Computer Lab Task Cards

[Collins]

I have created computer task cards for students who finish early, sub plants, etc. I would like for students to be able to "flip" through them on their computer rather than printing them out and wasting paper, ink and laminate. I just can't figure out the best way to do this. I originally created them in MS Publisher (attached) and have also saved each card as a jpeg image. My thought was to have a slideshow with thumbnails embeded in my website for easy access. I have tried both creating a PowerPoint(but don't know who to embed it using SharePoint) and a slide show using picture trail--but then the internet links nolonger work. Any ideas?

[Vicky S]

Try uploading the PowerPoint to Slideboom. It should keep your links and you can embed the Slideboom presentation wherever you need. I think now if you tell it to keep it as a PowerPoint when uploading that it won't run automatically from slide to slide - that's the only problem I have with this service on the older ones I've uploaded. It won't stay on a slide unless I pause it.

If you want to keep it as a PowerPoint, you could check out http://embedit.in/ but I don't know if that would keep the links as links.

[Collins]

Thanks so much!!! That worked out perfectly!!!!!!!!!

[Tracy Murdach]

I am transitioning to a new position from Tech Facilitator K-2 to a 5th/6th grade Instructional Technology Teacher for the 09-10 school year. These tasks cards are a brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing!

[Amanda Asbell]

I think this is a great idea!

[Maureen Schoenberger]

I can't open your publishe--I must have an older version. Any way you can resave them as publisher 2000and post or email them to me? I would love to see them?

[Michelle Russell]

I don't have publisher. Someone suggested: www.pdfonline.com/convert-pdf/ It will take the file and convert it to a pdf. Hope that helps

[Collins]

Here are the files for my task cards. I was not able to save it as MS Publisher 2000 but I did convert it to a PDF. I finished my slideboom of it as well. Thanks for all of your suggestions.

I used this with my 3rd graders last week and they found it easy to use and fun. I will definately continue to add to these cards so they have numeroud options and don't get bored.

[Ann Oro]

This is fantastic! I added it to my Slideboom favorites. Did you have the third grade students open the file through Slideboom? I've always wanted to do something like this. I'm going to flip through it over the summer and think about doing this for my lab next year.

[Vicky S]

I agree that these are a great idea and something I should implement something like this too. Now, I typically have them go to web sites that are related to whatever the task is that we've been doing but these are sometimes more game oriented than I'd like and it distracts those around them.

Would any of you run into problems with kids not doing them though? I always have some that ask "is this part of my grade?" when I try to get them to do something when they're done with the task at hand - of course I have Middle Schoolers in addition to Elementary. I grade actual projects with Middle School and if I made these extra credit I'd get the students who would say "what's my grade? I don't think I need any extra credit". lol

[Collins]

My point of making the cards was to do exaclty what you said... get away from the distracting games. Kids are great at getting on the site I tell them to and then finding the game section ;( I have only used these cards with 3rd and 4th grade and haven't found too many people off task. As they work through them I have been noting which sites they are enjoying and which sites become problematic. Only time will tell how this will go but I am hopeful.

[Vicky S]

How do you handle grading? With my elementary students this will be fine since my grading is based on overall effort and attitude. Middle School is different - 50% of their grade is attitude & effort and the other 50% is actual things they do. Since these are actual tasks with an actual finished product, they should fall into the actual things category but if some do them and some don't I can't really grade them. I have some things like this that are extra credit but most of the time the ones that finish early already have an "A" and don't want to do extra credit work. Some days I think all Middle Schoolers are training to become lawyers as much as they debate things. lol

[Collins]

I just embeded it on my website. :)