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 begin our discussion of 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?
Where can you find helpful tutorials on how to use Portrait
Illustrator Maker?
Click
on the links below for tutorials on Portrait Illustrator Maker :
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xep7lVa5bYE&feature=youtu.be
- http://illustmaker.abi-station.com/index_en.shtml
- http://www.friendlyhills.isd197.org/academics/specialties/technology_communications/avatar_makers/
On the next blogpost we will discuss
how Portrait Illustrator Maker, a web tool that enables the user to make
computer avatars, can be utilized to promote instruction in the blended
learning classroom.
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