Aug 24 2008
Reflection on Wendy Wolfe’s “If All My Classes Did This”
I was curious about this session for a couple of reasons. I wondered about the title and I wondered if there was something we should be doing in all classes. Once I saw that it was about using cartoon creators and mindmapping online I knew there would be plenty for me to learn. A couple of teachers and I have used the read/write/think site for writing activities and we have had some conversations about the idea of using the comic creator site for an engaging way to storyboard, print it out and then have kids write from their beginning, middle, end story starters. I had planned to use the site this year and this session movie will be a helpful tool to share with teachers in a team meeting.
I was intrigued by the ToonDoo site as a web-based tool that has more creative possibilities for learners who want to go further. Last year was the first time I heard a lot about some 4th graders being drawn to graphic novels and some would have loved a place they were allowed to do their own creative work. I will work with teachers this year on using this site, esp. as I will be spending two days a week working with Alice Barr at our High School after 16 years at the elementary level. Wendy points out the safety option of marking a “toon” so it can only be viewed by friends which could be useful even at the high school level.
While I have made podcasts with iPod or iBooks and microphones, I hadn’t tried Gcast. I setup an account and I am wondering if this might have some options for students at home recording book reviews to a class site via. the phone. Certainly we will be expanding our use of podcasts in many ways this year. Kids love microphones!
While I was aware of gliffy as a mindmapping site I hadn’t thought about using it for spatial design planning or some work we do with “structure workshop” in 4th grade. It all starts to blend with sharing photos, thinking about design and sharing work in new ways for conversations.
These tools and sites that Wendy references are all changing and expanding their utility. I found this session a good way focus on a select few and I will use her wiki and the conference blog as places to return to when a need another tutorial.
