Tech+Tools+to+Support+Writing+201

=Agenda= //If you would like a page on which to take notes, print out this page right now.//

The stealth approach to writing - writing in applications besides Word and Powerpoint. Other tools have other strengths.

ZimmerTwins
@http://www.zimmertwins.com
 * Easy with an excellent tutorial available. No need for preliminary lesson; start using it for a project right away.
 * Code of Conduct
 * Accounts
 * Keith and Susan each have a class set.
 * Students need username and password to login.
 * Strict reminder each class to not touch other cartoons in their login.
 * No teacher login where you can view and monitor all accounts.


 * Examples
 * Natalie's Solutions cartoon: @http://www.zimmertwins.com/node/932013
 * Savannah's Founding of Temasek cartoon: @http://www.zimmertwins.com/node/939914
 * Diya's "From Swamp to City" cartoon: @http://www.zimmertwins.com/node/939918
 * Joe's "Guerilla Warfare" cartoon: @http://www.zimmertwins.com/node/935329


 * @Tutorial
 * Work time


 * Limitations
 * Cartoon length is short - some students continue by making part 2, part 3, etc.
 * No export or embed feature - can copy URL to share it with others: @http://bit.ly/91tqIj
 * Students really want a reason to use the levitating, crowd surfing, and bashing an electric guitar.
 * Only 3 characters and limited settings and objects available.
 * This can be a strength
 * Higher-order task //(think haiku vs. free verse)//
 * // Fewer distractions //


 * Teaching Hints
 * Need to know topic and specific information to be shared before starting
 * Have them use first name only in the description field.
 * Good idea to have children plan that out BEFORE they login to the site.
 * Peer editing before final editing by teacher
 * Students so used to our roaming My Docs that if you work in a new lab, you need to remind them to login as if they were at their original computer.


 * Where might this support your curriculum? @http://etherpad.com/B2TiOQNp06

BitStrips
@http://www.bitstripsforschools.com
 * Very easy with high student interest. No need for preliminary lesson.
 * Accounts
 * Susan has a class set and Keith will have one soon.
 * Students need class code and password to login.
 * Tutorial: Quickly showing the students the program was all that was needed. No one asked any questions after that!
 * Work time
 * Limitations:
 * No print feature: must use Print Screen command, paste into Word and then crop and add name.
 * Plenty of violent options, including bombs, explosions, etc.


 * Blog: High quality and spotlights great class work: @http://blog.bitstripsforschools.com/
 * Where might this support your curriculum? @http://etherpad.com/B2TiOQNp06

Comic Life

 * Where is it?
 * In all labs (except library loft?).
 * One copy per classroom available. Contact IT Help to have it installed.
 * Students access it from their desktop: //Software > Reading and Writing > Comic Life//
 * Teachers need to go to //Start > All Programs > Comic Life//


 * Features
 * Select a ready made templates
 * Drag and drop interface
 * Use photos - only one per frame.
 * Add call outs, speech bubbles, and titles


 * Ease of Use: Requires teaching of software, but could be done as part of the project. Not necessary to complete a preliminary project first.


 * Tutorial
 * Copy the photos from here @\\sharepoint.sas.edu.sg\sites\IS\shares\IS Public to your My Pictures folder.
 * Open Comic Life: //Start > All Programs > Comic Life//
 * Select a template.
 * Locate your photos
 * Drag and drop photos - some won't resize
 * Photo effects
 * Add call outs, speech bubbles, titles, etc.
 * multi-person speech bubbles
 * Formatting text.
 * Options for saving/exporting


 * Uses
 * Recounts: science experiments, directions
 * Narratives (with family photos?)


 * Teaching Hints
 * For first use, have teacher provide the photos
 * Higher order thinking: students plan photos, take photos, download and edit photos. Keith and Susan have half-class sets of digital cameras. (Most families and many children have digital cameras but don't know how to download or edit them)


 * Where might this support your curriculum? @http://etherpad.com/B2TiOQNp06

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