Animoto

It was my first time using Animoto and I had fun using it. Although the program allowed you to only make a 30 seconds clip, I found it to be useful in teaching or introducing a lesson topic to students.

Here's my animoto clip that I made:

http://animoto.com/play/emSzAR4Vvw5CTnI8ShYLbw

The animoto clip would be a great way to introduce second graders to third graders to the idea of equality. I would introduce it when Martin Luther King, Jr Day has arrived and the video would be a great introduction to the lesson. It would explain how the main idea behind Martin Luther King Jr Day is how equality was strongly desired in the past and the importance behind it. Students would be able to see through the pictures and drawings how everyone is equal. It is a great social studies lesson and a great way to introduce one of the important historical figures in America. In Mayer and Moreno's "Animation is an Aid to Multimedia Learning," the spatial contiguity principle explains how on-screen text next to animation helps students learn better. In my animoto clip, there are short texts next to images or on the image itself. It helps explains the main idea behind the clip and allows children to understand and learn better.

Another Excel Project

I made another excel project that dealt with the Christmas holiday and creating a double bar graph. After the first time, it became easier for me to manage Excel. I was able to remember what to do and what formulas will help me find the average and more. The images and colors make the bar graph more fun and interesting.

Monthly Newsletter

I created a newsletter using Word Doc and it was interesting. There were times when it was frustrating with typing in the slots and moving the boxes around. I loved how the newsletter came out and I found it to be a great way to update students and their parents on what is going on in the classroom and about school events. I also find having templates ready will make things easier for anyone who wants to make a newsletter.