Have you ever been to conference? Did you go as a kid? Was the conference organized by kids? No..? I guess you didn’t attend Kid’s Connect, a conference by kids for kids.

Mike Anderson founded this conference and created it to what it is today. He is part of the ADE program which focuses on using Apple Technology in and out of the classroom.  Anderson is one out of many people who are utilizing and encouraging the Apple products integration in the classroom. They are devoted to discover to opportunities and apply new ideas to help engage students.  He realized that value of problem-based learning. And so he created the conference, Kid’s Connect, which allows students to plan, organize and execute an official conference of 150 other kids. They learn, manage, organize and direct all aspects of the conference. You can read all about their success and other programs in the One Best Thing collection. The collection is a total 104 ibooks that are available through the ibooks store.  Kid’s Connect: Student Led Technology Conferences is the book that describes the kids progress and success in detail.

They start off with a birthday party prompt. Together, they brainstorm all the work that is needed to plan a birthday party. Then they transfer the responsibilities to plan a full-fledged, functioning conference. From the start, they have divided the responsibilities into departments and further dissect each department into individual jobs.

The students are in charge of choosing a venue and theme, creating committees, regulating communicating, and remaining professional and seeking sponsors. All of the decisions are discussed, evaluated and decided by students. By performing this task, they are given real experience with communicating and delegating judgment. Problem- based learning provides students with an end goal and permit students to experiment to reach that goal. When I read about the students performing each task, I was amazed as their competence and achievement in each department. Adults are present to oversee the preparation and assist the group when needed; however, the majority of the conference is dependent on the students.

The actual conference lasts two days while students are involved in various technology projects.  Prior to arriving, students were sent out a survey to choose “breakouts” or workshops according to their interest. During the conference, they attend three of the “breakouts” determined by their survey. The facilitators of the “breakout” instruct the groups of students attending to design and create a project based around the theme of the event using technology. The ones listed in the ibook included photography and Photoshop, composition writing and video, photography and websites. Finally, after attending the “breakouts”, the groups’ creations are displayed during the evening presentation.

Overall, I was impressed while I read about the conference. I was intrigued by students being in charge of their peers learning and began thinking what I would do if I were in their place. They definitely gained some experience of strategizing and executing. Also, the students attending probably benefitted from the student-led conference because the perspective, atmosphere and expectations differed from an adult-led conference. It introduced a new outlook and environment since they were of the same age. I also loved the idea of integrating technology into projects that could be used in the classroom. I will definitely use several of the apps that were involved in the conference and the problem-based learning in my own classroom.

More and more apps are created to ensure students and teachers the presentation aids they need for an engaging presentation. There are so many options available, each with their strengths and weaknesses. The majority of them are easy to manipulate and several are useful in any topic. This past week, I created my first digital storytelling presentation introducing Native Americans using the Adobe slate app (free!).

I used this simple presentation to highlight and focus my students on the main elements of the Native American lifestyle. The text was divided and represented by with pictures and graphics. The mixture of the two was aesthetically pleasing and engaging. And Adobe slate isn’t the only digital storytelling app accessible. In fact, numerous app could be equally effective to introduce a topic, unit or myself. Digital storytelling is defined as using an digital resource to tell a story. This elements adds “compelling and emotionally engaging and interactive formats”. The apps can range from video apps, webpage apps, photo album apps and/or video recording.

I began my storytelling when I clicked on the “create my story” icon at the top of the page upon entering the app. I was then instructed to add my title and my first photo. Adobe slate could access my photo library or Dropbox or  take a photo along several options. I also was invited to change the theme. With each theme, the title and text overlapping the picture shape was altered. I settled on the Wesley theme because I liked the banner across the picture.  Next, I could add text, link or  more photos in the blank “slate” area below. I began with some text before inserting more photos. I kept my paragraphs simple and to the point so that I wouldn’t clutter my storyboard. I could modify my text with headings and body font, bullets or numbering and alignment. When I was ready to insert a photo, I could alter it to take up the whole frame, create a photo grid or make it a window. By making it a window, the picture was scrolled through as I moved down the page. I could also overlap a text box for a caption if I so desired. I was satisfied with my pattern of window, text, picture grid so I continued it. However, your creations are limited to this. Feel free to be as creative as you like to engage your audience. There was also the option of inserting a quote, which I did near the end of my slate. Once I inserted all my pictures and information, I was able to share by Facebook, Twitter, email, message, clipboard or embedded code. I could also assign a category, author, credits or select public viewing. Then my digital storyboard was complete! Again, here is tutorial to guide you through.

I enjoyed working with this app. I was permitted to be creative and design my slate as I saw fit. Students could definitely work with the app and create their own as they present different topics, book reports, group projects and much more! I didn’t spend too long on my storyboard so teachers could easily create one as well during their busy schedule. The only thing that slowed me down was finding enough pictures for my grids and windows. The only disadvantage of this app is that my storyboard is without audio. I or my audience would personally have to scroll through it. If I wanted a voice over or music, I would need to go to another digital storytelling app.

Overall, the Adobe slate was effective and inviting. The pictures interspersed throughout the slate only supported my introduction further. I would encourage all to use it during their presentations if they enjoy graphics, motion and structure throughout their presentation.

Over the years, teachers have always had a place to write out or illustrate the concepts they teach in the classroom. Beginning with chalkboards, the tool has advanced through several alterations to accommodate the needs of the teacher. The chalkboards turned in whiteboards, which then were projectors before finally leading to smartboards. But alas, the technology has made the chalkboard concept mobile and virtual. There are several apps that allow teachers’ whiteboards to be accessible outside of class and to the students. I tested out the Showme app this past week and loved the availability and effectiveness of it. I’ve had experience with virtual whiteboards before during my online classes. But this was the first time trying it out myself. I created my own showme board, Haiku, in a matter of minutes!

The showme app not only allowed me to create my own whiteboard lecture, it permitted me to explore other lectures. A variety of subjects were listed on the side and subtopics of each. Other whiteboards were categorized within each subject and subtopic which made my exploration quick and easy. And once I created my own account, free of charge, I could follow certain creators or subjects. I could also be part of a group which could be beneficial for student group projects or class projects.

Creating my own virtual whiteboard with an attached lecture was a simple process which any teacher or student could achieve. I began with a “clean slate” or blank white space. I had handwriting tools and text tools. I had my choice of color, an eraser and several blank slides. I also had recorder to record my lecture to align with my drawings. I choose to discuss the elements and formation of haiku poems. And I did, quiet efficiently. Within minutes, I had my lecture recorded with corresponding drawings and figures. After I recorded my whiteboard, I could save and post it. I was asked to tag it in subjects and categories of the app.  And I was finished! Here is a tutorial for extra assistance.

The only setback of the Showme app was that the recording needed to be all at once. I couldn’t record a segment of my lecture, save it and piece together to create a full lecture. Instead, I needed to time and plan what I wanted to say and draw. This limitation forced me to redo my lecture several times as I got used to drawing on the iPad and timing my drawing with what I needed to say. I found it helpful to write  my “script” ahead of time and draw my “visuals” before beginning to record. Still if I made a mistake while recording, even if it was in the middle of my lecture, I needed to start over. Personally, this was a struggle because I am perfectionist. After several takes, I learned to accept that there would be mistakes and the lecture didn’t suffer because of them.

Students could definitely benefit from learning, using and creating their own whiteboard lectures. The app engages both visual and auditory learners. As mentioned before, it could help students present to each other online and/or create visual study guides  to review for later. Showme is helpful and would be a great asset in and outside of the classroom. Be sure to view other whiteboards and experiment with it yourself! I wish you good luck when you create your own.