Something I’ve just started is a new podcast where each new episode will be some portions of audio recording from the various workshops that I do. The main purpose behind this is to demonstrate to workshop participants how incredibly easy it is to produce a simple podcast. This will not be anything fancy and to be honest, is MUCH more about the process of podcasting than the product. All of these recordings are done using a basic handheld Olympus digital recorder and NO EDITING… They will all be produced and published w/in minutes of the workshops conclusion using Tool Factory Podcasting software.
The workshop I did today here in Columbia City was actually on podcasting, so I figured it was a good way to start! You can check out the RSS Feed here if you’re interested: http://www.dgmphotography.net/PATINS/Podcasts/DanielGMcNul210208212630/rss.xml
Let me know if you need help subscribing. Sometime in the next week it should also be available on iTunes.
Microsoft AT Guide: Last week I came across this Accessible Technology Guide from Microsoft and thought parts of it could be quite helpful to many people and might be worth checking out. http://www.microsoft.com/enable/education/default.aspx
Starfall Reading: http://www.starfall.com/ A cool, free and potentially very useful reading website, mostly for younger students introduced to me this week by a therapist in the Smith-Green area. Thanks Amy! 
Good find.
Yamipod: Last week I mentioned the iDump as a descent alternative to working with iPod devices, but not using the iTunes software to do it, because a few districts are not allowing iTunes to be used at all. This week, Jeff at the Central PATINS Site found another one that might be even better than iDump. This one is called Yamipod and is FREE! The full version of iDump was about $10. If you like Yamipod though and use it, you can donate however much you’d like to the developer via his website: http://www.yamipod.com/main/modules/home/
~EduChallenge #3~
From the last two week’s EduChallenges, you should have 10 digital images on your computer. Now, we’re going to work with those digital images a little bit in a way that should provide you with some useful skills/tools for classroom purposes. You will be adding text to your images! Probably doable in your sleep for some of you, but for others… relax, this is easy!
First, go to START and Programs and Accessories and then PAINT, as you see displayed in the screen-shot below.
With the PAINT application now open: Click on File and then OPEN and then browse to one of your images.
With one of your images now open, Select the TEXT TOOL on the left side of Paint Application, like this:
Then click and drag out a TEXT BOX in a relatively empty part of your photograph, like this:
Now you can type some text, which will should become sight-words after enough time and use:
Super easy, free and potentially quite beneficial to your classroom activities and instruction. With your remaining 9 photographs, practice adding some text to them! Let me know if you have questions!
Thats it for this week. Next week, I’ll post some requested items such as ideas for podcasting in your classrooms and schools and some information from Dave Edyburn on the issue of giving ZERO Scores and Grading Policies. Don’t forget to register for the Tech Expo, its FREE: http://www.patinsproject.com/htm/tech_expo_08.htm
Upcoming Workshops at my site:
- Feb. 22: Classroom Podcasting
- March 18: SMARTBoards in Your Classroom
- April 24: Intro to Wiki’s, Blogs & Skype for Learning
- May 14: Universal Design for Learning & Assistive Technology Overview
- May 23: Self-Operated Prompting Systems with the Video iPod
Have a Great Weekend!
