One to Watch: Show Me

As we are progressing with our integration of the iPads there are applications that come along and seem to fit into our program with ease.  Show Me (free) is one of these apps.

Show Me is an interactive whiteboard for your iPad.  Students can record a voice-over as they are demonstrating a concept.  For example, in mathematics students can solve a math problem and explain the steps they are taking as they do so.  In music students can demonstrate the knowledge of notes.  For science students can draw a picture of a cell and describe it or chose an existing picture of a cell and label the parts.

Within the app students can draw or write using black, grey, red, blue, green, orange, or purple. They can erase individual components of their board or erase the entire screen at once.  Photos can be inserted.

These short clips can then be uploaded to the Internet for public or personal viewing.  The finished products can be embeded in a blog, a wiki, or on a website.

The steps detailed below explain the process of posting and embedding your Show Me creations!

On the iPad:

Install and launch the Show Me application.  Create your own short clip by pressing the record button and drawing on your whiteboard.  When you finish a menu will appear asking if you want to name and

save your clip. After you complete this step it will prompt you to upload your Show Me clip to the Internet allowing for public (within their directory) or private (viewable by only those you share the link with) views.    If you don't have an account you can create one from the iPad or from your computer.

On the Internet:

1. Visit Show Me's website at http://www.showme.com/

2. If you are new to the site click the "sign up" link and create an account.  After you have an account you'll select the "login" link.

3.  Once you are logged in click on the "my profile" link near the upper righthand corner. 

4. From here you will see all of the Show Me clips you have uploaded from your iPad.  Select one of your clips. When selected the video rendering process begins automatically.

5.  After your video is rendered and ready to go you will see a screen where it can be played right away.  You can also edit the settings (title, description, etc.).  If you are interested in embedding your Show Me clip click on the "embed" option and copy the code.

Examples of an embedded Show Me clip are below:

Here's a link to another blog post on using Show Me:

Internet Safety Reflections

During our Internet Safety Presentation we learned ten tips about staying safe on the Internet:

1. Anything posted on the Internet can be traced back to the sender. 
2. Once it's online it can stay there forever (or be altered or passed around). 
3. Always log off of accounts even on your own personal devices. 
4. If you wouldn't say it to your parents or teachers don't say it online!  
5. Don't post pictures of yourself or your friends on the Internet. 
6. Never post your full name online (stick to your first name/last initial). 
7. Think before you post! Don't let anger or frustration cause you to post something you will later regret. 
8. Block and report anyone you feel is threatening you. Tell a trusted adult right away. 
9. Don't open emails from people you don't know. 
10. Don't be mean! 

 Which of these tips do you think is the most important? Do any of them mean something to you?

Internet Safety at MCA

Internet Safety is everybody's business!!  Below is a presentation that was shown to our 5th & 6th grade classrooms to make sure they stay safe on the iPads.  If you can't view the presentation below it can be found at http://prezi.com/b3vxxlfei4n4/online-safety-at-mca/.  If you are interested in seeing the information and contract that was sent home to parents please visit http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/70104499?access_key=key-zx2omjg78v9otp8dq2i

Online Safety at MCA! on Prezi