When mentoring our pre-service
and in-service teachers we need to describe and model both research-based and
clinically tested best practices, and demonstrate how these best practices can
be applied in the real (i.e. physical) and virtual (i.e. online) classroom for
both teaching and teacher training. The combination of face to face instruction
in a physical setting and online learning is called blended learning. In this
section of the blog we will describe how the internet can serve as a
supplemental resource for instruction and the mentoring of pre-service and
in-service Jewish educators. In this post we will discuss how Portrait IllustratorMaker, a
web tool that enables its users to create computer avatars (see the definition
in the next paragraph), can be used to promote
Judaic instruction and to mentor/train Jewish educators.
What is a computer avatar?
A
computer avatar is a graphic image or file that represents the person using the
computer. Click here to connect to a blogpost that elaborates
on the definition of a computer avatar. Click here for a discussion on how computer avatars
can be used to enhance instruction.
Assumption: The teacher or
mentor teacher has an interactive white board (i.e. SMART Board, Promethean,
etc.), a Tablet PC (also called a Slate or Blade), a computer presenter or
computer with internet access attached to an LCD projector in the classroom. It
would be ideal if students or mentees had access to their own laptop computers
or iPads. Given parental and school approval, and the development of
specific guidelines, smartphones can be used to enhance instruction as well.
Note: Although Portrait
Illustrator Maker can be applied in the Judaic Studies blended learning
classroom, it can be also be used for training pre-service and in-service
Jewish educators for professional or staff development. It is our hope that
Jewish educators around the globe will form an online community of practice, a CoP, a group of
people who share an interest, a craft, and/or a profession, to enhance the
delivery of instruction and training of Jewish educators. For example, here is
a CoP you might want to join.
Note: can be used in a
face to face and virtual classroom.
What is Portrait Illustrator Maker ?
Portrait Illustrator Maker is a web tool that
enables the use to create computer avatar. See the definition and explanation
of a computer avatar above.
Where is Portrait Illustrator Maker located on the web?
How Portrait
Illustrator Maker, a web tool that enables the user to make computer avatars,
can be utilized to promote Judaic instruction and to mentor/train Jewish
educators
First let’s share an image of me below.
Now let’s share an avatar of me that I created
using Portrait Illustrator Maker. See
below:
Now click on either of the links below to see
how I created the above avatar of me.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xep7lVa5bYE&feature=youtu.be
- http://www.screencast.com/t/JkxsONp4Mn7
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