Come to the OFFICE...

I just bought and installed OFFICE 2010 because I heard that I could embed videos in PowerPoint with no other special program needed.  I also found out that at work there is a plan to introduce Office 2010 to all the computers in a short while.  I remember the steep learning curve and the frustration we all felt when we had to use the last Office program.  It was far from intuitive and much time was wasted and things not done because we did not have time to learn it first.  What I heard about Office 2010 is that the change will be less drastic than the last change and that there are many good reasons to switch sooner than later. So, here I go again. I will blog about my results as soon as I see something positive to blog about. Bye for now.  

Eureka again?

 Here is the video I embedded.  As yet, I haven't figured out how to include the complete PowerPoint.  I will keep trying!

Giel

EUREKA!

Here is the first YouTube video that I have embedded in a PowerPoint presentation that I created.  I used an iSpring Presenter trial version to publish this!

Giel

SEEK AND THOU SHALT FIND...

I have begun searching around for programs and came across a program called PREZI (www.prezi.com) which seems to be a souped-up version of PowerPoint.

I signed up and begun learning how to use it.  It has some fantastic features but in my short experience with the program, I am already asking myself where I should go to get grid lines or if I can use different coloured text to make things stand out.

As yet, no response to these questions.  I will post my first Prezi when it is done.

Over and out!

Dipping my toes into the technology pool...

I have recently decided that I need to emerse myself more in the new technologies that seem so second-nature to many of the students I  teach.  I lament the long learning curve that I anticipate with some of them, but I'm sure that the effort will eventually be well worth it.

I have already used, and am perfecting, PowerPoint as a tool to teach grammar points to students.  One of the things that I like is that the students can view the slideshows at their convenience and many times, should they so desire.  I never expected them to learn in one showing.

I have recently been told of ANIMOTO, a free program that lets teachers and others collect pictures and text in a very nice presentation form that includes music.  More on that later.

My wish list includes teaching myself Flash to be able create a short animation to teach basic grammar and possibly, iSpring Presenter, which will allow me to narrate as well as add music and videos to PowerPoints.

Watch for further posts to find out how I do!

To Grammar's House

Hello all.  I have finally joined the blogging generation.  I am nervous.  I have no idea what I am getting into, but I think that this will help me to help my students and others and at the same time, help me organize my thoughts about teaching English (second language).
Wish me luck!
Giel