Movie Maker

I promised to give the instructions to adding pictures and audio files to Windows Movie Maker. This is how I did my first picture and audio file, then I copied the steps over again.
1. Google picture of Brad Pit
2. Went to YouTube and found Brad Pitt interviews
3. Found another website that allowed me to download video to MP3 (used YouTube-MP3.org)
then,
4. Used Movie Maker-imported picture and MP3
5. Edited MP3 to the 25 seconds I liked the best
 6. Made both appear at the same time using the timeline
 7. Repeat all 
8. Publish and save
9. Upload to YouTube.

This was a lot of fun. It took me a while to get and my wonderful son-in-love walked me through it over and over until I got it. So I learned something new.

Enjoy!

Computer Keyboarding

 I knew that I wanted to use Screencastomatic to do a video today, but I just couldn't think of what I wanted to teach on. Finally, this afternoon, I figured it out, Computer Keyboarding. I could teach on finger placement and I can show it to my 1st Grade classes. They will love it. I found a picture of the perfect keyboard online, copied a picture to paint and was ready to begin. I was going to use my daughter's MAC, but found out MAC's do not have paint. So then I had to go to my other daughter's and get the web cam and microphone. I am all set and ready to go and guess what happens? A Rolling Blackout.....that was frustrating. Finally, the electricty came on and after many retakes I completed my video. The link is shown below.


http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cXjhe4ryB

Prezi

Today I made a Prezi presentation about Computer Systems for my elementary classes. This presentation was for my 1st-3rd grade classes; so I had to make it easy to follow. The thing I like about Prezi is that it is easy to do and I can click my way through it. This means I can have dialogue with my students as it plays. To look at my Prezi go to the following link:

http://prezi.com/3n2aiwgpj9kx/computers-systems/

I hope you, and my students will like it.

To The Cloud

What is Cloud computing? According to Wiki it is:

"Cloud computing refers to the logical computational resources (data, software) accessible via a computer network (through WAN or Internet etc.), rather than from a local computer. Data are stored on Server Farms generally located in the country of the service provider. The on-line service is offered from a cloud provider. These technologies are regarded by some analysts as a technological evolution,[1] or are seen as a marketing trap by others like Richard Stallman.[2][3]"

This YouTube video shows how it works:



We use the Cloud anytime we use Gmail, Facebook, Yahoo, or even WordPress.
While it is true that software can be used from the Cloud, a network server is still needed to house the information, so a cost is still realized. The question is which cost more: having software for each local computer or using the Cloud?

I can see the value in both so maybe a compromise is needed and there is a use for both. Each school or business will have to figure the costs and decide for themselves.

The New Tablets on the Market

Featured in my photobucket slideshow are the Asus, iPad 2, Samsung, HP, Blackberry tablets and more!

Live and Learn

I just learned how to insert a video with audio into a PowerPoint presentation. I am using it re-interate my classroom procedures. I found a really old video about classroom management and a current cute one for my elementary students. I did not set my PowerPoint to run automatically, nor set the timings as I want to talk to the students in-between the slides. Hopefully, my students will find them as interesting as I did. I have one week left before in-service begins. I really have enjoyed this summer, even though, I have been in classes all summer. I can't wait to show my peers and my students the technology I have learned.

Technology and Animoto

Tonight I am frustrated with technology. As a non-native it takes me much longer to learn a new technology. Sometimes, it also takes time to figure out what I want to do with the technology when I do learn it.

I tried for several days to watch the tutorials on Animoto. That did not come to fruition. I emailed Tech support and will hear from them at some point. However, today my project is due. I watched some videos and thought I had a pretty good idea of how to make my own video. At 10:57 I finally figured something out and it was due at 11. I did not make the deadline. Not only did I not make the deadline but the video was not what I really wanted. Sometimes I equate Technology with the Military, in that it is, hurry up and wait!

I will say that I like Animoto. The backgrounds were varied, as was the music. I think my elementary students will like video I produced. Really, I am looking forward to making use of this technology throughout the school year. Hopefully, some of the senior school teachers will allow their students to use this for projects.

Dropbox!

I have been learning about Dropbox. I like the idea of having my files and pictures stored in one location and having the ability to get to it at the "drop" of the hat. I do not have to worry if my computer freezes or I spill coffee on it. I do have questions about the safety and security of my information. I would not want all of my information to be given to the whole world. I guess I have to figure out if the convenience and accessability outweigh my concerns of safety and security.

What do you think? Does anyone been using Dropbox have any suggestions?

Me and Technology

My first blog about myself was just for fun. Now to the real stuff. Teaching computer keyboarding and teaching new technology is like the difference of teaching 1st grade math and 9th grade algebra. that is the way I feel right now learning to blog. I am not a native to technology and find myself reading and rereading the steps. My mind just does not compute on some things. I want to learn and I want to be able to show my middle/senior school students that I am tech savvy and can actually teach them something new. I am looking forward to the interaction with them. I want to know what they know. Who knows maybe they will be teaching me!

First experience as a blogger. Delores/Jeanne Tyler

This will be the first time I have blogged. I have read blogs from friends and even people I do not know. I have always wanted to blog, but just never seemed to have the time. Now, I find that I have to make the time for my class. So this is beneficial to me in two ways. Yea for me.


I will talk about going back to college after many years. Can I just tell you that it is more difficult than I imagined, but so rewarding. Difficult ... Today I kept my two granddaughters. I love those girls, however I procrastinated and needed to get this blog done. Now it is 8:30, and I am just doing it. Poor planning on my part. It is also difficult because as you get older, well it is just harder to remember things. Things like when something is due. I write in my calendar when everything is due look at it and look at least 10 times a day on the class calendar.

Rewarding, because I love to learn, and I am learning so much. I just wish I didn't have to receive a grade for it. I tell my students at school just do a little everyday, and then when it is due, you will either have completed it or there will not be a lot left to complete. I guess I need to follow this myself.

How many of you procrastinate? If you have a family and work, I suspect most of you!