Moodle

 

http://moodle.boone.kyschools.us

Let me guess, you have one application for your web site, another for your grades, multiple applications to create assignments and don’t forget your email for communication.  In today’s age of technology it is possible that you spend more time using your computer and updating technology than you do teaching your students.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have a management system designed specifically to help educators?  Wait a minute, now you are thinking, how can I afford a management system on a teacher’s salary and with budget cuts there is no way the district is going to pay for such a priceless resource.

To answer your question…It’s Simple, It’s Free, It’s Moodle.

Ok, now that I have your attention, let me tell you what Moodle can do for you. 

· Moodle is a course management system (CMS) designed specifically for educators 

· Moodle promotes collaboration and communication

· Moodle has modules for creating websites, quizzes, assignments, glossaries, wiki’s, forums and your grade book all on one website

· Moodle is suitable for supplementing your face to face classes as well as 100% online courses

It all starts with a teacher website designed by Moodle, so let’s get started.  For those of you in Boone County, all the basic information you need has already been downloaded to the county server (For the rest of you I recommend meeting with your tech coordinator), so it’s time to create your profile.   

Here’s How:  Once you access the website click “Login” in the upper right hand corner.  The Login Screen will appear, type in your user name and password, the same as you use to log into your school computer, then click “Login”.  Since this is your first time logging in you will have to update your profile, this part is self explanatory, just fill in the fields with your name, email and description.  Your description should include where and what you teach along with anything else you choose.  After entering all of your information be sure to click “Update Profile” at the bottom of the page. 

The next step is to change your settings.   Make sure you are logged in and then you will need to Turn Editing “On”.   Next click on “Settings” which is located on the left side of the page under the heading Administration, once you are on the “Settings” screen you will be able to update the General section.  This is where you can choose the Theme of your site, the Format, as well as the Course Name and Summary.  This section is also self explanatory, just fill in the blank fields as you go.  When all of your changes have been made, be sure to click “Save Changes” at the bottom of the page.  Of course you still have a lot of work to do to customize your website, add assignments, and create items such as your blog, however at this point you have the basic site up and running.  Where you take your site from here is up to you. 

United Streaming

 

 

http://www.unitedstreaming.com

As teachers we have been taught how videos, media clips and graphics can be used to increase understanding for the many visual learners that occupy the desks in our classrooms.  United Streaming is just the site needed to assist teachers with incorporating those valuable visual enhancements.  United Streaming is a wonderful and engaging digital resource made available to schools by KET Encyclomedia and via a web-based digital delivery system from Discovery Education; with the goal of making education more effective by connecting classrooms to a world of digital media.  Resources are available in six core content areas and span the k-12 grade levels.  New media is added continuously and current stands at over 23,000 images including over 1,000 editable video clips.

KET Encyclomedia supports State curriculum standards and provides teacher guides and blackline masters on how the video clips meet your curriculum.  I have used these clips in my lessons, knowing they meet educational standards and engage my students’ interest.     I will focus on the successful maneuvering of the site and how to obtain these valuable videos. 

Here’s How:  Once you have accessed the website you will need to login.  If you have a user name and password you will need to enter it on the upper right side of the page.  For those of you who teach in KY it is likely that your school already has an account , you may just need to contact your technology coordinator, if not your can sign up for a 30 free trial membership. 

After logging in you can begin your search, we will search by subject and in this case Mathematics, but you can use whatever subject you teach as well.  On the left side of the page you will see a box labeled search by Subject/Grade Level, click on “Mathematics”.  Now you can narrow your search by the type of media, subject and grade level, you can get as specific as you wish or leave your results broad to get the most results possible.  Your results will provide a list of media resources that have met your search criteria and will included a title, description and in some cases an image. 

Once you have had to opportunity to explore the results and locate the video of your choice, click on the video.  You will notice that many of the videos are broken into segments; you can choose to add the entire video or just the segment that you will be using to your folder.  Once you decide you will need to click the box next to the video or segment title, putting a “check” in the box.  Just underneath the list you will see the button “Add”, click it.  Once you have placed it in your “My Content” folder it will remain there for you anytime that it is needed, eliminating future search time.  You can access your folder anytime simply by clicking the “My Content” header near the top of the webpage.  When you are ready to show your video, access your folder, click on the video of your choice and then click “Full Screen” and “Play”.