BP11_2009103_Response to KMalpass's Blog

The first Web 2.0 tool that is an interest to me to use in my classroom is http://www.xtranormal.com/users.php?mode=profile&uid=1081111&op=3. This is a website where you can create movies using different characters. All you have to do is choose your character, setting, voice, and then type in your text. You can create motions and expressions for your character while they are talking. I teach first graders and sometimes when you are always teaching in the front of the room it can get too routine. The students can loose interest in what you are saying and they start to tune you out. There are also times when the students are having a difficult time learning new information. You try and try again and they just can?t understand what you are trying to say. These are two examples of how great it would be if there was another way to present the information in a more fun and interactive way. Creating a video of a character that can teach just like you would only it?s visual and different. It is a great way to present information to engage the students.

Michelle Remien said...

Hi Kara,
Is XtraNormal the site that you used last month to make the introductions on your team's module? I hadn't gotten a chance to check it out until now and it's pretty neat! I agree that I would probably use it more myself to create things for the classroom if I was working with younger kids. It's a little confusing at first how the platform works. I think that older students would have fun using it though for projects. I did have a little bit of trouble getting certain characters to load, but that may have been just a fluke. The only thing that I didn't like, is that it seemed to take a long time to load and process one line of dialogue. Other than that, it is a fun, useful tool. Thanks for sharing!

OCTOBER 18, 2009 7:37AM