He's Just Got To Go

I decided to think of my podcast in an educational way. I am not feeling so great today. Maybe this was my inspiration for this tech task. I thought of coming up with a lesson plan that I could have ready for any age level of class if I was to be sick and needed to call in a sub. I thought that reading a children’s book filled with images and descriptions would be a great starting point for various assignments. After this, depending on the subject and age of the students, they would be required to complete an assignment based on this book. For example, if it is an art class, have students take one of the lines from the book and use it for inspiration to create a work of art (any medium). A drama class could act out one of the scenes from the book, create a mime, or do charades. If it is a social class, have students research a historical building or aspect of Vancouver. For elementary students, do a project on cats. These are just a few examples, but they can be taken as far as ones imagination goes. I only read part of the book due to the 1-3 minute time limit of this assignment, but you get the picture. I chose to read the beginning of Mister Got to Go by Lois Simmie, one of my favourite authors.

http://www.archive.org/details/MisterGotToGo

I ended up going a bit over three minutes in the end, but it was hard to end before that point. I added sound effects from Partners In Rhyme.com and music from Pod Safe Audio.com.

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Google Map Tech Task

For the tech task of creating a personalized Google map, I decided to dedicate it to my mentoring class in Italy. I thought it would be neat for them to see where I am from and get a better understanding of Canada and Saskatchewan. I included some of my favourite restaurants, the University, places I like to go and places I have travelled. I included some pictures and text, but couldn't figure out how to upload a video... Can anyone help me out there?! Once I do get some videos on I will update this post.



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Podcasts: Tech Task 14

Tonight we learned about podcasts and iTunes. I found a few interesting things in my short search including a podcast on technology in education by Two Tech Chicks: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=165244308, and a short video podcast on a fashion show http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=126292549. This is a Chanel fashion show including "cutting edge" designs and interviews with designers. I chose this one because I enjoy watching fashion shows and seeing what new and crazy things designers come up with. The one done by Two Tech Chicks includes, "Tips and tricks for gadgets and software for your digital life given by two Texas chicks obsessed with anything digital. The podcast is geared specifically to educators interested in integrating technology into their curriculum. Companion blog, forums and resources at: http://techchicktips.net/" It discusses some story telling techniques and the writing process using collaboration as well as other cool tips to use in the class. Dean showed us a great video that shows how a grade 3 and 4 class uses podcasts in their everyday routine. It was so neat to see these kids working together. They seem to really be into sharing their knowledge with other people. I think incorporating this type of learning will be increasingly common in the future. It is crazy how easy it is for us to share things with so many people around the world. I found a site that will be helpful when I make my own podcast, How To Make A Podcast. I am excited to have a few spare minutes so I can check out the Canadian Indie music that Erika suggested on the CBC Radio 3.

The Art of Film: Tech Task 12

Ecmp class last Wednesday was spent learning about videos and filming. We learnt about flip cameras and experimented with them by creating short videos, some of which turned out unreal!

I chose a clip from the movie August Rush. If you have not yet seen it I highly recommend. It is a story of a musically gifted young boy who is homeless. The story has a great plot line. I chose this clip because it uses a variety of filming techniques that we have discussed. I counted the number of different shots and there were approximately 55 in the almost two minute clip. Although this may be distracting to some, I thought it made the scene more productive and effective. With all of these shots we understood that this boy is very musically inclined and that the other characters are rather impressed by his skills.

The clip includes close-ups and extreme close-ups: shots of his fingers, the strings and frets, his face, etc. It includes pans: going up and down the guitar neck and going from the window outline down on an angle towards Robin Williams sleeping. This short clip also includes many tilts where the camera moves up and down. An example of a tilt is when the camera moves from a shot of the guitar up to the boys face. A variety of shot angles are used including low, high, straight on and canted. An example of a high angle shot is when the camera is looking down on the boy playing guitar showing his inferiority as compared with Williams who is looking down on him. There is a point of view shot when Williams is standing in the door way and we see the boy as he sees him. An eye line match is used when Williams is walking down the stairs and it goes from a shot of him looking to the left to a shot of how he would see the boy. Techniques like zooms are used when the camera moves quickly in towards the guitar strings.

It is amazing how much work goes into making a film with all of these interesting techniques. We can see through this short clip that the people filming this movie put a lot of effort into each take and shot in order for an effective product.

Enjoy!

Mentoring Updates

I have been pretty excited the past few days with the several comments and emails that I have recieved from Seth's class in reply to my video. If you want to check them out just look under the blog heading Mentoring Video for Students in Italy. English is their second language, but they have been doing great in their replies! Tomorrow the class will be doing a wiki page to explain some psychology where Alex and I will be able to check it out and leave comments for the students.

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Downtown Regina