Hello everyone:
Please see the link to my Digital Citizenship Prezi in the list at the left of this blog...or find it below.
Thanks!
Shelly
http://prezi.com/l5f0g7xxdaba/digital-citizenship/
Monday, April 25, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Emerging Technology 2: Prezi
I have been "studying" prezi's as well as Makebelief comix. I have found that a prezi is a very useful tool for collaborative work. It is similar to a powerpoint in that it can be used for presentations. You can insert textboxes pictures, graphs and more and arrange them on a "canvas" as if it were a giant posterboard. You can use a "zebra" wheel to enlarge or reduce an image as well as to rotate it. You can create a "path" by linking the objects in a particular order when you click on them. This is the order in which they will be "shown" in presentation mode. It is also easy to insert another image in the line-up without having to re-number them all! There are many basic as well as detailed instructions available in "Prezi for Dummies".(2010)
I think that a prezi would be useful in class for organizing data. It is easy to "jot down" all of you ideas in textboxes and add visuals and then go back and view them all and rearrange them whether chronologically, alphabetically, or by a particular category. This would be great for making an outline for flow chart before you start writing.
I have investigated prezi's because I am part of a group project in another class I am taking right now and we are going to create a prezi for our group presentation to the class. The other members of the group are already familiar with prezi's. We liked the idea of using a prezi because several people can contribute to 1 final project from different locations.
Basic instructions can also be found on teachertube. Here is the link to an instructional video I found helpful.
http://www1.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?title=Prezi_Lesson_1&video_id=177630&vpkey
I think that a prezi would be useful in class for organizing data. It is easy to "jot down" all of you ideas in textboxes and add visuals and then go back and view them all and rearrange them whether chronologically, alphabetically, or by a particular category. This would be great for making an outline for flow chart before you start writing.
I have investigated prezi's because I am part of a group project in another class I am taking right now and we are going to create a prezi for our group presentation to the class. The other members of the group are already familiar with prezi's. We liked the idea of using a prezi because several people can contribute to 1 final project from different locations.
Basic instructions can also be found on teachertube. Here is the link to an instructional video I found helpful.
http://www1.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?title=Prezi_Lesson_1&video_id=177630&vpkey
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Emerging Technology 2: Makebeliefcomix
http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/?comix_id=34443653C434399
This is a link to a new comic strip I created. I went to this site because I love it! It creates great visuals for a variety of topics, and you don't have to be a wiz with technology to use it (which is important to me). The directions are clear and simple, and you can get started right away! I believe this will be a simple way for my students and I to vent some frustrations over a long complicated Algebra chapter in a creative and comical way. I think that sometimes you need to step back and laugh about things to reduce stress. This will hopefully shed a positive light on a long drawn-out chapter on slopes of a line, equations of a line, and graphs of lines. The characters available for the comix are appropriate for all ages, but I think they are geared particularly to middle and high school students. The fact that you can add your own quotes, phrases, and verbage just gives it that extra personal touch. I believe that my students will really enjoy this class in the computer lab, and welcome the change of pace. Teenagers are very creative and expressive and I think creating a comic strip is something that they will really enjoy.
This is a link to a new comic strip I created. I went to this site because I love it! It creates great visuals for a variety of topics, and you don't have to be a wiz with technology to use it (which is important to me). The directions are clear and simple, and you can get started right away! I believe this will be a simple way for my students and I to vent some frustrations over a long complicated Algebra chapter in a creative and comical way. I think that sometimes you need to step back and laugh about things to reduce stress. This will hopefully shed a positive light on a long drawn-out chapter on slopes of a line, equations of a line, and graphs of lines. The characters available for the comix are appropriate for all ages, but I think they are geared particularly to middle and high school students. The fact that you can add your own quotes, phrases, and verbage just gives it that extra personal touch. I believe that my students will really enjoy this class in the computer lab, and welcome the change of pace. Teenagers are very creative and expressive and I think creating a comic strip is something that they will really enjoy.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Module 4-2 Digital Literacy
After reviewing the NETS Standards for implementing technology, I found that there 2 that I currently use: 3d.) process data and report results and 4c.) collect and anaylyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions. Thus, there are many areas in which I could improve. I hope that my goal will incorporate some of these standards as well.
I chose to read a blog entitled: Criteria for Eeffective Assessment in Project-Bbased Learning. (Here is the link: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/effective-assessment-project-based-learning-andrew-miller.) I chose this article to assist me in meeting my new goal....having my students do a project. One of my big "issues" with projects is how to assess them. My students will not do the work, if it is not "for a grade". I do not like grading things that do not have a specific right or wrong answer.
This article provides a few suggestions for assessing project-based learning. One suggestion is to use the R.A.F.T. method. This means to be sure the students know their Role in the project, the Audience that the project is to address, the Format for their work, and the Topic to address. This made me feel a little better. I always feel like I can't address the standards if I use projects, because there simply isn't any extra time! The article addresses this issue as well. It says select the important standards to focus on and just utilize others for support. In other words, he says to think of it as "Shopping with intent to buy" vs "window shopping". The standards you are going to "buy" are emphasized and focussed on. Also, if technology is going to be a part of the project, his top 3 skills to assess are collaboration, presentation, and critical thinking. This article also provided a link to "tips for grading" that I visited. This was also helpful.
Although I'm still hesitant about this project, I am also anxious and excited. This is a small project (2-3 days) and I think it will be a way to ease into the idea.
I chose to read a blog entitled: Criteria for Eeffective Assessment in Project-Bbased Learning. (Here is the link: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/effective-assessment-project-based-learning-andrew-miller.) I chose this article to assist me in meeting my new goal....having my students do a project. One of my big "issues" with projects is how to assess them. My students will not do the work, if it is not "for a grade". I do not like grading things that do not have a specific right or wrong answer.
This article provides a few suggestions for assessing project-based learning. One suggestion is to use the R.A.F.T. method. This means to be sure the students know their Role in the project, the Audience that the project is to address, the Format for their work, and the Topic to address. This made me feel a little better. I always feel like I can't address the standards if I use projects, because there simply isn't any extra time! The article addresses this issue as well. It says select the important standards to focus on and just utilize others for support. In other words, he says to think of it as "Shopping with intent to buy" vs "window shopping". The standards you are going to "buy" are emphasized and focussed on. Also, if technology is going to be a part of the project, his top 3 skills to assess are collaboration, presentation, and critical thinking. This article also provided a link to "tips for grading" that I visited. This was also helpful.
Although I'm still hesitant about this project, I am also anxious and excited. This is a small project (2-3 days) and I think it will be a way to ease into the idea.
Video reflections - module 4
As I watched the videos from this section, a few things came to mind. First, I found the piano staircase to be very entertaining. That was a delightful video. We need something like this everywhere to help americans become a healthier nation. If more people used the stairs regularly, there would be fewer overweight people. That would also result in a decrease in other health related issues, like heart disease and high blood pressure. Second, the statistics provided in the last video were astonishing! It really made me think about ways to try to engage my students more, and to engage technology more. Finally, I am going to share this information with my colleagues at a staff meeting next week. I am interested to see how many are open to the use of technology in their classroom.
I think that the first video with the cavemen-like people trying new things inspired my "aha" moment. It kind of put things into perspective. It reminded me that I am not the only one having a hard time adjusting to the technology-savy world around me.
As a result of watching these videos, I have set a new goal for myself. I am going to try introducing a project into my class. This project will involve an experiment that will lead to deriving a linear equation from the data collected. This is way out of my comfort zone! Math is a very black and white topic and that is how I like things....no gray area! A project will not have 1 specific right -or- wrong answer. This is the uncomfortable part for me. This will also be a project done in groups of 3. This is also a new idea for me. I'll let you know how it goes....
I think that the first video with the cavemen-like people trying new things inspired my "aha" moment. It kind of put things into perspective. It reminded me that I am not the only one having a hard time adjusting to the technology-savy world around me.
As a result of watching these videos, I have set a new goal for myself. I am going to try introducing a project into my class. This project will involve an experiment that will lead to deriving a linear equation from the data collected. This is way out of my comfort zone! Math is a very black and white topic and that is how I like things....no gray area! A project will not have 1 specific right -or- wrong answer. This is the uncomfortable part for me. This will also be a project done in groups of 3. This is also a new idea for me. I'll let you know how it goes....
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Edutopia.org video
I chose to watch a video about a group of high school students in Colorado that made an extra curricular robotics club. There is an annual competition hosted by various organizations arond the country in which high school students have 8 weeks to design and test their robots in preparation for the event. Poudre High School was fortunate enough to have actual engineers and grad students nearby that assisted them in getting this program up and running. They have found that instead of students spending all of their time asking "why?", they are focussed on asking "how?". The technology is truely engaging them in the areas of learning and creating. Another benefit of this program is that students must learn fundraising, marketing, and presentation skills in order to raise the money needed to fund the program. The real beauty of the program is that, these students are utilizing applied mathematics and engineering skills, while having fun! You can see this video too by clicking on the link below or the link on my blog page. Enjoy!
http://www.edutopia.org/poudre-high-school-robotics-video
http://www.edutopia.org/poudre-high-school-robotics-video
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Emerging Technology 1
TeacherTube
I have beenexploring with teachertube. I had never heard of it before taking this class. I have found that there is an enormous array of things available here! You only have to enter a topic and press "search"! It is often difficult in mathematics to find activities for class that are actually useful and "on topic". I found a delightful calculus song on derivatives created and sung by high school students. I found some magic tricks that use mathematics. But most useful to me is the graphing video. I am working with some struggling Algebra I students this quarter. This is the part of the textbook that frustrates a lot of students and causes them to shut down. This video is short and sweet! [It is about the same length as their attention span.] It provides a great visual for demonstrating the affect of changing the slope of a line vs changing the y-intercept. Illustrating this by hand would have taken up an entire class period. This video accomplishes the same thing in 5 minutes! This is also particularly useful for ECA review!
I just read some statistics at a conference last week that said that as much as 25% of the ECA exam will be over linear equations and their graphs! It was also suggested that utilizing any and all technology that you can could help these struggling students who are very comfortable with technology. Graphing calculators, which have predominantly been reserved for "upper level" students only in the past, have proven to be a great asset for struggling Algebra I students.
Oddly, my son who is in 7th grade has been introduced to these topics last week in his pre-algebra class. He was utterly lost! He came home very confused and frustrated! I spent MANY HOURS working with him last week and this weekend in hopes that he might be prepared for his chapter test this week. His reactions mirrored those of my high school students. It is a difficult concept, and yet one that the state finds valuable enough to weight heavily on the ECA exam.
Overall, I found teachertube to be a valuable tool. Sure, there are some "poor" postings here as well. I found one video that merely taped a teacher showing students how to put their name on their calculator! Seriously...someone made a video of that! If you are willing to sift through a few "duds" their are a lot of gems out there waiting to be uncovered.
Shelly
I have beenexploring with teachertube. I had never heard of it before taking this class. I have found that there is an enormous array of things available here! You only have to enter a topic and press "search"! It is often difficult in mathematics to find activities for class that are actually useful and "on topic". I found a delightful calculus song on derivatives created and sung by high school students. I found some magic tricks that use mathematics. But most useful to me is the graphing video. I am working with some struggling Algebra I students this quarter. This is the part of the textbook that frustrates a lot of students and causes them to shut down. This video is short and sweet! [It is about the same length as their attention span.] It provides a great visual for demonstrating the affect of changing the slope of a line vs changing the y-intercept. Illustrating this by hand would have taken up an entire class period. This video accomplishes the same thing in 5 minutes! This is also particularly useful for ECA review!
I just read some statistics at a conference last week that said that as much as 25% of the ECA exam will be over linear equations and their graphs! It was also suggested that utilizing any and all technology that you can could help these struggling students who are very comfortable with technology. Graphing calculators, which have predominantly been reserved for "upper level" students only in the past, have proven to be a great asset for struggling Algebra I students.
Oddly, my son who is in 7th grade has been introduced to these topics last week in his pre-algebra class. He was utterly lost! He came home very confused and frustrated! I spent MANY HOURS working with him last week and this weekend in hopes that he might be prepared for his chapter test this week. His reactions mirrored those of my high school students. It is a difficult concept, and yet one that the state finds valuable enough to weight heavily on the ECA exam.
Overall, I found teachertube to be a valuable tool. Sure, there are some "poor" postings here as well. I found one video that merely taped a teacher showing students how to put their name on their calculator! Seriously...someone made a video of that! If you are willing to sift through a few "duds" their are a lot of gems out there waiting to be uncovered.
Shelly
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Math Magic
http://www1.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=4254&title=The_CEISMC_Gazette___Math_and_Magic
This is another link I found on Teachertube. This shows some impressive magic tricks and relates some mathematics to them. This would be great educaional entertainment on that last day before spring break, or if you unexpectedly need to call in a sub!
This is another link I found on Teachertube. This shows some impressive magic tricks and relates some mathematics to them. This would be great educaional entertainment on that last day before spring break, or if you unexpectedly need to call in a sub!
Calculus Song
http://www1.teachertube.com/searchList.php?search_type=music&tags=Calculus
This is a calculus song I found on Teacher Tube created by students. It is enthusiastic, creative, and somewhat motivating...which could really help us overcome our winter "dulldrums".
This is a calculus song I found on Teacher Tube created by students. It is enthusiastic, creative, and somewhat motivating...which could really help us overcome our winter "dulldrums".
Teacher Tube Link
http://www.fcps.edu/AnnandaleHS/GeometryProjects/geomproj.htm
I found this link via teacher tube. It provides detailed projects that Geometry students can do at the high school level to enrich various units or to use in place of the traditional problems and worksheets for assessment of concept mastery.
I found this link via teacher tube. It provides detailed projects that Geometry students can do at the high school level to enrich various units or to use in place of the traditional problems and worksheets for assessment of concept mastery.
A 2nd attempt...
Hello:
I think I have a blog now. However, when I look at one screen the picture of our dog is present. In another view however, there is merely a sillouette of a person and no photo there??? Still kinda confused...
I think I have a blog now. However, when I look at one screen the picture of our dog is present. In another view however, there is merely a sillouette of a person and no photo there??? Still kinda confused...
Saturday, February 5, 2011
It's Greek To Me (well it's getting better)
I must admit I am really struggling with this project. It has taken me a long time to figure out how to get to this point. I am eager to try to customize this blog and give it some personality. However, I have no idea where to begin. Hopefully, when you see this it will no longer be gray and white boxes.
Shelly
Shelly
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