Fun with Hippo, the HTL5 Animator

I downloaded the free 30  day trial of Hippo Animator and tested it out. It was very easy to use and I was able to put together a rather nifty looking animation in a relatively short time. Down with Flash, hurray for HTML 5! Click on the link below to check it out:

 

Click here to see my animation.

Creating a Typing game from Scratch!

I just finished putting together what will be my first programming assignment for my grade eights this year. Now that they have a bit of programming experience behind them it will be fun to take a look at more sophisticated programs. I had fun putting together a typing game focussing on the home row keys that is easily adaptable. After putting it all together I scaled it back to the bare bones and put together a "kit" for the students so that they can adapt it and make it their own. It should be a good review for the students but also have enough support to help out any newbies who may be new to the class. the only totally new concept will be lists, but I'm hoping that their extensive use of variables last year in grade seven will have paved the way and it won't cause them too much trouble. I'm looking forward to seeing what they put together.

Here is a snapshot of my game. Click on the link to play the game online.

Play the Game!

If you are interested in trying out the kit I created for the students your self, send me an email and I'll send it your way!

Bully Proof

Here is another excellent full length documentary (45 min) produced by CBC looking at bullying in schools. In today's technological world a lot of our social interaction takes place digitally through social media. unfortunalty this also includes the darker side of social interaction - bullying.

Harmless Joke or Cyber-Bullying?

The Cyber Bullying Virus

Facebook Follies

CBC's Doc Zone has a wonderful movie about stupid mistakes on Facebook. You can watch the 45 minute video here:

http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/episode/facebook-follies.html#

What's Going On... Jonah's Story

Thank you very much to the student who brought this video to my attention and asked me to post it on my blog. This is an example of how someone used in a positive way and how, for the most part, others were able to give him support during a time that was very dark. Watch the video below created by Jonah who was brave enough to go on Youtube and tell his story about being bullied. The first video is his original video. Double click to watch the video on Youtube and see his comments. 

Here is another video that tells a bit more about Jonah's Story.

How Does Cyberbullying Affect You?

Cyber Bullying

Social Media Explained Visually

Social Media - Think before you post

Here is another video, what are your thoughts?

Social Media

I am starting a discussion with my students about Social Media this week. Here are a few interesting facts so far: Over 70% of  my grade 7's have a Facebook account even though they are under the required age according to Facebook's policy. Many students admit to "friending" people they do not know on facebook. After a quick informal survey, it seemed about half of my grade 8's and 7's students have personally witnessed Cyber bullying in one way or another. We are looking for for short, interesting videos to discuss in class. Below are a few we have started with. I am going to encourage my students to comment here in the blog to get a discussion started.

Students, what are your thought on this video?