iMovie

I had my pre-AP class do a History Day project last trimester. Most students chose to create 3-sided display boards. However, one group of two girls made a documentary using iMovie. They made a great team because one of the girls gathered the data and did the interviews and the other one was experienced with the technology. I definitely need to brush up on my iMovie skills because I really couldn't offer them any help. I was most impressed by the finished product, which included pictures, movies, captions, sub-titles, songs, and narration. I would certainly like to become more skilled with this program. It is a great format for presenting research.

Thing 26: Digital Map Collections

Google Earth is one of the most exciting parts of my new Mac. It has brought a whole new life to the old game of spinning a globe, pointing your finger, and saying that one day I will live there. I have used it just for recreation so far. What does the Grand Canyon look like? Where should I visit on my trip to LA? I want to relive old memories from trips I've taken....

There are definitely ways that I can incorporate Google Earth into my curriculum, however. What a great tool it is. Next year, in cahoots with my new SmartBoard, I would like to use this program to show the students what the earth really looks like, and how World History played out on the same land that is around today but just in a different time.

It would also be a great tool to use to get my advisories attention. The kids need movement and imagery and a "wow" factor. Google Earth is one program that can give them this...along with some real learning!

Thing 18: One Student Thing: SmartBoards

Yesterday a Smartboard rolled into my classroom. Our school has 10 new smartboards this year and I was not chosen as one of the lucky teacher who recieved one. However, one of the lucky teachers did not utilize it very well, and after listening to the students yell "Give it to Ms. Rekonen!" all year, we finally arranged for it to be in my classroom. I didn't even mind that I didn't have one except that I found it irritating to listen to the students constantly say "Why didn't YOU get a Smartboard?!??" I often told them that I didn't need one. What would I use it for? Well, there answer to me was "everything!". The students informed me that a smartboard in the classroom would be VERY useful. I could project maps on whim, I could show video on something other than the television way off in the corner, I could show them websites and photos, I could use it like a whiteboard to write Cornell Notes...I could do everything! Every time I roll out the creaky old overhead projector I certainly "hear it". The students are definitley excited about all of Humboldt's Smartboards, and now I am, too.

Now, if I can just get the computer guy in here to install the software....

Thing 16: Using MNLink

Inter Library Loan was first introduced to me in college. I didn't get a chance to use it very often due to my tendency to procrastinate, but it was a great tool to have. I went to college at Minnesota State University, Mankato and we had a fabulous library. I made friends with the quirky librarian and appreciated a lot of what the library had to offer...especially that it was open late during finals week for us "crammers".

I think that using such a tool like ILL with high school students is a fascinating idea. Imagine it...how far past "Google it" can you get other than using sources that are so obscure that it is only available at certain libraries throughout the state! I think that the students would find it exciting to have in thier hands such unique sources. I just hope they don't lose them!

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Thing 14 and Thing 15

Please see prior blogs.

Thing 13: Subscription Databases

Ever since being introduced to the SPPS subscription databases, or Online Learning Resources, I have been a huge fan. My favorite is ABC-CLIO but I am a new user of United Streaming and directed my History Day students to the others. I think that this is a great use of district resources and I hope that they become even more popular in the future. During our presentation I showed them to the staff at Humboldt and I was very surprised that most of the staff didn't know about them. I wish that they were advertised better and utilized even more.