TILT - Slideshows and Video Projects to DVD the Easy (and Free) Way

The thought of burning photo slide shows, PowerPoint presentations, and video projects to DVD as a way of sharing schoolwork with home is desirable to many teachers. With Windows XP however, too often it means having to buy software.

In this episode, you'll see options for converting these projects and burning them to DVD which are easy and which involve using free, trusted software.

Show Links:
DVD Flick Website
Microsoft Photo Story 3
Windows Media Encoder 9


Large Google Video Version
Right-click to download:
iTunes Version (320 x 240, 42 MB MPEG-4)
Windows Media Version (640 x 480, 38 MB WMV)

TILT Episode 16 - Multimedia Storybooks with PowerPoint 2003

We know that our students learn better through multiple representations of the same idea, not to mention the engagement that multimedia can offer our students. With text, animation, narration, and the ability to insert video/audio clips, using PowerPoint to create multimedia storybooks is a natural! In this episode you'll see the basics of creating or retelling a story using PowerPoint 2003.

Show Links:
Rubistar - Online rubric creator
Sounddogs - Downloadable sound effects
Sample multimedia storybook rubric (9KB PDF)
Sample PowerPoint shown in this episode



Large Google Video Version
Right-click to download:
iTunes Version (320 x 240, 37 MB MPEG-4)
Windows Media Version (640 x 480, 36 MB WMV)

TILT Episode 11 - Technology for Thinking

Some say that technology does not improve student learning, and have plenty of data to back it up. Others say the reason for that is that teachers aren't teaching differently with technology than they do in their classrooms. I say that if we want to improve learning with technology, we need to understand the learning process. Once we do, we'll be better able to apply those beliefs about how learning should happen to any technology that comes our way.

In this episode, we'll look at 3 popular learning theories, and make connections to how technology can leverage the learning process.




Google Video - larger version
MPEG-4 Version - 64Mb, 320x240 (Right-click and 'Save target as' to download)
Windows Media Version - 83Mb, 640x480

Show Notes

Constructivism - 01:27
Social Cognition - 04:39
Brain-based Learning - 11:04

Show Links
Podomatic
Audacity
Q-Matrix Presentation
Big 6
Webquests
Class Blogmeister
Doing CL
Collaborative Learning Structures
Social Constructivism

Jigsaw Classroom
Crash Course in Learning Theory
Great Problem-Based Learning Article (3MB PDF) by Miguel Guhlin
Math game website shown in the video - Count On
FreePlayMusic - Free music for school-based projects (don't upload to the Internet)
Class Blogmeister
Pod-o-matic - Free online podcasting tool
Funderstanding - Brain-based Learning

TILT Episode 7 - Multimedia Animation Using PowerPoint

In this episode, we look at 3 techniques students (and teachers) can use to create animations in PowerPoint:
1) Custom animation built into PowerPoint (2:27)
2) Keyframe animation with 'Duplicate Slides' and/or with sprites (7:25)
3) 'Flash-once' animation (10:41)

I've used all 3 types of animation with kids for different purposes, but by and large the most effective activities I've done are ones that involve students explaining concepts or ideas with animations. Not present in this episode, students can also record their own voices or add music using tools built into PowerPoint.

Click here for the PowerPoint template used in this episode

Show Links:
The Spriter's Resource
Logitech Video Effects
Other Sprite Animation Websites:
The People's Sprites
Game Sprite Archives




Large Google Video Version

MPEG-4 Version (42 MB)

TILT Episode 5 - Problem-based Learning With Technology

Well, The Problem-based Learning (PBL) episode is ready and it's a large download (40+Mb). In this episode we begin with an overview of what Problem-based learning with technology is (to me). Next we look at going through the process of a PBL technology activity with the example of a science problem, 'How do we manage waste in our world?' The third segment features some example student end-products that can be created to show their understanding or solution to the PBL activity, and the episode wraps up showing 3 different online tools for assessing PBL activities.

It's a long episode and even at around 40 minutes I left out a lot of things. It's a big and important topic that I wanted to do justice to. Below are some show notes for those of you who'd like to skip ahead to certain parts of the episode as well as links to the websites mentioned in the episode. Thanks again to those who shared their great ideas and resouces for this episode - that is what TILT is all about. I encourage any teachers to send any tech-related ideas, resources, etc. to me for future show - tilttv@gmail.com

1. What is PBL with technology? (00:27-05:58)
2. Going through the PBL process with your students (05:59-13:03)
3. Ideas for creative end-products for PBL activities (13:04-30:59)
4. Assessing PBL activities (31:00-39:00)

Show Links:
Great educational websites repository - The Teacher List
Sample PBL Activity - How do we manage waste in our world?
To Excel in the Class is Elementary
To Excel in the Class is Elementary - Excel Timelines Section
Create-A-Graph
PowerPoint Games (Not Mark E. Damon's site, but access to his Millionaire and Jeopardy templates)
RadioWaves - Student-created radio programs (podcasts)
RadioWaves - Spokane Valley High School site
RadioWaves - BECTA site showing a video overview of RadioWaves
podOmatic - Online podcasting tool (no installations required - only a microphone/speakers)
PBWiki - free instant Wiki creation site
James Tubbs' Math Blog - The Future of Math
James Tubbs' Future of Math - Sample Student Blog
Rubistar - Online rubric maker
Quizstar - Autogradeable quizzes for your students to do online
Easy Test Maker - Website for making/editing paper test questions to print off



Large Google Video Version
MPEG-4 Version (48 MB)