The three following external links are for users with multiple learning styles. The first link describes how to use bubbl.us and the benefits of this resource. Most of this site is just text with two screenshots from bubbl.us. The second link is for users that appreciate learning through video format. It is a link to a video on You Tube that takes a user step by step through creating a mind map on bubbl.us. The third link is in slideshow format that includes graphics and text. This slide show takes the user through creating a mind map on bubbl.us.
http://www.solutionwatch.com/538/bubblus-simple-effective-idea-organization/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AllXU_3nktU
http://www.slideshare.net/maggiev/mind-mapping-with-bubblus/
Sunday, November 2, 2008
bubbl.us and Educational Uses
There are many ways that bubbl.us can be used in an educational setting. Currently, students in my science class are learning about the Chesapeake Bay. Specifically, they are learning about the advantages and disadvantages of water on humans, plants, and animals, in, on and near the Chesapeake Bay. With that in mind I created a sample of one mind map that could be used by one group of students in my class. The example of this mind map is shown above this paragraph. Click on the picture above to clearly see the text in the picture. Other groups in my class could create a similar mind map for humans and animals. We could then partner up with another 5th grade class that is studying the relationship between water, humans, plants, animals, and the Chesapeake Bay. Groups in my class could be partnered with groups from the other class which could then edit and combine information related to this topic through online mind maps.
My students will be reading the story, Tuck Everlasting in the spring. In the story, one of the main characters, Winnie, has to make a choice of whether to drink from a spring that will allow her to live forever. After we're finished reading the story, the students will be placed in teams to debate the pros and cons of drinking from the spring. In preparation for this debate, each team could create a web on bubbl.us supporting their position. Other fifth grade students, younger students, and older students from other classes could be invited to edit their web. Debate teams could then use their final webs during preparation for the debate.
The fifth grade students at my school take part in a Build a Nation program every spring. During this project, students work in teams to create a nation. The following items are created for the nation: constitution, bill of rights, song, poem, sport, map, flag, etc. Most of the project is created on the school's computers. My school could work on this project collaboratively with another school. Fifth grade groups at another school that is doing the same project, could be connected with groups at my school. The groups could work together using bubbl.us to edit each other's mind maps related to the countries being created.
The fifth grade students at my school take part in a Build a Nation program every spring. During this project, students work in teams to create a nation. The following items are created for the nation: constitution, bill of rights, song, poem, sport, map, flag, etc. Most of the project is created on the school's computers. My school could work on this project collaboratively with another school. Fifth grade groups at another school that is doing the same project, could be connected with groups at my school. The groups could work together using bubbl.us to edit each other's mind maps related to the countries being created.
bubbl.us
A free web application called bubbl.us is very interesting. The user can create webs or mind maps that a teacher would typically create on a chalkboard with a class. It is a tool that assists the user in brainstorming their thoughts online. The user does not have to register to create mind maps. However, once the user does register, many more options are available. One option is that work can then be saved and a friend's list can be created (which will allow the user the option to easily collaborate with others). Before sharing the mind map with friends (that have an account with bubbl.us), the creator of the map can set the map's preferences to a read only format or to full edit access format. If the map is in a read only format, the map can only be read by a friend and not edited. If the map is in full edit access format, the map can be edited by a friend. Other options that are available for the creator of the map is to embed the map in a blog or website. The power of this program over typical mind maps in the classroom is that users can build a mind map together online that can easily be modified and seen by a variety of users. One of the best parts is that the creator of the mind map has control over who can and who can't modify their map.
When creating a mind map, many different options are available. The first thing the user can do is mouse over the original bubble that is automatically created in the middle of the screen. One option that is available in this bubble, is to click and drag the bubble to any location on the screen. Another option is to change the color of the bubble. At the bottom center of the bubble, the user can click on a small box that creates a child bubble (a bubble that is just connected under the main bubble). The user can also create a sibling bubble (a new bubble that is not connected to the original bubble). Bubbles that are not automatically connected can be connected with a connector button that is available on each bubble.
When creating a mind map, many different options are available. The first thing the user can do is mouse over the original bubble that is automatically created in the middle of the screen. One option that is available in this bubble, is to click and drag the bubble to any location on the screen. Another option is to change the color of the bubble. At the bottom center of the bubble, the user can click on a small box that creates a child bubble (a bubble that is just connected under the main bubble). The user can also create a sibling bubble (a new bubble that is not connected to the original bubble). Bubbles that are not automatically connected can be connected with a connector button that is available on each bubble.
External Resources for Screencast-o-Matic
As mentioned previously in my first Screencast-o-Matic post, I did not have the version of Java that I needed that would allow me to effectively use Screencast-o-Matic. I had Version 1.4.2 Update 3, and the Java website had me update to Version 6 Update 10. Once I updated the Java on my computer, I was then able to fully use Screencast-o-Matic. If you're not sure which version of Java you have on your computer, it's not a problem. If you go to this website http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp and click on the blue "Verify Java Version" button in the middle of the screen, this website will check your version, and help you update to the necessary version.
Another helpful resource that can help with Screencast-o-Matic is AppScout. AppScout is a website that scouts out or looks for new applications that can be found on the Internet. It then comments on the effectiveness of the application and provides helpful hints as to how to use the application. Appscout has a page devoted to Screencast-0-Matic. The best thing I noticed about this page is that it discusses why Screencast-o-Matic is helpful to the user. Most of the other sites I found described how to use Screencast-o-Matic, but they didn't describe why to use it. One such reason given on the Appscout site was that typically when giving directions to someone, it is good to show them how to do something, rather than just telling them. Screencast-o-Matic adds the visual element to a set of instructions. Another insightful comment on the site was that the recording in Screencast-o-Matic is actually superimposed over the window so the user can open applications, change windows, type, and edit documents without pausing the recording or stopping it. The rest of this site shows pictures of windows the user would see if they were using Screencast-o-Matic. Various options like screen size and audio input options are described as well. To find out more about Screencast-o-Matic through the Appscout site click on: http://www.appscout.com/2007/06/screencastomatic.php
Screen Capture News is an online publication that looks at the latest software and hardware developments in the areas of screen acquisition, webcasting, frame grabbers, and other related areas. On their site, they have a description and some helpful information about Screencast-o-Matic. The advantage of their description is that part of it actually describes the disadvantages of Screencast-o-Matic. Of all the other sites I encountered, none described the disadvantages. One such disadvantage is that Screencast-o-Matic can only record two frames per second. This is fine for recording text and still photos, but is not great for videos and animations. I haven't experienced this problem with Screencast-o-Matic, probably because I haven't tried to record videos or animations yet, but I did experience this problem with Jing (another screen capture recording program). When I recorded a website with an Earth/Sun animation the recording was not smooth. Another problem mentioned is that Screencast-o-Matic does not support dual monitor systems. It only captures images from the primary monitor. The remainder of the Screencast-o-Matic description, on this site, includes helpful information about how to create a screencast using Screencast-o-Matic. Check it out! http://www.screencapturenews.com/tag/screencastomatic/
Another helpful resource that can help with Screencast-o-Matic is AppScout. AppScout is a website that scouts out or looks for new applications that can be found on the Internet. It then comments on the effectiveness of the application and provides helpful hints as to how to use the application. Appscout has a page devoted to Screencast-0-Matic. The best thing I noticed about this page is that it discusses why Screencast-o-Matic is helpful to the user. Most of the other sites I found described how to use Screencast-o-Matic, but they didn't describe why to use it. One such reason given on the Appscout site was that typically when giving directions to someone, it is good to show them how to do something, rather than just telling them. Screencast-o-Matic adds the visual element to a set of instructions. Another insightful comment on the site was that the recording in Screencast-o-Matic is actually superimposed over the window so the user can open applications, change windows, type, and edit documents without pausing the recording or stopping it. The rest of this site shows pictures of windows the user would see if they were using Screencast-o-Matic. Various options like screen size and audio input options are described as well. To find out more about Screencast-o-Matic through the Appscout site click on: http://www.appscout.com/2007/06/screencastomatic.php
Screen Capture News is an online publication that looks at the latest software and hardware developments in the areas of screen acquisition, webcasting, frame grabbers, and other related areas. On their site, they have a description and some helpful information about Screencast-o-Matic. The advantage of their description is that part of it actually describes the disadvantages of Screencast-o-Matic. Of all the other sites I encountered, none described the disadvantages. One such disadvantage is that Screencast-o-Matic can only record two frames per second. This is fine for recording text and still photos, but is not great for videos and animations. I haven't experienced this problem with Screencast-o-Matic, probably because I haven't tried to record videos or animations yet, but I did experience this problem with Jing (another screen capture recording program). When I recorded a website with an Earth/Sun animation the recording was not smooth. Another problem mentioned is that Screencast-o-Matic does not support dual monitor systems. It only captures images from the primary monitor. The remainder of the Screencast-o-Matic description, on this site, includes helpful information about how to create a screencast using Screencast-o-Matic. Check it out! http://www.screencapturenews.com/tag/screencastomatic/
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Screencast-o-Matic and Educational Uses
There are many educational uses for Screencast-o-Matic. One way that I have decided to use it is in conjunction with the Time for Kids (TFK) website. Recently, my students had a debate in class based on the presidential candidates. During the debate they stated that Obama is promoting ending The War in Iraq and McCain is promoting sending more troops. After the debate, the students started to ask me why we are at war in Iraq. I could have answered their question but I thought, "What a great topic to research!" I realized that I've read many Time for Kids articles with students over that past couple of years that have been based on this topic. I then remembered that on the TFK website, it is possible to search previous articles. It would be easy for students to get lost in the sea of information located on the site. With that in mind, I decided to use Screencast-o-Matic to capture my tutorial of navigating through the site to find articles based on The War in Iraq. To see my tutorial click TFK and The War in Iraq.
Once my students finish their research, based on why we are at war in Iraq, my class can partner with a class at another school that is studying the war. Students in both classes can use a blog to communicate back in forth about what they have learned. The initial post in their blog can be a link to a narrated video, about the war, that they've created using Screencast-o-Matic.
Once my students finish their research, based on why we are at war in Iraq, my class can partner with a class at another school that is studying the war. Students in both classes can use a blog to communicate back in forth about what they have learned. The initial post in their blog can be a link to a narrated video, about the war, that they've created using Screencast-o-Matic.
Screencast-o-Matic
Screencast-o-Matic is very similar to the program Jing, (which I have commented about on my blog). Screencast-o-Matic is a website that allows users to record and share the image that is on their desktop. Jing is a software program that bascially does the same thing. The reason that I chose to blog about Screencast-o-Matic is because I had some compatibility issues with Jing. At home I use a PC, and I didn't have any trouble downloading the program onto my computer. At school, I have a Mac and I did have trouble downloading Jing. I didn't have trouble because it is a Mac, I had trouble because the technology teacher at my school told me I have a 10.1.48 Mac, and she said I need at least a 10.1.49 Mac. With that in mind, I knew that continuing to create projects on Jing probably wouldn't be wise if I couldn't use them on my computer with my students at school. Since Screencast-o-Matic doesn't require me to download it, like I have to with Jing, it will be much easier for me to use this with my students.
The site is free and the only software that is needed is an updated version of Java. I had Version 1.4.2 Update 3 on my computer, and I had to update to Version 6 Update 10. After the user has a free account setup with screencast-o-matic.com, the user can then begin capturing an image from their desktop. The first step is to pick a screen size for capturing. I picked 1024 x 768 because it was recommended on their website. I then chose my microphone from the audio options that were available. Next, I adjusted my frame on my desktop and began capturing an image. For my first time using this site, I just did a narrated tour of my favorite website, the Redskins official site. After I was finished capturing and narrating my image, I then closed it out and began previewing my work. At that point I was given some options. I added a title, a description, and selected English for the language. Screencast-o-Matic also allowed me to add text or notes to specific sections of what I had captured. When I was finished editing my video, I was then able to upload my video to the web on their site, or I could send it to Quicktime.
The site is free and the only software that is needed is an updated version of Java. I had Version 1.4.2 Update 3 on my computer, and I had to update to Version 6 Update 10. After the user has a free account setup with screencast-o-matic.com, the user can then begin capturing an image from their desktop. The first step is to pick a screen size for capturing. I picked 1024 x 768 because it was recommended on their website. I then chose my microphone from the audio options that were available. Next, I adjusted my frame on my desktop and began capturing an image. For my first time using this site, I just did a narrated tour of my favorite website, the Redskins official site. After I was finished capturing and narrating my image, I then closed it out and began previewing my work. At that point I was given some options. I added a title, a description, and selected English for the language. Screencast-o-Matic also allowed me to add text or notes to specific sections of what I had captured. When I was finished editing my video, I was then able to upload my video to the web on their site, or I could send it to Quicktime.
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