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Magisto Review

10 Apr

I’ve had a few love affairs with video editing software and they’ve all ended poorly. iMovie’s updates make it difficult for students to use (plus we don’t have enough Macs). WeVideo caused many tears when it erased an entire class of videos. Windows Movie Maker causes a nightmare of saving issues. Blah blah.

So, I’m reluctant to view new video programs. When I saw a post about Magisto I almost skipped over it. Fortunately, I also read the Daring LIbrarian’s post about Transparency (You can read it here too!) and felt that any tool to expose the awesomeness of our library couldn’t hurt.

So, this app is EASY to use. I tested it out with my iPad but you can upload video to use as well. Easy to use and easy to add music. Magisto suggests uploading a lot of video so there are lots of “good parts” to choose from. The program edits out “only the good stuff” and does not handle any tilted screens. The following file formats are supported: MOV, 3G2, 3GP, ASF, AVI, FLV, MOV, MP4, MPG MOD, MTS and M2TS.

It’s so easy to use that it might be TOO simple for upper grades. There’s no editing tools and no ability to download for free. After you create a video it is compressed for you and emailed (relatively) shortly.

This is no substitute for a real video editing app, but a good tool for showing off our beautiful library!

The Future of Classroom Displays?

6 Mar

Alrighty, as I mentioned in a post before we are a pilot program for replacing the projector/SMART board combo with an interactive TV. In the long run, it’s cheaper and we’re seeing if it’s worth it.

Our response is… YES!!!

Do you ever use a piece of technology that fits so well into what you’re already doing you can’t believe you lived without it before? That’s how I feel about this TV. How have I ever presented to a class with my back to them? Since the world of educational bloggers seem to love top (insert number), I present to you my top four reasons you should replace your projector/SMART board with an interactive TV.

Reason One.

MONEY! Projectors are expensive to keep up. They cost about $500 dollars a year (at least) to maintain. Between cleaning them and buying bulbs, you’re losing quite a bit of money yearly. This was news to me. Upfront the TV costs about $1000 more than a projector/SMART board combo, but will more than make up for the difference in cost over the next couple years.

Reason Two.

DISPLAY! Ever been sitting in a lecture and the lecturer blabbers away about a picture you can’t see? The projector screen works by reflecting light. Depending on the light in the room, that may be just the projector’s output or also the light from outside. Most classrooms have windows. Windows =sun=faint pictures.

Reason Three.

COMPATIBILITY! TVs have been around the block a few times. They have been modified for maximum connections, visibility, and compatibility. Connect an iPad? No problem. Connect a computer? Sure! Watch cable? Even better. We have a USB cord and fire wire. Unfortunately, as of now, the PC is more compatible with the TV. We’ve got sound, video, and interactivity all in one little box!

Ahh…finally. Reason Four.

It’s cool. Seriously, a huge interactive display is just cool. Students have already been talking about the TV and incorporating it into their projects. In one week, it’s been the display for 2 Skype readalouds, the background for many Spanish newscasts, and an arena for a HUGE game of Angry Birds with the counselors. We’ve had more visitors in the library just to see it than anything else we have. If you have a SMART board, you know how it’s sometimes not so smart? We have not had any of the typical problems using the SMART software on our TVs which is a huge relief :)

In conclusion.

Before I end this post, I feel like I should include this disclaimer. We’re lucky to be in a school that can test out new ideas like this. However, I know not all schools have this luxury. In the past at this time of year I know I was struggling to get paper to make copies for student worksheets and scrounging around for paperclips. I hope that by publishing these posts I can help provide some schools with new ideas after we’ve tested them out so they can make informed decisions.
photo credit: x-ray delta one via photopin cc

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Library Classroom Space Makeover

6 Feb

Projector screen with glare

Our computer space for students.

If you’ve been in our library, you know it’s almost entirely windows. It’s beautiful to look at-however it causes difficulties for the technology viewing inside. The area of biggest concern is our classroom space.

The challenges:
-Projector display is too faint
-Inactive spaces-tables where students are repeatedly off task
-Empty walk way to allow space for projector
-Focus-noisy with multiple classes, difficult to focus if too far away, creative “hand shadows” disrupting presentation

One of the coolest things about being a Library Media Specialist is problem solving. In the library you get to problem solve daily to create spaces that work for your staff and patrons. After much discussing/collaborating/researching we came up with the following solutions.

 

1. Replace the projector with a 70″ TV. This eliminates the faint display issue and will pull students in closer to the speaker hopefully increasing focus. We are lucky to be part of a pilot project for installing interactive TVs to replace projectors. Projectors are cheaper up front, but $$ over time due to yearly upkeep and bulb replacement.

2. The TV is INTERACTIVE. Ok…so we’re not sure just how cool this will be, but I’m pretty sure it’s going to be cool. The TV has a huge screen that is touch screen. We are also part of a pilot project (more to come on this…) to incorporate iPads in the library for librarians to become Roving Reference Librarians. These bits of technology hopefully will help us create more interactive presentations.

So here’s where we are now! You can see where the TV will be installed and the open space. After the wall is patched and painted we will  hang the TV and replace the tables. Look for updates to see the next steps. In the mean time, tell us what cool things you have done to refresh your teaching space in the library!

Classroom space in transition.

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Adventures in Skype Readaloud-Part I

3 Feb

Next week we will embark on our first adventures in Skype Read alouds. We are lucky to have a library club and two classrooms at our school interested in sharing their love of literature with schools around the world! I figured a post on setting up the Skype would be appropriate to precede a post about the actual Skype itself. So keep posted for future posts about the outcomes! Our next steps will also include Skype Author Visits as well with Maryrose Wood the lovely author of The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place.

So, how do you set up a Skype Read aloud? Let’s look at it in a few easy steps.

Step One. Decide on your project. Start specific and then you can adjust later. Anticipate being flexible as well! Due to schedules, people’s lives, the dynamic schedule of a school-all of this adds up to change. So, be prepared and do not plan on being rigid with it. We started simple with a meeting during a specific time to read a story to a younger classroom or ESL class. Simple.

Step Two. Decide on who you will meet with. If you already know people, that’s great. If you’re like us and don’t-don’t sweat it! Some great resources are available out there to help you. I posted on Twitter and added some hashtags that I thought might connect me with educators interested in meeting with us. I found two classrooms this way. I also posted our project on the site: Skype in the Classroom . This site is wonderful! Join it and add your project! We had more responses than we were ready to accommodate.

Step Three. Coordination is the next step. Be available and clear with the other party. Find out their comfort level and offer to practice ahead of time. We did all our planning via Skype which helped! Seeing a person face to face is easier than email. Period. Set a date and in between dates to help prepare each side for the Skype meeting and start small. Simple hellos and a short story seems like just about all we could do.

So…that’s where we’re at now! What has worked for you? What hasn’t? Any tips for the budding Skype educator?

 

Read about the next steps here –> Adventures in Skype: Part II

End of the Year Review Games and Activities

19 May

Oh boy! It’s that “time of year again” where everyone is reviewing, reviewing, reviewing!  With the EOC in end site, nothing relieves the end of year anxiety like review games.  Here’s some ideas I found while searching for myself.

In general:

For Math Specifically:

Climate Connections Video from NPR

4 May

Climate Connections Video

I recently came across this video series from NPR.  It elaborates on Carbon and the Carbon cycle to demonstrate exactly why climate change is happening.  The narrators are from Radio Lab and do an excellent job.  The video itself is mostly cartoon, but hilarious and enjoyable for students (and adults!)

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