Fusion Finds

Registration is open for the new The Shape of Things online project by Jennifer Wagner.

• Dates: April 14 to May 12, 2008 (final project due May 12th)
• Grades: PreK - 6
• Description: Based on the use of triangles, circles, and squares, students will create one project (see the 3 options below) and then upload their images to a class photo album at one of the suggested online photo storage locations. Worksheets and suggested activities are included.

1. Students will create a collage or piece of art using ONLY triangles, circles, and squares. The shapes may be of any size, and use any type of material (paper, felt, plastic, jello, etc) The artwork/collage may also be 3-D. Pictures will be taken of completed artwork and uploaded to the online photo storage location.
2. Students will use digital camera and search their classroom, school, city/town, home for pictures that include triangles, circles, or squares. Pictures will be transferred to online photo storage location.
3. Students will use an graphics program (kid pix, paint shop pro, photoshop, kerpoof, etc) and create a Triangle, Circle, Square piece of artwork. Teachers/students will then upload the images to online photo storage location.

tag: online project, collaboration, edtech, k12, math, art, shapes, photos, graphic, The Shape of Things, Jennifer Wagner

A couple of my favorite tools just made some upgrades.

Picnik, the online image editor, is now offering all their features for free, on an ad-supported version. Previously some of the cool features were disabled on free accounts, requiring a $24.95 annual subscription for full access. As long as the new ads in the footer can be ignored or don’t feature provocative content, this is great news. Premium users now have the benefits of an ad-free experience, and a few other features.

Google Docs: Documents now has a new edit toolbar. The changes are cosmetic and office-like. I’m glad the “Check Spelling” has been moved to the toolbar.

New Toolbar:

Old Toolbar:

tag: Picnik Google Docs K12 edtech photos documents

During the holiday, we attended several parties and family gatherings. As I captured the fun with my camera, everyone wanted copies of the pictures. As I promised to send them, I realized the images were too many and too big for email attachments. Burning them to a CD and sending it snail mail would work. Fresh in my mind was also the conversation with my brother-in-law about backing up family photos. The more I thought about it, I decided a Flickr Pro Account was the way to go.

For about $25 a year, I can upload all my photos at their best quality, set them as private, to be shared with friends and/or family, or public. The images can then be downloaded, prints ordered, even coffee mugs created by me, and designated family and friends. I then also have a complete backup online of all my photos. I’ve been using a free account for months. A free account limits how many photos I could upload and display, and prohibits the download of the original file. So, as a Christmas gift to myself, I signed up for a Flickr Pro account.

Looks like Lee and Sachi LeFever of CommonCraft had some of the same ideas when they made this video.

Download Online Photo Sharing in Plain English

On my Flickr webpage you will find a handout and a series of screencasts on how to use it.
tags: Flickr photosharing LeFever CommonCraft photos

[bubbleshare 106755]
Willard Staff: If you are not able to participate in one of the BubbleShare workshops this month, or would rather learn on your own timetable, you are in luck. The Fusion: BubbleShare webpage offers a handout and short video tutorials (screencasts) to lead you through creating and sharing photo slideshows. And, there’s more! If you want to earn 1 Salary Advancement Workshop hours while you work, you can enroll in the free, online professional development, Moodle course: Bubbleshare. This course uses the handout and screencasts on the Fusion webpage to lead you through the steps. Work at your own pace, when it fits in your schedule, from any computer with Internet access. Just in time learning, at your convenience!

Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or suggestions. I’m happy to provide you with additional assistance.
tag: edtech k12 Bubbleshare photos slideshow professional development