Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Sqirlz

I am not sure if many people use Sqirlz to animate water reflections from a still image. Here is a great example.


It is a simple programme to use in the classroom. Once the reflection is complete you have the options of saving as a gif, swf or avi.


I have used this programme for some time now and find it great to create water effects. The completed files can be used in PowerPoint, web pages for example.


I have often used this with my students when they are making a multimedia presentation as it is so quick and easy.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

100 useful web tools for education


A great place to find different web tools to use for all the different styles of learning. Christina Laun has written this to enable teachers to find tools that are best suited to different learners. You will find tools for mind mapping, charting and diagrams, video and photos, podcasts, presentation tools, audio tools, text readers, audio books, note taking tools, bookmarking, interaction and collaboration.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Studies Show Deep Understanding Derives from Collaborative Methods

I have been reading an interesting article from the Edutopia magazine about how deep understanding derives from collaborative methods.

This is very interesting for all teachers to read is the research to show how cooperative learning and inquiry-based teaching can have big dividends in the classroom.

"Evidence shows that inquiry-based, collaborative approaches benefit
students in learning important twenty-first-century skills, such as the ability
to work in teams, solve complex problems, and apply knowledge from one lesson to
others. The research suggests that inquiry-based lessons and meaningful group
work can be challenging to implement. They require changes in curriculum,
instruction, and assessment practices -- changes that are often new for teachers
and students.
Teachers need time and a community to organize sustained
project work. Inquiry-based instruction can help teachers deepen their
repertoire for connecting with their peers and students in new and meaningful
ways. That's powerful teaching and learning -- for students and teachers
alike
."