I should add (and feel I neglected) some details.....

....with Comic Life. Many of my students did quite a bit of internet research and had to discover the best ways to find images. Those that needed certain images had to figure out how to refine their search with either google or another search engine or a way to expedite the whole process so their project could go forward quickly since we had the computers for a limited amount of time. I learned many things watching them and assisting. Once students found what they were looking for everything ran much smoother and they (as well as I) learned to keep track of what they were doing and where on the internet.

ELM resources

Adding more things to read from ELM, hmmmmm I don't know how useful this was. I quit receiving 3 professional second language publications because I don't have time to read them and they became repetitive. So since I couldn't think of anything I really wanted to receive info on, I elected to try second language acquisition again. But I really don't want that either. If I wanted info, Elm might be useful, but at this point in time I don't know. When I need something I will have forgotten how to use it I am sure.

Spreading the word!

I have been showing off my students' Comic Life projects to various teachers in the building who I think could use the program. The projects aren't perfect but what student work ever is? It was my first time as well as theirs theirs and well worth the effort. A few students did iMovie and that is a different animal. I think more time was necessary for completion since my students didn't know the program to start and neither did I. It is a more difficult program. I was able to learn Comic Life fairly quickly. The Japanese teacher definitely, with Manga being a big theme, liked it. An English teacher with a graphic novel unit in 10th grade was very interested and is considering signing up for the computer carts. I am interested in having some Macs with Comic Life for my use at any time because I can see using Comic Life for lots of different writing projects in Spanish, for the various levels. I am exploring different grant options to snag a few.

Searching with google en español

Very easy! Enter recetas-recipes-in the search line and millions of hits in Spanish and English show up. This is my next endeavor with Spanish 3. So in this case google is the best bet. But I will ask them to try the St. Paul resources because there is a great data base also with a collection of recipes that highlight the 3 verb forms different countries use to present recipes-infinitive, command, and passive voice. It will be easy for them to find sources but for them to find something they want to use will be the key. It should be a fun unit.

How is that project going?

Well, as with any new project I am discovering how I could have done more planning to make the project run smoother. Many, many kudos to Leslie who suggested it and helped make it possible. Most of my students have enjoyed the process of working on computers, rather than paper and pencil or markers. Students who have finished in the two weeks alloted were those who used their time well and did not set their bar too high. I found I also had to revise my bar-not necessarily lower but become more realistic with what is possible with comic life versus iMovie. Too much writing ruins Comic Life, but there is a way to write and not be overly simplistic. iMovie, if dialog is involved, will by it's very nature involve more speech so more writing is involved. The technology has been irritating at times but we, my students and myself have become problem solvers extraordinare!!!!!

Life got in the way....

...of my blogs. I think I am a few behind, because of my daughter. She decided to be married in Edinburgh, Scotland in the Castle in St. Margaret's Chapel on Jan. 13th, 2008. So my technology use came to an abrupt halt on the 10th through the 15th and really I was in a fog for quite awhile, since shortly after I came back I contracted a cold. Things about technology in Scotland-not as many people walk around with cell phones attached to their ears or ipods either. I don't know if it is a money thing and they are too expensive or what. Many people buy pay as you go cell phones instead of monthly deals from companies as we do here, so that may cut down a bit on the talking. Instead of ipods young folks were talking to their friends in the streets, at least where I was, but I wasn't amongst many teens and didn't have time to check into local high schools to see for sure. I was impressed with the lack of swearing at a soccer game-people were escorted out of the game if they swore too loudly-and the fact that everyone watched and no one got up to buy beer or use the bathroom and thus we could all have an unobstructed view of the game. New concept! But I admit to having a wee bit of something to warm up at times while I was there because it was a bit chilly and damp at night.

It's been awhile

My Spanish 3 students are busy working on projects involving Comic Life or ¡Movie. As Leslie has been showing them possibilities, I see their interest growing. Some have been changing their idea of what their project should be as well as I have. Since I had never worked with either program before in a classroom, just fooled around with them a bit on the MacBook, I had no idea what I should require of them. I now know a bit more how much they can accomplish successfully in a 2 week time frame. More kids are interested in utilizing Comic Life. I can't wait to see the results!