At the technology conference, I learned about kerpoof.  They earned the Parent’s Choice award this fall.  Read their review below.

Kerpoof

Fall 2008 Website

KerPoof is a free online multimedia software that allows children to explore their creativity by drawing, making animated movies, writing and illustrating stories, producing pictures and cards and more. The software is intuitive and easy to use, giving children – even those who aren’t proficient in art – an opportunity to produce and share successful artwork quickly and without frustration. KerPoof’s library of stock images goes far beyond ordinary fare. Here, the images are interesting and varied, the themes go well beyond the scope of pirates and fairy gardens. The color palettes vary from bold to subtle, and the tools that invite children to consider and adjust an object’s perspective is among the attributes that makes this website stand heads and shoulders above others offering similar activities.

Technology has come a long way since I’ve taught in the classroom. In the last few months that I’ve  familiarized myself with some of the ways teachers are using technology in education, I have become both inspired and overwhelmed. There is so much available that it is hard to know where to begin. The emphasis is not just on information, but also creation, collaboration, and student-driven learning.

What does this mean for us at Visions? As homeschooling families, you have the unique opportunity to decide how you want your children to learn. You choose the curriculum, the teaching methods, the expectations, and the schedule that works best for your child. You can create a personalized learning plan where students take control of their learning and have the opportunity to be creative, purposeful and engaged.

Technology can help with this process. Families often ask me for ideas of what to focus on in this area besides keyboarding and word processing. I will be sharing cool technology tools that you can use. I want to assist you in finding ways to integrate technology into your personalized learning plan. My hope is that we would not be overwhelmed, but learn together. I will share applications to make your teaching job easier while providing ways to make learning exciting for students. I am also going to create a wiki-space where you can share cool tools that you’ve found online too. More details to come!