Finishing Up Those Scripts

This week will be a short one for half of my students.  We don't have school on Friday which means many of you will only have one class this week.  It is so important to finish you scripts during that one class.  You want to leave for vacation with scripts written so when we return to get right to recording!  Please be sure to time your scripts before you print them.  Take a look at the rubric and make sure you have fulfilled all the requirements having to do with your script.

Once you have finished with you script you will be exploring GarageBand on your iPads.  I have created a "Garageband Exploration Guide" to help you.  Make sure you are able to do everything listed on this guide.  You can use your Pinterest resources or the "help" menu for GarageBand.  If you would like to find an pin other resources to help you please go ahead and do so.

**Be sure you have completed the self-assessment of your 1:1 iPad Timeline project and submitted your collection form so I may assess it as well.  If I cannot see it, you will receive a "0."  

image link

Have a great vacation!

Moving Along......

This week will be dedicated to two types of media- podcasts and blogs.  You will start off working on your podcast scripts.  Most of you have started them, but a couple of sections need to have the initial lesson.  I will also be giving you the rubric for this project.  Please be sure to use the "Tips" document as you are writing your scripts.  You may make a copy of the Podcast Script Template to place in your drive or to print and complete (old school.) The video on my January 14th blog post, "Copyright Terms," will show you how to copy a Google doc for your own use.  Remember you will need to be signed in to your Google account to do this.

You will need to complete the form for you ILT section found on the Timeline Collection Form.  I need to take a look at your finished iPad 1:1 timelines and assess them.  You will be given a copy of the rubric for this project.  This is the rubric you and your classmates created.  Please be sure to put your name and ILT# on this rubric.  You will then need to open your project and complete this rubric or "assess" yourself.  I will then take a look at your project and your rubric and give you my feedback and your final grade.  Please take this seriously and look at your work with a critical eye.

Once you have finished creating your script and submitting your Timeline Collection Form, I would like you to read it to a classmate or you could try recording it as a test run in GarageBand.  I need you to listen to your steps to see if your script makes sense and be sure your audience will be able to follow along!! If you choose to make a recording; it will not be your final one; just a trial run.

During the second class this week (ILT 14 & 16- this will be your class #1) I will be at my NISL class.  Mr. Carme will be with you in the lab.  I am "in school" but not "in the lab" on Wednesday and Thursday.  During this class you will be creating and publishing a new post for your homepage or passion page of your blog.  Before you start on this post, I would like you to log in to your Pinterest accounts. (Username is Google email and Password is the usual) and create a new board.  **You may use your iPad or your computer for this part of the lesson.  You should be able to complete this task in 15-20 minutes.  This board will be a place to hang some resources for your podcasting project.  Check out the this video for some help creating your new board.  "How to Create a Pinterest Board video." Once you have found 5 good resources to pin you will get started on your new blog post.  I would recommend using your computer instead of your iPad to create your blog post.  Blogger is not as "user friendly" on the iPad. You need to get this post uploaded by the end of class and I'm afraid you may not have as much success on the iPad.  The choice is your's, but you have a deadline to meet.  Please take out your BPS Blogging and Commenting Guidelines and review them before you start this post.  If you have "forgotten" your folder, there is a copy of these guidelines in the "Workstation Resources" folders by your computer.  I have been noticing many errors in your posts and would like you to take a moment to review my expectations before beginning.  Please be sure to include and image and/or links in your post.  Remember to check for capital "I's" and spelling errors.  Your post should consist of at least 5 solid sentences with variety and a "voice."  Think of a topic that is interesting and exciting.  Be sure to "upload" images; don't just copy and paste them.  There are instructions for this in your "Workstation Resources" folders.  Be sure to include an image link to give credit unless you have taken the picture yourself.  Once you have completed this post, you will need to have a classmate edit your work before publishing.  Please do not rush this post!!  I need to see your growth as a blogger shining through!

If you should finish with this post before the end of class, please either read your blog subscriptions on Feedly or search for a new podcast in your Podcast App on your iPad.

PS  I have added a "search" gadget to my blog.  This should help you find information a bit more easily.  Hope you enjoy it.  You may want to add this to your blog as well!

Take Two

We are so close.  Unfortunately there were too many factors which were out of our control.  Between fire alarms, absences, and many other things, we were not able to finish recording our podcasts in one week.  Oh well, this is why we are flexible. Needless to say we will be finishing up our recording this week.  I hope most of you will be done in the middle of class one and will be able to start editing.  While your classmates are recording, you will need to remain silent.  If you have found your music please create a new blog post.  I made a suggestion in my last post.  Please take a look.  You should have a minimum of four good posts on your blog at this time.  Please be sure to use your blogging guidelines and have a classmate edit your post.  Check for those "I's"!!!!

When you get ready please use some of the resources below to help you edit your audio tracks.

Audacity Resources:
Document:  Editing Effects in Audacity
Document:  Read How to Edit in Audacity

You should have found your music last week, but just in case you did not please be sure to take the time to do so.  Remember- you will be using open source music.  The music should enhance your podcast.  Think of it as the whipped cream and cherry on top of your sundae.  Your words are the ice cream and toppings; the important part.

I hope we can stay on track with our due date, but I will let you know at the end of the week if we are adjusting it.  So no stress, please!!!!  

Quiet on the Set!!!!

We are transforming Lab 231 in to a recording studio this week.  This is a bit of a challenging task.  For our recording artists to have the best possible environment it is going to be very important to have the rest of us sitting silently at workstations engaged in interdependent activities.  You will appreciate the silent room when it is your turn to record.  Remember-we only have 15 minute recording sessions!!!!  When you and your partner(s) are not recording you will be following the procedure below.  It is very important to remain in your seat and raise your hand if you have a question.  This is probably the only time I will ask you not to use one another as resources this year.

Copyright, Plagiarism, and Fair Use Review:
You will be adding some music to your podcast during the editing phase next week and/or the following week.  Before you even begin thinking about music, it is important for you to understand which music can be used “legally.”  We have had some discussions about copyright and fair use this year already.  I also know you discussed this topic in grade 6 ILT classes.  It is important to have a good understanding of this topic.  Please be sure to carefully read, watch, and listen to all of the provided resources before moving on to the suggested sites for finding music you can use in your podcasts.
You will start off this review by watching a Prezi created by Ms. Sweeney.  Be sure to read all text, and view all videos completely.  You may want to review some of this information more than once.

Copyright, Plaigairism, and Fair Use  
http://prezi.com/m9vvdhjaxngp/copyright-plagiarism-fair-use/
A great prezi created by Ms. Sweeney

Cyberbee Copyright & Fair Use Interactive Game  
http://www.cyberbee.com/cb_copyright.swf
You may have done this last year, but it is worth doing again.

Copyright Kids
http://www.copyrightkids.org/
Another great interactive site.  Please take the time to click through each of the different components on this site.  Remember to read, listen, and watch each completely and carefully.

Taking the Mystery Out of Copyright
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/copyrightmystery/
Four great links within this interactive site.  Go through them all carefully.

Before starting your search for music you may want to check out this great opportunity to win prizes and some cash. How you ask? You could create a doodle 4 Google!

Create a Google Doodle:
“Doodle 4 Google is an annual program that invites K-12 students in the United States to use their artistic talents to think big and redesign our homepage logo for millions to see.
This year, we ask students to exercise their creative imaginations around the theme, “My Best Day Ever…” One talented student artist will see their artwork appear on the Google homepage, receive a $30,000 college scholarship, and a $50,000 technology grant for their school along with some other cool prizes!”

Theme:  “What’s Your Best Day Ever?”
Watch the video, “Doodle 4 Google 2013”
Explore the Frequently Asked Questions:  FAQ’s
Check out the History of Doodle 4 Google:  Doodle History
Please do NOT print forms.  Your classmates are recording!!!!  If you would like forms they can be found at the end of each row.  Either raise your hand and wait for me or quietly go grab a form.

Search for Podcast Music:
Now that you have reviewed the information regarding copyright and fair use, you may start searching for music you think you would like to use in your podcast.  You are NOT working with your partner on this.  You will have to share what you have found with him/her next week and make a decision about which music you end up using for your final product.  Below are some sites where you will be able to find “creative commons” and copyright free music.   We are only using open source (copyright free) music for this project. You are NOT to go on to You Tube, Pandora, or any sites like these to listen to music.  This activity is not listening to music for enjoyment, but finding good and appropriate music for your podcast.  Remember- your words are the most important part of the podcast.  The music should only enhance your project.  Your audience should remember what you say, not the song you selected.

How to Download, Save, and Cite Music
This is a screencast created last year showing students how to download music for their digital stories.  The process is exactly the same for your podcasts.  The only difference is you will not be saving it in a “digital storytelling folder” on your pdrive.  Simply save it in your pdrive.

Music Sites:
Creative Commons Audio
http://creativecommons.org/audio/
The name says it all.  You will find a variety of music for your podcasts and other digital media projects.

Community Audio
http://archive.org/details/opensource_audio
A good site for podcast music

Freeplay Music
http://freeplaymusic.com/
Another site with music categories suitable for podcasts and other forms of digital media

Good luck!!  Think about your podcast topic.  It is usually more effective to use music without lyrics (instrumentals) as your words are the most important part of your project.  You don’t want to use a song which will have your audience singing along!  Think out of the box!!

One more option- BLOGGING!!
Recording is taking a bit longer than expected due to absences and fire alarms going off. Some of you may have completed the work on this post and still need to remain quiet in your seats while classmates are recording. If you have finished reviewing copyright, found and saved your music, and doodled for Google, please create a new blog post. You have the guidelines in your binder/folder. Please be sure to follow them. If you are struggling for a topic, I would love to hear your thoughts on the following:
What do you think about students having iPads all day in class and also being
able to take them home at the end of the day? It is called a 1:1 iPad Project.

If you are in favor of this, please be sure to explain why you think it would be a good thing using examples. If you are opposed, please do the same. Please feel free to go on line and do some research. There are many schools currently using iPads in the manner. You may want to check out this video, "Weston iPad Movie."

Picking Partners and Starting Scripts

Image Link:  http://www.wallsave.com/wallpaper/1920x1200/my-girlfriend-is-a-gumiho-free-valentine-computer-chobir-dokan-47292.html

Happy Valentine’s Day!!  I will be attending a workshop at the high school today and will not be teaching your classes.  Mrs. Diggins will be in for me and you know she is very familiar with our routines and my plans.  Please take the time to read this ENTIRE blog post.  She will be giving you specific directions once you have read the post.  I am sure you will do a wonderful job in my absence.  
On Tuesday I reviewed the Podcast Rubric and “contract” for working with a partner.  I asked you to think about a good partner for you.  Some of you, I believe ILT #9, already selected your partners.  If you were absent, I know this may all seem confusing to you.  In just a moment Mrs. Diggins will be giving you some papers and asking everyone to select or sit with partners.  If you are having a difficult time finding a partner please ask Mrs. Diggins to help you with this process.  I respect some of you may wish to work alone.  Remember this is a large undertaking and you may want to reconsider flying “solo.”  
Mrs. Diggins will give you the signal to go ahead and move so you are seated with a partner.  Once you have found someone to work with she will take you through a review of the “contract” for this project which can be found on the backside of the Podcast Rubric.  You will need to decide together which of your “How To” ideas you would like to develop.  You will also need to agree on your intended audience.  Mrs. Diggins will give you some examples if you aren’t sure what I mean by that.  I want you to write the word AUDIENCE on your contract under your How To topic title and fill in your audience.  Then you will read and sign the bottom of this page.

Now you are ready to start writing your script.  Please take a moment with your partner to reveiw the “Script Writing Tips” document.  Take note of the required elements at the bottom.  You will need to welcome your audience, introduce yourselves (first names only) and then introduce your topic.  Remember this isn’t being written like an English paper, but more like a conversation.  You will want to note who will be saying which lines in your script.  

For example:
Johnny:   Welcome to our How To Podcast Series.
Mary:  Today we will be sharing How to Tie Your Shoes.
Johnny:  I’m Johnny.
Mary:  And I’m Mary.  Let’s get started.

You will also need a closing or send off after you have finished your “How To.”  You may use the Internet to do some research about your topic.  Please write down the places you visited to get information. You will need to mention them at the end of your podcast.

I would recommend creating a Google doc for your script.  If you would prefer to hand write it that is fine as well.   Mrs. Diggins will have paper if you forgot to bring some to class today.  If you are creating a Google doc, you will want to share it with your partner.  To do this, create and title the doc as you always do.  Then look in the top right hand corner for the blue “Share” button.  You will click on it and see a very familiar window.  It is the same one you used to “share” your folders with me and other teachers.  You will need to add the school gmail address of your partner in the bottom space where it says, “Add people.”  It may be a good idea for your partner to type this in.  Then select “Share and Save” then “done.”  Your partner will now have access to this document just in case you are absent when we return from vacation.

Continue working on your scripts until Mrs. Diggins asks for you attention.  Be sure to put all of your documents in your binders or folders at the end of class.  You will be needing these when we return from vacation.  

**My ILT#3 students:  I know you didn’t have class on Monday.  Mrs. Diggins will be going over the rubric with you.  I am sure you will have some questions.  I will answer them after vacation.  Please do your best to get a script started.  Don’t get frustrated as I will make sure you are on track when we return from vacation.

I hope all of you have your power restored and are warm and safe in your homes.  Please do your best for Mrs. Diggins, as I know you will.  If I don’t get to see you in the halls on Friday be sure to have a safe and fun vacation!!!!
                       Fondly,
                        Mrs. White  :)