Project Ideas
Understanding Copyright
All too often people assume 'if it's on the internet, it must be free for me to use.' However, this is not the case, and educators have a duty to teach themselves and their students the law surrounding copyright and put that into practice. For example, every image used on this site was either created by me or licensed for re-use.
Copyright for Educators
Teaching Copyright
Find Images Licensed for Re-Use in Google
Wikimedia Commons - free public domain images, videos, and sounds
MorgueFile - free public domain stock images
All too often people assume 'if it's on the internet, it must be free for me to use.' However, this is not the case, and educators have a duty to teach themselves and their students the law surrounding copyright and put that into practice. For example, every image used on this site was either created by me or licensed for re-use.
Copyright for Educators
Teaching Copyright
Find Images Licensed for Re-Use in Google
Wikimedia Commons - free public domain images, videos, and sounds
MorgueFile - free public domain stock images
Presentation vs. Report
There is a difference between an effective presentation using slideshow software like Microsoft Powerpoint or Keynote for Mac and a report written with word processing software. Written papers should follow formatting guidelines set forth by teachers, or by common citation formats like the Chicago Manual of Style, or the APA Style Guide. There are rules for presentations too. Share these tips with students so that they can become more effective public speakers.
18 Tips For Killer Presentations
There is a difference between an effective presentation using slideshow software like Microsoft Powerpoint or Keynote for Mac and a report written with word processing software. Written papers should follow formatting guidelines set forth by teachers, or by common citation formats like the Chicago Manual of Style, or the APA Style Guide. There are rules for presentations too. Share these tips with students so that they can become more effective public speakers.
18 Tips For Killer Presentations
Using Comics in the Classroom
Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud A Guide to Using Graphic Novels with Children and Teens |
Create Comics, Infographics, Mind-Maps and More
Google Drawing is a free tool that I find students pick up quickly and can be used for a variety of projects. Students can annotate pictures, create a comic or make a concept map or a simple infographic. Adobe Photoshop is a much more powerful option that would be appropriate for older students and more complicated projects.
Google Drawing is a free tool that I find students pick up quickly and can be used for a variety of projects. Students can annotate pictures, create a comic or make a concept map or a simple infographic. Adobe Photoshop is a much more powerful option that would be appropriate for older students and more complicated projects.
Websites Ideas
Students must learn how to distinguish a reliable website from an unreliable one. This will help them become better researchers, and in the future protect them from spam and phishing sites. Some examples of fake websites to show to students are: Dihydrogen Monoxide, Help Save the Northwest Tree Octopus.
Redesign a bad website. Show students common design mistakes, then have students find examples of poorly designed websites and instruct them to redesign them following the principles of CARP. Below is an example of a poorly designed site, the first draft of my redesign, and the final product.
Students must learn how to distinguish a reliable website from an unreliable one. This will help them become better researchers, and in the future protect them from spam and phishing sites. Some examples of fake websites to show to students are: Dihydrogen Monoxide, Help Save the Northwest Tree Octopus.
Redesign a bad website. Show students common design mistakes, then have students find examples of poorly designed websites and instruct them to redesign them following the principles of CARP. Below is an example of a poorly designed site, the first draft of my redesign, and the final product.
Website Mockup Tutorials
Design a Flat Website Mockup in Photoshop (article) How to Mockup a Website in Photoshop (video) |
Photography
A picture is worth a thousand words. It's a cliche, but it's true. Good photographs are essential for good designs. Students can practice photography by creating photo essays (see examples here and here).
Photographs can also be incorporated into other projects. For example, you could make a class cookbook by having students create their own instructional guides on their favorite recipes.
A picture is worth a thousand words. It's a cliche, but it's true. Good photographs are essential for good designs. Students can practice photography by creating photo essays (see examples here and here).
Photographs can also be incorporated into other projects. For example, you could make a class cookbook by having students create their own instructional guides on their favorite recipes.
Page Layout Programs and Apps
Adobe InDesign - basic tutorials below Microsoft Publisher - included in some versions of Microsoft Office Scribus - free open source alternative to InDesign |
Movies and Videos
There are many opportunities to include video making into a lesson. Students can create autobiographical films, a short movie based on a book, or an instructional video for just-in-time learning. Videos can be made in a number of ways, either by screen capture on the computer, or with a camera or cell phone.
There are many opportunities to include video making into a lesson. Students can create autobiographical films, a short movie based on a book, or an instructional video for just-in-time learning. Videos can be made in a number of ways, either by screen capture on the computer, or with a camera or cell phone.
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Video Resources
Windows MovieMaker - preinstalled on Windows machines Apple iMovie - preinstalled on Macs Camtasia Studio - free demo Screencast-o-matic - free software Youtube.com Vimeo.com |