http://kids.britannica.com
I chose the Britannica Kids Online Encyclopedia. The encyclopedia offers reliable online articles, audio, and video. The site is very easy and efficient for students to navigate. This reference tool supports differentiated learning by offering articles that are written at multiple reading levels. Developing readers could also have the articles read aloud to them. This would be a valuable tool for students to use during research projects. Teachers can be assured that students are gathering reliable resources at developmentally appropriate levels. The maps, timelines, photos, and videos are also useful for teachers when introducing new topics to students.
Multimedia Authoring Tool: Hypermedia Production Software
http://mackiev.com/hyperstudio/
I chose HyperStudio 5 because it is an excellent tool for student-created presentations. This multimedia would be an alternative option for students to use instead of the traditional PowerPoint presentation. Students are empowered with the ability to draw, type, and video in this tool. I would love to incorporate the example student-made presentation into my classroom. The student created a presentation on the Earth's layers, using her own drawings, definitions, and videos of herself. Students are able to insert their own personalities into research-based presentations with this software. I think the amount of control this software gives students will make them much more motivated to do the research.
Video:
The video I chose shows Britannica Kids Online Encyclopedia being used in a fifth grade classroom. I especially enjoyed the timeline tool that was used to see an overview of historical time periods. The video also showed the teacher differentiating instruction for his students by allowing some to use headphones and have the articles read aloud to them. He also discreetly chose the appropriate reading levels for each of his students. The students in this classroom seem much more engaged than if they had simply read a chapter and answered the review questions.
Hey Dana,
ReplyDeleteFirst, I just want to say that I love that you found a video that shows the kids' encyclopedia being used in the classroom! I feel like it was really hard for me to find a video to match my hypermedia and this is so helpful! The students seem much more engaged than they would be reading from a textbook!
Speaking of Kid's Britannica, that is so cool. Rebekah had blogged about the encyclopedia as her resource (which is definitely a good one to have), but this kid's one is, according to their website, aligned to the curriculum and has safe and reliable age appropriate material. That is SUPER important when using the internet with your students because you don't want something inappropriate to pop up!
I chose Britannica as my resource! I'm so glad you posted about Kid's Britannica, I never knew that existed. I agree that this website is very reliable with its content, which is very reassuring to teachers. Since its references having varying reading levels it would be easier to use in an elementary classroom than the standard Britannica because some of the references could use upper-level vocabulary, which can become a hindrance.
ReplyDeleteI'm honestly shocked at the amount presentation software there is online! I know for me I only used PowerPoint until I was in high school. It is important to show students that they have a variety of options to choose from. Hyperstudio 5's timeline creator is definitely something I'm about to check-out! That is so time efficient!
I really liked your link to hyperstudio5. That would be such a cool way to do research presentations in the classroom! Students, just like teachers, get bored seeing powerpoints over and over so with tools like this it can keep the interest and make presentations more fun. Students love when they get to put their personality into stuff and make it specifically theirs and it's also good for teachers because they get to see their student's personalities shine through their presentations.
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