With a focus on tools for elementary teachers

By Kari Moore, Ella Newkirk, and Beth Quarles

Table of Contents   

Slides 3-6...............Letterpop Newsletter Application Slides 7-11..............Noteflight Application   Slides 12-17............Rubistar 4 Teachers Application Slides 18-21...........Summary of Presentations .

Ella Newkirk Beth QuarlesKari Moore

Letterpop Newsletter Maker

http://www.letterpop.com/  

If you're looking for a creative way to communicate on paper, then Letterpop is for you! Its capabilities include:*Newsletters-Personal and Business*Presentations*Invitations Anyone can take advantage of the awesome features that Letterpop provides.   

Simple. Fun.Better Results.

Letterpop is Better For You And Your

Business1.  To set up your account, simply go to Letterpop and click in the upper right hand corner on JOIN NOW.  The basic account is FREE and includes 10 published newsletters, invitations, presentation sheets, or a combination of the above.2.  Once your profile is created, simply choose a template from the colorful list of hundreds of samples.

3.  Creating your newsletter is comparable to working with Word documents.  Choose from fonts, colors, and backgrounds.  You can also insert pictures from your computer, clipart, or disc.  4.  You then have the option to email your finished product.  You can also publish the newsletter.  Be careful, as this will count towards your ten freebees.

Letterpop in the ClassroomSince Letterpop offers 10 free applications, its

members can decifer when and how to use Letterpop.  Teachers could take advantage of the 10 freebees and create a monthly newsletter to either email or print and send to parents. This application could also be used within the Special Areas teachers, inviting parents (in either an invitation or a flyer handout) to events such as concerts, art shows, programs, or open houses. Teachers could also use Letterpop for personal, teacher-to-teacher, or teacher-to-parent letters.

Past Frustrations with LetterpopLetterpop happily welcomes comments, questions, and suggestions. 

1.  Website Downtimes (problem fixed).2.  Duplicate Comments on Newsletters (problem fixed).3.  Letterpop font sizing and background modifying is a bit senstitive and tricky, but with some patience, the results will be great. Here's a part of Letterpop's Co-Creator's welcome note:Tuesday, November 21st, 2006 Greetings to all you who have been invited to or found LetterPop!I’m Dave, one of the Co-creators of LetterPop! There are a number of us behind this great new site. And over time you’ll get to know us all. We like web transparency and web community and especially your feedback!  Please let me know how things go as you try out the site. You can email me directly at dave@letterpop.com or just click on one of the many links you’ll find throughout the site to offer feedback. Or just comment on this post. Blessings, Dave*http://letterpop.com/blog/2006/11/(Letterpop's Blog Page) 

Noteflight Noteflight is a free, online music notation program designed to

help users share music, compose music and edit music.   Noteflight was started in summer of 2008, and has quickly become a well used tool for musicians wishing to collaborate with others, as well as music educators.    

 www.noteflight.com

Getting Started on NoteflightTo get your account started, go to www.noteflight.com

1. At the top, right section of the screen, click on Sign Up.  2. You then enter your email, select your position from a menu, and create a username and password.

3. Congratulations!  You now have an account on Noteflight! 

4. Now that you have an account...There are three options to choose at the top of the page.  Click on "new scores" to begin notating your own music.  Click on "browse scores" to look at others' music.  Click on "my scores" to view a listing of all the scores you have created.

Benefits of using Noteflight in the classroom

• Noteflight is an easy way for teachers to guide students in composing and notating their own music, which meets National Standard 4.0.

• Students can collaborate with other musicians around the country.

• After composing a piece, the students can use Noteflight to get a professional quality copy of their original masterpiece!

• Students have the ability to edit and make changes to any music that is imported into the program.

• Students can browse others' work, analyzing and evaluating each piece of music, meeting National Standards 6.0 and 7.0.

• It's free, fun and easy!!! 

Problems with Noteflight  The main potential problem I see with this technology is the  possibility of violating copyright laws when using music notation/sharing sites such as this one.  Students would need to be educated on copyright laws.  Importing a piece of music and then putting a different composer's name is illegal, even if minor changes are made to the music.

Users may email tech support with any technical problem.  There is also a forum for users to give any kind of suggestions on how to improve the site.  The administrators are actively involved in the discussions, leaving comments and interacting with users to improve the program.

Who should use Noteflight?Noteflight is great forteachers to use in the classroom!!

I am so glad I foundthis application, it will be a great help in teaching children to compose and notate.

I would recommend this program to any music educator, music student or musicians looking for an easy-to-use professional quality notation and sharing program!

(music created using Noteflight)

RubiStarhttp://www.rubistar4teachers.org

 RubiStar is a free web program to help teachers design rubrics for their classrooms. Teachers can choose from pre-made from hundreds of pre-made rubrics, create a rubric based on a template or desgin own rubric altogether. Rubrics not only cut down grading time, but also help students know what is expected of them.  

Setting up your RubiStar account...To get started go to http://www.rubistar4teachers.org1. In the upper-right corner click on "Sign Up"2. Type in your name and zip code. Create a password that you will remember. Don't forget to input your email address.3. Your account has been created and you are "Ready To Go." By clicking on "New Rubric" , you can get rolling.4. You will find a screen with many options for customizable rubrics so choose one that fits your needs. 5.Simply input a title for rubric and then choose want you want your categories to be. Click submit and then you are done!

Benefits of RubiStar

RubiStar has easy to follow directions that make creating rubrics easy. If you feel like you need more help you can even go through a tutorial by clicking on link. If you are lacking in time or ideas, you can click on "Find Rubric" to search through thousands made by other teachers. Just input a keyword. If you select "Permanent" after creating your rubric, then the website will save in under your teacher page forever. It will also be available to other teachers. Helping multiple teachers at one time! 

Another option that is really useful is the "Analysis" . After you have graded students work, input the results and RubiStar will anlayze to show you what was easy, right on target, and too difficult for students. This will help with future planning! RubiStar cuts down on time you would spending creating the document in another program. It is free!

More Benefits of RubiStar

Issues Facing RubiStar Users

The website is down ever so often for updates.  Every now and then users are unable to access rubrics they have already made, due to maintence.  There is no way to add images or pictures which can sometimes be important in an elementary or English Language Learner setting.  The wording of pre-made rubrics can be a little challenging for young learners. There is no feedback or contact link. 

Other Thoughts on RubiStar

I used RubiStar a couple of times while student teaching and honestly forgot about it until a couple of weeks ago. It would have helped me so many times over the past year.  I will continue to use RubiStar in the future. Sometimes I have a hard time putting into words what I expect and this tool helps me gather my thoughts. I give it several gold stars!

Letterpop Fast Facts:

Letterpop Newsletter Maker is... *Free of cost for the first 10 applications. *An innovative and creative way to communicate via email or hard-copy. *A teacher's best friend. *Easy enough to try at least once!!  

http://www.letterpop.com

Why use Noteflight?

• Noteflight is free!!• It's easy to use!• Creates professional quality

music notation• Allows students to access

program out of the classroom• Users can create and share

music with others

RubiStar In A Few Words...

• Free• Time Saving• Easy to Follow• Quality rubrics in minutes!• Useful for teachers and students• Less filing cabinet space because the site

saves your work for you!• Analysis helps you in future planning

Summation of 2.0 Technologies...

 Simple. Fun.

Better Results.