Story Bird

In the autumn holidays I had the opportunity to go on short lectures on “teachers resources” online. This suited me perfectly as we would look at different resources. What I understood during these days was that there is unlimited with resources online. There is an infinite treasure online; you just have to find the gems.

A resource that I fell for is called Story Bird ( http://storybird.com/ ) and it's free. The only requirement is an Internet connected computer. Story Bird is a site for creating digital stories. Story Bird offers a range of images to illustrate your own texts and images that can also help those of us who have a poor imagination to create stories. Of course it’s also good for those of us who are not very good at creating professional pictures and stories. Another great feature is the ability to have an on-line collaboration.

To create a story in Story Bird you need to select a theme. Then drag and drop the images where you want them in your story and then you add your text. When the story is finished, it can be published online so that everyone can see it, or you can choose to keep it in your own private archives. It is also possible to invite other partners to take part of the story.

As a teacher, I can write custom stories to pupils depending on their progress in their reading and writing skills. I’m thinking especially in the subjects English and Swedish. I think this is strength, since a class has so different maturity levels. I can even do stories that fit into a theme work.

When the pupils got started with their writing skills, I think (because I have not tried this site yet) that younger pupils can be introduced to the resource. In the beginning we can also print them and have texts in the class’ "library". These stories can be stored in the pupils’ portfolio through the school year so that they can see their writing skills developing.

My class enjoys fairy tales and stories in various forms so I believe this resource will suit them well.

//Lena Marmont

British council websites for learning and teaching English

I have found three connected websites from the British Council which are absolutely great both for teachers of English and also for students as they are learning to speak English as a foreign language. To be able to use these ICT resources you will need a computer with an internet connection and a web browser. It is also possible to download files so that they can be viewed offline.

The websites are divided into three parts; one part for children which is called “Learn English Kids” (http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/), one part for older students called “Learn English” (http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/) and one part for teachers called “Teaching English” (http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/). Everything on these sites is free of charge and on all the sites you have an option to become a member. Therefore you do not need to do anything to be able to start learning or teaching English with the assistance of these sites. All sites encourage the students to both listen and interact in various ways.

On the site “Learn English Kids” there is plenty of fun for the children such as games, craft downloads, songs and short stories that they can enjoy at the same time as they learn a new language. There are a wide range of topics to choose from like time, witches and wizards, animals, family, dinosaurs, football and much more. The site is divided into ‘games’, ‘listen and watch’, ‘read and write’, ‘make’ and ‘explore’. The children can choose to become a member of the site and are then able to enter competitions, make comments and create their own characters. Teachers and parents are also encouraged to become members so that they are able to watch videos and read articles regarding learning a language. There is also a parent’s forum where parents can share their different ideas. For teachers, there is a section with information on how you can use the site in the classroom. A special section on the site, “Little Kids”, is aimed at very young children, where you can find nursery rhymes, play games and do crafts.

The “Learn English” site caters for older students. This site also contains games, stories, grammar exercises and listening activities. The site is divided into ‘listen and watch’, ‘grammar and vocabulary’, ‘fun and games’, ‘business and work’ and ‘IELTS’ (the International English Language Testing System). To make it easier to find out where everything is there is a search facility and a site map. If the student chooses to become a member, he or she can get help with their English and be able to comment on the site.

The last site of the three is the “Teaching English” site which is a co-operation between the British Council and the BBC. For the teacher, there is an abundance of activites, tips and other inspiration. As a teacher you will find lesson plans with activities, procedure and worksheets to download as well as teacher development and teacher training material. The site is divided into ‘teaching resources’, ‘teacher development’, ‘training courses’, ‘articles’ and ‘community’ (forums and networks). The articles that you find range from methodology to pronunciation and vocabulary. On this site you can also become a member so that you can contribute in the various discussions on the site.

As I mentioned previously, I think these sites are brilliant as there is so much to discover. They are also free providing you have access to a computer and the internet. I especially like the children’s site which my children found very easy to use. This site is also very colourful and inviting so that the children really want to work on it. My own children love it!

//Maria Jeffs

Digital Camera

The digital camera is an underestimated resource in teaching. The teachers use the camera to take pictures and document the pupils learning processes. But why not let the pupils use the camera? This way they would be able to actually use it as a resource in their learning process.
To make the camera work you just have to know how you turn it on and how to take pictures. Then you´re free to go!

With the camera you can document different things like,

- What the pupils do in the classroom
- How the pupils corporate
- What they are learning

The camera helps the teacher and pupils to go back and look at the pictures and discuss what they have done and what they can do to develop the assignment, so the pupils can learn more. The camera becomes like an extra set of eyes and a way of going back to look at the assignments and the results from perhaps even a different view. It could also help you as a teacher to develop your lesson planning for the class. The camera is also a help to show parents and other teachers what you are doing in your class.
The teachers can also use the camera to take pictures to use in their teaching. You could for instance take pictures of imaginary characters for a role-play or simply have the pupils discussing the pictures.

If you let the pupils take control of the camera to document what they think is interesting and what they see in the assignment the pupils enhance their learning and involvement in the assignment at hand. All this at the same time as you´ll get another view of the assignment as the pupils might see it from a different angle than you as a teacher. When you let your pupils take the pictures they might not see same things that you as a teacher would. You might not document the same things.

Other ways for the pupils to use this resource are to:
• Take pictures and make PowerPoint fairy-tales and presents for the friends in the class.
• They can also take pictures in the same way that the teachers and use the pictures for role-play or just discuss.
• Take pictures of colours and furniture in the classroom. Or take pictures of family members. Then the pupils can show it to their friend and they can discuss it in class.

These are just a few examples of how you could use a digital camera in class and learn English.
This resource could be seen as a powerful learning tool. It could be a different and useful way of learning, a way to involve the pupils in the learning process.

My StoryMaker

My StoryMaker

http://www.carnegielibrary.org/kids/storymaker/embed.cfm

I have just found an absolutely wonderful website to inspire students to write in English.
The applications name is My StoryMaker and it is published by Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
The program is free and easy to use.

In this interactive picture book pupils get help on their way through a story. Can a Fox be in love with a mermaid? Nothing is impossible only the pupils’ imagination sets the limits. The pupils have full control over characters and objects and the program helps the pupils to create sentences to the story. When the pupils are done with their story, they can print it out or share it with others.

What you need
You need Adobe Flash Player and Adobe reader, and both these programs are free to down load on internet.

How to use

First you select a main character in your book. Then you decide what the book should be about. When that is completed you choose different characters, items, objects and settings depending what you want shall happen in the book. Only your imaginations set stop for the story.
There is so much you can do; move objects, change feelings for the characters, write texts. When you are finished, with your story, you can share your book with others or print it out. And then it’s time to write a new one.

Why and Who

I have some students that find it difficult to work with different texts. Often it takes stop when it's
time to construct their text. This is a website I think really can help these students. In Lgr 11 it says in the purpose text that the student should be able to; formulate in writing, use linguistic strategies to make them understood and customize language for context.
In the central content it’s written that the student shall work with dramatized stories and fairy tales for children and young people, which I think is well consistent with this interactive book.

Today students are accustomed to make use of different types of technology, it is not alien to them. Many students will be encouraged to work with computers, and it becomes more fun,
which really get them to work more active. I’m also of the opinions that with this program it’s easy to work in different levels in the class, as we all know, our pupils are in different stages in life.


//Lotta Lundberg

Powerpoint

Ulrika R

PowerPoint
Something that I think is useful and makes the English lessons more interesting is PowerPoint. This is a program that helps you make presentations with both text and pictures and even sound. You can on your own decide how advanced the presentation would be, you can also decide how long the pages should be shown and on which way they will show up on the screen in front of the class. It functions like a slideshow of digital papers on the screen. This is a few examples on what you can do in PowerPoint.

• Tables
• Diagrams
• Use your own pictures

Today in school pupils are well known with computers and know how to use them, often before their parents and teachers, so why should we not take advantage of this. Often is computer a way to make conversation between both teacher and pupils and between pupils. If the computer is something that a pupil is good at, let him/her take advantage of that!

From which age can pupils be able to work with this program? Well, since the pupils shall learn English the most common age are from the third class and older. Of course we teach younger pupils English but before year three the most common English lesson consists of few words and phrases. I think that pupils from third class can begin to make their own PowerPoint as they learn more English and if you like they can work in groups. The reason why I think it is appropriate from year three in school is because pupils have to be able to read and write, if they can´t do this on their own the lessons could be problematic and even make the pupils not want to study the new language.

I have seen pupils in year four made brilliant presentations by using Powerpoint. They have by them selfes made this presentation and are very proud of it, they also think that they have learned a lot both about the program and about the subject.

When the pupils have done their first PowerPoint they probably want to do another because this is a stimulating way to learn English and work with ICT at the same time!

//Ulrika R      

Papershow

http://www.papershowforteachers.com

This is a fantastic resource for teachers and their pupils. It is a combination of the oldfashioned way of teaching with pencil and paper and the new way of teaching using technology.

What you need
To use this resource you need a computer. If you want to use the resource the best way you also need a projector. Then, of course, you need to buy the hard- and software called "Papershow". The price is about £ 195 for the "all- in one" starter kit, if you buy it over internet. Then you just install the program and the pen, there are instructions on the company's webbsite showing how to work it out, and it is ready to use.

How it works
You use a special kind of paper that follows with the program, and you write or draw with a special pen that incorporates a small camera. On the paper ther are a few symbols. If you touch them with the pen you can do different things as editing the text you write, make different kinds of symbols, lines and arrows, moving texts or objects and erasing written or drawn objects. When you draw or write on the special paper the camera in the pen registers the location of the line on the paper, and the program shows it on the computerscreen. You can also print pictures from the computer on the special paper, and the picture shows on the screen. Then you can draw or write on that picture. If you then project whats shown on the computerscreen to the wall or whiteboard, the class gets a good general view. One negative thing is you need to buy more special paper when you have used all the sheets that follows the start kit. Worth noticing though is you can use every sheet several times, until you no longer are able to see what you write or draw.

How the resource can be used by teachers

You can get your lessons more concentrated by preparing your lessons in advance. You can prepare texts, pictures and exercises on the papersheets. The pupils can start to work immediately instead of waiting while you write or draw on the whiteboard. If you write while you are teaching, you can sit or stand turned to the class. You are also able to let the pupils take notes from the lesson or making mindmaps together and then save the notes in two different formats, pdf or powerpoint. You also can e- mail the notes if, for example, a pupil don’t attend to the lesson for some reason.

How the resource can be used by pupils

The first and very important thing is that the pupils try to do their very best when they know everyone else in the class are able to see their writing. The second important thing is you increase the oral communication between the pupils when they write together. For example the class can write a story together by circulating the paper and pen in the class so everyone can write one sentence each. Everyone immediately see what is written and you can talk about spellings, synonyms and how to use written words in different situations or how to continue the written story. It is easy and fun for pupils to use the magic pen and to watch their writing on the screen. You can get the pupils involved in a much easier way and then save the notes for later use.

I think this as a complement to the internet and a much cheaper investment than buying a interactive whiteboard. It don’t have all the fancy functions, but it really increases the pupils interest of writing and talking and to do it as well as possible!

Yours,

Malin Marklund

Jihad Khalil

 SMART BOARD

ICT (Information and communication technology/ies) is something related to any kind of communication technology in which we humans can communicate, some of the common known ICT are any communication devices and applications such as Satellite, Radio, TVs, cellular phones, computers, networks, hardware and softwares.4

Accordingly, there are some common ICT resources, in which we always use whenever, talk about ICT. These kinds of recourses include Internet, Emails and word-process. But if I describe an ICT resource which is available to me or my students, I can say it is Smart board

 Smart board or a computer screen?

However, as you may see the name itself, it has been designed to work with computer and projector, without computer and projector it doesn’t work.  Together with the projector and computer, Smart board enables us to gently and smoothly write something, click on it, drag an object on in it, move an object on it, close, minimize, maximize and even open a software program, instead of sitting with the computer and using mouse all the time which is very hard work.

Technical accessories

A Smart Board installation contains a pen tray on the front of the interactive whiteboard that holds two to four plastic pen tools and an eraser. The pen tools have neither electronic components nor ink - the technology is in the pen tray, but how it works?

When a pen tool is removed from its slot in the tray, an optical sensor stills be aware that the pen I question is missing (on use) as a result Smart Board software reaction processes the next contact with the interactive whiteboard surface as a pen action from the pen tool that resides in the corresponding slot.

Whenever a pen tool is removed from its slot, you can be able to write in the selected color with that pen tool you have already chosen You can even as a result use your finger or any other object to write with as the sensors understood this action as an writing action as long as the pen is missing from its slot.  Similarly, when the eraser is removed from its position in the pen tray, the software processes the next contact with the screen as an erasing action as long as the eraser is missing from the slot.

When pens will in any reason miss their original locations from the slot, than the color in use will be only the missing one on the slot and not the one you have in your hand.

Smart board is a useful digital pedagogic instrument

Smart board has become a necessity and a useful device when it comes to modern education and learning processes.

This new IT-innovation has made things better and improved the planning of teaching. All about information and mediation of science, literature and teaching in all disciplines a school may have in its yearly or semester learning programmes.

We all know that Smart board can be expensive device as well as also new technology which need special kind of treatment. I would like to justify that for me I only focus and concentrate how use full is Smart board both teachers and students.

Smart Board has come to stay, this is an irreversible technical and digital way of teaching in all levels, most practice, fast, easy, modern, above all the most audio-visual innovation ever made. As per the technology designed to full fill the needs of the teachers, Smart board is very friendly device which was designed to as touch screen, when teachers want to use it they can just point their finger by pointing on Smart board rather than by clicking and using mouse which is sometimes difficulty. Teachers use smart board when they want to show a move, clips and games to their students in a very smart and simple manner than projector.

Students also find very useful by using Smart board, when they are going to present a presentation or group assignment, they use just like teachers, and they can explain something on it by clarifying on the Smart board. Students enjoy this new technology as they are themselves IT-generation in many cases they master the new technique better than their own teachers!

Smart board, an affair that pays off

Smart board is an effective, profitable, practice and modern device for all actors: students, schools and institutions, tax payers etc... It can minimize the cost and maximise the profit, because whenever we use smart board we don’t need to purchase white boards, flipcharts and pens, which may cost too much. Smart board minimizes costs because we use to purchase white board and other completing belonging things like flipcharts, white boards every year.

New digital technology

Smart board is a necessity for all of us, this technical innovation has digitalised all our disciplines in schools and enhanced the teachers ´roll and made the mediation of many school disciplines easily.

You can talk about maths, biology, geography, maps, geometry, physics, chemistry, or whatever, like documentaries, entertainment, live sending music, companies´ and political meeting, news of different horns of the world or simply reading newspapers and listening to music or film sequences of different origins.

Smart Board is not only smart, but magic and a new world for schoolteachers and students alike!