I am taking a weather and global climate change course and found this wonderful site
Stanford Solar Center. It is an excellent addition to an Earth science course. The educator page as 25 activities. The student page has a good interactive and two videos plus quizzes. This site went online in 2008.
eNature is an online field guide site. I did a quick register, only email address and zip code. The site actually gave me the birds and audio to their songs. Wow, I could have used this extensive (over 220 for western NY alone) collection when I did my birding for the summer grad course. Oh well.
Hope you enjoy perusing these. Have you found any treasures online?
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
New tech...maybe
Last week I asked if I could get the students registered to gmail and use google docs to turn in assignments. I found out that a student years ago did something that got student email accounts cut across the district. Yesterday there was a big meeting with the "powers" and they may give the privilege to the high school students. I have stuck to my plans to turn in their first inquiry lab electronically. Some did type at home and will email it. the others will deposit it into my folder at school.
I should hear soon the outcome of the meeting. There are many of us that are forward thinking tech users and that thrills our equally forward thinking IT department. The kids are thinking about the entire technology thing, one student bought his first jump drive so he could do more of his work at home and school.
In my other class, I used slideboom to post my power points on the blog and kids are actually using them. So far so good...........
I should hear soon the outcome of the meeting. There are many of us that are forward thinking tech users and that thrills our equally forward thinking IT department. The kids are thinking about the entire technology thing, one student bought his first jump drive so he could do more of his work at home and school.
In my other class, I used slideboom to post my power points on the blog and kids are actually using them. So far so good...........
Saturday, September 19, 2009
two weeks and they love the tech
Hello everyone who happens to still be following. I have to tell you the wiki is a great hit. kids are logging on at home, coming in before the school day starts to get on to do an assignment. They send messages to each other via the comments at the bottom of the page. I had it up for open house and they jumped on to show their parents and siblings.
My challenge now is to keep it fresh and interesting. of course they will help. When they turn in their reports from the owl pellets inquiry lab I will post all of them on the wiki and they will comment on at least two, giving good feedback (one good, one needs improving). I did get all the students their own passwords from pbworks so I can track all edits. It works great.
They did listen to the voicethread (under Ecology Unit in the directory) and thought it was "way cool" Only one headphone set up didn't work but tech is on it. I paid $10 for the extra priveliges so now I have to figure out how to get them to sign in and comment. They will also make their own.
My 20week biology class is not into the blog at all. So I am using it strictly for adding my power points and assignments. It worked great the first day a student needed notes. I sent her to the computer and she got on the blog and took notes from the ppt that I embedded using slideboom.
I think this will be more for direct content from class instead of dialogue which is ok. Maybe some will get use to it and I will get some postings.
If anyone can help with the voicethread account please let me know.
How is your foray into technology going this year?
My challenge now is to keep it fresh and interesting. of course they will help. When they turn in their reports from the owl pellets inquiry lab I will post all of them on the wiki and they will comment on at least two, giving good feedback (one good, one needs improving). I did get all the students their own passwords from pbworks so I can track all edits. It works great.
They did listen to the voicethread (under Ecology Unit in the directory) and thought it was "way cool" Only one headphone set up didn't work but tech is on it. I paid $10 for the extra priveliges so now I have to figure out how to get them to sign in and comment. They will also make their own.
My 20week biology class is not into the blog at all. So I am using it strictly for adding my power points and assignments. It worked great the first day a student needed notes. I sent her to the computer and she got on the blog and took notes from the ppt that I embedded using slideboom.
I think this will be more for direct content from class instead of dialogue which is ok. Maybe some will get use to it and I will get some postings.
If anyone can help with the voicethread account please let me know.
How is your foray into technology going this year?
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
working the tech in the class
I spent the past two days in my room. Today was the first teacher day. We do wellness activities- everyone even administration! of the 20 activities (bowling, archery, dodge ball, biking included) I selected aerobics and a walk through our historic cemetery in town. We had full staff and building meetings. for teachers it was really like the first day of school- seeing everyone after the long summer. A great day despite the construction still not being done!
The teacher I am working with did her wiki and unveiled it today. It was great. Now we are wondering how to get kids to use it. Our questions are do they have to register with pbworks, our hosting site? Can we give them codes to get sign in? Do I have to sign up for the annual fee for management? I thought I saw $10 one time to allow for some management now I don't see it.
It will be quite a challenge to make it work.
We sent in labs for copies today- all total...over 400 copies for the first 3 days. We are even doing some class copies that require only 20 copies. A paperless classroom is still my desire but how?
here are some thoughts--
all written work must be turned in electronically
quizzes done in a e-document
I would appreciate any other thoughts. I would love to do labs electronically but the state says we need to have copies saved for years., just in case they want to see them!
The teacher I am working with did her wiki and unveiled it today. It was great. Now we are wondering how to get kids to use it. Our questions are do they have to register with pbworks, our hosting site? Can we give them codes to get sign in? Do I have to sign up for the annual fee for management? I thought I saw $10 one time to allow for some management now I don't see it.
It will be quite a challenge to make it work.
We sent in labs for copies today- all total...over 400 copies for the first 3 days. We are even doing some class copies that require only 20 copies. A paperless classroom is still my desire but how?
here are some thoughts--
all written work must be turned in electronically
quizzes done in a e-document
I would appreciate any other thoughts. I would love to do labs electronically but the state says we need to have copies saved for years., just in case they want to see them!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Mid August and Fabulous Quotes
The photo is a crane that landed high in the trees by our local creek.The first afternoon I actually sat and did nothing was strange!! I kept saying "I really have nothing that I have to do" No blog to update, tweet to post, site to find, question to answer, tech to play with, I think this is what they call summer vacation. Wow. I need to enjoy it- I only have a few more weeks of it. Loved my summer courses, now how to implement them into the class.
Spent time in the classroom yesterday getting boxes put away and setting up my new desk.The contruction has not gone smoothly (last week all the lights in 3 rooms fell, mine included) There is dust everywhere and a hired cleaning crew coming in to clean (again). Roof is not finished, tiles in the main hall are 80% done and the office staff did move back into the building. Will it all be finished by September??? Maybe not!
ON the tech side...I will not have my smartboard until Nov, maybe December. After using it all last year now I have to rethink and find overheads. Any video from youtube will be blocked for students and with no smartboad I can't show them. Uggg. What will I really be able to do technology wise is up in the air a little.
Found a great quote for the classroom ecology unit that our 40 week class is starting with-
"In the end, we will conserve only what we love.
We will love only what we understand.
We will understand only what we are taught." - Babi Dioun, African ecologist
Any one else use great quotes in the classroom? I am thinking of posting it over the main board.
We will love only what we understand.
We will understand only what we are taught." - Babi Dioun, African ecologist
Any one else use great quotes in the classroom? I am thinking of posting it over the main board.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Reflections
I have really enjoyed this class. I have also grumbled and complained along the way. It really is so much work in such a short time frame. I was able to explore about 90% of the material that we were given in class. Some are earmarked for further investigation, like online inquiry.
My PLN has been wonderful. I did not think there would actually be relevance in my twittering and I do enjoy the quick notes that lead me through the web to sites I would never have been before. It is such a habit now to check my google reader that I will definitly continue with it. I am also interested to add to my network as teachers get back in the swing of the school year. I know I won't be alone in my technology world, many of the teachers i work with are receptive. Some are doing blogs and wikis for the first time this year.
One of the testimonials that I read over and over about the MSSE program was the high caliber of the particpants. It is so true. All of you are dedicated professionals that add immensly to the learning process. I really learned because you pushed me, challenged me and pulled me along. I hope you will keep blogging and twittering, sharing your thoughts and how your classrooms are doing.
The class is definitly a stretch timewise. I have never spent so much time online before, hours and hours at a sitting. But the payoff has been beyond what I could have dreamed. I love the projects I have ready for my students and I am looking forward to the new year.
I am also ready to sign up for my new fall MSU course. A few weeks off then right back at it. The joys of being a life long learner.
Thank you Eric for all your work, enjoy the rest of the summer.
My PLN has been wonderful. I did not think there would actually be relevance in my twittering and I do enjoy the quick notes that lead me through the web to sites I would never have been before. It is such a habit now to check my google reader that I will definitly continue with it. I am also interested to add to my network as teachers get back in the swing of the school year. I know I won't be alone in my technology world, many of the teachers i work with are receptive. Some are doing blogs and wikis for the first time this year.
One of the testimonials that I read over and over about the MSSE program was the high caliber of the particpants. It is so true. All of you are dedicated professionals that add immensly to the learning process. I really learned because you pushed me, challenged me and pulled me along. I hope you will keep blogging and twittering, sharing your thoughts and how your classrooms are doing.
The class is definitly a stretch timewise. I have never spent so much time online before, hours and hours at a sitting. But the payoff has been beyond what I could have dreamed. I love the projects I have ready for my students and I am looking forward to the new year.
I am also ready to sign up for my new fall MSU course. A few weeks off then right back at it. The joys of being a life long learner.
Thank you Eric for all your work, enjoy the rest of the summer.
Final Guiding Principles
I realized it was time to really look at my principles. When I first wrote about them (30 blogs ago!) I was just starting out, didn't have my PLN and didn't know the fast paced life I would be leading in this course. I go into the school year excited but reminding myself that technology might be fun but is it accomplishing what I need it to in the classroom.
1. The tech needs to be aligned with the content standards. I want to use technology as a tool to bring better understanding to my students. This means looking at the content they need to know and deciding how to present it, what tool will accomplish this best. Old things in new ways are good.
2. The technology needs to be student centered. I want my students to want to learn and this is not always the case. If the tools I use in the classroom force them to take the reins and giude their own learning that is a huge positive. Ownership of the learning comes when students possess the tools, dig for the knowledge, and produce a product they are proud of.
3. The technology needs to be relevant. Teaching high school now makes me mindful that these students will soon be college students and entering the work force. Will the technology that I teach them be useful? I was them to see relevance in what they do in class to what their future looks like. Also it needs to be relevant to the global world. Our students need to think beyond our samll county borders (tough to do in small town) and beyond our state and national borders as well.
4. The technology should work toward inquiry. Inquiry based learning in the sciences is the not in the future it is now. It is proven that inquiry based learning is more relevant and meaningful. Can the technology I choose facilitate inquiry? This is where the data bases and inquiry projects online will work well.
5. The teacher needs to master the technology first. I do not want to get excited about a technology and pass it along without fully understanding the ins and outs of it. This will require time and effort on my part and may only allow me to add in small bits but I will add quality when I hand the technology to my students. It is important that I can help them, many will be fearfull of something new.
1. The tech needs to be aligned with the content standards. I want to use technology as a tool to bring better understanding to my students. This means looking at the content they need to know and deciding how to present it, what tool will accomplish this best. Old things in new ways are good.
2. The technology needs to be student centered. I want my students to want to learn and this is not always the case. If the tools I use in the classroom force them to take the reins and giude their own learning that is a huge positive. Ownership of the learning comes when students possess the tools, dig for the knowledge, and produce a product they are proud of.
3. The technology needs to be relevant. Teaching high school now makes me mindful that these students will soon be college students and entering the work force. Will the technology that I teach them be useful? I was them to see relevance in what they do in class to what their future looks like. Also it needs to be relevant to the global world. Our students need to think beyond our samll county borders (tough to do in small town) and beyond our state and national borders as well.
4. The technology should work toward inquiry. Inquiry based learning in the sciences is the not in the future it is now. It is proven that inquiry based learning is more relevant and meaningful. Can the technology I choose facilitate inquiry? This is where the data bases and inquiry projects online will work well.
5. The teacher needs to master the technology first. I do not want to get excited about a technology and pass it along without fully understanding the ins and outs of it. This will require time and effort on my part and may only allow me to add in small bits but I will add quality when I hand the technology to my students. It is important that I can help them, many will be fearfull of something new.
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