Computers in the Classroom
Technology Tool Review
Www.emaze.com
To see a sample presentation I made with EMAZE...click the link below!
http://app.emaze.com/268765/djembe-drums
Grade 4 & Above
Art
DESCRIPTION: The web tool I chose was Emaze. This technology tool is similar to power-point. The website basically allows you to choose pre-made templates in order to create a slideshow. The website is very simple to use and very up to date and modern with layout selections. When entering the website, there is a simple “Create Your Own” button that will help you get started. The right side of the website has a scroll bar where you venture through template options. The website has a quick blurb about how to use it and even a drop down bar to choose other options like a “get inspired” tab and a “blog tab”.
ACCURACY OF CONTENT: Overall I think this website is very user friendly. The content is definitely appropriate for any curriculum and I would most likely use it with grades 4 and up. Tell if the content is appropriate for curriculum and for its intended audience. I think the website is very modern and allows students to really design a presentation that suits each of them well individually. The website is very straight forward and easy to use. The website also provides example presentations and walks you through step by step need be. I think it would work great for students due to its fun template choices varying in color, shape, and over all style.
TECHNICAL QUALITY: The website is extremely easy to access. No installation is required. The only thing you need to have to use the website is a valid email address. Not much computer experience is necessary for one to use the Emaze website. If I were using it with my students I would just make sure the students were comfortable with using the keyboard to type in any information on the slides and mouse coordination. The website also has a support section incase one has further questions about anything. As I mentioned earlier, I believe the website is aesthetically pleasing and interactive for the everyday student. It may be difficult for students in grades 3 and below due to the typing skills etc. The website feels somewhat virtual at times when clicking on templates and maneuvering around the website hovering over different options. The colors are simple black and white but include a punch of orange to keep the viewer intrigued and able to move about the website without an overwhelming amount of color or information.
USE OF TECHNOLOGY: This website is simply suitable for a presentation. Students can write in any pertinent information on a specific person/topic/skill etc when pertaining to the art world. I do not believe this tool would be used frequently in an Art curricula but may be used for older students when having them possibly present about famous Artists, Era’s/Styles. This definitely uses some technology skills including the use of the monitor mouse and keyboard. The students could benefit from both the technology skills and the information they are presenting. Students will be using their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills in order to produce a successful presentation
ROLE OF STUDENTS: When using this tool, students will be able to be creative in both the presentation and the written portion as well. The students can make their own design choices that may pertain to presentation topic or maybe themselves as artists. The students are using fine motor skills as well as critical thinking and creative skills when using this simple technology tool. This allows the students to bind both the art and technology world as well as possible English etc.
ROLE OF TEACHER: As a teacher, one must first introduce the tool to the students both verbally and visually. I would highly recommend creating an example for the students to observe prior to having them complete a presentation of their own. The teacher can possibly prepare by writing steps on the board for the website or a printed copy with the website link and steps so students can work at their own pace. Monitoring students should not be a problem with this technology website. It is appropriately made for students and should be easy for both the students and teacher to save and refer to many times when needed.
CLASSROOM USAGE: This website can be used as an individual project or assignment or a group/pair one. Students would definitely need to work in a technology lab or on laptops/I-pads in order to use this website. As mentioned above, pertaining to Art students can make a presentation on a specific Artist/Era/Style/Element or Principal of Design/Technique.
CRITICAL SUMMARY: I have only used this website once and was overall pleased with what it had to offer. From the attention getting text/colors to the fun template choices. It was very well designed and easy to use! The best part about the website is how it is very similar to power point which many people already know about. Emaze sort of enhanced the power point idea by making it much more modern and creative.
OVERALL RATING: (1 TO 10) On a scale of 1-10 I would rate this website an 8.
EXPLANATION OF RATING: I really like the simplicity of the usage yet the complexity of the design choices. Students can really put together a formal and beautiful presentation. Teacher’s can also use this website frequently when beginning a new lesson/topic in class. You can incorporate pictures and text and hyperlinks to enhance the presentation. I like how it is up to date with its template choices and can be used with both students or teachers.
Technology Tool Review
Www.emaze.com
To see a sample presentation I made with EMAZE...click the link below!
http://app.emaze.com/268765/djembe-drums
Grade 4 & Above
Art
DESCRIPTION: The web tool I chose was Emaze. This technology tool is similar to power-point. The website basically allows you to choose pre-made templates in order to create a slideshow. The website is very simple to use and very up to date and modern with layout selections. When entering the website, there is a simple “Create Your Own” button that will help you get started. The right side of the website has a scroll bar where you venture through template options. The website has a quick blurb about how to use it and even a drop down bar to choose other options like a “get inspired” tab and a “blog tab”.
ACCURACY OF CONTENT: Overall I think this website is very user friendly. The content is definitely appropriate for any curriculum and I would most likely use it with grades 4 and up. Tell if the content is appropriate for curriculum and for its intended audience. I think the website is very modern and allows students to really design a presentation that suits each of them well individually. The website is very straight forward and easy to use. The website also provides example presentations and walks you through step by step need be. I think it would work great for students due to its fun template choices varying in color, shape, and over all style.
TECHNICAL QUALITY: The website is extremely easy to access. No installation is required. The only thing you need to have to use the website is a valid email address. Not much computer experience is necessary for one to use the Emaze website. If I were using it with my students I would just make sure the students were comfortable with using the keyboard to type in any information on the slides and mouse coordination. The website also has a support section incase one has further questions about anything. As I mentioned earlier, I believe the website is aesthetically pleasing and interactive for the everyday student. It may be difficult for students in grades 3 and below due to the typing skills etc. The website feels somewhat virtual at times when clicking on templates and maneuvering around the website hovering over different options. The colors are simple black and white but include a punch of orange to keep the viewer intrigued and able to move about the website without an overwhelming amount of color or information.
USE OF TECHNOLOGY: This website is simply suitable for a presentation. Students can write in any pertinent information on a specific person/topic/skill etc when pertaining to the art world. I do not believe this tool would be used frequently in an Art curricula but may be used for older students when having them possibly present about famous Artists, Era’s/Styles. This definitely uses some technology skills including the use of the monitor mouse and keyboard. The students could benefit from both the technology skills and the information they are presenting. Students will be using their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills in order to produce a successful presentation
ROLE OF STUDENTS: When using this tool, students will be able to be creative in both the presentation and the written portion as well. The students can make their own design choices that may pertain to presentation topic or maybe themselves as artists. The students are using fine motor skills as well as critical thinking and creative skills when using this simple technology tool. This allows the students to bind both the art and technology world as well as possible English etc.
ROLE OF TEACHER: As a teacher, one must first introduce the tool to the students both verbally and visually. I would highly recommend creating an example for the students to observe prior to having them complete a presentation of their own. The teacher can possibly prepare by writing steps on the board for the website or a printed copy with the website link and steps so students can work at their own pace. Monitoring students should not be a problem with this technology website. It is appropriately made for students and should be easy for both the students and teacher to save and refer to many times when needed.
CLASSROOM USAGE: This website can be used as an individual project or assignment or a group/pair one. Students would definitely need to work in a technology lab or on laptops/I-pads in order to use this website. As mentioned above, pertaining to Art students can make a presentation on a specific Artist/Era/Style/Element or Principal of Design/Technique.
CRITICAL SUMMARY: I have only used this website once and was overall pleased with what it had to offer. From the attention getting text/colors to the fun template choices. It was very well designed and easy to use! The best part about the website is how it is very similar to power point which many people already know about. Emaze sort of enhanced the power point idea by making it much more modern and creative.
OVERALL RATING: (1 TO 10) On a scale of 1-10 I would rate this website an 8.
EXPLANATION OF RATING: I really like the simplicity of the usage yet the complexity of the design choices. Students can really put together a formal and beautiful presentation. Teacher’s can also use this website frequently when beginning a new lesson/topic in class. You can incorporate pictures and text and hyperlinks to enhance the presentation. I like how it is up to date with its template choices and can be used with both students or teachers.