This year I started collecting student work electronically from the beginning of school. Our school developed an information management system for students and teachers called MyDragonNet. As an elementary teacher, I find the system to have wonderful firewalls and safety systems, so much so that the parents (my primary clients) are locked out unless the students give them their password.  Because communication with parents is key to my work, I decided to look else where to find a home for my ePortfolios.

Look no further … Google Sites has allowed me to be as creative as I like. Seamlessly merged with Google Docs, Calendar, Picasa 3, YouTube, Google Videos, and Gmail (as well as what seems to be new programs every week) I have all I need to create and fly into Web 2.0.

Here’s how I started. Before starting with the class, I created my own template of what I wanted from each student. This gave the idea of what I was looking for.Once I was comfortable with the initial layout, it was time to roll it out to the class.

Each student created a Gmail account (although not necessary, in hindsight, it was the best decision). Each student had the basic requirements in front of them to follow. They could be creative as to the formatting their little hearts desired. I have a number of great sites. If you would like to actual examples, send me a note and I’ll be glad to have students share a site with you.

I have created a best of best page using actual kid examples. You can view it here. The sampls include tips for:
* Creating a Home Page
* Embedding Projects
* Creative Design options
* Sharing Your Writing
* Vodcasting and Podcasting

There was one sad note, the principal came by observed the creation of the sites. As he watched, he noticed a couple of girls chatting via Gmail. Unfortunately, he didn’t notice or realize their discussion was about the web sites. They were collaborating, he was worried they were playing. His trust of the kids wasn’t at the level I have. Sure, they’re 10 years old and they will make mistakes with electronic media. I consider mistakes a learning curve, not a loss of control. I would rather the mistakes come early and on my watch rather than later where kids might really get themselves into hot wate … at least now, I hope I can bail them out.

I bought the camera through Amazon.com for $118, cheaper than the $149 I found around town and other stores.

For your podcast be sure to include the following features. You may place them in any order but be sure you include them all in your review. Remember, no more than three minutes total for your book review.

• Title and Author
• What type of Genre is the book?
• Describe the setting
• A description of the main characters
• Why did you choose this book?
• A summary of the conflict in the book – don’t give away the ending
• Read a meaningful passage and explain why you chose it
• Explain why you would recommend the book
• What level reader it is for?
• Include your FIRST name

Here’s an example of Raven’s Gate by Steven.
Raven’s Gate

As a final step, we are accumulating a collection of the top reviews and adding them to the library website for kids to listen to. This is only beginning to roll out now. They will be able to search by author, genre, as well as level of book. (HKIS uses the Diagnostic Reading Assessment [DRA] continuum for leveling books.)

1. Identify your aims, objectives, and audience.

2. Use more than one voice – monologues can be boring, two make it more exciting.

3. Be Natural – use your normal voice, it’s a lot easier than making one up.

4. Prepare your podcast – create an outline that you wish to follow .

5. Check your sound – record it with the best quality you can.

6. Music - be sure to balance your background music with the voice over. Create your own music to be your signature. Resist breaking copyright laws. Free music for educational podcasts can also be found here.

7. Choose a quiet place to record – watch out for ambient sounds that can be distracting in the background.

8. Practice with your equipment.

9. Record more than once and use the best. Mix and match the recordings if needed.

10. Test your results before publishing – if you want the world to listen, be sure to put your best forward.

The top ten most frequently mentioned on 2008 lists by other teachers, instructional designers and online learning specialists are:
Skype – host IM chat, conference and international calls
Del.icio.us – store, tag and share bookmarks online, valuable resource for finding others’ favorite sites
GoogleDocs – write documents to share, store, present and access from anywhere via the web (no more emailing drafts); import docs from MS Office and Open Office
Google Reader – aggregate and read all your news and blog feeds in this free web-based reader
Audacity - record podcasts and edit audio files
Google Search – research topics with this highly-regarded and powerful Web searching tool
Camtasia – record your computer screen to create training videos or screencasts
Articulate – create tutorials and quizzes with three tools – Presenter converts PowerPoints to Flash tutorials with narration, Engage adds interactivity, and Quizmaker creates Flash-based tests and surveys
Captivate - create flash cards and interactive simulations for self-paced online learning
SnagIt – capture, edit and print screen images and make a video of on-screen actions

What’s a VoiceThread, Anyway?
VoiceThread founders Ben Papell and Steve Muth have created a VoiceThread presentation showing the basics of getting started with this simple-to-use, yet powerful Web 2.0 tool.

VoiceThread: Capturing and Sharing Student Voice With an Online Twist
Brenda Dyck provides an overview of how VoiceThread enhances digital storytelling, critical thinking, collaboration, research, and assessment. Includes examples of four effective teacher-created VoiceThread projects.

Instructionally Investing in VoiceThread
Wesley Fryer explains why VoiceThread is the key to engaged digital learning with powerful collaboration possibilities.

Good-Bye PowerPoint, Hello VoiceThread!
Educator Buffy Hamilton provides examples of excellent VoiceThread presentations developed by teachers, including a multimedia Venn diagram, and measuring the volume of weird objects.

VoiceThreads in the Classroom (PDF file)
A short printable guide to getting started using VoiceThread in the classroom.

To record and insert an audio file in Kidspiration™:

1. Enable the sound recording feature by going to the Teacher menu, selecting Enable Teacher Menu and clicking on Application Options and then selecting Record Sounds.
2. Make sure that you have a microphone attached to your computer or built-in.
3. Click to select the symbol in your diagram to which you want the sound to be attached.
4. On the Sound menu, click on Record.
5. In the recording control window, click the Record button to begin recording. Recordings may be up to 15 seconds in length.
6. When you finish recording, click on Save to save the recording and attach it to the selected symbol in your diagram.
7. In Picture View, you will note that a sound icon now appears in the upper right corner of the symbol. To play a recorded sound, click on the sound icon.
8. To erase a sound, select the symbol, go to the Sound menu, and click on Erase.

To record and insert an audio file in Inspiration®:

1. To enable recording, choose Application Properties on the Utility menu. Under Audio, select the Record Sound check box.
2. Select the symbol for which you want to record a sound.
3. On the Tools menu, select Sound, and then click Record.
4. In the recording window, click Record to begin recording. Recordings may be up to 30 seconds in length.
5. When finished recording, click on Save.
   An audio “quick control” icon is now attached to the corner of the symbol, and the sound may be played by clicking on the audio icon.
6. To erase a sound, click on the symbol to which the sound is attached, then go to the Tools menu, select Sound, and then Erase.

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