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Aviary Raven

  What it is:  Aviary is a website on a mission to make creativity more accessible.  They do this by making powerful image software available online (no download required) and with free versions of the online software.  Aviary has four different offerings: Peacock, Phoenix, Toucan, and Raven.  Because each tool does something different, I am going to break it down into four posts.   Raven is the final application in the Aviary suite.  Raven is a vector editor.  Those familiar with graphic design will appreciate this tool because vector art is fully scalable (it doesn’t pixelate or distort when size is changed).  Vector art is most commonly used in logo creation.  Raven allows students to learn about and work with paths, lines, curves, and objects.  Students will have control over stroke, fill color, and gradient. Just like in Aviary Phoenix, students can work with layers, groups, and layer masks.  Raven also allows for import of other vector graphic files (SVG).     How to integrate Raven into the classroom:   Aviary Raven is an amazing application and the fact that it is web based makes it infinitely more impressive.  Use Raven to teach students about graphic design, vector art, pixels, and digital art.  Allow students to experiment with different fills and gradients to create shadow and light on objects that they create.     Tips:  Aviary Raven is the only application in the suite that is currently in alpha version and costs money, $9.99/month gives you pro access to the complete Aviary suite.   Be sure to check out the many tutorials to learn how to use Raven and all of the Aviary applications.  Encourage students to do the same…it is a great way to learn!   Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Aviary Raven  in your classroom.

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Ology

Posted by admin | Posted in Fun & Games, Primary Elementary, Science, Secondary Elementary, Websites | Posted on 09-01-2009

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What it is:  Ology is an outstanding free website from the American Museum of Natural History where students can learn about archaeology, astronomy, biodiversity, earth, Einstein, genetics, marine biology, water, and paleontology.  The site is user friendly for kids and has an attractive interface that students will enjoy.  Each subject has polls, inside stories on the subject, experiments, book lists of related books, interactive games and activities, “make it” ideas, interviews, a snapshot of scientists at work, and more.  

 

How to integrate Ology into the classroom:   I like to uses sites like Ology for scavenger hunts.  I give students a list of facts that I want them to find while exploring the website and have them take part in a virtual scavenger hunt following the clues.  Activities like this build research skills.  This is a great site for using in any science class.  The online reading is wonderful and the suggestion for books related to the subject is a nice addition.  Students can explore the site during science and share what they learn with the class.  The experiments and make it ideas would be fun to learn about and create as a class.  Ology is an excellent addition to any science class!

 

Tips: Does your school hold an annual science fair?  Share this site with parents for suggestion of science experiments and as a launching point.  

 

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Ology in your classroom.

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