History Wiki

For my technology project I decided to create a classroom wiki space that my students could access and use throughout the year to supplement what I was teaching in class. I saw it as we were doing our technology review blog assignment and created a very modest one that day. I just felt like this was everything I was looking for in a class website. I was able to put links up to everything I wanted them to have access to with ease. Pictures were easy to come by, and the content was mostly completed already. I just kind of played around with it for a while and in a few days I had created 3 pages including 2 full unit pages, my syllabus, and a current event article section. I was amazed at how easy it was through
http://www.pbworks.com

I signed up for a free account and I was off to the races. Everything was easily edited and very teacher friendly. I will be updating this with all of my history units by the end of next year and will hopefully have a ton of links for students to use. On top of this, I included a section for students to download daily notes if they are absent and daily activity calendar too. Overall I am psyched to have this tool and to be able to add to it at will. It can go as far as I am willing to take it. Hopefully a blog will be added for next year. Here is the link to my site:

http://howardshistory.pbworks.com

You will need to login as a student to view it.

Username: burkestudent1
Password: howardshistory

Let me know what you think. Thanks,

Final Project- Webquest

Creating a webquest is not as easy as one may think. There is much preparation work to be completed before you even think about creating and formatting one. I found out the hard way. You may ask yourself, "Then why use a webquest?" The answer is because it enhances and supports the learner while using technology. Many teachers use technology like computers just to say they used them or to fulfill a requirement. The problem is that often times the improper use of technology does not enhance or support teaching and learning. It does take time and much consideration when selecting a lesson that integrates technology in a seamless and useful manner.

As I created my webquest, I basically have to have all aspects of the lesson completed before starting from the purpose, task, and goal to the end result, process, and assessment. Yes, I had to create all assessments before the task was completed so that students knew what the goal was. Not just what to do to get a good grade, but rather what to do in order to gain understanding.

A webquest is a good tool to use to enhance teaching and learning because it requires "high level thinking and makes good use of the web" (http://webquest.org/).Created by Bernie Dodge, a webquest is a "inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most of the information that learners work with come from the web" (http://webquest.org/). According to Gardenquest, a webquest creating site, the following must be completed before creating a webquest:

• Goal & Content- identify curricular Standards to be met, identify target, and identify content to implemented
  


• Task & Assessments- determine task(s) to be accomplished as a way to learn and how you will assess each task or end goal
  


• Process- decide what is the end point and how do the learners get there, find web resources for the learners to integrate and use
  


• Final Details- complete an introduction that serves as a "hook" for the learners, complete a useful conclusion that not only brings the webquest to an end, but review what should have been learned
  


• Polish- make sure the webquest looks good to entice learners, this may mean you would have to download links and graphics prior creating the webquest

So as you can see, creating the actual on-line quest wasn't what took all my time, although like anything else new it did take a while. The time consuming part of creating this quest was actually putting thought into everything that went into it so that it was meaningful, of sound quality, and met my goal. Kids just can't go read something because it doesn't convey purpose and develop meaning. Quality task or projects must be created to support your end goal.

I created a The Great Gatsby webquest for my 11th grade American Literature class. I will actually use this webquest this school year. As you view my quest, take note on the standards included, links reviewed by me first, assessments created for each task, and the actually task to be completed. As I typically would lecture and discuss all this information for The Great Gatsby as I teach in the Socratic Seminar, this is an alternative way that engages the students more actively and draws on them to be independent learners instead of regurgitate information lectured by me. I hope you enjoy my webquest and feel free to use it or change it to suit your needs.

http://questgarden.com/128/33/4/110629064309/

Final Project

For my final project for this class I decided to create a web page of lessons to teach students about digital citizenship. I think these lessons would be a great introduction to any class that will be using computers throughout the course. The lessons are mostly geared toward high school students, but could be modified to be used with middle school. I plan to use the website and lessons as an introduction lesson for my Computer Fashion Design class. The lessons also introduce students to using different technology resources that can be used throughout the course. Overall I really enjoyed using weebly to create the website, it was very user-friendly.

Hope you enjoy my website!

http://digitalcitizenshiplessonsforlife.weebly.com/index.html

Team 5 webpage....finally!!

I created a team website for our 5th grade team at King Science. We are a 5-8 middle school and our 5th graders are coming brand new to us from elementary schools all over the district. Over my past four years at King I've heard time and time again from parents that they feel the communication between home and school is desperately lacking between an elementary setting to a middle school setting. I've always wanted to create a way to keep parents up-to-date in a way that doesn't involve making tons of copies, trying to make parent phone calls, sending notes home with students, etc.

By creating our team website, I hope we can use it as a way to keep parents informed of important dates with a schedule page and a fun picture gallery page for them to stay connected with their child's education.

This is my domain name:
http://www.wix.com/maureenandbryce/5thgradeatkstm

The only thing I wish were different is that my email address, maureenandbryce, were not part of the domain name. I think the way to change this is to pay for the upgraded version which I do not want to do at this time. If the website becomes a success I may upgrade at a later time.

I hope you enjoy my website!
* On the gallery page you will see pictures generated from the wix website. Pictures will be updated as they are taken throughout the school year and with parent permission.

What a Ride!!

I have learned so much about technology and the benefits to the students in the 21^st century. My instruction is going to be much different this year. I plan on implementing many aspects such as the Promethean Board with ActivInspire Software and proposing some software into the building.

The web page was designed for educators of English Language Learners and Special Education Students infused with strategies, tutorial, and software to enhance the learning experiences

Preschool in the Digital Age

This has been a fun learning experience. When I started this class I did not know what to expect. I did learn about the latest technology that is available to educators. The challenge for me was that most things that I learned about was geared towards the older grades. This got me to think of ways that I could still incorporate technology at the beginning level. I wanted ways that supported the developmental readiness of preschoolers without taking away from the knowledge of the digital world in which they live in. I never thought that I would create my own website!

To view my webpage go to http://preschoolinthedigitalage.weebly.com/-resources.html

Western Hills FFVP blog

http://westernhillsffvp.blogspot.com

As I was chatting with my principal, Mrs. Schmid, about my Integrating Technology class she asked me if I knew how to start a blog. Of course at the time I didn’t have a clue but I knew by the end of the eight weeks I certainly would have a better understanding. Our school received a grant to continue our Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program next year and Mrs. Schmid thought starting a blog about this program would be a great way to involve our staff and students using technology.

Each week, during the school year, our students are able to sample fresh produce. The kids go crazy just waiting for their fresh treats and it is great way to introduce our children to fruits and vegetables that will hopefully prod them into choosing healthier options later in life.

The purpose behind creating the blog was for students to research and develop their writing skills to communicate with their school audience and families about what they learned about each new fruit or vegetable. They may want to learn more about where the produce is grown, how it is grown, how is it shipped to various places, the nutritional value, scientific name, what it is similar or related to, what it tastes and looks like, and did they like it.

One small glitch in the process of creating this blog was the ability to access it from school. As of now, Omaha Public Schools does not allow access to blogs and forums. This is something I will be working on in conjunction with Mrs. Schmid but in the meantime we will use the blog I created and let the students, staff, and family access it outside of school. Another option may be to use the social forum on DotNetNuke through OPS. This forum can only be accessed through OPS so unfortunately parents and community members are not able to see and read what the kids have researched and written and is limited in its creativity.

Technology is constantly changing and transforming so I imagine and hope that within a short time our district will begin to allow various sites for students and staff to communicate and collaborate in direct relation to curriculum standards.

The blog I created is through blogspot.com. Students and their families will be able to comment on posts and teachers will be invited to be authors on the blog in order to post student facts and photos.

Teachers will first need to sign up for a gmail account and send it to the administrator. http://mail.google.com/mail/help/open.html

Invite authors to a blog

Sign in to www.blogger.com and type in the

username and password

Go to the “Settings” page of the blog

Click link for “Permissions”

Click “Add Authors” and type in email addresses of each author then click “Invite”

Blogger sends the invitation to each author listed and once they respond to the email they are ready to go.

New authors can write and edit their own blogs but are not able to edit or delete posts written by any other authors.

Here is the blog I created for our Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program. New postings will begin in August or September of 2011.

http://westernhillsffvp.blogspot.com

Unit Plan-Integrating Technology

A NEW CURRICULUM-A NEW PLAN!

This year my science curriculum will be changing. For my final I decided to create a unit plan for a unit I have never had the opportunity to teach. The 7th grade curriculum now includes Energy Flow through Ecosystems, i.e. Food chains/webs. I created a plan that integrates some of the technology that we have been using and learning about in this class.

WHAT AN ADVENTURE!
It was a great deal of fun to put together this plan. It was also extremely time consuming. I was thankful that I had the opportunity to come up with this plan. I can see that integrating technology into my teaching will take time and for most units will be done in baby steps.

Here is the link to my unit plan.

FACES in the Music Staff

I am on a mission to find technology that I can incorporate within my music classroom. It needs to be easily accessible, appropriate and specifically incorporate music fundamentals that I share with students throughout the school year regarding to the music staff.


Students need to be able to identify the letters names within the lines and spaces of music staff. Students who are able to quickly identify the musical alphabet can then read music, compose their own music, which moves them closer to singing and or playing a wide range of instruments. Within my classroom my students are able to manipulate pitched percussion instruments such as the

• resonator bells

• xylophones

• and piano

I understand the value of being aware of the different learners
within the classroom, therefore I would like to incorporate technology that gives attention
to visual, auditor, and tactile/ kinesthetic learners.

Through the help of a very wonderful musician and friend, Mrs. Geraldine Tyrance, I have been introduced to an awesome tool that will captivate, engage and help my various students learn the bass clef as well as the treble clef. Mrs. Tyrance has completely come upon a wonderful unique way to understand and read the Grand staff. This is for anyone who is desiring to learn how to read music accurately and quickly. It's not magic and it is definitely not a quick fix. "According to Mrs. Tyrance, the psychologists and the linguists, have done extensive research to support "chucking" information together in bite-size pieces so it can be easily understood." This concept is used in Mrs. Tyrance's "FACES" web apps technology.

Okay so I was absolutely excited to know I have a new technology music app to present to my students as well as to my music teacher colleagues.

The NECESSARY TOOLS needed to begin integrating this awesome "FACES"app include the

iPad, , iTouch, iPhone

After having a one-on-one discussion with Mrs. Geraldine Tyrance regarding her awesome innovative music break through, I discovered that I can only access "FACES" through the above mentioned tools. So being slightly aware of some of the hardware available and lack of funds within the elementary level, I wanted to know if I could get by with using my iTouch while allowing students to watch how the apps are manipulated through the ELMO. Students would need to take turns.

http://www.facesinthemusicfamily.com/
(The cost for this app is $4.99 and it is well worth every penny and more.)

The word document gives a brief look at what you will find when opening the app. Is doesn't come close the the real thing, so please do not hesitate to purchase the under priced innovative grand music staff app.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/59392937/Final-506

The following is an attachment of a Power Point for the kinesthect learners to experience after viewing the innovative app.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/59395789