Here is a fun little video about learning to ride a bike. I chose this topic since my son is at this stage, and a little intimidated about going without his training wheels. "How To" essays are a little elementary for the high school level, as those essays are usually required at the middle level. But, this could be a fun mini-project during my unit on memoirs. In the unit, the students read and discuss the memoir Half a Life by Darin Strauss, in which he retells how his life has been changed by a tragic car accident just a few weeks before high school graduation. Many of his choices and how be perceived life's milestones were a result of his actions on the fateful afternoon. My seniors could make a small video detailing how they conquered one of the milestones in their life, similar to the video above, as a way to immortalize their accomplishments a mini memoir for future generations.
Ideas I Have for the Use of Mobile Devices in the Classroom
For this week’s project I used Prezi. I really like this program because it is like PowerPoint on steroids. Prezi is easy to use, has a web based program, as well as apps for iOS and Android devices, and gives users access to w wide variety of themes, graphics, and images. Therefore whether you are 1:1 or BYOD, Prezi has an interface for your device. Not only is Prezi accessible for everyone, but it is also straightforward and simple, while still creating stunning visuals. Much like Weebly, Prezi employs the “drag and drop” method of creation, and allows users to easily adjust the path of their presentation. What makes Prezi even better, is that it seamlessly embeds YouTube videos right into the presentation, helping to add a more interesting digital component. The only thing that I found a bit difficult was that while using the app, it “timed out” while uploading pictures, or said the file was not supported. To overcome this obstacle I simply logged out and then logged back in. But it was still a frustration that I had never experienced using the Web tool, but seemed to happen a few times while using the iOS application on my iPad. Prezi is a great platform for presentations, and my students usually use this program at least once to present an idea. They incorporate pictures, videos, music, and graphs that help enhance their project. As for the teacher side, Prezi is a great presentation tool to upgrade your traditional notes for class. Images, videos, or tutorials can help explain concepts and topics in different ways to keep students interested and give them every opportunity to connect with your material.