Whiteboarding In The USA!

I'm starting this post with Beach Boys music in my head and picturing a white longboard cresting over some waves out in California.  There are a few problems with that though. I don't really like Beach Boys music, Cali water is way too cold for me, and the interactive whiteboard (IWB) resources I'm writing about are actually from the UK and not Cali.  (Apologies given to my California friends.)

I was reading the daily list of Diigo posts I get and saw a link for free whiteboard software. I'm not an IWB king and don't see them used with great efficiency in most places, but this link had me intrigued. A website (http://getwordwall.com) was giving away their IWB software for free until Christmas.  I downloaded it only to find it was for UK teachers. My Pappy always said that it doesn't hurt to ask, so I emailed them.  Within two days, they responded twice, the last time announcing a product update that allowed for US installs!


Wordwall 3 is an easy install on your Windows-based pc. (Alas, no Mac version.)  The activities were easy to create and very quick.  Almost any teacher would be able to get started with little support.

The publishers are giving the software away for FREE until Christmas.  Just download it from http://getwordwall.com and use the product code NOVDEC12 .  Then you will have a free and fully-functioning product.

The kicker for me was that the publishers opened up the installs to the US by saying, "We'll do that if you just share with as many people as possible."  So, please pass the word.  The software at retail price is not cheap and this is a fantastic deal. If you have been waiting for that big wave to ride, this is it!! Start paddling and get to the software.

Some of my friends also found the announcement on another UK site, http://www.whiteboardblog.co.uk .  I hadn't seen that one before and have already found a good many instructional ideas for integrating the IWB into the classroom.

What? You don't have an expensive hardware device that receives touch-based inputs?  Then, just use it on your Windows computer. The mouse will do the same thing as an interactive device. Project your laptop or desktop onto a wall for the visual, but have students use a mouse.  Heck, splurge and get a wireless mouse and place the students closer to the board!  You got the software for free, so tell the principal to pony up for a mouse!  (Principal friends, don't shoot me. But that really would be money well-spent in this case.)

Please, leave a comment on how you use IWBs or IWB software in the classroom. What has been your success?

Using Audacity in AISD

Making audio recordings in the classroom can be a great tool for assessment, a nice student product for class, or a necessary step for many high school students as they have a need to send language examples to colleges. The district supports Audacity as the standard audio recording tool.

The software is not already installed on the computers, but any teacher or student can install the software with their normal network login. (Schools using Deepfreeze will need to thaw the computer before installing software.)  You can find a video, Installing Audactiy Part 1, that will show users how to install the software.

Recording software is pretty easy. The buttons are the same buttons you find on a CD or cassette player. Audacity will create an audio track each time you press the record button. There are numerous resources online that will show you how to improve your audio recordings and even make multi-track recordings. A second video, Recording with Audacity Part 2, gives a very basic look at how to record audio using Audacity.

Lastly, the recording artist can save the file as an Audacity Project File, which keeps all of the sound edits made after recording.  You can also export the sound as a .wav or .mp3 audio file. Currently, all users will have to locate the .mp3 LAME encoder file before successfully exporting the mp3.  The thrid video in our series, Saving and Exporting with Audacity Part 3, shows how one can successfully export an mp3 when using a computer inside the school district.  That video has been embedded below for your viewing pleasure.



For more resources on using Audacity, check out  AtomicLearning.com and the rest of the internet.

Video Training and Tips for the Manda Pro All-in-One Desktop

With a number of schools just getting more all-in-one Manda desktop PCs, I thought it'd be good to re-share some support links. Most of these can be found on the AISD Cloud under the Hardware Training category.

"I don't get the big screen with all the circles. Could you explain it to me?"
http://austinschools.org/it/tutorial/MenuIntro.swf

"How do I add applications to the touch screen menu?"
http://austinschools.org/it/tutorial/ControlZones.swf

"Can I group the apps in the EXOPC interface in folders?"
http://austinschools.org/it/tutorial/Add_apps_folders.swf

"My computer is plugged into the network. Should I turn off the wireless connection?"
Yes, you really must do that. http://austinschools.org/it/tutorial/exo_disable_wireless.swf

"I want my Manda Pro to startup to a regular Windows desktop and not the XOPC interface."
http://www.screencast.com/t/6l2d1gzqTek

"I like the XOPC interface (the cute circle icons), but I don't want my slimy student hands touching the glass. Can I turn off the touch action on this computer?"
http://www.screencast.com/t/7BkF6bNCr3Ki

"I wish I could make my own cute circle icons for website shortcuts.  Is that possible?"
http://www.screencast.com/t/mtg4tFc6  (This is a more advanced tweak that any teacher can do, but it is a longer video with fairly specific steps.)

"I'm so proud of myself. I made some pretty EXOPC circular shortcuts!  How can I get them to another Manda Pro's XOPC's interface?"
http://www.screencast.com/t/ENhx4j9Q5f7M

"My students keep trashing my pretty arrangement and XOPC app selections. How can I quickly reset those on the computer?"
http://www.screencast.com/t/ENhx4j9Q5f7M  (Yes, it is the same video as the previous question. But it's also a nice way to back up your hard work so you only have to do it one time.)

"Can I setup my own printer?"
http://austinschools.org/it/tutorial/install_printer.swf

"I want to have all my kids view the Manda's screen.  Can I plug into a projector?"
Not without a USB video adapter. There are many varieties, but the large screen of the Manda Pro makes some adapters not very functional.  AISD Technology suggests an adapter that has the same specs as this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815150177