If you are looking for a way to collaborate with other teachers and classrooms on digital media projects, Google Docs is a helpful tool.

Google Docs has a demo site that allows users to create a temporary document and unique URL.  Anyone who has access to the URL can contribute to a common word processing document, spreadsheet, and/or drawing document.  You can see other contributors' edits and comments in real time.  The files can be saved and downloaded to users' individual computers.

Looking for student-produced videos to share with your students?  Check out Adobe Youth Voices (AYV) Youth Work Gallery for examples of powerful student-produced work including PSAs, documentaries, and more.

Enjoy!

Last week a SHIFT teacher told me about NaturalReader, software that converts any written text such as MS Word and PDF files into spoken words with natural sounding voices.  Several of his students have successfully used NaturalReader in their video public service announcements (PSAs).

I learned about a site that provides public domain music called Public Domain 4U.  Several SHIFT teachers have used this site with their students.  As always, please be aware of copyright laws and contact your school district copyright expert with questions about using music or sound effects not created by your students.

I attended the 2011 UCET (Utah Coalition for Educational Technology) Conference earlier this month.  One of the most interesting sessions I attended was led by Dr. Talitha Hudgins and focused on the use of digital storytelling as an effective way to engage students in learning. 

Utah Valley University's Dr. Hudgins defined the components of digital storytelling and shared impressive examples of student-produced projects.

For more information and useful resources about digital storytelling and how to integrate it into your teaching visit Dr. Hudgins' website.

A teacher recently told me about a website she uses to teach core content through the filmmaking process.  According to the Kids' Vid website, "Kids' Vid is an instructional website to help teachers and students use video production in class to support project-based learning."

Education Week PD Seminars is conducting a 21st Century Teaching Series: Use Digital Tools Effectively to Enhance Student Learning. 

For teachers using the filmmaking process to teach language arts, the Using New Media to Enhance Student Writing webinar may be particularly interesting.

The webinar description is "Advancements in digital technology have created immense opportunities--and some challenges--for language arts and writing instructors. Used well, interactive writing platforms can spur students' creativity and help them develop skills needed for effective communication in the 21st century. In this webinar, two rising experts on language arts and new media will give educators practical tips on integrating digital tools into writing instruction, addressing the classroom uses of available technology options and providing examples of effective classroom projects. Emphasis will be on using multiple modes of writing to help students build storytelling and compositional skills." 

Date: Feb 8th at 4pm EST.  You can watch a webinar live or on-demand up to six months after Feb. 8th.

Cost: $49.00

Are you a member of ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education)?  If so, check out the free webinars for ISTE's Membership Appreciation Month.  If you're not a member, this month may be a good time to join.

A recent email from ISTE -

"Each February, we take the opportunity to thank you, our members, for the innovative ed tech work you do in the classroom. This year, we’ve mapped out an entire month where you’ll discover rich resources, a bounty of fun activities, and a plethora of prizes to let you know how much we treasure you! (No digging necessary!)

A wealth of free webinars: We’re offering you three of our most popular and successful webinars for free! 

• Cool Tools for Schools presented by Adam Bellow
• Join the iPad Revolution presented by Camilla Gagliolo
• Movin’ On Up in Science: Taking Integration to the Next Level presented by Ben Smith and Jared Mader

• Weekly prizes include an iPod nano, Amazon Kindle Wi-Fi, and Kodak Playsport video camera.
• Win an iPad! All scavenger hunt participants who successfully complete the activity will be automatically eligible for our grand prize—an iPad! (Grand prize drawing takes place Feb. 28.)

Bargains on books: All month long, book titles for sale in ISTE’s online store are 40% off!

More, more, more: In addition, this is a great month to get to know everything that you have available to you as an ISTE member. A treasure trove of benefits await you, including Learning & Leading with Technology magazine, more than 20 special interest groups (SIGs), books, webinars, podcasts, and professional development tools.

We hope you will take advantage of Member Appreciation Month and explore all that ISTE membership has to offer. To learn more, go to iste.com/memberappreciation.

Sincerely,

Jessica Medaille
Senior Director of Membership Development"

Looking for photographs your students can use in their film projects and not encounter copyright issues?  If so, check out flickrCC.  All the images on the site fall under the Creative Commons license and are free to use as long as they are cited.

Happy filmmaking!

PBS Teachers has an extensive amount of resources for teachers.  Resources are divided by grade levels and teachers can share ideas via a discussion board.  Membership to the site is free.