MULTIMEDIA BLOGS The use and integration of a web log in the K-5 classroom. Larissa Weaver and Lisa Diffenderfer

The Need That Drove The Concept: If Only I Could… Increase students’ enjoyment of writing Encourage students’ focus on quality Share students’ work Improve assessment

The Concept is Born: But… What is a Multimedia Blog? Interactive component of a website in which video or photographs are posted and visitors comment.

Let’s Make Sense of It: What Goes In a Multimedia Blog? Our Classroom Blog An introduction Photographs Student work Videos Text Audio Comments made By students By parents

What? When? How? Logistics Production Process What is worthwhile showcasing? What do you have readily available? What do you still need?

Let’s Put It Together! Plan ahead Estimated production time Resources needed Flexibility Build excitement!

The Real Thing Sample Schedule: Day 1: Take pictures Day 2 and 3: Recording Day Volunteer 1: oversees center rotations Volunteer 2: reading fluency Teacher: audio or video recording Day 4 and 5: Put it together Enter text Add special effects Post onto website and parents

Interactivity at its Best

Interactivity For All: Families

Interactivity For All: Students

Is it Worth The Time Investment? Why use it? High-interest activity for skill set practice Assessment Communicating with parents Emphasizes the Writing Process Wrap-up concepts taught Self-reflection

Let’s Be Realistic: When to Use Video Blogging End of a unit When students are ready to implement a skill Special Occasions

From The Trenches: Lessons Learned A simple camera (goes a long way) External microphone (helps reduce noise) Three grown-ups on recording day works best Be very explicit with instructions and expectations on recording days With students With volunteers

Free (or inexpensive) Online Applications for Creating Video SlideShows Animoto – Animoto Most appropriate for tweens and teens No ability to comment on projects You can embed in blogs VoiceThread – VoiceThread Appropriate for K-12 Audience/viewers can send audio commentary You can embed in blogs Little Bird Tales – Little Bird Tales Most appropriate for K-3 No ability to comment on projects You can bed in blogs

Applications for More Robust Video Editing iMovie Mac Application Windows Live Movie Maker PC Application VideoToolbox Free online app Movie Masher Free online app

Free Tools to Create Blogs Blogger Free, online application Easy to use WordPress Download application to your computer Application is free, but you have to find a hosting service which costs money Very robust application

Questions ??? Larissa Weaver Lisa Diffenderfer