My thoughts on the inauguration of Barack Obama

If you are interested in my thoughts about Barack Obama and the media revolution that just happened… check it out here.

My First XtraNormal Movie

It took me awhile but I finally created my first XtraNormal movie just like I said I would. I gotta be honest with you… it was a lot of fun. I hate to always be the teacher, but man I would love to make my kids do something with this as part of a writing project.

What do you guys think? Would you be interested in making a movie? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

Anyway, without further adieu… here is my first production. Once I figure out how, it will go onto the Chungdahm Master’s Network.

Make your own movies… easy and fun

Xtranormal is a great program because it is a lot of fun. In fact if I were you I would stop reading this post and just go try it out yourself. But If you insist on reading, then let me tell you how much I like it. I spent two hours last night playing around with it… went to bed at 3 am in fact. And honestly, if I could have stayed up longer playing with it I would have. So I bet you’re wondering, “What is Xtranormal?”

Well Xtranormal is a web based program that gives anyone the ability to create flash movies complete with 3D characters and dialogue… simply and painlessly – all you need to do is click and type. No programming required.

Now this won’t dramatically change your life, but I see classroom potential in Xtranormal. It can make teaching and learning a hell of a lot more fun. Want to make your student’s watch the Presidential debate? Why not have them create their own mock movie of it, rather than having them write a report.

I have not yet had a chance to use this for my classes yet, but you can be sure that I will. This would make a great project for my writing class… script writing plus animation. I wish something like this had been around when I was going through school. I just have to get permission first… sigh…

I haven’t published any of my movies yet, but when I do, I will let you know how it works out.

a brainstorming contest

To my class,

I came upon this contest and I thought that this might be an interesting exercise for you guys to get involved in.  It is a contest to create the best mind-map combating world poverty.  The grand prize is $5000.

In order to create a mind-map you have to go to Mindmeister.com.  It is the only mind-mapping program that I know about, although I am sure there are a few others.

Once you have created an account, you can share you mind-map with the others who want to collaborate on this and when the time comes we can submit it to the contest.

If you are interested in working together to create a mind-map please let me know.

part of a story… the beginning

I would like to share something with you… perhaps you will find it interesting and perhaps you will not.  If I am bored I will write.  It’s a great exercise for helping your mind relax… and your imagination expand.  I would eventually like to make this some sort of collaborative exercise.  And I am exploring ways to do that at the moment, but for the time being:

The Beginning

I was lost.  That much I knew but how?  I don’t remember being born.  I don’t remember a mother or a father.  I don’t remember a family.  It is only later that I would come to find out that I had never had any – at least not in its true sense.

some updates…

So for a real quick run down of what happened since I last posted here:

I have been working a lot on my main blog.  The purpose of that blog is to look at ways of integrating new technology into the learning environment and even creating virtual collaboration and learning spaces.  Check it out if you have the chance.

Also I have launched a social network for the Chungdahm Learning Master’s level classes.  The hope is to turn this into a resource for students to use outside of class to continue discussions started in class, to ask for and receive help when needed, and to just share ideas in general about learning and the classroom environment.  If you are a Master’s student, then sign up and become part of the community.

Overall I think it is off to a good start.  Not all the students are as enthusiastic as I am, but I think with persistance it will become what I envision it to be… and more.

getting started

My kids (not literally – they are my students) are progressing nicely with their first blogs.  Most of them have started personalizing their blogs.  And while I have no proof, I suspect that this simple act makes writing on their blogs a little more enjoyable.  Because no longer does it have a generic, run-of-the-mill look but rather it represents them in a way that perhaps their words alone cannot.

big john on yuheonthehardestjoh

My first student began writing in his blog today.  I call him Big John, because unfortunately I don’t know his Korean name.  I can’t tell you how good it feels to see your kids actually start exploring new ways to express themselves.  And honestly I am surprised at how fast he decided to start writing.  Maybe it was out of respect for me…which in all honesty I find laughable.  In many ways I am a kid just like they are.  i just happen to be a little bit older than they are.  So in my heart I want to believe that he started writing for himself.  He started writing to help define the reality that he lives in by judging his words and his actions against the nameless voices on the web.  There is a certain freedom in writing for others, even if you know that no one is reading…there is always that possibility that someone out there might take solice in your words.  To you Big John, all I have to say is good luck.

the first post

This is where my 13 week project begins.  Starting today, I will use this blog to keep track of my students progress throughout the course of this semester.  In the process I hope that I can both convince them of my own passion for writing and instill some of that enthusiasm in them.  Furthermore this will be for most of them their first foray into the world of blogging and I have no doubt that they will in many ways exceed the expectations that I have set for them.