Adventures in Teaching and Learning

The main use I have been making of my MacBook recently is in writing my Literature Review (2000 words down, 4000 to go). However, I have been trying out Bluetooth, bluetoothing files between computers, which is fun – nice and easy, no need for the memory sticks, taking things out of the USB ports and putting them elsewhere.

I have also made an iMovie of the Easter Saturday Vigil at church. I recorded the beginning, where the priest blesses the fire outside and lights the Paschal Candle. I’ve added some subtitles to break up the “monotony” of the long talking bit, and I’ve added some pictures at the end. Perhaps I should try to add some music to finish off the production? Gregorian chants, anyone? I have some photos at the end, but I’m having difficulty getting smooth and seamless transitions … is there a knack to it? When I click on the Transitions section it doesn’t seem to add the movement (ripple effect or whatever) that I want. Anyway, I’m going to copy it onto disk for my priest, and hopefully show it to my GCSE class when I go back as a reminder of the Easter service that they need to be able to describe for the exams. The priest also says that someone made a recording of the main service that he’ll try and get for me … then I can try and add bits more! How exciting! A useful resource for the pupils!

Just out of interest, is anyone else using Fronter? How can we share documents there? I’ve added some documents, but I don’t know if anyone else can see them.

I’m at the CLC learning how to do lots of amazing things on my new MacBook … Very excited and I’m looking forward to trying everything out at home. I’m a bit frustrated, though, at the fact that I can’t access the internet – I hope it works okay at home! Claire has let me use her internet today, though.

We’re just being told about the task for next time. We’ve to try to use as many different software packages as possible and produce something small. Or big. Something.

So … today we’ve learnt about CrazyTalk, ComicLife, Pages, Keynote, GarageBand, Fronter, iMovies, iPhoto … I have recorded some of the talks, and need to work out how to make them into podcasts.

I will blog later to describe some of the things we’ve done.