Our learners need to be tech- ready it seems! check out this clip of a year 2 classroom using ipads!

Imagined possible selves...

http://www.core-ed.org/sites/efellows.org.nz/files/2006flipbook/carol.html

Try this link out- it takes you straight to an on line 'flip book' of some NZ ECE research done in a Kindergarten about the use of ICT to support and extend dramatic play. The researcher was Carol Marks  who was an ECE 'eFellow'. She was working with a team and children exploring this topic over an extended period of time. This book is easy to read  and supports the assertion that blending the tools in an everyday session helps children to plan, revisit and extend the play in a whole range of ways. Check it out!
 For the record.........I notice it ( just as this blog does) runs better if you are using Mozilla Firefox browser rather than internet explorer.

macrons....

sometimes when making efforts to create bicultural documentation the tools cramp your style! Thanks to Lou for telling me about 'Te Taurawhiri Macroniser". Looking at this website showed me that I didn't need to download anything exotic for my computer. Windows 7 can do this easily if you fiddle with the keyboard settings.......http://www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz/english/resources_e/download/keyboardwin7.shtml. It has instructions for XP and Vista too...... Yay!

using the tools as the vehicle for exploration as well as reflection

Well done to Plimmerton Kindergarten...... using video clips from the digital camera to create video footage that allows a group of dancers to revisit what they have been involved in as well as plan new adventures.....Thanks also to the parents of the children for allowing this clip to be shown. After the original clip documenting children's interest in hip hop dance genre was made, they revisited it on the children's computer and chatted at length. Some of the children began journeys choreographing dance sequences. It was great to be able to show the clips of themselves on a big screen dancing to their favourite songs to be able to provoke further engagement . It certainly provoked more dance!  It seems the interest is performance art- the choreographic work supports this supposition and also the joy in using a microphone to support this exploration.... I look forward to what  the future of this planned project brings...... Here's some of the documentation..... and a disclaimer that we don't have any rights to the soundtrack the children are dancing to and 'covering' in song.....

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Thinking about ... ICT to create or display art!

I've had lots of discussions with teachers this week about art and ICT- ICT to create art or record the process of making the work, ICT to reflect on what happened and create stories about it. I see Botany downs Kindergarten has recently created a blog just to display art. Great idea! click the link below.... http://bdownsart.blogspot.co.nz/ I have also been reading an article by Lisa Terreni about art and Interactive whiteboards that was interesting... I like using a really good digital art programme but haven't spent much prolonged time with the whiteboard. Here's a link to the article on line... http://education2x.otago.ac.nz/cinzs/file.php/8/Terreni.pdf

Turning your pictures into a movie clip......

Have you ever used Photo story 3 to make video? Here's a quick tutorial. Really great tool in a Kindergarten for children to create their own stories.... or to review events or specific learning they have been involved in in order to consolidate their learning or plan new adventures....  click on the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtB6_D_toVQ

Try out some art programmes....click once on the entry to make it bigger....