Being Web Aware with Colleen the Safety Bear!

Hello fellow bloggers

So for this assignment, we were told to create a concept map with all the aspects of web awareness that we should be aware of for classroom use on the internet. Therefore, I created a concept map with a bunch of different aspects which could be issues with students using the internet. These are all things that a teacher should be aware of when teaching a lesson which involves internet research. I hope you all enjoy my map!

-Colleen :)

Module 3, Website Project

Title of Activity: Puppetry Skills

Reference Section:
Alberta Education (n.d). Grade Three Curriculum Handbook for Parents. Retrieved September
24, 2008, from http://education.alberta.ca/media/445757/pub3.pdf
How to Portray a Dramatic Character (n.d.). Retrieved September 24, 2008, from http://www.ehow.com/how_2066318_portray-dramatic-character.html
ICT Program of Studies (2008). Retrieved September 24, 2008, from http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/ict/pofs.asp
Lamb Chop's Play Along (2008, February 17). Retrieved September 24, 2008, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N445qz-Uepo

No Strings Attached Online (2005, February 7). Retrieved September 24, 2008, from http://www.no-strings-attached.org.uk/




Grade Level: 3

Subject: Dramatic Arts

Brief Description of Activity:

1) First I will show a clip of Lambchops Play-Along, which I found on the video search engine of “you tube” so the students can get a sense of the possibilities with a sock puppet. I will show all three characters in this series.
2) Next I personally would have used research that I found from the internet on how to make a sock puppet to create a smart board presentation for the students on how to make a sock puppet. In this way, I could integrate the smart board technology into dramatic arts; also students might become more encouraged to participate if they can work with the smart board, slowly uncovering the steps needed to create a sock puppet.
3) After the students have finished making their puppets, I would use a checklist which I found online using a search engine, which describes how to create a regular dramatic character. I would take this checklist and modify it so it would relate to puppets. I would then simplify the language so that it would make sense at the grade three level. I would then divide the class into pairs and get them to spread out among the classroom, and using the simplified sheet, try creating characters for their puppets, and getting their partners input.
4) Finally I would get the students to put on a short show with their partners to show me that they have successfully completed the objectives for the lesson. This would also give me as a teacher an opportunity to give them a mark.


General Learner Outcome:
That the student will become successful in play, dramatic play and structured dramatic play by using the means of puppetry.

Specific Learner Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson the students will have made a puppet out of an old sock and various craft supplies/fabrics
At the end of the lesson, the students will have found out the key points in creating an interesting character for their puppet.
At the end of the lesson, the students will have mastered the technique of making up a unique voice for their puppet.


ICT Outcomes:
Students will become discerning consumers of mass media and electronic information.
Students will integrate text and graphics to form a meaningful message.


Rationale for Computer Integration:

Computer have been integrated into this classroom by using videos, found on the internet as well as technology via the smart board. Computers are also used in the sense that students could look up images on the computer of different characters for ideas of how they would want to design their sock puppet.

Editing a Powerpoint

Hello fellow bloggers/students!

For our module two assignment, we were asked to make at least five corrections to a powerpoint presentation sent to us, then post our new and improved powerpoint presentation as well as list all of the changes we did make in the powerpoint presentation. So, here are all of the changes I made in the powerpoint presentation.

Changes which were made:
• The background color was changed so that it was synchronized with all slides and it was in a color which fit well with the text color. the text stands out but it does not hurt the readers eyes.

• I used word art for the title so that it would stand out, I also made the title a bit more specific so the class would know what the powerpoint was about as well as enlarging the size of the title.

• A picture which was associated with the powerpoint title was put on the title page which I believe would help focus the student's attention.

•I got rid of the animation where the words would appear backwards and one at a time. This becomes quite frustrating for the audience to watch. Instead I have all of my information becoming available with one click of the mouse. This way the class can read ahead, to a point and know what is coming next in the presentation.

• The information was cut down quite a bit for my version, I believe that there was so much information on the powerpoint, the presenter would simply be repeating the same thing vocally, which is not the purpose of a powerpoint in my mind, it would be redundant. Also there was quite a bit of information that I found to be completely useless in the powerpoint, and it looked like it was just being used to take up space, so I got rid of it.

• In both of the slides depicting information, the text was enlarged and the color was changed. I could not even read the information in the last slide when I was working on this assignment, I had to copy and paste it into word to find out what the information was.

• In both of the information slides, the background was changed and pictures were added, I just found that both background colors in the old version were not pleasing choices to the eyes. I added pictures because I think they add to a powerpoint.

• Finally, I went through and did a final spell check to make sure everything was spelled correctly on the powerpoint, being that the original one had spelling mistakes all over the place as well as grammar mistakes

As you all can see, I ended up making more than five changes, because I found that I could not fix this powerpoint with only five changes. I tried only using five but I found I was still dissatisfied with the final product. I also found that I had to create a whole new presentation, because trying to edit the one that was already there was increasingly more difficult for me.

All About Me

Hello and welcome to my blog!
My name is Colleen and I am currently attending the University of Lethbridge and taking Drama Education. This is my first blog so forgive me if it does not adhere to regular blog rules.
So, here are some fun facts about me, just in case you are interested.
I originally hail from Calgary however at the moment I am residing in Lethbridge with my boyfriend of five years named Dallas. We are looking into adopting a special kitten from the Calgary Humane Society, but for now it is just the two of us. Back home in Calgary I spent the summer working at a Veterinary Clinic, which proved to be one of the most interesting summer jobs I have had so far. Back home in Calgary I have a dog, a Basset Hound named Buddy however he is also my families dog, so he stays with them while I attend school.
Some of my interests include sports, reading, watching movies and playing board games. To add a little bit more detail to my interests, in sports, I am mainly interested in soccer, I played in a soccer league for eight years and I only quit playing on a regular basis since I started University. As for reading, I am a complete bookworm, I love to read, however I am very childlike in my choices for novels. Some of my favorite books include the Twilight series, any book by Bruce Coville, any book by Roald Dahl, Wicked, Uncle John's Bathroom Readers and the Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Movie wise, I am a huge fan of musicals, comedies, chick flicks and disney movies. I do not like horror films one bit...so please do not ask me to watch one, because you will be turned down. As for board games, I have found a board game called Munchkins which I really enjoy playing, as well as Apple to Apples. I am also a Dungeons and Dragons girl, in my spare time I kill monsters as an axe wielding barbarian.
I suppose that is it about me for now, perhaps I will add more later, but for now I will leave it at that. If you would like to know more, leave a comment and there is a good chance I will answer you. Otherwise, I hope everyone who reads this has a wonderful day, bye for now!

-Colleen :)