Jessica Schlosser from Laurelhurst asked about some specific topics that her students said they would like to learn about. I thought I’d post my reply.
The camera is the Flip video camcorder:
http://www.theflip.com/
I would recommend showing 6-8 graders how to set up RSS feeds in Google Reader in an appropriate context. For example, if you had small groups create blogs for a project and then had each group subscribe to everyone else’s blogs and provide feedback via comments, which can also be set up in an RSS feed. I think that could be valuable, especially with writing.
I will compile all the topics you listed for possible PD. Here are some related resources:
Making Movies
Makin Movies Made Simple
http://www.slideshare.net/jgingerich/makin-movies-made-simplekey
Great presentation from colleague Jennifer Gingerich. Also includes links to handouts at the end of the presentation.
Flickschool
http://torres21.typepad.com/flickschool/
Great resource from Marco Torres about everything multimedia.
Blogging
Why should middle school students blog?
http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2009/05/13/why-should-middle-school-students-blog/
Great post. Read the comments too. This topic then leads to a discussion about when to start teaching kids about self-branding, in terms of their online identities.
When to start teaching self-branding
http://www.thethinkingstick.com/when-to-start-teaching-self-branding
Games
Scratch
http://scratch.mit.edu/
Scratch is a new programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art — and share your creations on the web. Scratch is designed to help young people (ages 8 and up) develop 21st century learning skills. As they create and share Scratch projects, young people learn important mathematical and computational ideas, while also learning to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively. It’s free!
Social Networking
socialnetworking4teachers
http://socialnetworking4teachers.wikispaces.com/Bloggers+to+Learn+From
Great list of comprehensive sites to check out.
