Automatic Sound when you enter a Page

In many trainings, I have been asked the question about whether or not you can have a sound byte automatically play when a page is entered and I have answered no. I have just learned that there is a way that you can make that happen. If the MP3 or other sound byte is converted to a SWF or flash sound file, you can embed it onto a page and when the page is opened the sound will begin playing.

The easiest way to do this is by using the website Format Factory. Once you have format factory installed, open the software and on the left hand side under video click on "all to swf."

Secondly, choose "add file" and be sure to change the browse search to "all files" since the default is video and you will be choosing a sound file. Choose the music or sound byte that you wish to play when the page is opened.

Next click on "OK" - this will take you back to the format box where you began. Highlight the sound you selected and click on "Start." The sound will then be converted to an swf. If you click on "output folder," you will see the folder where it was automatically saved as a shockwave flash.

You can now drag and drop the swf file onto a notebook page. The file will look very similar to a video flv and you will have a blue handle at the top to use to move it. Place the file behind another object so it can't be seen by using ordering. The sound will play when you enter the page and stop when the page is exited. A simple way to engage students.

You can also use audacity to record yourself giving directions for a page and convert that to a swf and embed onto the page that the directions are needed. A student can simply page forward and back to repeat the directions if they need them played again.

Good luck! Email me if you have any problems with making this work.

iPad vs Netbooks for 1:1

Many districts are looking at implementing a 1:1 program. EdReach published a piece in April that discusses the differences both financially and educationally that would be useful for anyone thinking of writing a grant for their classroom, school or district. The author plans on writing more - it will be interesting to see how things turn out for his district. His choice for financial and application use was netbooks.

iPad vs Netbook for 1:1

Using Google Docs

I took a google docs class today and learned a ton of info on how to use it in the classroom as well as using it to help share docs on websites. Most school district websites have space issues and they don't want you uploading a ton of files. This can be tricky if you are trying to share notebooks with families since most of them can be quite large. Google docs is a great way to plow through this problem.

First step - start a google account and log in
Second - Click on "more" and then "documents"
Third - click on the "upload" link and find the notebook that you want to upload. You do NOT want the notebook converted so make sure that both boxes are not clicked.
Fourth - Once the file is uploaded, hover over the file listed in your documents and click on "actions" - choose "share" and then share again.
Fifth - Documents are automatically set as private - change this to public. I chose to share with those having link so the file couldn't be found arbitrarily.
Sixth - Once you click on save, you are then given a URL for the document - copy
Seventh - On your website - highlight the text you want linked and choose to link a URL and paste the address for the doc

That's it! When people click on the link, google will open and they are able to download the file. You don't have to worry about any space being taken up on your school's server. Also, if you use word press you can't attach notebooks so you must do something like this. Lastly, you get 1G of space when you open an account on google. If this isn't enough it costs only $5 per YEAR to have 20G. This would be more than enough to upload every single notebook that you could possibly want to share.

Fakebook Page

Are you tired of assigning book reports? Looking for something new and different next Fall when students need to share information about a subject? Try this idea - have students create a fakebook page for the person, content or book.

The "Daring Librarian" has a great blog that is definitely worth following. One of the ideas that she shares is fakebook pages. She discusses how she used Comic Life to create fakebook page templates and then laminated them (time in the lab was tight) so students could use overhead pens to fill them in. This would be a great thing to model on your SMART board. What a great idea to link what students know to what they are learning about.

After checking out the fakebook page - I highly recommend you check out the other entries in her blog. She is a middle school librarian that has won awards for her blog. She has some great ideas.

Check out an online version of fakebook - scroll down and click on some of the samples. AMAZING

Comic Life Tutorial

Are you a Comic Life user? If not, consider trying the software. It is a great way to get hesitant writers interested in sharing. Students create graphic novels using photos and images. I used it in many ways including expository writing for science. For instance, the students explained the different states of matter using photos and captions for one assignment. For a Language Arts assignment, I had them create an autobiography using photos from home. The software is very easy to use and students enjoy creating files.

A nice tutorial on how to use the software is available - check it out.

Webinar Ideas

I will be working out a schedule for webinars using SMART Bridgit software, that will be free and open to anyone. They will be held on a regular basis in the late afternoon so classroom teachers can attend. Please email me if you have any ideas on things that you want to learn more about regarding your SMARTboard, SMART Ideas, SMART Response or any other SMART product. I want to make sure that the webinars are easy to follow, contain information that teachers need as well as being accessible to anyone.

Thanks!

Shawn - shawns@bradfields.com

iPads and SMART boards

EdCompass has an article that explains a few ways that you can use an iPad with your SMART board. There are three different things that they explore.

1. Creating docs using google docs and have them open on the board while the student accesses them on their iPad.
2. Use Dropbox to share files back and forth so the student can find photos and images and create files that can be added/linked to a notebook file easily.
3. Use Splashtop Remote software to take over your desktop (SMARTboard) with the iPad. This will allow the student to interact directly with the class.

As iPads are used more and more in the classroom, it's great to know that ideas are flowing on ways to incorporate them with the use of a SMARTboard!