Using a free sign-up Gabcast account, teachers and students can use any telephone or VOIP enabled computer to create and share audio podcasts. These audio podcasts can be shared with the unique URL to a users gabcast account, posted to a blog or website, or downloaded and distributed through a variety of digital media formats. Users create Gabcasts by calling an 800 number and entering the unique channel number and password for their account. Once they have accessed their account, users simply speak as though they are leaving a voice message. After creating the message, users are given the opportunity to preview the message, re-record if necessary, and the immediately publish the message to their Gabcast channel.

Gabcast makes it easy for anyone to make learning a mobile, “anytime” and “anywhere” experience. The opportunity to offer up insights or reflections for teachers and students where and when they occur is now as easy as making a phone call.

I have collected valuable information to guide you through getting started including:

• Mark Federman’s tips for getting started such as choosing your first few titles for the year, introducing your first book club event, advertising the launching of your Book Club etc.
• Letter of Support from Barnes and Noble which highlights suggestions for raising funds for purchasing books plus much more
• Technology Resources and websites for each phase of implementation

Mark Federman visited with some of our Seattle principals to share his process and insights for a successful implementation of a Book Club. With his permission, I have outlined below a summary of notes from his presentation and artifacts he shared around this topic. I have also spotlighted the technology resources and websites, which can help you in the various phases of implementation. Be sure to read the letter of support from Barnes and Noble local representative, Lisa Lundquist.

First Year Selection of Books

• Start with a Universal theme, a book everyone can read, high interest for students you are targeting
• Repeat popular authors
• BiblioTherapy: Allow for time with students to address important teen issues and other topics
• Choose books that have movies coming out

Technology Resources:
First Year suggested BookCover List and Synopsis
Evergreen Young Adults Book Awards
Sponsored by Washington Young Adults Review Group
Pacific Northwest Library Assoc. Young Reader’s Choice Awards
This award includes a division category for 4-6th grades, 7-9th grades, and  10-12th grades.
Notable Children’s Books
Committee of librarians  (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children’s books (for age levels birth -14). According to the Notables Criteria, “notable” is defined as: Worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, outstanding.

Ideas for Advertising

• Pass out fliers to introduce the Book Club. Be sure to include upcoming books for future Book Club sessions
• Announcement at assemblies
• Book Talks either in person or on multimedia
• Special flier for “Invite for Kick off Party” (usually 10-15 minute book talk and a time to distribute copy of books for students)
• Another way to distribute books might be in partnership with Language Arts Teachers, Math teachers, or Science teachers as appropriate for the featured Book Club selection.
• Email announcements to teachers with possible incentives such as field trips for a class of students to Bookstore or Library, or organize a field trip for teachers to a local bookstore.
• Inquire around your local businesses for ways to raise funds. ( see letter of support from Barnes & Noble)
• Inquire about celebration locations in your community  where students can share their own poetry or other writings in front of live audience
• Provide workshop for all parents to attend in order to inform parents of the Literacy expectations and value of reading (see PowerPoint:Family Literacy Information)

Technology Resources:
Book Cover Images to paste and create your own fliers
PowerPoint: “Family Literacy Information”
Letter of Support from Barnes & Noble

Getting Students Started

• Special flier for “Invite for Kick off Party” (usually 10-15 minutes book talk and a time to distribute copy of books to students.
• Provide a suggested time line to finish reading the book. For first year, recommend a three to four week time frame but can be adapted, as students get familiar with format.
• Request a letter from students about the book (see Sample Request)
• Pull quotes from student letters to start discussion
*Encourage students to keep a log of what they have read
• Mark Federman is currently using a tool online for book discussion groups called Goodreads
• Provide a tutorial for students to learn how to use online discussion group (Ideally, the school librarian might do this.)

Technology Resources:
Sample letter to students
includes suggested prompting questions
Goodreads
This is a website where book lovers can record the books read or plans to read and share rating for books with recommendations. This resource also features a forum to have group discussion about books read within a private setting.
Shelfari (Another option for rating books or online book discussion)  http://www.shelfari.com/

RSS or Real Simple Syndication creates a feed from a web server hosting content to allow users to readily subscribe to frequently updated information (For more information about RSS, view this short video). This stream pulls content into an aggregator or Feed Reader like Google Reader, iTunes, or newer web browsers.

One popular way of distributing RSS content is by using podcasts. Podcasts are simply audio or video files that have been made available on a web server via a RSS stream for download to an aggregator. A podcast does not require an ipod, nor does it require iTunes. However, ipods do allow your content to become portable, and iTunes offers an easy way for users to find and manage podcasts.

Once you have identified how rich media like video or audio can support the curricular goals of your classroom, there are a few considerations that can help support the effective use of these tools in an educational setting.

There are many sites that offer free content, but some of the sites that offer the largest variety may be difficult to use with students because the user-generated nature of the content means much of what is available may not be appropriate for students. Some of these sites such as Youtube also face restricted access because of proxy filters or firewalls that are often used to meet FERPA and CIPA requirements. Many teachers can be frustrated about the availability of content on district machines, but the nice thing about the Internet is that most content exists in multiple places and so with a little bit of google-fu you should be able to find the resources you need on an unfiltered site.

Teachers that intend to become savvy about using rich media in the classroom should become comfortable searching in other locations such as educator-driven resources like
Teachertube, Edutube, Research Channel, etc to find RSS feeds. Using delicious can be a great way of doing filtered searches leveraging the work of others, and it can also be a fantastic way to manage bookmarks through the web. (Check this bright idea for managing feeds) Alternately, it is also possible to use resources like idesktop.tv to download videos that then can be played in a compatible media player.

There are essentially two ways of managing RSS feeds for video or audio content, either via desktop software, or a web-based model. Both have benefits and drawbacks.

Desktop Software
(i.e., iTunes)
Pros

• Available in Seattle schools.
• Accessibility of content can be determined immediately through podcasts in iTunes store
• Easy to organize and manage content
• Easy to use interface that also plays rich media content

Cons

• Machine-based- must use the machine with the software and files

Web-based
(i.e., Google reader, delicious)
Pros

• Accessible from any machine with Internet Access
• Resources are mobile and not bound to a single machine

Cons

• Some web-based readers are filtered and unavailable within the school district
• Web-based readers still require a compatible media player to view resources

As a final note, no teacher should ever show students content that they have not thoroughly reviewed for its appropriateness and relevance to student learning, and all copyright considerations should be observed.

Also, the Instructional Technology group is asking for your comments about other possible resources and or questions related to digital images to help us enhance the resource information in this blog post.

All of the links listed can be found at the Instructional Technology Delicious Site

Agenda

1. General overview of digital media resources
2. Time to explore digital media resource post
3. ET Input: Entering Questions and Comments in the IT Blog
   

Digital Picture Resources (Possibilities)

Internet (Copyright Free Resources)

• IT Delicious – Online Image Resources (Check out Larry Ferlazzo’s link to free online resources.)

Digital Cameras

• Transfer directly from camera: To download the specific camera drivers on your Teacher Work Station (CWS) you will need the help of someone with a #pound account or a Network Analyst (requested through techline – 252-0333).

• External USB Card Reader: These all-in-one readers allow you to download images directly to a computer and do not require software drivers installation.

• Home Computers: Use a pen drive to copy and transfer images from a home computer.

• See How Do I Pick a Digital Camera on the IT Blog
  

Document Camera:

1. Capture an image using only a document camera:
   1. Press the capture button on the document camera panel.
   2. Press the playback button to view these images
   3. Download Images from a computer:
      • Downloading Images from the Document Camera to a PC
      • Downloading Images from the Document Camera to an iMac/eMac
2. Capture an image using Aversion Software and the document camera
   • Using the AVerVision software on a PC or Mac

Scanner: These devices are fading but they can be valuable as a means for making student drawings into digital pictures. Scanners can capture images at the highest quality.

Cell Phones: Cellular camera technology is a popular tool used by students and adults for capturing images. The easiest solution for collecting these images is to download them on a home computer and transport them with a pen drive.

Computers: The most recent models of Apple iMacs and Macbooks have built-in cameras for capturing digital images.

Digital Picture Management (Organization and Editing):

• Teacher Work Stations (CWS) and Student Computers (including Presentation Station Computers):
  • Organization: Create and name folders within the folder, “My Pictures.” At this time there is not an approved software solution for organizing photos on these computers.
  • Basic Editing:
    • Paint: The Paint program comes on all Windows computers and includes some simple editing features like cropping, resizing, and re-formatting.
    • Paint.net: This is a free download for PCs with photo editing features. Paint.net To download this software on your Teacher Work Station (CWS) you will need the help of someone with a #pound account or a Network Analyst (requested through techline).
• Macs: iPhoto is a Mac only digital picture management tool that includes simple photo editing features. It is loaded on all SPS Macs.

Instructional Uses of Digital Images:

Samples and Resources:

• Belarus to America
  
• Water Cycle: An elementary class uses Photostory to share their writing and artwork.
• NUA Slideshow
• Poster Project Idea

Preparation Resources:

• Storyboarding Software: Free tool download from Atomic Learning, Mac and PC.
• Graphic Organizers
• Research Tool: Easy Bib
• Social Bookmarking: Delicious: Easy way to share internet link to digital image resources for teachers and students. The read-only site is not blocked by BESS.

Digital Story Telling – Resource List

See Digital Story Telling on the IT Blog

Applications:

• Photostory 3 (IT Blog – Photostory 2 Resource)
• Powerpoint (IT Blog – PowerPoint Resources)
• MovieMaker (IT Blog – Movie Maker 2 and Teach the Teacher – MovieMaker 2 Resources)
• iPhoto (Apple iLife Tutorials – iPhoto) Create slideshow from digital images that can be exported and shared.
• iMovie (Apple iLife Tutorials – iMovie)
• Voicethread

GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition Design): Promotes instructional strategies that use visuals (digital and analog) to enhance student learning.

• Issaquah School District http://www.projectglad.com/glad.html

Here are some reasons to use a classroom blog:
1. Post materials and resources for students and parents
2. Host online discussions based on books your students are reading, discussion topics from your classroom, etc.
3. Create a class publication such as a monthly newsletter that can be read online.
4. Post student projects and writing for peer and teacher review.
5. Share your lesson plans and web links
6.  Integrate multimedia of all kinds
7. Organize projects, events, information
8. Get feedback from fellow teachers, parents, students which builds a community around your classroom.

Blogging with your classes

The Seattle School District does not block EduBlogs. Go there and sign up for their free Blog. You can use this site for audio casts as well as video.
If you want to get email for your students that is not blocked by the district go to Gaggle.net
If you want your students to work from a different email at home, Edublogs recommends gmail from Google and their great help source, The Blogger, tells you how to do this.

Tutorials for Edublogs:
Quick Guide to get you started: edublogstutorial
A complete tutorial with updates from Edublogs support in pdf format: edublogging

Copyright and Safety:
When you or your students are blogging there are copyright issues and safety issues to consider. Here are some sites that will help you deal with both.
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998.
This law explains how a child’s privacy is protected online. Working with children and blogs, this is a must-read item.
Copyright and Fair Use.
This simple primer gives the basics on copyright and fair use laws as it pertains to the Internet. Any teacher posting on the Internet should take the time to read this.
A Teacher’s Guide to Fair Use and Copyright
Another helpful guide to fair use and copyright, this one is specifically designed for teachers. It also includes a chart for fair use to post in your classroom.
Discovery Blogging Rules
An extensive set of rules for classroom blogging which includes clearly defined consequences to breaking the rules. This list can serve as a model for the rules in your classroom.

Multimedia Resources for Blogging:
Remember: The multimedia resources can be used with other multimedia projects, too.
Sound and Photo Conversion Sites:
Pain.Net freeware that helps you manipulate images to post on the blog or use in other applications.
Zamzar: a free online file conversions site. It converts images, documents, videos and other files from one format to another in order to post to the Blog

Audacity: a free cross platform sound editor and recorder especially useful for the Dells.
Audacity tutorials:
Audacity Quick Guide to get you started audacity
Remember that you can use the Audacity software for storytelling, too.
Audacity Tutorial for Podcasters: This is comprehensive, but broken down into easy sections.
http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/17-audacity-tutorial.htm

You will need to download the LAME MP3 encoder from Audacity to change sound files to MP3 for the web.
1. Under “For Audacity on Windows”, left click on the link “libmp3lame-win-3.97.zip” and  save the zip folder to anywhere on your computer.
2. When you have finished downloading the ZIP folder, unzip it and save the file lame_enc.dll that it contains to anywhere on your computer.

Voice Thread
This is an amazing tool that allows you and your students to make a presentation, put it online and comment on it. You can comment on a document as well. This embeds well into an Edublogs site.
Take a look at, What is Voice Thread? on their site to get a feeling for what this tool does.

AcidXpress is a free download from Sony that allows you to make your own music on a Dell.
Note: Sony has other options that cost money for those who want to do more with this   software.
The Levelator is a free cross platform program that allows you to adjust the sound of downloaded loops, and effects. (Nice for both Dells and Macs)

Online Resources for Royalty Free Music and Sound Effects:
Four Bees has free sounds, graphics and more.
StoneWashed.net has free sound effects and loops that are identified as .wav or .mp3.
Royalty Free Music provides sound loops for podcasts and audio casts.
For more music go to http://www.royaltyfreemusic.com/free-music-resources.html
Partners in Rhyme is a great site for all sorts of multimedia projects that need music from different genres. They have loops and sound effects as well.

Let me know how Blogging is working for you and your students. I’d love to link to some of your great Blog sites when you are ready.

1. Eva La Mar presented at the 2008 NCCE conference in February. Her website has information on how to use Garage Band. Included are some forms to help with planning and organizing: Planning, Process Planning Guide, Storyboard Form, Status of the Class

2. Priscilla Lewis from Shoreline School District has a tutorial.

Click on Documents tab

Click on NCCE 2008 Priscilla Lewis’ Session Handout: Podcasting with Garage Band 3.
3. Learning in Hands has information on finding, subscribing, listening to and creating Podcasts.
4. Apple has an easy to follow video tutorial for iLife Garage Band ‘08 
Under Browse Tutorials scroll to the bottom and click on Create a Podcast

StoryCorps provides an equipment guide for selecting the necessary tools to create a recording, but Seattle Public Schools teachers creating stories in the classroom can use a standard input mic and a podcast program like Audacity (PC) or Garageband (Mac) to record stories on a classroom computer.

Learn more about StoryCorps and hear how powerful and poignant stories can be:

I remember spending hours in language labs going over chinese dialogue tapes as I tried to learn Mandarin in college. This constant practice was very helpful but far from convenient. Now, since I spend a lot of time in my car going from school to school, I have begun to refresh my chinese by listening to dialogues I download onto my ipod. The great part is it is all free and high quality! In fact on the Internet you can find free, high quality audio files or podcasts for just about any major language. Since mp3 players like ipods have now become so widespread, using these foreign language podcasts has become quite the rage with students on college campuses as well as with casual adult learners. You too can harness this great resource for your students either by using these podcasts on computers in your school or by getting your students to download them onto their mp3 players. The easiest way to get started is to use the podcast directory in iTunes (directions below) click on education in the catagories box and then select language courses under more education.

• iTunes download
• Getting podcasts from iTunes

 Note: On iTunes you can get the podcasts even if the specific web sites are blocked by the District filter. The websites associated with each of the podcasts often have more material to support learning the language. (Usually these additional resources require a paid subscription.) If you run into a site that is blocked or have a comment about its use please leave a comment below. 

More resources:

• Voluntary standards for World Languages
• Foreign language lesson podcast collection a great site that currently lists 21 different language podcasts
• My Radio Lingua podcasts for French, German and Italian

Here are some specific sites for the major languages taught in Seattle Schools. (If you have iTunes installed the iTunes link will bring you directly to the podcast download in iTunes.)

• Chinese (Mandarin)
  • Chinesepod.com  website  iTunes
    • My favorite. Quality daily lessons at all levels. They do take on some conversations that may be a little edgy (mild swearing and relationships).
  • Think and Talk Like (the) Chinese  website  iTunes
    • Cathy Lu takes a look at the Chinese language, while introducing students to China’s history and culture.
• Japanese
  • Japanese Pod website  iTunes
  • Japan Cast  website  iTunes
• Spanish
  • Finally Learn Spanish  website  iTunes 
    • I would recommend this site for the Grammar tips offered. Most lessons offer instructions in English and then follow in Spanish.
  • Rojass Spanish  website  iTunes
    • There is no english spoken here. This is for intermediate /advanced Spanish learners. I was very intrigued by his approach to incoporate Music, culture, and history.
• French
  • French Pod website  iTunes
    • This site is designed for a beginning student. The speaker uses both english and french to explain words. It’s very informal (I was struck by his use of like – think about how teenagers use it as a filler.
  • French Ecole  website iTunes
    • This site is also good for beginners and is a bit more formal than the French Pod site above.
  • Daily French Pod  website  iTunes
    • This site is better suited for intermediate and advanced French students. The speaker recites a short passage at full speed (typically about current events), and then breaks down the vocabulary in smaller chunks. He uses more basic french words to explain more sophisticated or specialized words rather than simply providing a direct translation to english. This was my favorite of all three.

Related File

• Podcasts for the Classroom

Related Files

• Podcasting on a PC (.mp3)
• Podcasting on a PC Overview (.pdf)
• Wordcasting – recording audio into MS Word (.pdf)

Related Links

• Audacity Audio Recorder – great open source application
• Lame Encoder – for converting Audacity files into mp3 files
• Sony Acid Studio – feature rich application that is comparable to GarageBand.