A Year In Review

The school year is quickly coming to an end. There has been a great deal of enthusiasm about technology-infused lessons and learning this year, and it is sure to continue in the fall. Before summer break begins, it is worth reflecting on just a few of our technology highlights from the 2008-2009 school year:
• New wireless mobile lab
• Introduction of document cameras and Promethean boards
• Videoconferencing projects throughout the year
• January 29th PD focused on technology in-servicing for all staff
• Creation of the Camilla School blog
• May 15th PD day included Promethean board demonstrations

Camilla’s technology learning for teachers and students is a work in progress. Teachers will continue to be dedicated to providing cutting-edge learning opportunities through current technologies and 21st century tools.

Have a wonderful summer vacation!

Ms. Tonhauser

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

(Image from http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html)

2009 marks the 40th anniversary of Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Eric Carle is an acclaimed author and illustrator of over seventy innovatively designed children’s picture books. Grade two students at Camilla recently studied this beloved author’s works by reading a few of his books including:
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar
• A House for Hermit Crab
• I See A Song
• The Very Lonely Firefly

The main focus of the author study was The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Students followed the main character’s incredible life-changing journey through the book as well as studying Eric’s various illustrative techniques on each colourful page. Eric produces different textures on coloured tissue by using a variety of brush and fingerpainting techniques as students discovered by watching the author give demonstrations through an educational video. Students were now ready to digitally create their own version of the very hungry caterpillar character.

Using Microsoft Word, students were guided through the creative process by focusing on drawing skills such as:
• Inserting appropriate shapes
• Copying and pasting shapes
• Colouring and shading
• Adding detail to the character (feet, hair, facial features, anntena)

Ms. Tonhauser

Gr 2 Caterpillar 2009

Promethean Professional Development Day

Today is professional development day at Camilla. The School Instructional Leadership Team (SILT) organized the day to include morning sessions dedicated to learning about our new Promethean boards. All teachers gathered together for an introductory session led by Leanne McMillan from Central Office. Break out sessions followed, grouping divisional teachers together providing them with the opportunity to explore the instructional possibilities of the technology.

Promethean boards combine the power of the Internet, computer, projector and software all together into an engaging, interactive environment for teaching, learning and collaborating. The full colour boards bring e-learning to a whole new level. Promethean boards can assist instruction through:
-Demonstrations
-Brainstorming
-Interfacing with school software
-Navigating on the Internet
-Displaying teacher and student presentations
-Virtual field trips
-Allowing students to participate directly in lessons
-Accommodating various learning styles

We are looking forward to new and exciting teaching opportunities through the use of Promethean boards.

Camilla’s Mad Scientists Videoconference with Columbus, Ohio

On Wednesday, April 22nd the Junior High Mad Scientist option watched a live knee replacement surgery via videoconference. The surgery was performed at Mount Carmel Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, USA. Students prepared for this experience by performing a mock knee replacement surgery of their own online, as well practicing a variety of surgical procedures in the classroom. During the surgery, which was narrated in real time by a lead surgeon, students from across North America were able to ask the surgical team questions in the Operating Room. This shared learning experience was very rewarding for our students and we hope to be involved in more new and exciting videoconferences in the future!

Mr. Moore

The Marvelous Toy - Grade 3

This project was an extension of The Marvelous Toy song introduced to grade three students in music class. In the first verse of the song, the lyrics describe the toy as “A wonder to behold it was with many colors bright”. Students were asked to create a digital image of their interpretation of the marvelous toy. Using Microsoft Word, students used skills such as:
· Inserting drawing toolbar
· Accessing autoshapes menu
· Drawing using lines, rectangles, ovals
· Colouring and shading using fill colour, fill effects, line styles
· Inserting text
· Copying and pasting shapes/images

Ms. Tonhauser

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Gr 3 Marvelous Toy 2009

2K Magnetized Through VoiceThread

“A VoiceThread is a collaborative, multimedia slide show that holds images, documents, and videos and allows people to leave comments in several ways - using voice (with a mic or phone), text, audio file, or video via a webcam." (VoiceThread, 2009)

VoiceThread.com gives a wonderful introductory overview as found in their multimedia presentation below:


“Design and produce a device that uses a magnet.”

Grade 2 Science, Topic C: Magnetism
Alberta Education, Programs of Study

Assessment for learning (AFL) is a practice that enhances how we learn. Together, the students and teacher are actively engaged in the planning and assessment of learning. They set criteria to frame the learning, monitor the progress, and think of ways to improve and achieve the goals. For our Grade 2 Science project, we combined the power of AFL with technology. After our study of Magnetism, we came up with criteria for our project using the curriculum outcomes. The children each created a game to show their understanding of what magnets can do. Along with a digital image of the game, each student contributed his/her thoughts using VoiceThread for a class multimedia presentation. This unique technology captures each individual performance; making it possible for the student to self-asses. It also allows us to share our creations with others, and invite collaborative feedback. The capacity of VoiceThread helps students understand that learning is an on-going process. We will use the feedback to help us edit and improve. We are thrilled with this opportunity to practise digital media literacy!
Ms. Kwan

The process of recording 2K students using the online VoiceThread tool was not complicated. A couple weeks before the recording process was going to take place, pictures were taken of each student holding their project as they were manipulating the magnet appropriately. Once all of the digital pictures were taken, they were uploaded into the VoiceThread program. Students were then ready to record their voices in small groups. Each recording session consisted of a laptop, a microphone as well as 2-3 students with prepared scripts. This was an exciting project for students as it was the first time many of them had recorded their voice. It was also just as thrilling for students to stand back and watch the live recording process in motion.

We hope that you enjoy Camilla School’s first VoiceThread!
Ms. Tonhauser

Welcome to our Blog!

Camilla has joined the blogosphere! This blog is intended for students, staff, parents and the public to view and comment on technology learning at Camilla School.

What is a blog?
Blog is short for ‘weblog’. Wikipedia defines a blog as:
“A blog is a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order” (2009).

Blogs are usually composed of several entries, however each entry will have its own title along with the date and time it has been published. Blogs show the latest posting first and allow you to scroll down to read archived postings. Basically, a blog is an online journal.