Process

Process

The process is "how" we teach, namely the instructional strategies we use to the learning style and interests of our students.

Many of the following resources were shared during our session. This is by no means an ehaustive list. As technology tools evolve and teachers continue to use their imagination, the possibilities are endless.

__Microsoft Office__: (If MS Office is not available, consider downloading [|Open Office]. This is a free program that looks almost identical to MS Office.)

__ Word __ - One of the easiest ways to vary the process is to create appropriate versions of a master document. To do this, open the original and revise it for the needs of the subset of students who will use it. Then click on File / Save As and rename the file to reflect the revisions. Repeat from the master file as often as needed to differentiate the process. __Add Linked Resources__: You can add linked resources (video, audio, etc.) depending on the needs of the students. Try [|Audacity] to create audio files, and [|Discovery streaming][|™] is a great resources for video files. (Select the words or picture for the link, and then Insert/ Hyperlink and locate the file. When the students click on the link, the file will open in the appropriate program. Depending on the version of Office, they may have to hold the Ctrl button to activate the link.) __ PowerPoint __ - Many features in PowerPoint allow you to set up a presentation that students can navigate through at their own pace and direction. > · Click on //Insert / Action Button//. Click on style and then click and drag to create button. In next window, under //Hyperlink to:// click on the down arrow and choose the slide to which you want the button to hyperlink. > · Click on //Slide Show / Slide Transition// / under //Advance Slide// uncheck //On mouse click//. >  __ Excel Spreadsheets: __ Setting up a template that you can easily manipulate is quite handy. Edit for the student and then save it as a new file. Repeat as often as needed. (Try using [|Alma’s template].) Other Applications : Most of these are free applications or there are free alternatives (see [|Alma's Delicious site])
 * __Action Buttons:__ Use action buttons to control navigation by removing ability to move forward with mouse click.
 * __ Embed another slide show within PowerPoint: __ Click //Insert / Object//. Check box next to create from file and //Browse//. Locate the PowerPoint file. Click //Open//. The PowerPoint will be embedded into the show. It will take the full screen when showing. Press //Esc// to stop show and you will be back in the original PowerPoint.
 * __ Set up a “Kiosk” Center: __ Setting up a kiosk so that the slide show will continue to play until Esc button is pressed. Create slide show and save. Click on //Slide Show / Set Up Show//. Under //Show options:// section check the box next to // Loop //// continuously until ‘Esc.’ //
 * __ Create a Glossary: __ Hiding slides is a great way to differentiate instruction but showing/hiding the slides as needed. A glossary is a good resource that students can use as needed. Create a slide with the definition. Then hyperlink word to that slide. Hide the definition slide by selecting the slide and then click on //Slide Show// and //Hide Slide//.
 * __ Text Boxes __ : Insert a text boxes in gray area on side of a slide to include directions. This will not be seen when the show is viewed. (You will need the drawing toolbar visible. Click on View / Toolbars / Drawing.)
 * __ Adding Notes __ : Add notes under the slide that are viewed when working on the slide and when printing the Notes Pages (one slide per sheet with notes below).
 * __ Narration __: Add your own narration for slides (need microphone): Click on Slide Show / Insert Narration. Then click on the button that reads //Set Microphone level// and speak into your microphone. Then click //OK / Current Slide//. The slide will be displayed in show view. Begin speaking after a second and press escape when done. Then click on //Save// (unless you want to re-record it). This slide will auto advance unless you remove that in the slide transition (Slide Show / Slide Transition and uncheck auto advance.)
 * __ [|CamStudio] __ – This is a free screencasting program that allows you to create a video of what you are doing on your computer. This can be especially helpful when students are learning independently.
 * __ [|Google Earth] __ – Create virutal tours that your students control the speed while listning to your narration, watch video you embed or read the text you provide is a wonderful way to vary the process by which your students learn. This is a free program to download. Make sure you get version 5 which allows you to narrate your tours.
 * __ [|netTrekker] – Use Dictionary HotKey sites __ : When you log into http://school.nettrekker.com and perform a search, click on the Dictionary HotKey link next to the web link. This will take you to the same site but the dictionary is activated. Click on any word and the dictionary will pop up. You can change this to be a language translator for ELL students.
 * __[|Audacity]__ – This free software allows you to easily create audio files. For example, you could narrate directions or any complex text to scaffold students’ skills.
 * __ [|Discovery Streaming] __ – Instead of students just reading or hearing about content, find an appropriate video clip that illustrates it well. Don’t rule out [|You Tube] and other video sites.
 * __ Concept Mapping __ – Inspiration is probably the nicest concept mapping tool available but it's not free; however, [|Webspiration] is its online version where you can do almost anything that you can do with the desktop version (except for export to Word.) You can provide different outlines to students and embed notes, links and audio files. See [|Alma's Delicious site for free concept mapping] tools.
 * __ Interactive White Boards __ : Most interactive white boards, such as SMART Boards, come with software that can be used without connecting to or using the board itself. You can create ‘worksheets’ that are augmented with the multimedia that the software contains. SMART’s [|“Notebook”] is one of my favorites.
 * [|Reading Pen] – Students can text in books, worksheets, etc. and it will be read back to them.
 * [|LeapFrog’s “Fly” Pentop Computer] – Using the special “fly” paper and the pentop computer, this device records students’ writing, math calculations, etc. and provides feedback regarding accuracy and next steps.