Integrating Images in Your Classroom

cc licensed ( BY SA ) 500px photo by Charly Morlock: http://500px.com/photo/3106929

As teachers, students and administrators are utilizing more and more visuals in their presentations, blogs and newsletters, it is important to keep in mind two elements.

1) It is best to obtain an image that has shareable Creative Commons licensing.

2) Using a Creative Commons licensed image still requires proper source citation.

Below you will find a number of websites where images can be sourced and how to properly cite them for your research, presentations, blogs, brochures and newsletters.

WEBSITES

CC Search – allows users to input a theme/word/title and click on a particular medium. http://search.creativecommons.org/

500px – professional photos with a variety of CC licenses. The Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives and Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike licenses are best to use. (Note: some mature content found.) http://500px.com/creativecommons

Flickr Creative Commons – candid photos with a variety of CC licenses. http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/. Download the Flickr CC Attribution Helper Chrome extension (http://bit.ly/CCimage) and this gives you the proper citation to copy into a document, blog and/or website.

Free Digital Photos – variety of stock photos, the company watermark stays on each photo. http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

FreeFoto – a variety of images which are also organized into categories.  Citation for online environments is included. http://www.freefoto.com

Google Advanced Image Search – use the power of google by scrolling down to the bottom of this site and changing the usage rights to either “free to use, share or modify” or “free to use, share” and then add the word(s) at the top. http://www.google.com/advanced_image_search

Pics4Learning – free, copyright-friendly images specifically for students. Citation is included. http://www.pics4learning.com

2Learn Image Database – a number of categories http://www.2learn.ca/images.aspx

Wikipedia Commons – freely usable media files (images, sounds, videos), various contributors. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

CC CITATION Structure

When attributing an image under a CC license you should indicate the type of CC license, share the host website name, credit the photographer, and provide the URL where the work is hosted. (If the image has a title you can include that as well just before the name of the photographer/creator.)

cc licensed (abbreviation of licenses) which webservice is displaying the photo (flickr, google, 500px…) by (name of photographer): (link to actual image)

ie.

Attribution-ShareAlike License

cc licensed ( BY SA ) flickr photo by MeRawrFloor: http://flickr.com/photos/mirrorfloor/8748547068/

Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License

cc licensed ( BY NC SA ) flickr photo by Lucas County Choppers: http://flickr.com/photos/mzwp/8748525126/

 

Going Virtual for PD

 

WOW, this morning was a blast working with teachers during the SWATCA convention in Southern Alberta. What was really great was that I could interact with participants even though I was 500km away!

My sessions included discussions and sharing on UDL and Digital Citizenship. The University of Lethbridge Tech department, ETCATA, PSD70 and SWATCA committee all allowed me this opportunity to connect, share and learn this morning. I want to thank them all for this experience.

My first session on Digging Deeper into Digital Citizenship showcased a draft document for K-12 teachers outlining various outcomes and strategies for teachers to use in their classrooms based on the following framework:

My second session focused on Supporting Diversity: Reaching Every Student via UDL in your Classroom. We took time to look at the three principles of UDL – multiple means of representation, action & expression, and engagement.

It’s always a great dar when I get to interact with Alberta teachers!

 

 

Intentional Leader: Trusted Talents Refine Your Focus

Monthly Theme: Focus

Week 2

Retaining a vision for growth is no easy feat. Any large corporation has stories of CEO’s who were steadfast in their growth vision by tapping into the insights and experiences of the people around them. Having people that you can count on, who know their roles, sharpen their skills and are able to continue the similar focus.

I am ever thankful and reminded daily by the actions of the people that I work with, (the Learning Services team members, IT department, Lead Team group, PSD70 teachers and outside organizations), that I am very lucky to be working in such an open environment. It is an environment where FOCUS is key to success. PSD is filled with people who are passionate about student success. With the amount of initiatives, ideas and innovations that are evolving in the educational atmosphere, I am glad to be working with such caring, compassionate and wise people. I learn something new everyday and I hope that my presence in meetings, workshops and in conversations allow others to learning something new too.

My role is to support administrators and teachers in better understanding the curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and integration of technology. At times I even get to work with students, which I enjoy a lot! There are several skills involved in my role:

• Communication – listening, verbal, written
• Research & Development – assessment, seek multiple perspectives, gather information, identify issues
• Digital Literacy
• Multi-tasking – flexibility, adaptability, managing, multiple priorities
• Interpersonal abilities – relate to colleagues, inspire participation
• Leadership/Management skills – motivate, mobilize and coach to meet standards
• Multicultural awareness – diversity in the workplace
• Planning/Organizing – me and others
• Problem solving/Reasoning/Creativity – find solutions
• Teamwork – connect with colleagues

Of the above skills, three stand out for me as being my top three – Communciation, Digital Literacy, Planning/Organizing. These skills allow me to move forward our PSD initiatives, specifically our Educational Technology Initiatives.

Initiative	Department	Timeline	How does this support learning?
Google Apps for Education	Division Principal	2012-2014	Through the opportunities to easily collaborate and promote teamwork within the school division.
Electronic Portfolios (EduBlog)	Division Principal	2012-2014	This will help to inform assessment, build an understanding of digital citizenship and identity, help to build digital literacy, while also helping students to benefit from personal learning networks.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and cloud apps	Division Principal Curriculum ET Facilitator	2012-Ongoing	Providing students opportunities to learn using their own devices that they are already comfortable with. (Promotes Universal Design for Learning)
SMART Technologies	ERLC Curriculum ET Facilitator	2012-Ongoing	Engage students through effective use of the technologies
Discovery Education	Division Principal Curriculum ET Facilitator	2012-Ongoing	Students can research reliable information and then rework it to demonstrate their knowledge in creative ways.  This can be used in a differentiated approach.
Read & Write Gold & other Assistive Technologies	Learning Services	2012-ongoing	Removes barriers to learning
Digital Responsibility/ Citizenship	Division Principal Curriculum ET Facilitator	2012-2013	This is a growing need and essential for students to understand and embrace as they are using digital resources at home and in school to communicate, socialize and learn.
Assistive Technologies	Curriculum ET Facilitator	2012-2013	Removes barriers to learning
Focus on creating an open culture	Division Principal	2012-2013	Promote Parkland School Division through publishing the positive learning experiences of students and staff through our Twitter account, hashtag, and professional learning through blogging.

 Image

 

My Digital Blanky – the PlayBook

In April of this year I was presented with an opportunity to use a new tablet that came out on the market. Being that our school division uses Blackberrys and has a Blackberry Enterprise Server, it seemed like the PlayBook would be a good fit to the work that I was doing as an Educational Technology Facilitator. Six months later, I am still using the PlayBook as one of the many technology tools in my daily work.

RIM’s PlayBook has a number intriguing features for both teachers and students to use in their learning/work which will be shared below. As well I will walk through “A Day in the Life of a PlayBook User”. Finally, I welcome any comments as to how you are using the PlayBook in your own learning/daily life.

I have six main introductory points to share regarding the PlayBook and its features before sharing some of the resources that teachers and students can directly use with this tablet.

1. Features

User Experience: from the home screen you can launch apps, multi-task, change settings and view notifications. One can have several apps open at once swiping back and forth easily, smoothly and quickly. Also, the PlayBook is easy, light and compact enough to carry around a school site to gather data, share information, and/or take pictures/video clips.
Full web browsing: flash is well-done, HTML5 handles quite nicely.
Wicked word processing: take notes, write letters, build docs with WordToGo (free and original app).
Multimedia max: amazing camera and HDMI video features, very clear, crisp, vibrant colors for audio and video.
Best bridging: love the Bridge feature that pairs with my Blackberry phone – messages to BBM messenger to browsing to Video Chat. Even if you don’t own a Blackberry phone, Gmail, Yahoo mail, AOL mail work fine.
Display and Battery Power: with an HDMI cable and projector, all features on the PlayBook are easily displayed and last for a whole work day (and more!)

2. For Teachers/Administrators

Teachers and administrators will like the portability and ease of use with this tablet. The majority of resources shared below are free, although I am looking at paid apps more and more to see if there are any ones that may be of better use.

Preparation/Management Resources:
* Clock native app – basic, stopwatch, and timer.
* Voicenotes – audio notes on the go!
* WordToGo – an original app that comes with the PlayBook. Great note taker.
* Bluebox (dropbox) – if you use Dropbox on your other devices, Bluebox syncs files on the PlayBook.
* Evernote – useful if you are already familiar with this app that culls your notes, ideas, pictures, audio.
* QR Scanner – take a picture of existing QR codes to get to the information tied to them
* GroovyNotes – a paid app that I just started to look at which records, manages notes, keeps lists, tracks plans, saves messages. Works like a digital agenda/notebook.

Reference:
There are a variety of news apps like News360, The Edm Journal, Globe News, CBC News to name a few that one can download in order to keep up with current news locally, provincially, nationally and internationally.

3. For those people who like to use quotes when speaking with friends or in presentations there are two that I have a fondness for – Zen sayings and 3001 wisdom quotes HD free.

If you are ‘out and about town’ and are not familiar with either the town or a particular are of town then the Poynt app would be of great service to you. Poynt will find businesses, retailers, people, restaurants, movies, events, and weather information using GPS.

With regards to students, I am basing my resources on the three UDL (Universal Design for Learning) guidelines of:
1) Multiple Means of Representation – how materials are delivered/presented and what students know.
2) Multiple Means of Action & Expression – how students demonstrate their knowledge.
3) Multiple Means of Engagement – how students will learn.

So, let’s look at how the PlayBook can connect learning which happens in a variety of environments, anytime throughout the day or night and using a variety of materials.

4. For Students
The apps below are separated into subject specific areas, but can certainly be used in any content area. A majority of these apps are free.

Math - there are a number of apps from K-12 that can be utilized.
* CheatSheet – formulas for algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus
* EduTube – Khan academy videos
* Pythagorean Theorem – input values
* Minute Math – easy to hard questions in +,-,x,/ that you can answer in one minute
* Mathoku lite – levels easy to nasty. Need to remember order of operations.
* MathFlash – five levels, four operations.
* Randomize That – using either dice, cards, coins or numbers.

Music - various musical instruments invite students to explore sounds and make original compositions.
* Piano
* Playbox
* Slacker Radio
* Steppy Step Sequencer
* VEVO – music videos
* Xylopohone
* ZZing

Language Arts – from reference to reading to writing, these apps work alright!
* Dictionary and Thesaurus for Blackberry PlayBook
* Drawing Board – quick draw and save as .jpeg
* ebooks by Kobo
* Flickr explore browser
* Learn to Write – how to write the alphabet
* My Travel Diary
* Reader’s Digest – mix of tips, trends and interesting reads
* Scrapbook – create from wallpapers, pics, stickers to save and/or share
* StoryMasher free – fill in the blank stories that are mashed up
* The Ant and the Grasshopper and The Greedy Fisherman – stories narrated in own voice
* The Little Bun – russian folk tale
* thinkMAP – brainstorming, mindmapping
* Word O’The Day

Social Studies
* NFB films – 2000 free movies to watch with documentaries, animations and feature films.
* QuizIt – input content info and get quizzed.
* TVOKids My Canada (ages 6-11) – Canadian geography.

Science
* Periodical – periodic table of elements complete with symbols and atomic numbers.
* Save the Last Drop – water scarcity game and information.
* WeatherEye HD – local weather and alerts with ability to track multiple cities at one time.
* Wiring Diagrams – common diagrams and quick reference guide.

Languages
* iSpeech translator – speak and translate any words/phrases included email or text in multiple languages

5. A Day in My Life Using the PlayBook

I like my digital blanky, I hold it tight

It’s very lightweight and sleek

I can swipe, type, use flash every week,

check my BB msgs and video chat

It even has a number of cool apps

I like my digital blanky in the day and night

(lyrics modeled after Baby Bop from Barney)

 

* Wake up with Clock alarm.
* After workout – Kobo to read a bit, then switch to Twitter and finally to BB email.
* During breakfast  - scan news apps for current events, check on Facebook, look at WeatherEye to see what clothing I should dress up in for work.
* At work – use Bluebox to look at files, Evernote to capture information or search, reading Messages, looking at Tasks, sending a BBM, updating my Calendar or having a quick VideoChat, twitter to tweet out events and/or learning and taking a break with some musical interludes (either streaming radio or even my own compositions) or staring at my virtual Aquarium. If at a conference/workshop off-site, will use WordToGo for notes, camera/video for clips, browse Twitter and internet browser (even GoogleDocs), check email and send messages.
* In the evening – checking out the videos and camera pictures taken throughout the day or during a workshop, leaving myself a VoiceNote, watching a new YouTube video, looking up a new recipe, chatting with Alice or listening to a Podcast.

As one can see, I believe that the PlayBook is a good tool to use in my personal and professional life. It certainly is not the only technological tool that I have at my fingertips, but it is one that I use daily and it has not let me down yet. The overview, the teacher use and student use have all provided you with a basic understanding of how a Playbook could be used in an educational setting.

6. Although my focus has been on the educational aspect of this tablet, one can recognize that it’s always great to have a little bit of fun too! I have brief list of some apps that are great time fillers in a waiting room or just when you have ten minutes to spare.

* Aquarium! – no need to clean or replace filters!
* Best Tic Tac Toe HD free
* Flashlight
* Flipclock – like the originals
* Galaxy Painting – create colorful graphics, save as .jpg
* Wallpapers by Gelaskins
* Hangman – classic
* LED scroller – type in a message and it scrolls across the screen
* Need for Speed – car game
* Shared Board.net – collaborative whiteboard
* Spot the Differences – find the 5 different elements between the 2 images within a time limit
* Tetris – fun

I would enjoy hearing from those of you who also have a PlayBook. What are some of the ways that you are using the PlayBook in your work? Feel free to contact me at nlakusta@psd70.ab.ca or via Twitter at @nlakusta. As well, I have a webpage listing the above PlayBook Apps as well as Blackberry Apps for administrators and early, middle and high school years students at http://psdtechpd.wikispaces.com/Blackberry_Apps.

Note: This article was written originally for the ETCATA – BitsnBytes – Winter edition. It received rave reviews so I also added it to my blog. Enjoy!

 

Leveraging Learning – ATLE Keynotes

This past week I made my way down to Red Deer, Alberta to the annual Alberta Technology Leaders in Education (ATLE) Conference. It’s a tech-packed 2.5 days of meeting, greeting, exchanging, learning, creating and connecting of educational technology and information technology leaders. In my current role as a Curriculum Educational Technology Facilitator in Parkland School Division, I work closely with administrators, teachers and our I.T. department. And, this conference really showcases the complementary work that both the IT and ET departments/people do together to have jurisdictions and schools working in a 21^st century environment. The other piece that ATLE does well is to bring in some great, thoughtful and relevant keynote speakers.

 

This year, the three keynote speakers were Scott McKinney, Stephanie Hamilton and Michael Furdyk. Each of their immense biographies are found HERE. Scott gives an overview of “Moving Learning Beyond the Book” with an ET/IT perspective. It’s well worth the one hour watch. Stephanie takes us around the world and back discussing the impact that educational technology has had on student achievement. Finally, Canadian phenom Michael Furdyk walks us through the impact that technology has had on his life and the work that he is involved in getting the youth of today involved in many socially relevant online learning opportunities.

 

Each of these speakers have an amazing keynote speech and well worth the time to watch! Some suggestions would be to have a group of teachers eat lunch together while watching one of the keynotes, sharing bits of the videos with staff, or even sharing a clip with parent groups. You do need to log in to the ATLE streaming site and there you will find each of the Keynote videos.

If you are interested in seeing one or all of these videos, feel free to get a hold of me through email or twitter for the URL and username + password.