Tech Happenings @ LvHS

Juniors in Alyson's math classes are using Gizmos from Explore Learning. Alyson selects the Gizmo that the students will be asked to work on. The students sign on to the site with a class code, and see the selected Gizmo. The Gizmo has an instructional worksheet that walks them through the experiment or manipulation of variables. They then answer questions to test their understanding. Alyson can see their scores and help them understand concepts the next day. Alyson has used Gizmos before, and will use them in a variety of ways: in class, homework, optional reinforcement, review. She may wait until summer to subscribe so she can incorporate fully next year.

Audacity is a free audio recording program available for download. There is also an MP3 encoder that allows it to export as MP3 for posting online. French students learned how to record and listen to themselves, as well as to save in multiple formats. Students liked it so much! There was so much giggling and sharing of recordings. One student squealed, "this is my favorite new toy!" They loved to listen to each other, while some liked the privacy of speaking only to the computer not to the class. We had students email their mp3 files to Annie, so she could listen and give pointers. Both students and teachers see the potential for practicing pronunciation and accent. Also, practicing audio recording on the computer is a way to move towards taking the AP exam on computer rather than tape recorder.

Wimba is an online "audio message board" tool with which audio messages are posted by the teacher, and students listen to them and reply (also audio). One use is for the teacher to post a question or challenge for the students to listen to, then they must reply by speaking their answer. Students can be allowed or restricted from seeing each other's replies. The teacher and other students can also reply to replies... just like a text-based message board. Descubre comes with this feature, a joint venture between the VISTAS book and Wimba . No charge for us! Ligia has posted her audio questions for students, who will listen and then reply as practice for the oral portion of their final exam. The language department will watch and evaluate for possible use in other classes next year. It provides a way for both teachers and students to become accustomed to recording and evaluating spoken language skills on a routine basis.

Using a professional grade microphone that connects to computer via usb.... We used Audacity to record the students singing their songs from earlier French classes, as well as their Christmas carols. They worked on pronunciation as they practiced. The songs were "podcasted" on the My Louisville Media Gallery that afternoon. Enjoy!

The VISTAS book Descubre for Spanish II and IIH comes with online course access for students. They sign in with a course code after the teacher registers her course on the book's web site. Activities for audio listening, quiz/test prep etc. are available. Students seem to have a little trouble getting on the site, and Laura will visit the classes to walk them through the process. No excuses for them, and they can use the classroom computer or the library if they have internet trouble at home.