Flip!
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/6/13168592/4416511.jpg)
I used these Flip Videos regularly whilst working as a TA in Manchester. They were particularly handy during workshops (a 'Tudor Day' and a 'Drama and Masks' session being among the most memorable) where my y4 class took part in numerous drama sketches - and were entertained by watching their thespian antics back in the classroom. A slow-motion joust was one of the funniest things I've ever seen, so it was great for the children to be able to go back and revisit it, using the recording as a base for which they could plan other historical dramatisations.
There's other video devices out there, lots of them, but I must say the simplicity of this one (red button to record, red button to stop) would enable children to record their own work with ease.
The 'flip' part relates to the USB attachment; just flip it out and pop it in your computer as you would a memory stick. The only downside I can remember is that the file sizes were a bit hefty, but as you'll want to watch these videos on your IWB it's probably best not to compromise on quality.
There's other video devices out there, lots of them, but I must say the simplicity of this one (red button to record, red button to stop) would enable children to record their own work with ease.
The 'flip' part relates to the USB attachment; just flip it out and pop it in your computer as you would a memory stick. The only downside I can remember is that the file sizes were a bit hefty, but as you'll want to watch these videos on your IWB it's probably best not to compromise on quality.
Soundcloud
OK, here's the deal with this one. I have it on good authority that it doesn't usually cause any problems, but for whatever reason my email account is unwilling to open the necessary registration email. However, this is a free website and I have seen it in use before, so it's definitely worth having a look at. In its simplest form, Soundcloud can be used like the old 'sound recorder' found on Windows. This is particularly fun for children to record themselves reading or singing and to hear it played back through the computer.
KS2 groups may be interested in creating their own 'podcasts' or radio programmes, whilst another idea is to get small groups to create their own radio adverts. This could involve playing music or singing jingles, and also trying to speak really quickly to fit in the terms and conditions at the end. Get the class to listen to each group's performance and discuss what they liked (and disliked) about each one.
Due to the fact I had issues registering with the site my main criticism would be accessibility. Especially when we're dealing with lessons that should be pacey and exciting, getting held up by issues such as this doesn't win me over.
KS2 groups may be interested in creating their own 'podcasts' or radio programmes, whilst another idea is to get small groups to create their own radio adverts. This could involve playing music or singing jingles, and also trying to speak really quickly to fit in the terms and conditions at the end. Get the class to listen to each group's performance and discuss what they liked (and disliked) about each one.
Due to the fact I had issues registering with the site my main criticism would be accessibility. Especially when we're dealing with lessons that should be pacey and exciting, getting held up by issues such as this doesn't win me over.
Audioboo
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/6/13168592/1553495.jpg)
I have since discovered this site and I am a lot happier with the registration process! Recordings can be made on the site or by uploading a file from your computer, which is quite handy. Geared towards more of a social networking sort of thing, this platform can also be accessed via you smartphone so that you can record and playback 'boos' wherever you are! This could be particularly useful during a school trip (or out of the classroom at least) when the sudden need to record something arises. The main issue is that the free version only allows for a few minutes of conitnuous recording, so if you have big plans then signing up for the meatier version would be the option here.
Here is my first effort - an excerpt from Allan Ahlberg's 'Kicking a Ball' (from the Heard it in the Playground book). It was read beautifully, but it seems my poor laptop mic has turned my dulcet tones into a bit of a Geordie muffle.
Here is my first effort - an excerpt from Allan Ahlberg's 'Kicking a Ball' (from the Heard it in the Playground book). It was read beautifully, but it seems my poor laptop mic has turned my dulcet tones into a bit of a Geordie muffle.
Movie Maker: plain and simple!
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/6/13168592/8272576.jpg?0)
Seemingly overlooked but available on all Windows systems, Movie Maker is a cheap and easy way to create, well, movies! Slide shows can also be presented using this program, with the ease of adding a soundtrack a definite selling-point. Stop-motion? Also a possibility!
Thanks to Microsoft, children can use sound recorders, digital cameras, flip-cams and the like, and bring them together in Movie Maker to create a showpiece of their work.
More to follow.
Thanks to Microsoft, children can use sound recorders, digital cameras, flip-cams and the like, and bring them together in Movie Maker to create a showpiece of their work.
More to follow.
Voki
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/6/13168592/3471553.jpg?0)
Voki is interesting! There's quite a lot to take in so finding a starting point is a bit of a task...basically, children can create their own avatars which may then be used for a variety of activities. I'd suggest a time limit on children choosing their avatars because it could turn into a bit of a marathon!
Starting with English, children can type their work into Voki and have their avatars read it back to them. They can then see if it sounds right, if their spellings are correct and whether or not their punctuation is up to scratch.
From a MFL point of view, children can record themselves talking (and again have their avatars repeat it back). This is a great way for them to practice their speaking (and listening) without the pressure of doing it in front of everyone.
The classroom version comes with a few extra features but is not free. Also, both versions are a bit American, so some pronunciations are a little different from our standard, but this is a minor issue compared to the benefits offered here.
Here's a husky doing a bit of history role-playing...
Starting with English, children can type their work into Voki and have their avatars read it back to them. They can then see if it sounds right, if their spellings are correct and whether or not their punctuation is up to scratch.
From a MFL point of view, children can record themselves talking (and again have their avatars repeat it back). This is a great way for them to practice their speaking (and listening) without the pressure of doing it in front of everyone.
The classroom version comes with a few extra features but is not free. Also, both versions are a bit American, so some pronunciations are a little different from our standard, but this is a minor issue compared to the benefits offered here.
Here's a husky doing a bit of history role-playing...
![](http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEzNjQwNjYwNTgyNzUmcHQ9MTM2NDA2NjA3OTk3NSZwPTk3NTA3MiZkPTAwMCUyMC*lMjBWb2tpJTIwV2lkZ2V*Jmc9/MSZvPTlmZjM2MzgxZjhlNDQ4NWZhZGIwYmNkNjdhYjgwODg3Jm9mPTA=.gif)
Talking Products
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/6/13168592/7433425.jpg)
There's some interesting ideas here, including talking photo albums, voice pads and sonic phonics.
The talking photo albums appear to be an engaging resource for KS1, bringing literature to life for those who prefer audio-based learning. Children could also record their own stories and messages, or create a showcase of their work in audiobook form.
Voice pads could be used throughout both key stages. My experience in KS1 suggests that this would be a useful tool for those who struggle to hold a sentence - so to have this technology to help them remember what they had said would be very handy.
A final thought for now regards the use of sonic phonics, a resource that would not only help children to match phonemes to graphemes, but would surely aid a teacher or TA who is uncomfortable with their own pronunciation. Children could use this to practise their blending and segmenting in a more memorable and hands-on way.
For some other ideas relating to Talking Products, see the video below.
The talking photo albums appear to be an engaging resource for KS1, bringing literature to life for those who prefer audio-based learning. Children could also record their own stories and messages, or create a showcase of their work in audiobook form.
Voice pads could be used throughout both key stages. My experience in KS1 suggests that this would be a useful tool for those who struggle to hold a sentence - so to have this technology to help them remember what they had said would be very handy.
A final thought for now regards the use of sonic phonics, a resource that would not only help children to match phonemes to graphemes, but would surely aid a teacher or TA who is uncomfortable with their own pronunciation. Children could use this to practise their blending and segmenting in a more memorable and hands-on way.
For some other ideas relating to Talking Products, see the video below.
DJ Cow
Whilst we're on the subject of phonics, check out DJ Cow on ICTGames.com. There's nothing like reinforcing some phonemes when there's a bovine-based disco as a reward.
Classroom Skype
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/1/6/13168592/2674368.jpg)
The benefits of using ICT such as Skype are wide-ranging.
This could be used as a link with other classrooms around the school (or country...or world!) to allow children to discuss lessons, ask questions about the local area or to act as news reporters beaming their live show back into their own classroom (wifi and appropriate hand-held device needed for this one).
Unfortunately everything depends on your internet connection, so a weak signal or dodgy cable could quite easily ruin a well-planned Skype session, but it is cheap and supposedly getting more reliable by the day...
There's many other ideas to be had, in fact there's another 50 if you follow this link!
The image to the left shows a live video link with a classroom in Cornwall, it was almost like having a penpal who can reply immediately.
More to follow...
This could be used as a link with other classrooms around the school (or country...or world!) to allow children to discuss lessons, ask questions about the local area or to act as news reporters beaming their live show back into their own classroom (wifi and appropriate hand-held device needed for this one).
Unfortunately everything depends on your internet connection, so a weak signal or dodgy cable could quite easily ruin a well-planned Skype session, but it is cheap and supposedly getting more reliable by the day...
There's many other ideas to be had, in fact there's another 50 if you follow this link!
The image to the left shows a live video link with a classroom in Cornwall, it was almost like having a penpal who can reply immediately.
More to follow...