiving information in a context that is relevant to the student. It involves active, context driven content in which students can collaborate. She encouraged using PowerPoint not to overwhelm and bore your audience but to stimulate discussion.

Reading 3 by Sung, D., and Huang S.

            There were three points to this study. The first was to investigate Taiwanese technical university’s instructor’s use of technology. The second was to see why or why not they were using technology in the classroom. The third was to see what impact (if any) adding technology to the classroom had. Most teachers had incorporated technology within their instruction. Those that had not found that with their workload it was difficult to find and learn technology for their classroom. It was found that using technology increased the student’s understanding of the content.

Reading 4 by Wei, N.

            A very insightful way of presenting PowerPoint presentations was explained by the author. He suggested that one approach their presentation as a movie with a setting, a hero, a problem and resolution.

                        Well, that was my reading for week 3. As I did last week, I am including a link to my AR Resource page for anyone who would like to use the resources that I found.

image from iclipart.com

           

BP8_OMM_Flickr.com