Video Creation Made Easy with MySimpleShow

Oh my!  I am beyond excited about today's tech tool, MySimpleShow, an online movie creator.  I know you are probably thinking, "There are tons of online movie creators, why do I need another one?"  Great question!  My Simpleshow gives you a jump start on your project by adding computer selected images to any script and uses super cool transitions to segue between thoughts.

This tool puts the emphasis on RESEARCH and WRITING first, because every project starts with a story line!

This web-based software provides templates with examples to help ALL writers create a compelling script.

Keywords are then linked to illustrations on a canvas and My Simpleshow does the rest.

Music is added, voice-overs are provided, and even subtitles are available thus making movie creation simple and straightforward.  Of course, if you have students who love to customize their work, My Simpleshow allows for that too. From changing the pre-selected images to uploading original audio files (I could never get the "record your own" voice option to work so I used the Chrome extension "Online Voice Recorder"), it is possible to create a totally unique project in which the emphasis is on the content rather than the tool.  Love!!!

Mega Fun with Marble Runs

One of my favorite discoveries in the past couple of years has been global projects hosted by Jen Wagner on Projects by Jen.  From the O.R.E.O. Challenge to the Holiday Card Exchange, the teachers and students at Marshall ISD have had a ball trying out different ideas in our math and social studies classrooms.  So, we were honored when Jen contacted us after seeing a video of the Marble Run projects completed by 1st grade classes and asked if she could use the idea for an upcoming challenge.  Ummm...yes!!!

The project window opens today and runs through February 17, 2017. Students in grades K - 6 are invited to design a roller coaster of sorts for a marble and measure and record the time for their design.

Classrooms are encouraged to share pictures or videos of the creations and, of course, connect via Skype, Google Hangouts, or email.  So, if you are looking for a Makerspace idea or a fun way to integrate STEM into your math or science curriculum, check out the Marble Run Challenge....it is awesome!