Using a Webcam as a Document Camera: Update

I got a chance to set up a cheap Creative webcam as a document camera in my class today, with mixed results. The images autofocused (conveniently) but with poor image resolution. It does seem promising as a in-class tool, though. Kids were interested, and by 8th period, I started to interact with the images using the Smartboard pens. So I think I can use this tool to replace/use in conjunction with the overhead projector. Hopefully I can work around the limitations of my current setup successfully.

Chat/IM widget for a class blog

I've added a widget to my class blog for Google Chat. This is an instant messaging service, and you can chat with me without being registered with Google. I was hoping to make myself available for an hour in the evening, once or twice a week. I am a little wary offering this online option for students, but I think I can set some hours, guidelines, and boundaries for students and maybe encourage some online interaction. I have thought about the comments of another student in my professional development class and his concerns about the separation of a teacher's "school and 'private' life." This would be an important issue to reflect upon and address with students *before* using a chat or IM application.

Student Interest Survey

I thought it would be fun for the kids on the first day to do a Student Interest Survey on a fake Myspace template. I will use the same questions from last year, but I will just put them on a handout that looks like a Myspace page. (I just did a screen capture and used paint to erase and add some questions) I have found that many students are not interested in this activity due to their age and the fact they do it in each class. I thought it would be a good way to address cyber-citizenship from the beginning of class, as well. Click on the image to get a better look.

Week 3 Reflection: Blogging Philosophy Statement

This week's professional development activity is to develop a "blogging philosophy statement." When I began the Web 2.0 class last summer, we were asked to begin a blog for personal reflections. I avoided starting a professional and personal reflection blog by instead creating a class blog for my ESL math intervention classes. So now I find myself reading other educators' blogs and considering my audience, purpose, and goals for both this blog and my new class blog.

Some of the top educator blogs given as recommended reading this week were familiar to me: some were blogs I already visit and some were from people I have started to follow on Twitter. I enjoy reading Twitter posts from @coolcatteacher and @tombarrett, and I got to investigate their ideas more in-depth on their respective blogs. Most of their Twitter posts are links to useful Web 2.0 applications for like-minded educators. With a blog post, though, they can still link to useful sites with social bookmarking tools, or reflect on a workshop, or consider the pros and cons of a web app, or question the meaning of life. The things that are hard to do in 140 characters or less. The audience for the blogs are mainly educators, but not at all limited to classroom teachers. As I read posts by educators, I could find comments by other classroom teachers, administrators, software engineers, students, and more. Which brings me to my point...

My blogging philosophy statement.

Why blog? I blog to communicate. On my professional blog, I try to share some ideas for other teachers to take and use for themselves. On my class blog, I update the content and language objectives (TEKS and ELPS) daily, along with recap/preview of class activities, links, and assignments. Students and parents can view summaries of the days activities, see homework assignments, connect to the home access point for grades, and find reteach/tutoring links for problem areas. Students and parents are the primary audience, but the blog also serves to communicate to administrators and fellow teachers, "This is what we are doing." (Disclaimer: I have to provide our school with a website anyway ;) In many ways, a wiki would be a much better way to communicate and collaborate with teachers, especially teachers at my own school. This would require some cooperation, though, and the blog does not.

I blog to reflect. A reflective teacher is an effective teacher. And as @loonyhiker describes in her fantastic post, Contributing to the Conversation, the more you blog and interact online, the conversations, questions, and answers help you formulate your philosophies, reflect on teaching practices, and feel "comfortable in your own skin." I need a structure and an impetus to my reflection, or I may avoid it altogether. You might even say I blog to remember. I like the idea of reflecting on one entire year of teaching, and my first as a "regular" classroom teacher. I feel I have not been a very reflective teacher in my first two years, and hope to reflect and adjust teaching practices as the year (and years) goes by from here on out.

Drop.io - Student Assignment Drop Box

Here is a cool widget to add to a class blog: Drop.io private file sharing. The html code can be embedded into a post or a sidebar to allow students to save assignments into a password-protected "drop" instead of network locations on the school server. When you create a drop, just click on the ADD button on the top, then MORE on the sidebar, and finally VIEW EMBED CODE. I added mine to the sidebar on my class blog. I don't expect to use it a great deal, but I do plan to use it sometimes because I often have trouble with documents saved to network locations.

drop.io: simple private sharing

Beatiful Numbers from ESL Mathlab Blog

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Visit this site to see some more patterns

Some Videos from ESL Mathlab Blog

The Sieve of Eratosthenes


Does 8 times 8 equal 5 times 13?


Does 25 divided by 5 equal 14?


My Hero Zero

New Class Blog for 2009-10

I decided to use blogger (switching from edublogs) to host my class webpage. Here is a link, and let me know any thoughts, suggestions, questions...

I hope to blog daily and include a lesson summary with some class materials linked in (mainly PowerPoints used for notes and Answers to Homework.) I tried unsuccessfully to use a class blog with my ESL classes last year, so I know it is quite challenging, but I am going to give it a go.

Math Vocabulary Wikis

Virtual Word Wall @ jottit.com

I created a wiki for math vocabulary at http://wordwall.jottit.com/. Jottit.com is a user-friendly wiki site, but you are limited to text unless you can navigate the scaled-down HTML code the site requires.

A is for Area Project Wiki @ wikispaces.com

I created this project wiki, http://alphaproject.wikispaces.com/, to help with math vocabulary and give students access to/experience with digital hardware and software. The students can get some image and presentation software/web apps experience, reinforce math vocabulary, and learn about Acceptable Use/copyright.

Week 2 Reflection

What did you learn? I learned about using custom templates in blogger, how to edit the layout in HTML, and a little more about widgets and the HTML code used for widgets.

How will you use what you have learned? I will use it to keep the blogs looking sharp, and I'll try to make sure the widgets and sidebar is utilized in the best way... on both my class and professional blogs.

How did you feel about this information? I think I should invest lots more time on emedded content and HTML in general.

What makes a template work for you? What do you look for in a template for your website!
Crisp, clean, simple, user-friendly, big-and-easy-to-read fonts.

What widgets did you add this week? Text - About Me, HTML - Label Cloud, Post Archives, Twitter updates, RSS Feed - Delicious updates, 3rd Party - Feedjit.

What purpose do you see for widgets on your website? There are a variety of reasons to use widgets. Professional blog: RSS feed, site statistics, blog navigation, link to social network, link to social bookmarks. Class Blog: Translate page, Dropio for assignments, Google Docs/Scribd for displaying material, "How-to" videos or screencasts, RSS feed, site statistics, blog navigation

What questions do you still have about blog templates and widgets? none.

What would you like to see covered next week? I'd like to learn how to use Yahoo Pipes for RSS and more. Maybe HTML basics.

86 ideas for a document camera in the classroom

I plan to use a webcam as a digital document camera this fall, though I haven't found a suitable arm or tripod on which to mount the webcam.Our district is encouraging math teachers to use manipulatives whenever possible, and a document camera can help in a variety of areas: direct instruction, modeling, differentiation, and even classroom management. Also, many of the ideas are simple, easy ways to utilize an interactive white board, too.

I used the following resources to help compile the list below:

Sample activities from the Elmo website

www.umesd.k12.or.us/
www.pre-kpages.com/
www.timbedley.com/
www.pnc.edu/ms/
rrisd-teacherguides.wikispaces.com 1
rrisd-teacherguides.wikispaces.com 2


1.Use your document camera as a center in place of an overhead, no more messing with transparencies or vis-à-vis markers. Decreases prep time (don't have to make overheads, etc.) and supports easy adaptation and differentiation.

2. Enlarging text for students with vision impairments.

3. Create mini thematic word walls in Word using clip art, print and lay under the document camera during writers workshop or journal time so the students can easily see the words if needed.

4. Warm up/TEKS/Student Expectations/Agenda/ELPS

5. Display a variety of examples, shorten lesson planning time, and display student examples.

6. Print your classroom rules in Word using clip art (see resources for free printable rules) Project your rules on the screen using the document camera every time you are getting ready to use the cart or for reminders throughout the day.

7. Do the grades and the daily participation on the wall projected from the document camera - everyday to show missing assignments, absences, tardies.

8. Gives all students a bird's eye view.

9. Math problem solving: I freeze the pane and then I can take the book or materials with me as I walk around the room.

10. Show and Tell : Make a rule that all items need to fit under the document camera, and then let students show their items on the big screen.

11. Magnetic Poetry: Using magnetic words/letters has never been more fun that it is under the document camera!

12. Manipulatives can be placed under the camera for all to see clearly. Consider how easily you can teach using a ruler and protractor as well as base 10 blocks, clock, etc., the possibilities are endless!

13. Place real life Science objects like rocks, leaves, worms, cactus under the document camera to prompt scientific inquiry. When the teacher does a science experiment, point the document camera at the materials for all to see. If your experiment measures liquid in a measuring cup. Tilt the camera so that it points at the side of the cup. Use the document camera to zoom in on parts of a thermometer, and ruler, showing the smallest units and degrees and demo how to use 1/16, 1/8, 1/4 etc.

14. Small books that you couldn't otherwise use in large group are great for showing with the document camera (little readers etc). The document camera is has replaced the need for expensive big books.

15. Using the zoom feature on the document camera place coins under the camera to show detail and prompt discussion. This is especially helpful since many coins are now being re-designed and finding pictures of the new coins is somewhat problematic, especially if one of your objectives is teaching money.

16. You can do your interactive writing on paper under the document camera, no more losing the attention of the kids sitting in the back, now everybody can see. My kids love to see their friends writing on the big screen. You can use pencil pointers, wikki stix, highlighting tape, highlighters, etc to point out features in the writing.

17. Using real texts or student writing you can search for certain letters, spaces between words, words in a sentence, punctuation, show left to right progression, return sweep etc

18. Using the document camera we project student writing in journals or show examples of good work and to point out features of writing. This is a real motivator for writing, you will be surprised how your students will rise to the occasion.

19. Essay Writing Students write for homework. The following day, the teacher randomly selects 3 students' papers. These 3 papers are placed under the document camera one at a time for grading. The teacher does a "think-aloud" grading of each paper, and, when the students are ready, calls on them for input. The assignments are given a letter grade on the spot. These three students receive a grade and all others receive credit/no credit. This procedure sends a clear message to the students, "Your writing may be published at any time, so you better do your best work just in case. The quality of work increases greatly, and the students benefit so much more from the teacher's hard work grading papers. The quality of work increases in spite of the fact that each paper may simply be "stamped" as complete.

20. Dictionary Skills: Teachers and students can easily model dictionary usage, layout, etc. by placing an actual dictionary under the camera.

21. Modeling Writing: Good writing teachers model writing for the students on a regular basis. A document camera makes that modeling very genuine because no longer is the teacher writing on a transparency or a giant piece of paper. She is writing on a paper just like the students will be writing on! She is then able to model correct paper organization, handwriting, etc.

22. Off-Task Students: Have a student who struggles focusing on his/her work do the assignment under the document camera. With a writing assignment, there are no "right" answers, so it doesn't really matter if the other students can see. Using this method, the teacher is able to check progress on this student from anywhere in the room with a quick glance.

23. Whiteboard Lined, graph, grid paper: Project a blank piece of lined, graph, grid or coordinate plane paper onto your white board. Now you and your students can write directly on the whiteboard and keep the writing straight and neat or graph coordinates or draw isometric drawings.

24. Shared Reading: My students can all see the text that I'm reading aloud. They are expected to read along mentally. Every couple of sentences, I drop a word as I'm reading and expect the students to all chorally fill in that word. Every page or so, I stop reading aloud and tell the students to read a certain section mentally. I then hold students accountable for their reading through journal responses, pair share, and whole class discussion. These methods also improve reading fluency as students are encouraged to decode more rapidly than they normally do in order to keep up with the teacher's reading pace. Another bonus is that all students can quickly and easily see the pictures during a read aloud.

25. Worksheets, Forms, Text Book: Rather than wasting precious class time running around making sure all the students know where you are in the book, on the worksheet, etc. you can simply point if you use a document camera. Having the students fill in forms is now a snap as well.

26. Giant Timer Use the document camera to project a countdown timer. Sure you can buy an overhead timer for about $40. But when you have a document camera, the old kitchen timer works just fine. Use it to keep the kids focused on the task, knowing that the clock is ticking, and they will soon be out of time for that assignment.

27. You will no longer need the pull down maps for geography and history discussions. Simply slap a book map under your document camera and away you go!

28. Drama Stage Set: Students can draw the background scenery for a play or skit they will perform in class. Move your projector at a 45 degree angle to the white board. Project the drawing onto the white board, angling it behind the actors. The image will naturally distort, but the overall effectiveness is well worth it.

29. Going over tests

30. Creative writing - add a line

31. Use a blank sheet of paper to go over practice tests/problems highlighting one item at a time

32. Step-by-step math problem solving

33. Comparison activities using split-screen

34. Modeling note-taking

35. Math: Reflections and tesselations

36. Science: Great to look at all the objects with Food Chemistry, MicroWorlds, Ecosystems. Almost like having a projection microscope!

37. Art - show steps (teacher can work on next step while students work)

38. Side by side with project, or interview, and an outline of what is being talked about

39. Demonstration with doc camera doing project, no more big semicircle watching the teacher

40. Visor for predicting outcomes while looking at passages of text or picture books

41. Video streaming (United Streaming and online videos), online disections, microscopes

42. Freezing images so kids aren't bumping and moving the visual

43. Sequence of pictures, time lapse, to demonstrate progression.

44. To work with "at risk" students who require a significant amount of direct instruction.

45. Adding visuals to note outlines.

46. Paperless handouts.

47. Showing hands-on tasks.

48. Compare and Contrast.

49. Step by step instructions.

50. Recording speeches.

51. Group editing.

52. Displaying fragile items or print photographs.

53. Freeze screen if papers keep falling off.

54. Record student speeches or presentations.

55. Choral reading.

56. Science slides.

57. Cloze activities.

58. Labeling activities - project on a white board and label images.

59. Prediction activities.

60. Power writing activities - adding to category.

61. Display maps, charts, gaphs, images from textbooks.

62. Sharing a 3D process.

63. Visualization of verbage.

64. Instant feedback on student work.

65. Use split screen for before/after.

66. Dissecting flowers.

67. Using visor for critical reading and following directions.

68. Using box to single out paragraphs or individual words.

69. Handwriting technique.

70. Descriptive writing activities using image as writing prompt.

71. Puppet shows.

72. Box vocabulary words in contexts.

73. Projecting of actual objects, like an animal heart

74. Visual keywords for reading, keypoints, outlining

75. Side by side, student work and live action editing

76. Rubric next to writing using split screen, and scoring the example

77. Sharing student solved problems and probing why's from student centered approach

78. How to use calculators, rulers, and other tools

79. Student taught lessons

80. Math Games demonstrations

81. Modeling With Clay

82. Notating Music Scores

83. Replace Your Scanner

84. Showing Calculators

85. Use Your Old Transparencies

86. Instead of having to redraw Geometry sketches I project them onto the white board and then work out the problem. Some of our Geometry
sketches can take a lot of time to draw so this is a real time saver. I also put my notes up every day for the students to follow and copy.

Document Publishing for the Classroom

One way that I plan to use widgets on my class blog is by displaying students' work. One option is Scribd for publishing documents online. It is easy to embed into your sidebar, and you get a thumbnail image of the document uploaded. Also, you can upload class materials like Word document assignments or PowerPoint presentations from class lectures, and the students can easily flip through the pages online or print them out. There are, of course, lots of other similar widgets. I may try to utilize Google Docs for publishing, as well.

Student Work Virtual Bulletin Board



Publish at Scribd or explore others: photos images


Class Notes for 7/23/09

Week 1 Reflection via Mail-to-Blogger

What did you learn? I learned how to utilize some of the blogger options I had never heard of and/or played with before. I have used blogger, but I have mainly used edublogs for the class blog I set up last summer. So the mail-to-blogger was pretty interesting for me, as I had trouble getting student participation on the blog last year. I love the "remove next button" video where I learned how to remove the google navigation bar. So lots of new fun stuff to play with in Week 1. How will you use what you have learned? Well, I already have started using what I learned, but I need to start considering Blogger for the class blog. How did you feel about this information? I feel confident that I will utilize all the activities from Week 1, for both my class and personal blogs. Do you feel that comment moderation is a benefit or a detriment? Why? Both possibly. It is obviously a benefit to avoid spam and innappropriate comments, but notifications fill up mailboxes and moderation time takes away from spontaneous and/or real-time chatter. Who did you ask to try the Mail-to-Blogger feature? Did it work? Would you use this with your students? colleagues? I did it myself but hopefully I try to utilize it with some classmates for guest blogging. I really like the idea and I think there are lots of ways to utilize it in the classroom. They love Youtube, and this might be a way for them to contribute class content easily: copy and paste Youtube embed code into an email. Also, students could email answers to test reviews and you could pick a 100% to be a post before the test. Student work is on display... digitally. What do you not want to forget about this week's information? Not to lurk... What questions do you still have about blog settings and templates? None right now.

Mail-to-Blogger Feature

Just checking out the Mail-to-Blogger feature for my professional development course. Here are a couple of family pics to share on the interwebz...

Embedded Content from the BBC

The BBC website always has a variety of games and activities for students of various ages, but this particular set of games has a great addition: the embed code to copy and paste for your class website or blog. I think I might use these early on as a way to get students and parents comfortable with the idea of visiting and using the class blog.

View the activities here.

First!!

Well, here is Math 2.0, an examination of all the web has to offer education, and hopefully some useful links and lessons for any math teachers out there. I teach 7th grade math here in Round Rock, TX. You can visit my Teacherweb here.

This blog will function as a personal learning blog for my professional development course here in Central Texas, and hopefully help me organize and utilize my jumble of bookmarks (mostly these in my IE and Firefox bookmark Bermuda Triangle), interactive whiteboard links, and other miscellaneous bits of useful web 2.0. Anyway, thanks for stopping by...