Melanie+Bergenhagen

= **Melanie Bergenhagen - _at Word Family WebQuest** =

I created a Kindergarten Webquest for the _at Word Family. This goes with the MN Language Arts Standards for working with onset and rhyme. In the webquest students will demonstrate understanding of onset & rhyme by recognizing, pronouncing, and making _at family words.
 * __Overview__ **

Kindergarten students are not able to read fluently yet, so I added podcast audio for directions. I also embedded the websites they would be visiting for easier navigation. Students will be looking at some songs, stories and games helping them develop the understanding of the _at word family. Students will have a paper you can print to turn in at the end of the webquest that aligns with the evaluation page.
 * __WebQuest Content__ **

This webquest was really fun to make. It did take longer than expected, but with it being fun it wasn't a big deal. I created the webquest with Wikispaces. There was a lot more tools than I had originally thought, however I found the formatting to be the most difficult part. I had a hard time getting things to stay where I wanted them to stay. I also found sometimes that it would be in the right place in the edit window, but be in a different place when I saved it. Overall though Wikispaces was easy to work with. I think this could be a great tool for working both with other staff members and in the classroom.
 * __WebQuest Activity Reflection__ **

= Discussion Research - Screencasts =

**Screencast** - Video and audio of computer screen. Audio narration can also be added.

**Uses:** *Teaching/Showing technology on the computer (websites, software, web 2.0 tools) *Explaining assignments, computer/internet activities *Reviewing how to solve homework problems *Staff Development

**Examples:** Twitter in the Classroom Blabberize It Sheri's Assignment Tutorials

**Videos:** What is a Screencast and What Can I Do With It?

**Websites:** Screencasting for the Online Classroom Using Screencasting to Engage & Build Community with Online Learners Screencasting Tutorial


 * Files: **

**Screencasting Tools:** 18 Free Screencasting Tools Comparing 12 Free Screencasting Tools ScreenFlow - For Mac. You can use it for free, but you have to pay to export it without a watermark. Very Nice Application.

**Reflection:** I have had the privilege of working with Screencasts in my old school district (Blabberize Example above). I have found them very helpful in working with other staff members. After reading more on Screencasts I truly believe they are going to be seen more and more in the classroom and as a way of doing staff development. Screencasts allow teachers or other professionals to record what is on their screen and save it as a video. They can then upload those videos for others on the internet to view at any time. This is great for tutorials on how to access basic things on the internet, how to create standard based technology lesson plans, online lectures and explaining things to students. Students and staff can then access this material on their own time and they can view it as many times as they need or pause it if they are trying to follow along. If you haven't had the opportunity to make a screencast, I recommend playing around with it. They are a lot of fun.