When I first started thinking about the blog for this week I was focusing mainly on the tech tools and apps that we have been learning about during this class. But, as I continued to figure out my top 10 list, I realized there are just some tech tools that I can't leave off this list. Some of these tools I use every day (multiple times a day in fact! ) and some of them I have just been introduced to through this class. So, here are my top 10 tech tools that I can't live without!
1. Laptop computers- it doesn't really matter what brand or make or model, as long as it is a laptop. I love the convenience of being able to take it anywhere with me. My internet is not working at home? No worries, I'll just take my laptop to Starbucks!
2. Smart phones- I am old school--it takes me forever to upgrade my phones. Most of my middle school students have much nicer and newer phones than I do-- but I can't imagine not having a smart phone now! I use my phone for everything-- calling people, checking the weather, looking things up on the internet, using the maps to figure out where I am going, keeping up with friends, texting, playing games, working out math problems on the calculator! I even have an easy grader app loaded on my phone to use when I am grading papers. How did I live without one of these for so long?
3. A projector- I use a projector in my classroom all the time. One of my biggest fears is that the bulb is going to burn out and it will take me forever to get a new one in. It is amazing to think that when I started teaching a overhead transparency was cutting edge technology!
4. Microsoft Office Programs- I love Powerpoint, Word and Publisher (and I even use excel when I have to-) they make life so much easier!
5. Document cameras- I remember the first time I saw an Elmo- I thought it was the coolest thing! I now have a ladybug in my classroom and even though I don't use it all the time, it is so nice to have one when you need it!
6. Test generators- these program save me so much time! They are such an awesome resource.
7. Wikispaces- After making a wikipage in this class I have to say I love it! I will definitely try to use one for my classes next year. They are much easier to create than I thought they would be, very user friendly.
8. Rubistar- This is a tool that I had never heard of until this class. I will definitely be using it a lot in the future. I have been using Word or Excel to create rubrics for my class. Rubistar is definitely easier and probably actually more thorough than what I've been creating!
9. Digital cameras and applications that work with digital pictures- My expensive "old" film camera hardly ever gets used anymore. It is so nice to be able to take as many pictures as you like knowing that you can always delete them if they don't turn out well. Once you save the pictures you like it also amazing how many different things you can do with your pictures. One application that I learned about through this class and I love is animoto. It is a really cool program- and my students love it!
10. Prezi- prezi is a great addition to the options that students can use to make presentations. It is relatively easy to use and the finished products look great!
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Week 6 - Mobile Apps for Science
I checked in our textbook for mobile apps in science, and I only saw one listed in the science section. It was an app created by NASA. It looks like a pretty cool app, but since I teach life science, I wanted to find some apps that I might actually be able to use with my students. So, after doing a little research, I found that there were lots of great mobile apps available for use in life science. Four of the science mobile apps that I think would be great for use in the classroom are listed below.
1. 3D Cell- 3D Cell is an iPad app created by the Invitrogen Corporation. The application allows you to see a 3D version of the cell. You can zoom in on the cellular organelles and explore the cell structure. The application also includes live videos of cellular processes and functions.
2. 3D Brain- 3D Brain is an application that can be used on either an iPhone or iPad. 3D Brain was created by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. The application allows the user to look at each region of the brain, zoom into 29 interactive structures, and to see how brain injuries and mental illness affect brain functioning.
3.Frog Dissection- Frog Dissection is a virtual dissection application that can be loaded on an iPad. The application was created by Emantras, Inc. The frog dissection application allows students to perform a virtual dissection while following step by step instructions. Once an organ is exposed during the virtual dissection, detailed information and images pop up to give the student more detailed information about the structure. This application has won numerous awards, including one from PETA.
4. Science 360- Science 360 is an iPad app that was created by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The app is full of amazing science pictures and videos. The app also has a news feed from NSF- funded institutions which offers breaking news and current events in science research. The app also makes it easy to share or mark certain parts of the content so your favorites can easily be found later.
1. 3D Cell- 3D Cell is an iPad app created by the Invitrogen Corporation. The application allows you to see a 3D version of the cell. You can zoom in on the cellular organelles and explore the cell structure. The application also includes live videos of cellular processes and functions.
2. 3D Brain- 3D Brain is an application that can be used on either an iPhone or iPad. 3D Brain was created by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. The application allows the user to look at each region of the brain, zoom into 29 interactive structures, and to see how brain injuries and mental illness affect brain functioning.
3.Frog Dissection- Frog Dissection is a virtual dissection application that can be loaded on an iPad. The application was created by Emantras, Inc. The frog dissection application allows students to perform a virtual dissection while following step by step instructions. Once an organ is exposed during the virtual dissection, detailed information and images pop up to give the student more detailed information about the structure. This application has won numerous awards, including one from PETA.
4. Science 360- Science 360 is an iPad app that was created by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The app is full of amazing science pictures and videos. The app also has a news feed from NSF- funded institutions which offers breaking news and current events in science research. The app also makes it easy to share or mark certain parts of the content so your favorites can easily be found later.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Week 5- Digital Citizenship
Why is it important to be a good digital citizen? What value does a good digital reputation have?
One reason it is important to be a good digital citizen is to illustrate the value of original thoughts and ideas. As a teacher, I hope to inspire critical thinking and problem solving in my students; the internet is an amazing resource, but it also makes it very easy for people to steal ideas and thoughts from others and claim them as their own. Every time that happens two things happen: 1. someone else's ideas are essential stolen and the value of that individual's work is lost and 2. laziness prevails- rather than having to think and create, students are able to essential cut and paste information without having to actually process any of it!
As a teacher it is very important to model good digital citizenship in the classroom. It is important that my students see that I try to properly use the internet as a resource and ensure that credit is given where credit due. Hopefully, if students see their teachers modeling good digital citizenship techniques they will see that it is important to do the same.
What value does a good digital reputation have?
A good digital reputation can be invaluable. The school I work at has really tried to impress this upon our students. One thing about the internet is that once something is posted to it, it is almost impossible to completely remove it. In that way, the internet is kind of like a digital tattoo-- once it is on there, it can be very painful to remove the impression that has been created. So, before you post something, you need to really think about whether or not it is something that you want other people to see in the future. Is it a post, comment, or picture that you will be proud of next week, next year, or even 10 years from now? Is it information that you want complete strangers to know about you? If not, then you probably shouldn't post it.
Research tells us that a number of admissions counselors are checking potential student's social media accounts to look at posts and pictures before making an admission decision. Even fraternities and sororities are looking to social media to decide whether to allow potential members to join their organizations. Potential employers are doing the same. I have a few friends in the "business world" that have told me that is the only reason they have a facebook account-- is to see what their potential employees are up to before they make a decision on whether or not to employ them.
So, literally, who you portray yourself as on the internet can have repercussions for what school you go to, who your friends are, and whether or not you are able to land your dream job. It is important to think before you post!
One reason it is important to be a good digital citizen is to illustrate the value of original thoughts and ideas. As a teacher, I hope to inspire critical thinking and problem solving in my students; the internet is an amazing resource, but it also makes it very easy for people to steal ideas and thoughts from others and claim them as their own. Every time that happens two things happen: 1. someone else's ideas are essential stolen and the value of that individual's work is lost and 2. laziness prevails- rather than having to think and create, students are able to essential cut and paste information without having to actually process any of it!
As a teacher it is very important to model good digital citizenship in the classroom. It is important that my students see that I try to properly use the internet as a resource and ensure that credit is given where credit due. Hopefully, if students see their teachers modeling good digital citizenship techniques they will see that it is important to do the same.
What value does a good digital reputation have?
A good digital reputation can be invaluable. The school I work at has really tried to impress this upon our students. One thing about the internet is that once something is posted to it, it is almost impossible to completely remove it. In that way, the internet is kind of like a digital tattoo-- once it is on there, it can be very painful to remove the impression that has been created. So, before you post something, you need to really think about whether or not it is something that you want other people to see in the future. Is it a post, comment, or picture that you will be proud of next week, next year, or even 10 years from now? Is it information that you want complete strangers to know about you? If not, then you probably shouldn't post it.
Research tells us that a number of admissions counselors are checking potential student's social media accounts to look at posts and pictures before making an admission decision. Even fraternities and sororities are looking to social media to decide whether to allow potential members to join their organizations. Potential employers are doing the same. I have a few friends in the "business world" that have told me that is the only reason they have a facebook account-- is to see what their potential employees are up to before they make a decision on whether or not to employ them.
So, literally, who you portray yourself as on the internet can have repercussions for what school you go to, who your friends are, and whether or not you are able to land your dream job. It is important to think before you post!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Week 4- Material Generators
Before reading the text for this week's blog assignment, I wondered what a "material generator" was exactly. Now that I've read the assignment, I see that I have used a number of "material generators" before in my class.
Three types material generators that I have enjoyed using are desktop publishing software, test generators, and worksheet and puzzle generators.
My favorite desktop publishing software is Microsoft Publisher. I love all the cool things that can be done using Publisher. It is a great tool for making posters, fliers and brochures. It is easy to use and the finished products always look great. Unfortunately, my students are now using MacBooks, and I haven't found a comparable tool yet. They have completed work in class using Pages, but I haven't found it to be as user friendly as Publisher. I may just need more practice and time to get used to it, but I miss Publisher!
I am so grateful for test generator software. I use ExamView Test Generator to help create tests and exams for my classes and the test banks provided definitely make my life a lot easier. It is great to have so many different options for questions that are already referenced to the standards and include great graphics as well. When I started out teaching I made all my tests by hand, and it would take me forever to do it, so I appreciate how easy it is now to create tests using test generator software.
Another material generator that I have used is the worksheet and puzzle generator mentioned in our text. I have specifically used the Puzzlemaker provided at www.discoveryeducation.com. Again, this material generator makes it so easy to create crossword, word search, and hidden message puzzles. My students enjoy completing the puzzles since they definitely help make vocabulary a little more interesting. Again, the amount of time it would take me to create one of these puzzles from "scratch" would not make it very feasible to use them very often. The amount of time this material generator saves is very beneficial.
I just received a promethean board in my classroom (as in-- yesterday!) so that will be the next material generator software that I will be exploring! Hopefully it will be as helpful as the material generators that I have used in the past.
Three types material generators that I have enjoyed using are desktop publishing software, test generators, and worksheet and puzzle generators.
My favorite desktop publishing software is Microsoft Publisher. I love all the cool things that can be done using Publisher. It is a great tool for making posters, fliers and brochures. It is easy to use and the finished products always look great. Unfortunately, my students are now using MacBooks, and I haven't found a comparable tool yet. They have completed work in class using Pages, but I haven't found it to be as user friendly as Publisher. I may just need more practice and time to get used to it, but I miss Publisher!
I am so grateful for test generator software. I use ExamView Test Generator to help create tests and exams for my classes and the test banks provided definitely make my life a lot easier. It is great to have so many different options for questions that are already referenced to the standards and include great graphics as well. When I started out teaching I made all my tests by hand, and it would take me forever to do it, so I appreciate how easy it is now to create tests using test generator software.
Another material generator that I have used is the worksheet and puzzle generator mentioned in our text. I have specifically used the Puzzlemaker provided at www.discoveryeducation.com. Again, this material generator makes it so easy to create crossword, word search, and hidden message puzzles. My students enjoy completing the puzzles since they definitely help make vocabulary a little more interesting. Again, the amount of time it would take me to create one of these puzzles from "scratch" would not make it very feasible to use them very often. The amount of time this material generator saves is very beneficial.
I just received a promethean board in my classroom (as in-- yesterday!) so that will be the next material generator software that I will be exploring! Hopefully it will be as helpful as the material generators that I have used in the past.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Week 3- Instructional Software
After reading chapter 3 this week I figured out that I really need to take some time this summer to just explore and try out all of the different types of instructional software that exist. Some of the types mentioned in our text I have used before and am familiar with, but some of them I haven't heard of and they look like they would be a good fit for my classroom.
The five types of instructional software included in our text are:
1. Drill and practice software which provide exercises that allow students to answer questions or problems and receive feedback on correctness. One drill and practice application that I have used in my classroom is : http://quizlet.com This is a great site that lets students practice their vocabulary.
2. Tutorial software provides students with all of the information that they need to learn a topic. This includes summaries, explanations, practice and assessment in some form. One such tutorial that I would really like to explore can be found at : http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/newtlaws
3. Simulation software provides computerized models of systems to show how these systems work or demonstrate concepts. I use lab simulations in my class because sometimes I do not have the resources or funding to do a really elaborate lab with my students, but I can find awesome lab simulations that my students can complete. One example can be found at http://www.edheads.org/activities/brain_stimulation/, which allows students to perform a virtual brain surgery. After studying the nervous system in class my students completed this simulation and found it to be fun and interesting.
4. Instructional games are programs that add games or competition in order to help the students learn a concept. One game that I have used often in class and the kids love is "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" which can be found at the following link: http://www.superteachertools.com/millionaire/
5. Problem-solving software is designed to help improve students' problem solving abilities and skills. One example of problem-solving software that I will be exploring this summer is the Thinkport-STEM collaborative which can be found at: http://www.thinkport.org/Classroom/stem.tp
Our book offers lots of examples of different options for each of the five types of instructional software and some of them look like they would be great to use. I've added another item to my "to do list" for the summer!
Monday, April 1, 2013
Web 2.0 Assignment
The Web 2.0 assignment foced me to explore some resources that I had heard about, but not fully researched before. I had actually already set up a Glogster account before at the recommendation of some of the teachers that I work with, but I had ot actually taken the time to try it out. I thought the Glogster app was pretty cool, but also really time consuming. The tutorial we had seemed to be pretty outdated, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out some of the stuff on there.... but, overall, I think once my students got used to using it, they would enjoy it as an alternative to making a paper poster for class. I do feel that it takes a lot of time and therefore, I would have to use it mostly as an out of class assignment, or as a project grade to allow the students ample time to master this application. You can check out my glog here:
http://kathyj.edu.glogster.com/6-kingdoms
Next, I tried out Animoto. I have to say, I loved this. It was easy, it was fun, and I think my students would love it. My only concern is that it wouldn't let you add much text to the pictures.... so there were a couple of pics where I was really trying to figure out how to word something and still get the point across! Science has some pretty lengthy words, so I'm sure that was part of my problem. You can check out my Animoto here:
http://animoto.com/play/1AQi9TOGBVPfeAjjZILeZw
For my "free choice" option, I decided to use the Blabberize tool. I pulled up a short tutorial on youtube to make sure I knew how to do it correctly-- because I couldn't find a "help" button anywhere on the site. It was pretty simple once I watched the tutorial. It's pretty silly- I'd have to really think about how to let my students utilize this tool. It is fun-- and quick, which is nice-- but I can see my middle school students getting into all kinds of trouble with this one --blabberizing all kinds of inappropriate stuff! I'll definitely have to do some more research on how to use this one in the classroom. Here are my 3 Blabberize pics:
http://blabberize.com/view/id/943988
http://blabberize.com/view/id/943991
http://blabberize.com/view/id/943992
Last but not least, here is the concept map that I created to illustrate the topic I would be teaching. In this example I chose to use AL COS 4 for 7th grade science which is to describe organisms in the six-kingdom classification system by their characteristics.
I think the bubbl.us concept maps are definitely something I can use in my classroom- but I've got to see how hard it would be for my students to upload and send these to me on a MacBook which requires them to use IPhoto.
I hope to be able to have the chance to go back and explore some of the other options in the "free choice" category. There appeared to be some pretty cool tools to use!
http://kathyj.edu.glogster.com/6-kingdoms
Next, I tried out Animoto. I have to say, I loved this. It was easy, it was fun, and I think my students would love it. My only concern is that it wouldn't let you add much text to the pictures.... so there were a couple of pics where I was really trying to figure out how to word something and still get the point across! Science has some pretty lengthy words, so I'm sure that was part of my problem. You can check out my Animoto here:
http://animoto.com/play/1AQi9TOGBVPfeAjjZILeZw
For my "free choice" option, I decided to use the Blabberize tool. I pulled up a short tutorial on youtube to make sure I knew how to do it correctly-- because I couldn't find a "help" button anywhere on the site. It was pretty simple once I watched the tutorial. It's pretty silly- I'd have to really think about how to let my students utilize this tool. It is fun-- and quick, which is nice-- but I can see my middle school students getting into all kinds of trouble with this one --blabberizing all kinds of inappropriate stuff! I'll definitely have to do some more research on how to use this one in the classroom. Here are my 3 Blabberize pics:
http://blabberize.com/view/id/943988
http://blabberize.com/view/id/943991
http://blabberize.com/view/id/943992
Last but not least, here is the concept map that I created to illustrate the topic I would be teaching. In this example I chose to use AL COS 4 for 7th grade science which is to describe organisms in the six-kingdom classification system by their characteristics.
I hope to be able to have the chance to go back and explore some of the other options in the "free choice" category. There appeared to be some pretty cool tools to use!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Week 2 Assignment- Should Students Play Games in School?
Should students play games in school? Hmmm....interesting question--in my experience, if every student is given a computer, they are going to play games whether you want them to or not. One of the main discipline issues that my school has now that every student has a MacBook is playing "illegal" games such as Minecraft, on their computers. And, our students are very smart, and can figure out ways around almost every "rule" or block that the school system puts in place to keep them off of games.
So, for me, I have found that I would much rather allow them to utilize games with a purpose or instructional value than simply be wasting class time playing games that have nothing to do with their lesson.
I have been able to find lots of awesome instructional games or simulations that reinforce the curriculum for my class. Most of the time, when I use games in the classroom, it is to review a concept with my students. Occasionally I use them to introduce a new concept that may seem abstract to them-- and by allowing them to play a game with the concept-- the ideas seem to come to life for them. When I allow my students to play these games I have found that they stay on task, have fun, and they learn (or at least remember!) the information. If you tell your students that you are giving them a review worksheet they moan and groan-- but tell them that they are playing a review game on the computer and they are excited! The games that allow them to track their scores and compare them to other student's scores are always popular with the students competing against each other for the highest score. This allows them to review concenpts individually and have fun at the same time.
Some of my favorite games for kids to play are the group review games that we play to prepare for a test. My students love to play Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? as a class on the overhead projector. Honestly, I love playing it too-- the kids get so excited and competitive and that particular game allows the whole "team" to be involved in answering. I can't tell you how many times the bell has rung and I have had students begging for just one more review question or to keep going because they are so into the game and the score is so close!
I think, if used appropriately, games can add a lot to the curriculum. They offer a fun and interesting way for the students to review and solidify their understanding of the concepts that have been taught. Game on!
So, for me, I have found that I would much rather allow them to utilize games with a purpose or instructional value than simply be wasting class time playing games that have nothing to do with their lesson.
I have been able to find lots of awesome instructional games or simulations that reinforce the curriculum for my class. Most of the time, when I use games in the classroom, it is to review a concept with my students. Occasionally I use them to introduce a new concept that may seem abstract to them-- and by allowing them to play a game with the concept-- the ideas seem to come to life for them. When I allow my students to play these games I have found that they stay on task, have fun, and they learn (or at least remember!) the information. If you tell your students that you are giving them a review worksheet they moan and groan-- but tell them that they are playing a review game on the computer and they are excited! The games that allow them to track their scores and compare them to other student's scores are always popular with the students competing against each other for the highest score. This allows them to review concenpts individually and have fun at the same time.
Some of my favorite games for kids to play are the group review games that we play to prepare for a test. My students love to play Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? as a class on the overhead projector. Honestly, I love playing it too-- the kids get so excited and competitive and that particular game allows the whole "team" to be involved in answering. I can't tell you how many times the bell has rung and I have had students begging for just one more review question or to keep going because they are so into the game and the score is so close!
I think, if used appropriately, games can add a lot to the curriculum. They offer a fun and interesting way for the students to review and solidify their understanding of the concepts that have been taught. Game on!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Week 1 EDU 505 Introduction
My name is Kathy Jollit, and to be totally honest, I am feeling a little overwhelmed by all this technology that we are being introduced to in week 1! Is it just me? Setting up a twitter account...and now blogging-- ya'll bear with me- eventually I'll get the hang of it!
I am middle school science teacher in Gulf Shores, Alabama. This year I coached the 7th grade girls basketball team- and I now have a whole new respect for coaches! I am taking this course in order to renew my teaching certificate because I took a few years off from teaching while my daughter was little and my husband was in Iraq with the Army--- and now I am short on the required experience requirement for renewal. I specifically picked this course because I can really use some help with technology in education. At my school, every student has been issued a MacBook Air- our textbooks are online, our assignments (or a lot of them anyway) are online, everything in our district is moving toward digitalization-- which has been awesome and amazing, but it has also been really challenging-- so I am looking for any help I can get on ways to effectively integrate technology into my classroom!
On a personal note, I have been married to my college sweetheart for the last 10 years. We have one 5 year old daughter who keeps me crazy busy with all of her activities -- school, karate, dance, girl scouts, soccer-- we are expecting our second daughter on July 4-- so I'm excited and nervous about that! And rounding out the family we have a 100 lb mutt named Koa that loves long walks, naps, and pancakes!
I'm excited about learning new tricks for using technology in this class!
I am middle school science teacher in Gulf Shores, Alabama. This year I coached the 7th grade girls basketball team- and I now have a whole new respect for coaches! I am taking this course in order to renew my teaching certificate because I took a few years off from teaching while my daughter was little and my husband was in Iraq with the Army--- and now I am short on the required experience requirement for renewal. I specifically picked this course because I can really use some help with technology in education. At my school, every student has been issued a MacBook Air- our textbooks are online, our assignments (or a lot of them anyway) are online, everything in our district is moving toward digitalization-- which has been awesome and amazing, but it has also been really challenging-- so I am looking for any help I can get on ways to effectively integrate technology into my classroom!
On a personal note, I have been married to my college sweetheart for the last 10 years. We have one 5 year old daughter who keeps me crazy busy with all of her activities -- school, karate, dance, girl scouts, soccer-- we are expecting our second daughter on July 4-- so I'm excited and nervous about that! And rounding out the family we have a 100 lb mutt named Koa that loves long walks, naps, and pancakes!
I'm excited about learning new tricks for using technology in this class!
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