Aug 2007
The Modern Pen | Sep 2007

Podcasting

14.August.2007 08:09 Filed in: Workshops
GB iTunes
Some useful websites to gain further insights in to what others are doing with podcasts in schools near and far...

Deerfield School District 109’s Blog

Education Podcast Network

Podcasting Links from the PiNet Digital Library

Podcasts from The Downs CE Primary School (UK)

The Tech Teachers Show Notes

commoncraft


Check out a really helpful little video (3.5 minutes long) from CommonCraft that explains what an RSS feed is!


Also, please make sure you know a bit about Copyright law and Fair Use in the United States and in Illinois.

What's a podcast?

14.August.2007 06:08 Filed in: Workshops
GB
With Apple's GarageBand software, on all of the white Mac Minis in our computer labs, it is very, very easy to make a podcast. Yet, many of us wonder what a podcast is and what better way to learn more about podcasting then to listen to a podcast!?!

Download the podcast now!

Fair Use & Copyright

13.August.2007 07:36 Filed in: Workshops | Instruction
copyright
Under the Fair Use provisions of U.S. Copyright law, students can use quite a bit of copyright material within typical projects. Of course, should be taught to cite this material, and likewise, this also provides a teachable moment to help students understand that they cannot take the same liberties for most purposes throughout the rest of their lives--an important lesson in a world in which intellectual property is sacred due to its value in our Information Age. The four major factors that are considered in determining fair use are:

1. the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;

2. the nature of the copyrighted work;

3. amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and

4. the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

Often times, people are given rules of thumb, such as “x number of lines can be used from an author’s work” or that one can “use x number of seconds from a song.” The fact is that Copyright law and Fair Use are not that simple and concrete. As a result, educated decisions must be made about what is and is not appropriate.

For more information on Fair Use and Copyright, visit the Fair Use website from OurMedia, as well as the links on that page.

Digital Media for Enhanced Learning

13.August.2007 07:35 Filed in: Workshops
iphotologo
In this class, we explore the following topics:

iPhoto--Importing photos from cameras and websites, editing photos, slideshows

iTunes--Learning about iTunes and the iTunes Store, putting music into iTunes, using music from iTunes in other applications

Comic Life--Importing and manipulating photos to demonstrate deeper understanding

The following websites will be needed during this lesson:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6941917.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6938461.stm
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20186211/site/newsweek/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20121788/site/newsweek/

AtomicLearning.com

12.August.2007 13:50 Filed in: Instruction | Tech Tips

atomiclearn
AtomicLearning.com is a great resource for students and staff members in District 21. It is a subscription service that is available at low cost to the District, and 24 hours-a-day and 7-days-per-week, their topical videos on demand showing how to do a wide variety of tips and tricks! The videos actually show the computer screen, and as one watches, the mouse moves around while the narrator describes exactly what is happening and why!