Martha Snider’s Blog

What’s a NIng? By Wikipedia definition, a Ning “is an online platform for users to create their own social websites and social networks, launched in October 2004. Ning was co-founded by Marc Andreessen and Gina Bianchini.” For school, the unique features of a Ning help educators take advantage of using web-based tools that our students, digital natives, already know outside of school. Ning use allows educators to create their own secure custom “academic” network for a particular classroom, school, or district instructional need. Nings have been used by educators world-wide with great success. My first introduction to ning use was through my participation in CUE, ISTE, and Discovery Educator Network (DEN). Ning features were customized so that participants can easily upload multiple formats, Including .doc, .ppt, .xls, and .pdf. Additionally, instructional materials and student developed projects that include picture and video file formats may be used. Uisng a Ning in conjunction with DE Streaming and other DEN resources provide educators with even more possibilities.

Here’s an article about the how 21st Century tools–including blogs, wikis, and nings–address NCLB.
http://www.nea.org/esea/21stcenturynclb.html

How much realia can you really bring into your classroom?  Think Tech Green and master the techniques for sharing virtual realia with your students using a green screen.  Green screen?  What’s that?  It’s a backdrop like the weather person uses to show the maps of the globe.  Essentially, you can place anyone 0r anything any place.  Here’s a brief intro to how to set up a green screen environment.

Once upon a time we tacked a white cloth up on the wall to make an extra overhead or LCD screen.  Now, look for two bright Kermit green clothes, one for the wall and one for the floor.  If you want different levels, more clothes on boxes, or stage platforms.

You and your students wear any costume, just nothing green.  If you wear green on green, then you’ll be a talking head or some other crazy looking creature.

Before you record:

1.  Write your story with the background in mind.

2.  Find the background images and video to fit the story.

3.  Rehearse the delivery of your story.

4.  Record your story with the green screen.

5.  Merge your green screen video with your images/background video.

6.  Edit and polish your project.

That’s the basics.  Want to learn more?  Watch for upcoming Lodi DEN events….

Steve talked about a lot of things this morning. I’m trying to embed my first video clip in a blog. What you should see is known as LodiUSD’s “Web 2.0 School.” This presentation was originally made to our School Board in May 2007. I updated it in May, 2008. It was posted to the web with my Google Teacher Academy application.