cool+tech+tools+exploration

Thinking and Learning with Technology

 * New technologies enable teachers and students to construct and show learning in powerful ways. The point is to **construct** and **show** learning. Thus, using technology isn't just about cool tech -- it's about deep learning. If a tech-based project is really solid, there will also be a low-tech way to achieve similar learning (in case you're teaching in a place that doesn't have all the tech resources or the tech happens to fail that day). For instance, what would be a high-tech and a low-tech version of a science fair?
 * An example of a Spanish teacher who does lots of technology-based learning http://www.lamphere.k12.mi.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectiondetailid=1376

Ethical and Safety Considerations

 * As always, when you bring technology into your classroom you're responsible for the safety, learning, and welfare of your students. While media and the Internet offer many positive contributions, they also present risks.
 * Here are some interesting and helpful resources
 * [|Dealing with user names/passwords]
 * [|Ideas for internet safety in schools]
 * [|Copyright: Fair Use for Teachers]
 * Legal images -- Go to these sites and search for some images you might use in your teaching -- this is great! (Note: you still need to give attribution when you use them) http://flickrcc.bluemountains.net/index.php http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Tech-based Opportunities for Input/Interaction

 * Audacity -- free digital recording and editing site. You can download this program and record students -- or you can make audio files for student use http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
 * VoiceThread - http://voicethread.com/#home a way to combine visuals and audio clips; can also be a platform for an ongoing conversation. See Kerry's example: http://kerrylitwinski.weebly.com/educator-blog.html
 * Mashups - combine different types of media to design learning activities - MSU's CLEAR website offers software to add questions to audio or video, create exercises, etc. Check out the mashups. http://clear.msu.edu/clear/store/
 * Making movies - Jumpcut is a great program to create digital movies from video or images. Imagine the possibilities if your students made movies in the target language! http://www.jumpcut.com
 * Blogs - How about TL blogging or blogging with a partner school in another country? http://edublogs.org is a blogging site designed especially for educational use.
 * Digital storytelling -- You or your students could create stories to narrate or you could add audio. See these examples from Flickr. http://www.flickr.com/groups/visualstory/ There are also programs such a Bubbleply http://www.bubbleply.com/default.aspx that allow users to add speech bubbles to video

If you're at a school with limited technology: www.zamzar.com

http://www.jumpcut.com/

http://www.studyspanish.com/