Summarizing+and+Note+Taking

= Summarizing and Note Taking =

> = =
 * ===Microsoft PowerPoint===
 * === [[image:notetaking width="318" height="191" align="right" caption="http://allfreelancewriting.com/2009/08/05/freelancing/business-career/freelance-writer-challenge-write-down-your-ideas/"]] **Garage Band**===
 * ===Comic Life===

** Microsoft PowerPoint **
Rationale: Microsoft PowerPoint is a program that allows users to create slides of information. PowerPoint is a great tool to use for summarizing and/or note taking because it allows students to summarize a large portion of information into the key points. Students can create bullet points of key topics and then include information they need to go with those key points. Students can also add pictures that go with the information, or even graphs that show data if needed. PowerPoint is also ideal for note taking. Teachers can easily put information into PowerPoint so that it is broken up and easy to read. Slides can be devoted to particular topics as the class discusses something or is introduced to something new.

Resources Needed: >
 * Computer and projector (1 computer per student if they are creating their own slides)
 * Microsoft PowerPoint (Most schools already have this on their computers. If not, a free, similar program is available for free download at openoffice.com.)

** Garageband **
Rationale: Garageband is a program that will allow students to summarize in a way that is “out of the box.” Garageband is a recording program that serves many purposes: to write music, create music, or create podcasts. In this case, the podcast is what we are interested in. Students can be assigned to create a podcast over a topic they have learned. Their job would be to create a recording (perhaps as a newscast, special report, etc.) that is interesting to listen to and gives the information necessary to know for the topic. Students first take their information and create a script of the information. This allows them to find the essential information and to create a story line with it. Students then record the information by reading it into the computer. This creates a fun way for students to share information. They can then add jingles or music to the podcast for the background, creating an interesting piece to listen to. If the student enjoys music, they can even create their own tune. These can then be put on the teachers webpage for others to listen to, or they can be shared in class.

Resources Needed:
 * Computer for each student or group of students
 * Garageband software installed on each computer. (Garageband is in the iLife bundle available through store.apple.com. The cost is $49.00 and each license is good for 5 computers.)
 * Microphone to record into the computer (if not built in)

**Comic Life**
Rationale: Comic Life is a program that takes an interesting approach to allow students to summarize their information so they have the information they need to study or to understand a topic. Comic Life allows students to create their own comic strip by entering information on something they have been studying, and then add pictures. When finished, they have a comic with pictures and clouds with text. This is effective because students get to creatively think about the information they have, and then design a situation that allows them to use it. They can create an informational comic, a humorous comic, a serious comic, or anything they want. They also get to choose pictures that go with the information. Students have full control of what their comic ends up looking like including the amount of boxes, size of their boxes, and colors. Students can share key information in a fun and exciting way.

Resources Needed:
 * Computer per student or group of students (only works on Macs)
 * Internet access
 * Comic Life Software ($24.95 for license)

**Education Challenge:**
Student Motivation

The activities listed above seek to help with student motivation. One of the biggest challenges in education is keeping students motivated and wanting to learn. If they don't have an interest, then it's difficult to get students on task and doing their best. By using technology, we can evolve interesting and exciting activities that allow students to show what they have learned, yet in an interesting and unique way. The activities listed in this section seeks to have students show a summary of their learning by creating a product that requires them to put what they have learned in their own words, and it requires students use creativity to show their knowledge. Students find activities that they have control of to be more interesting and are more apt to create a unique and interesting piece. These activities seek to allow students to fully express themselves and to thoroughly prove what they have learned.

Home Cues, Questions, and Advance Organizers Homework and Practice Identifying Similarities and Differences Providing Feedback Reinforcing Effort Simulations and Games Summarizing and Note Taking