Snapchat & PicCollage In Anatomy

It's awesome that Mr. Anderson is allowing students to use a technology tool that they have mastered to accomplish a task that Skitch was used for.  More awesome is that the student decided Snapchat and PicCollage could be used for educational purposes.

I asked the student to demonstrate how the she accomplished the required task.



In the business world, more efficient, creative ways to accomplish tasks correctly is always rewarded!

As with everything, the bad of using Snapchat can always occur.

George Couros pointed out in his TIES 2015 Keynote on Tuesday a time when he gave a hashtag out to high school students while he was presenting.  I wish I could find the exact Tweets, but I can't at this moment.  I can share the summary of the story.  Three students immediately used the hashtag to display their displeasure with George's words while they were sitting and listening.  Of course, their language was graphic.  However, one Tweet by as student was noticed by George during the speech that was EXTREMELY positive!  George spoke up to the crowed asking where/who the student was that posted the positive comment.  George THANKED the student and told him how much he appreciated the positive comment.  The student was a "larger than life" football player.  Once George acknowledged the positive tweet many, many other students jumped on board the positive Tweeting bandwagon.

Sure, something could have gone wrong with the student using Snapchat, but it didn't.  If it did, it would be addressed.  Now, the student feels empowered and invested in this process which allows her to "show what she knows."

Let's hope that our schools and the educators involved can be more comfortable allowing creation and productivity to have a personal touch!  Eventually, the innovation and creation will be rewarded.

PicCollage and PicPlayPost iPad App For Present Progressive Tense In Spanish

Ms. Slusarek and Mr. Vanseth created an amazing app smash with the PicCollage app and the PicPlayPost app.  These teachers are doing some amazing things with iPad apps and thinking outside the traditional educational box.  Students are empowering their creative minds with the integration of a technology tool!

As Ms. Slusarek states,

"Our learning objective is for the students to distinguish between the regular present tense and the present progressive verb tense. 

To do this we are "app smashing" PicPlayPost and Pic Collage! We wanted to add text to our picture and video, but PPP doesn't include this feature. So we are using Pic Collage to add text to a picture and then combining the pic with text to the video and framing at PPP offers!" 

The directions are below.

How Do I Land My First Job #satchat

I was intrigued by May 31, 2014's #satchat not because I am searching for a new job, but because so many of the conversational pieces were thought provoking.   New teachers could become truly prepared for the expectations for the job of educator.  In addition, veteran teachers can become aware of trends in the educational world, put them into practice, and continue to positively redefine the educational learning environments.

Storify documents the entire discussion among educators on Twitter.  I decided to read through it and pull out the items I felt were thought provoking.  I used the iPad as it is so simple to screen shot (home button + on/off button) anything, edited in my camera roll, and used PicCollage to organize.
*Increase browser percentage or view full screen on computer or pinch to expand on iPad for best reading.

If you are not busy next Saturday morning, consider joining the incredible #satchat on Twitter that will connect you with brilliant educators and stretch you to think, question, and create!

PicCollage To Google Drive Shared With Teacher

As students are completing Workplace Writing PicCollage projects at different rates, a video is the best resource for showing the process.  As different students complete the process, they may watch the video on their own time.

View Instructions

2013 App Smash Challenge Winner!

Congratulations to Tina Mills, PCMS communication arts teacher, for winning the 2013 App Smash Challenge!

Mrs. Mills had students combine the PicCollage app and the iMovie trailer app.  As Mrs. Mills states,
     
"In the past, students have used the iMovie trailer and had a blast with it.  The only problem is that sometimes they want to include more than one word or image (in a spot in the trailer) and can't change the templates.  I have had them use PicCollage to add multiple texts and images into one image.  They then can insert the PicCollage picture into the iMovie trailer."

Thank you, Mrs. Mills, for accepting the first App Smash Challenge!

Pulaski High School Hub (Library) Introduction and Pic Collage

Last year, the civics teachers, Mr. Nickerson and Mrs. McCumber, had the students complete a black and white map labeling the areas of the library.  This year, with the help of Pic Collage on the iPad, creates an authentic picture of the areas in the library with pictures of the students.

Check it out actual video footage and reflection from Mrs. McCumber!

Air Server For Connecting iPads To Computer

While conducting Day 3 of my "Teaching With Technology Tools" graduate class, I was able to incorporate the Air Server app for displaying iPads on my laptop computer.

Bottom line: Fantastic!

Students created Explain Everything screen casts or PicCollage creations that could be used in their classroom.  In an efficient sharing method, the Air Server app allowed for students to quickly connect to display their creation and to disconnect so that another student could display their creation.

Thankfully, our district has decided to purchase this amazing tool for our teachers!

Top 5 Bottom 3 Picture Apps

I like these apps because it provides a way to culminate a unit or brainstorm ideas.  Students can also take pictures of their work completed on paper or in other learning atmospheres and develop them into beautiful visually appealing creations.  These apps can also be used to get people's attention.  They are eye catchers!

TOP 5 Picture Apps

1. PicCollage Probably my favorite because it was the first one that I used.

• Text, Clip Art & Photos
• Free, but in app purchases available
• Rearrange & Enlarge or Shrink Objects
• Access photos directly from the web

2.  Phoster Absolutely beautiful final poster products

• $1.99 (worth it) 
• Single Photos
• Pictures
• Great adjustments to pictures

3.  Over HD Amazing Fonts Create Stunning Images

• Place word or phrase OVER a picture
• Simple to use
• Great amount of fonts
• $1.99 (worth it)

4.  TurboCollage

• Free
• Five layout options provide for unique creations

5.  CollageIT

• Free, but with many in app purchases
• Add up to nine pictures at a time

Bottom 3 Picture Apps

3.  PhotoMess

• Similar to PicCollage 
• Free, but limited
• In App purchases provide more options

2.  Pictify Take one picture and break it into parts

• Free
• Borders of original picture break up picture
• Only one picture can be used

1.  Layout  Places pictures into sections

• $1.99 not worth the crashes
• Only 3 picture adds at a time