How Would You Voki?

So, since I am the self-proclaimed web surfer, I want to share a cool and exciting web resource I recently found. It’s called Voki, a free service that lets you create customized avatars and add voice to your Voki avatars (click here for web link). You create these avatars totally online and post your Voki to any blog, website, or profile.

When I first discovered this service I was blown away!  You see, I had been dreaming of ways to spice up my online student orientation and workshops. I tried YouTube videos, music, interactive PowerPoint games and so forth. However, I was looking for something more engaging and interactive, and I think this is it!

 A few short weeks ago I assigned a digital storytelling project to my “pretend students.” I wanted them to create a digital presentation about themselves as an introduction to their peers. I couldn’t help but think how cool it would have been to have my students to create their own avatars and record their introductions via Voki. It can still happen, but I wish I could have thought about this sooner J  

Equally important is Voki Classroom. This service allows teachers to create a unique online learning environment. Teachers develop Voki inspired assignments, and students can view and complete their Voki’s online. Voki Classroom allows for better lesson plan and student management. Each student is assigned a unique login, and teachers can view, grade, and share Voki assignments in one central location. Now the bad news is this service is NOT free, however on the flip side Voki Classroom is accessible at a very low cost (click here to check out prices). Still,  both students and teachers can utilize the free Voki avatar creator.

Overall, I couldn’t help but imagine how this could be used in the classroom. The Voki website provides a lesson plan database filled with ideas (click here for Voki Lesson Plans), but I am curious to know How would you Voki? In the meantime, scroll all the way down to the bottom of my blog to check out my Voki or click the web link below!

Rabecka's Voki

I have the Audacity and Docs to prove it…

In the past couple of weeks, I have learned a lot about open source software and free web based software. Open source software is software which can be used, modified and improved by anyone and can be redistributed freely. Lately, I have fell in love with Audacity and Google Docs!

Audacity - http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Audacity is a free audio editor and recorder. I recently used the program to shorten a track that was too long for one of my presentations, and I recorded narration with background music for a PowerPoint. As listed on the Audacity website, you can use the program to:

• Record live audio.
• Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs.
• Edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, WAV or AIFF sound files.
• Cut, copy, splice or mix sounds together.
• Change the speed or pitch of a recording.
• And more!

I    I was surprised at how easy it was to use. I completed the tutorial provided on the website and within minutes, I was editing a track! This is a great tool for digital storytelling projects.

Google Docs - http://www.google.com/google-d-s/intl/en/tour1.html

Likewise, I have grown fond of Google Docs. To be honest, I wasn’t aware of the many tools Google has to offer. I mainly used Google to check my email, search the web and blog. However, Google Docs is a gem! Google Docs is an online word processor, spreadsheet and presentation editor that enables you and you to create, store and share documents online.

You can create new documents from scratch or upload existing documents, spreadsheets and presentations. What I love is that there is no software to download, and all your work is stored safely online and can be accessed from any computer. I simply login to my Google email account and ta-da!

I recently used Google Docs to create a help form for a curriculum webpage I am building. It was very easy to create and I see this being an excellent resource for students and educators. If you want to learn more about Google Docs, click here for a tutorial!

Overall, I’m kind of embarrassed that I didn’t know about these tools. The Internet is full of resources and I am always amazed at what I find. Are there any hidden web resources that you have found? If so, please share!

Feed Me Your Thoughts...Digital Storytelling Sample

Hello World,

Ok, so I am working on a curriculum web page that will feature a digital storytelling project that I plan to assign to my future students. This project will be geared towards college level students either in a student success or educational technology class.

I would like my students to create a  presentation about themselves using Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple Keynote, or Prezi. I call this a digital icebreaker. The presentations can be pretty informal and just a way to expose the students to technology and each other! My plan is to collect the student presentations and put them on a classroom blog.

Please click here to view my example presentation!

I have included links to my Wiki as well as classroom blog which are both under construction. I could really use some feedback! Tell me what you think!

Classroom Blog
Curriculum Wiki

Using Computers to Break the Ice!

What's the Big Idea?

So, I am taking a Technology for Educators class (aka EME5050) and we were asked to draw upon ideas on curriculum integration and digital storytelling, and plan a digital storytelling project for our students. To recap, digital storytelling is stories, explanations and information expressed in a digital format. For example, a video with sound, words, and pictures about you could be considered a digital story!

To spin off of my last blog posting on digital storytelling, I want to discuss a digital storytelling idea that I have for my future classroom. It is my aspiration to teach either an educational technology or student success course to college level students. In my curriculum, I want my students to create a blog to showcase their ideas and work. Now, I know this idea may seem a bit cliché or cheesy but I would like to have my students use digital storytelling to create a pumped up version of an icebreaker. I mean think about it, the typical icebreaker includes short bursts of information. “Hi, my name is Rabecka, I’m 25, a single mom and I am studying career and technical education…” However, a digital icebreaker would allow the students to express themselves creatively.

Moreover, this digital icebreaker would be one of the first artifacts they would put into their own blog (yes, I’ve been inspired by blogs). I think this project would be a great way to have the students hit the ground running with technology and create an introduction that is unique to them and memorable to the class.  

Bringing the Idea to Life

To accomplish this project, my students would create a video using Movie Maker, iMovie, or Photo Story. The video would need to include pictures as well as audio and/or voice narration. The video would be no more than 3 minutes long.

To get the ball rolling, I would show an example icebreaker that I created (guess I need bust out some pictures) and use this a teacher-created resource. I think showcasing my own work would help my students connect with me and of course gain some inspiration!

Some web resources I would provide include:

Icebreaker Ideas - http://twt.wikispaces.com/Ice-Breaker+Ideas

Download for Photo Story - http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=11132

Download for Movie Maker - http://explore.live.com/windows-live-essentials-movie-maker-get-started

iMovie Info - http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/

This is just the begining of an idea that will soon spin out of control. Tell me what you think!

Digital Storytelling...

Hello World! So, I am taking a class on ways to integrate technology into the classroom. Our assignment this week was to explore digital storytelling and its benefits. Check out my Prezi on digital storytelling!

Digital Storytelling My Way

Is There a Place for Video Games in the Classroom?

So, this week I got into a debate at work with one of my co-workers (I promise I didn’t start it) about whether video games had a place in the classroom. Her stance was no and mines was the opposite. She simply didn’t see any educational value. Of course, I mentioned that today’s kids are game crazy and that (in my opinion) they might be more engaged to a topic or lesson if some gaming was involved. She kind of saw my point of view, but was still sticking to her guns. She felt, adding video games was a waste of time and too much of a distractor. So, I had to pull out the big guns. I talked about an idea I had to implement the computer game, Rollercoaster Tycoon, into the classroom.

Rollercoasters, are you kidding? No, I’m really not J Rollercoaster Tycoon is a game that allows players to design, build, and operate their own theme parks. I have played it a hundred times (what addiction lol). Players start with beginner level parks and progress to more advanced parks. In order to progress, players must meet certain park objectives. Objectives vary and can include building 10 rollercoasters by a certain deadline or raising park revenue while keeping park ratings above a certain level. Players can also design their own parks and rides from scratch (depending on which version you play). Click Here to see a YouTube Video!

How does this tie into learning? Well, I think this game fosters creativity and critical thinking. For example, players must decide what type of rides they can buy that will fit into their budget.  Or, when building rollercoasters, players must carefully construct the rides and pay attention to force and velocity among many other things. Essentially, I could see this game being used in business, physics, engineering, and even math courses. Perhaps, the instructor could have students team up and build a park or rollercoaster, then present their experiences. Just an idea!

Overall, I think video games can be implemented into the classroom. However, the games should be compatible with the learning environment, course topic/lesson, and learners. Not every game is right. Me and my co-worker pretty much agreed to disagree. So, I am thirsty for your thoughts! Do you think video games can be implemented into classroom?

Back It Up, Back It Up

So, this week was pretty awesome! I read chapter 8 in Teachers Discovering Computers: Integrating Technology in a Connected World (7th edition) and learned a great deal of information. I explored the importance of computer security among many things and realized how important it is to backup data.  Backing up data helps us protect and keep copies of important files, information, and records.

Prior to this chapter, the only thing I knew how to back up was my car (just joking)! When I analyzed my backup habits, I realized that I didn't have any. At work, it is easier for me to backup data as we are provided with a shared drive that is supposed to safely store all of our data files. In case of damage or disaster, these files are easily restored. However, at home I usually don’t back up my data. After reading on the importance of backing up data, I see that saving just isn’t enough!

So, I went on a quest to find solutions for backing up data. Off-site locations are a great option! Users can backup important data at another location, which is vital when we factor in disasters such as fires or floods. In surfing the web (I am getting good at this surfing thing), I came across online backup services. Carbonite, claims to be the easiest online backup software to use. Subscribers sign up for this service (a 15 day trial is provided, but a yearly fee is involved) and are able to automatically backup files online. Restored files can be reached at anywhere, anytime. IDrive, is yet another online backup service that offers a limited free account to users. Other backup options include USB Drives, CD's, and external hard drives.


With so many resources available, I think it is important to backup data! As educators and professionals, so much time is spent creating ideas, materials, lesson plans, products, etc. It would be ashamed for years of work to go to waste. With this in mind, I challenge you to back it up!