Getting Started with Video

Despite that many Web sites require paid subscriptions, these sites may also have numerous free information to help teachers and librarians set up their own projects. To get started with a video classroom project, Atomic Learning contains a series of very short videos explaining how to set up basic camera shots and visual composition rules. In addition, a free Video Storytelling Guide reviews important concepts to think about when beginning the project like creating a storyboard. You can download the storyboard for free and learn how to add new shots to the storyboard and new links, to name some.

Learn about using video in your classroom so you can start a new project when the new 2010 school year begins!

American Library Association

The American Library Association conference is taking place in Washington, D.C. If you are there (6/23-30), stop by the Neal-Schuman booth 2401 or online at www.neal-schuman.com for a 20% discount! Use coupon code ALA10A. They have copies of my book "Using Web 2.0 Tools in the K-12 Classroom."

Reviews of the book appear on the Neal-Schuman Web site. I'm thrilled that folks are using it and like it.

Training sessions on Web 2.0

CMLEA, California Media and Library Educational Association, has created a number of training tools to teach you more about Web 2.0 tools. Of course, my book Using Web 2.0 in the K-12 Classroom provides many suggestions and ideas for lessons. You can then go to one of the sites below and actually create your own blogs or wikis or use tools described in my book. The combination of the suggestions in the book on how to use these tools in the curriculum and the actual practice of using them is a "Win-Win" combination.

If you are a teacher or librarian--try one of these now!
Classroom Learning 2.0
School Library Learning 2.0

Classroom Learning 2.0

T.H.E. Journal most often focuses on teachers in their monthly articles. However, May is different. Take a look at the article entitled Classroom Learning 2.0 to see how librarians or TLs (Teaching Librarians) are handling the responsibilities of teaching about Web 2.0. The author interviewed a number of teachers and librarians, including me(!) to get our take on what was currently happening in the library and how the library and classroom related and promoted Web 2.0 tools together.

Read this article to learn more.

Math Video Lessons

Do you teach math? Need new methods for getting concepts across to your students? Then check out the resource site--TeacherZone--containing thousands of math video lessons for grade 3-10. Most videos are 3-5 minutes long and can be used in your classes, embedded as homework help, and shared with parents and students.

A list of concepts covered from addition to geometry to measurement and much more displays on the Home page. You can view three sample videos to see what you think before signing up on the site. Try them out and let me know what you think!

Using Wordle in Classroom Lessons

April 12-18 is National Library Week. Show your appreciation to your library media specialist by creating a Wordle word cloud. Review the post I created earlier where I mentioned Wordle as a neat tool for the classroom. Here are some ideas for using Wordle in lesson activities from Jonathan Wylie.

Create a Wordle Gift: Input your favorite adjectives for your librarian, generate the word cloud, and add it to a greeting card, poster, calendar, or whatever else you choose. This can be a class gift with each student adding one or more words to a poster.

Other ideas for using Wordle include: historical document analysis, student profiles, compare and contrast activities, unit review and preview posters and more. Try some of these ideas in your lessons to give visualization to some of the concepts you are teaching.

Enter the Video Science Challenge

An interesting and motivating way to challenge students at the 5th to 8th grade level to become more involved in science is the 2010 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, sponsored by Discovery Education and 3M Corporation. The video only has to be one to two minutes on a topic emphasizing “safety and security.” Each entry must be individual and explain the science behind the danger and the science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics behind a possible solution.

Some sample topics include food safety, spread of germs, protection from the sun to name a few. Sample videos and lesson plans are also available on the site. Visit the 2010 Video Topics to learn all about the requirements, entry regulations and date of submission. If you have students interested in science here’s a way to stimulate that interest. More on this topic and how to create videos on my Web site.