If Only – Animation Week

The task due this week was that of an animation task promoting internet safety. As a group, we created a story around meeting strangers that you met online.

Whilst creating this animation, we filmed and edited the short film using iMovie. Internet safety itself is a huge part of digital literacy. Knowing how to stay safe and protected online, is of up most importance and as educators. it is our responsibility to educate young people to keep themselves safe online.

The Curriculum for Excellence states;

“I am developing my knowledge and use of safe and acceptable conduct as I use different technologies to interact and share experiences, ideas and information with others” –

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When it comes to animation, it really allows young people to share stories using a virtual medium. It allows those children who struggle to convey their stories using words and writing to explore the possibilities of other mediums – and it is A LOT of fun too!!

The Film Education Organisation state:

“Animation is a co-operative exercise and will utilise the varying skills of the children in the group getting the best out of them. You will find that where some children can draw well, others will be good at operating equipment or playing instruments; or performing voices or acting as artistic directors.”

So not only will learners find an area they can excel and enthuse in, they will start to form the bonds of good team-working skills and can form friendships through the activity.

CfE:  “I enjoy exploring and using technologies to communicate with others within and beyond my place of learning. ”

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As promised: Here’s the trailer –

The Making of If Only

And here is the real deal:

If Only

Until next time,
Sean

Animation

I should start by wishing you all a Happy Valentines Day!

This week our focus will be animation and we are tasked with creating an animation focussing on internet safety on account of last week being safer internet day. I will share the project to my blog to share it with you.

It is crucial that whilst online we don’t give out personal information – like our address or school. But it is also seriously important to remember this. Never, ever arrange to meet a stranger online!

Stay safe,
Talk soon,
Sean

‘Scratch’ing the Surface of Coding

Coding in the classroom can be described as a somewhat language – just as French and Spanish. However – CSS, Javascript and Visual Basic are far too complicated for early level learners.

One program I highly recommend to other teaching staff is Scratch Jr. – an app for tablets. It allows the learner to explore coding in a simple form by stringing action buttons together. This weeks task in Digital Technologies was to create a HowTo guide for teachers on Scratch Jr. This is why I decided to create this video instead of the popular ways of PowerPoint and Padlet.

In the classroom, apps like this are invaluable! Coding covers much of the curriculum and allows for easy coverage of the E’s & O’s.

Here is my video:

Until next time,
Sean