Web Tools Refections
My motivation for taking the web tools class was purely for professional development that I cannot seem to find time for during the regular school year. I have spent countless hours this summer exploring sites and learning about what types of technological applications are out there for classroom use, how to navigate them, and how to implement them in the classroom. I am still a web tools/technology novice who is constantly challenged to rethink and reprogram. Although it has been difficult, I really feel that I am moving in the right direction. This course has provided a great networking forum through Edmodo for interacting with fellow teachers. Discussions have provided numerous links to websites, activities and articles - which I have bookmarked on my Diigo site for future reference. Thanks to all for that. It has been a great learning experience and has really changed my perspective regarding how I need to proceed in the future.
This school year, I hope to climb out of the trenches and up to new heights regarding technological applications in my classes, facilitating the creation of a more modern learning environment and a positive attitude for change. What inspires learning? I have learned from this class and my explorations that rethinking the paradigm of classroom teaching is essential. Students today engage in a much different world than I grew up in. I stumbled across this article - literally https://www.stumbleupon.com - and it was an eye opener and a source for real reflection in light of what we have been learning in this class and where, as educators, we should be heading in the future - starting now. Check it out! http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2012/07/10-things-in-school-that-should-be-obsolete/
There is an African proverb that states "A small hill takes you to a bigger one." This is the way with life long learning. Once we open up a door to learning, we realize that there is so much more out there to grasp and it continues in this manner - hopefully throughout our lives - as long as we continue to engage in the process. It is about getting out of our comfort zone and exploring the edges, broadening the scope of our knowledge and abilities.
So, I will begin over the next two weeks to not just prepare my "To Do" list for the new school year, but to implement and build upon the technological appications that will be used in my classes. For starters... Edmodo as an asynchronous discussion forum; my module projects incorporated into respective units; and, a Live Binder of site references for my students so that they can explore various ways to present their learning. The challenge to myself is to teach the students, not just the content; to be an effective facilitator focused on instruction that reflects current changes in society and promotes relevant and meaningful learning for my students. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Rethinking the Classroom - Blending Social media, Pop culture, and Gaming with classroom learning goals
This week in class, I have been exploring a variety of sites and experiences that blend classroom work with online opportunities for sharing. As usual, my explorations have taken me on tangents - most of them welcome - that have lead me to rethink the role of social media and pop culture in the classroom. These are additional tools for engaging students.
I listened to a podcast on Skype and Goolge hangouts in the classroom. Teachers were describing their experiences using Skype in the classroom as a way to introduce students to professional presenters. One of the presenters in the podcast discussed connecting with potential presenters on twitter and making the skype arrangements. This type of first hand interaction with a scientist would provide a motivating learning experience.
The second part of the podcast discussed using google hangouts for collaborative projects. The google hangout allows screen sharing. Students could view a youtube video and share comments about it. I think the potential for "plus" type learning is incredible.
Here is an idea for a Module 3 project. Last year, students kept asking me about watching "Contagion" when we started studying viruses. With the increase in media coverage at the time (March/April) about bird flu, it really was a timely release. For this activity, students would join a Google Hangout. In the hangout session, they would watch the official movie trailer for Contagion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdzWcrXVtwg Athough some students may not have seen the movie, there is enough information in the trailer to bring about some very interesting discussion. Additional prompts for discussion would include:
* What factors allow viruses to be transmitted so quickly?
* Discuss the relationship between the potential spread of viruses and exponential growth. How
does the growth curve change? Why?
* Is this scenario comparable to any situations in the past? Explain.
* What were the origins of this virus? Discuss other species and their potential involvement.
* How would you prepare for this type of epidemic/pandemic? What kind of preparedness plans
are in place in our community?
* Is the scenario accurate/realistic? Why or why not? Be specific about what parts may be realistic or not.
During this type of hangout discussion, students will be able to access other internet sites and complete concurrent research during the discussion adding to their knowledge of the topic and compounding the group knowledge.
Finally, students will be directed to what scientists think of the movie depiction. The following is a link is from Marcel Salathe, and Assistant professor of Biology at Penn State.
http://live.psu.edu/youtube/4X0wIX8iifI
This activity can be used as a springboard for other popular culture connections in the classroom. The Hunger Games was/is a wildly popular set up books, and more recently a movie, that included an interesting result of science gone wrong with genetically modified organisms - the "jabberjays" was an unintended consequence.
The NY times Learning Network has an interesting lesson investigating genetically engineered organisms - using the "Hunger Games" as a starting point.
http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/hunger-games-science-investigating-genetically-engineered-organisms/#more-110432
This lesson provides an opportunity for online collaboration as students prepare for group presentations in specific stakeholder roles. The component about this activity that is great is that it combines current NY times articles with the activity - combining the real potential of garage or do-it- yourself amateur biologists to compromise public safety with respect to viral transmissions. Students can search and review current articles concurrent to their online discussion - sharing articles and thoughts on the ideas - in order to formulate a final presentation for their group.
A final site that I explored that would also fit as a classroom application is an interactive game about proteins. http://fold.it/portal/ This game has people using real criteria to investigate the ins and outs of protein structure and is seen as a tool with the potential to unlock the secrets of real health problems like cancer and AIDS. What a unique way of tapping collective intelligence!! Check out this article on it. http://www.wired.com/medtech/genetics/magazine/17-05/ff_protein?currentPage=all
This week in class, I have been exploring a variety of sites and experiences that blend classroom work with online opportunities for sharing. As usual, my explorations have taken me on tangents - most of them welcome - that have lead me to rethink the role of social media and pop culture in the classroom. These are additional tools for engaging students.
I listened to a podcast on Skype and Goolge hangouts in the classroom. Teachers were describing their experiences using Skype in the classroom as a way to introduce students to professional presenters. One of the presenters in the podcast discussed connecting with potential presenters on twitter and making the skype arrangements. This type of first hand interaction with a scientist would provide a motivating learning experience.
The second part of the podcast discussed using google hangouts for collaborative projects. The google hangout allows screen sharing. Students could view a youtube video and share comments about it. I think the potential for "plus" type learning is incredible.
Here is an idea for a Module 3 project. Last year, students kept asking me about watching "Contagion" when we started studying viruses. With the increase in media coverage at the time (March/April) about bird flu, it really was a timely release. For this activity, students would join a Google Hangout. In the hangout session, they would watch the official movie trailer for Contagion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdzWcrXVtwg Athough some students may not have seen the movie, there is enough information in the trailer to bring about some very interesting discussion. Additional prompts for discussion would include:
* What factors allow viruses to be transmitted so quickly?
* Discuss the relationship between the potential spread of viruses and exponential growth. How
does the growth curve change? Why?
* Is this scenario comparable to any situations in the past? Explain.
* What were the origins of this virus? Discuss other species and their potential involvement.
* How would you prepare for this type of epidemic/pandemic? What kind of preparedness plans
are in place in our community?
* Is the scenario accurate/realistic? Why or why not? Be specific about what parts may be realistic or not.
During this type of hangout discussion, students will be able to access other internet sites and complete concurrent research during the discussion adding to their knowledge of the topic and compounding the group knowledge.
Finally, students will be directed to what scientists think of the movie depiction. The following is a link is from Marcel Salathe, and Assistant professor of Biology at Penn State.
http://live.psu.edu/youtube/4X0wIX8iifI
This activity can be used as a springboard for other popular culture connections in the classroom. The Hunger Games was/is a wildly popular set up books, and more recently a movie, that included an interesting result of science gone wrong with genetically modified organisms - the "jabberjays" was an unintended consequence.
The NY times Learning Network has an interesting lesson investigating genetically engineered organisms - using the "Hunger Games" as a starting point.
http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/hunger-games-science-investigating-genetically-engineered-organisms/#more-110432
This lesson provides an opportunity for online collaboration as students prepare for group presentations in specific stakeholder roles. The component about this activity that is great is that it combines current NY times articles with the activity - combining the real potential of garage or do-it- yourself amateur biologists to compromise public safety with respect to viral transmissions. Students can search and review current articles concurrent to their online discussion - sharing articles and thoughts on the ideas - in order to formulate a final presentation for their group.
A final site that I explored that would also fit as a classroom application is an interactive game about proteins. http://fold.it/portal/ This game has people using real criteria to investigate the ins and outs of protein structure and is seen as a tool with the potential to unlock the secrets of real health problems like cancer and AIDS. What a unique way of tapping collective intelligence!! Check out this article on it. http://www.wired.com/medtech/genetics/magazine/17-05/ff_protein?currentPage=all
Speaking their Language - Using an online game to teach content
I am in no way a video gamer - never have been - and don't have much interest now, though I really did enjoy some of the features and information I explored on Game for Science. This is a Canadian game site with many options for interactive learning and play involving topics like disease epidemics, genetics and environmental pollution. In some cases in the "more information" prompts, I was forwarded to articles and documents in French and I could't get to the English equivalent, but for the most part it was really good. Oh well. Canada is bilingual after all.
As part of our introduction to biology, we spend time delving into the scientific process, the importance of research that is peer reviewed, ethical conduct and ethical treatment of specimens and other nature of science type of content. Although there are a multitude of activities on this site, I spent my time on quests in the "Science Cafe" regarding safety and human rights, science and money, ethics and innovation, and science and society. The game prompts you to listen to and comment on a debate between characters. Throughout the activity there are questions asked, connections made to scientists which include descriptions of their backgrounds and contributions, and opportunities to engage in additional games or point earning activities. You end up on a search for a parcel containing a portrait of one of the scientists and on this search travel to other "islands" where other learning opportunities also present themselves. Though it may prove to be slow for some, the information was quite relevant and and interesting in its anecdotes and format. I also appreciated the equitable nature of the site and programs with respect to diveristy.
"Create" and "Blend" assignment - Students would participate in one of the quests in the science cafe - 1, 2, 3, or 4. (Safety and human rights; Science and Money; Caution with Innovation - Ethics and Science; Science and Society). Work through the quest would be independent; however, following the quest, all of the participants would meet in their respective Edmodo discussion group to share their thoughts on the nature of science. Groups would combine students from each of the gaming cafe areas so that discussion is broad based.
In the online Edmodo discussion groups, each student must include:
1. Overview of debate topic from game quest - to share with group members
2. Definition of Relevant Terms
3. An example of the topics relates to learning science in the high school setting
4. Description of at least one scientist, his/her contribution to science, and how his background, experiences or work relate to the topic.
5. Connection of thier quest topic to another quest topic
6. Interaction/discussion on each quest topic with other students
Group Assignment
Create a visual presentation of your understanding of the nature of science, incorporating relevant unit vocabulary and clear examples of concepts outlined in your objectives. The format for this presentation is flexible. Included below are some links to web tools that may assist in your presentation. These are simply a place to start. You decide where to go with it.
http://www.wordle.net/
Create word collage
http://www.worksheetworks.com/miscellanea/graphic-organizers/frayer.html
Good for Vocabulary development - examples/non-examples
http://www.xtranormal.com/
Easy to create - cartoon video discussion
http://animoto.com/
Easy to create videos
http://www.sciencephoto.com/
http://www.biologyimagelibrary.com/
http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/selected-internet/imagesources.html
Science images
I am in no way a video gamer - never have been - and don't have much interest now, though I really did enjoy some of the features and information I explored on Game for Science. This is a Canadian game site with many options for interactive learning and play involving topics like disease epidemics, genetics and environmental pollution. In some cases in the "more information" prompts, I was forwarded to articles and documents in French and I could't get to the English equivalent, but for the most part it was really good. Oh well. Canada is bilingual after all.
As part of our introduction to biology, we spend time delving into the scientific process, the importance of research that is peer reviewed, ethical conduct and ethical treatment of specimens and other nature of science type of content. Although there are a multitude of activities on this site, I spent my time on quests in the "Science Cafe" regarding safety and human rights, science and money, ethics and innovation, and science and society. The game prompts you to listen to and comment on a debate between characters. Throughout the activity there are questions asked, connections made to scientists which include descriptions of their backgrounds and contributions, and opportunities to engage in additional games or point earning activities. You end up on a search for a parcel containing a portrait of one of the scientists and on this search travel to other "islands" where other learning opportunities also present themselves. Though it may prove to be slow for some, the information was quite relevant and and interesting in its anecdotes and format. I also appreciated the equitable nature of the site and programs with respect to diveristy.
"Create" and "Blend" assignment - Students would participate in one of the quests in the science cafe - 1, 2, 3, or 4. (Safety and human rights; Science and Money; Caution with Innovation - Ethics and Science; Science and Society). Work through the quest would be independent; however, following the quest, all of the participants would meet in their respective Edmodo discussion group to share their thoughts on the nature of science. Groups would combine students from each of the gaming cafe areas so that discussion is broad based.
In the online Edmodo discussion groups, each student must include:
1. Overview of debate topic from game quest - to share with group members
2. Definition of Relevant Terms
3. An example of the topics relates to learning science in the high school setting
4. Description of at least one scientist, his/her contribution to science, and how his background, experiences or work relate to the topic.
5. Connection of thier quest topic to another quest topic
6. Interaction/discussion on each quest topic with other students
Group Assignment
Create a visual presentation of your understanding of the nature of science, incorporating relevant unit vocabulary and clear examples of concepts outlined in your objectives. The format for this presentation is flexible. Included below are some links to web tools that may assist in your presentation. These are simply a place to start. You decide where to go with it.
http://www.wordle.net/
Create word collage
http://www.worksheetworks.com/miscellanea/graphic-organizers/frayer.html
Good for Vocabulary development - examples/non-examples
http://www.xtranormal.com/
Easy to create - cartoon video discussion
http://animoto.com/
Easy to create videos
http://www.sciencephoto.com/
http://www.biologyimagelibrary.com/
http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/selected-internet/imagesources.html
Science images
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Flipping the classroom
I have been looking at some examples of how the flipped classroom might look and there are some excellent guide videos from http://www.fi.ncsu.edu/project/fizz. There have most definitely been times in my high school level classes where students have not been engaged in what I consider to be pretty interesting stuff - imagine that. Anyway, the flipped classroom idea provides a forum to "pre-load" content through video-based instruction and information cards that are watched at home before the class. The recommendation is to condense lecture type material into short video segments, and use the classroom time to engage students in application. This format encourages the use of classroom time for collaborating and meaningful application that is appropriate to the level of each student. It provides a setting where facilitation of differentiated instruction and learning can truely happen.
I have been looking at some examples of how the flipped classroom might look and there are some excellent guide videos from http://www.fi.ncsu.edu/project/fizz. There have most definitely been times in my high school level classes where students have not been engaged in what I consider to be pretty interesting stuff - imagine that. Anyway, the flipped classroom idea provides a forum to "pre-load" content through video-based instruction and information cards that are watched at home before the class. The recommendation is to condense lecture type material into short video segments, and use the classroom time to engage students in application. This format encourages the use of classroom time for collaborating and meaningful application that is appropriate to the level of each student. It provides a setting where facilitation of differentiated instruction and learning can truely happen.
Utilizing Web Resources & Creating meaning - Module 2
During this last week or so of the course, I have visited and explored numerous websites and have found some great applications for the classroom. For the Module 2 project I would like to use a variety of web resources and media to allow students to supplement unit content and knowledge in order to build a better understanding of concepts while hopefully providing the motivation for students to create products that express this undertanding. To address the energy and metabolism part of our chemistry of life unit in Biology, I would like students to listen to and read the lyrics of "Don't Change". This activity adresses changes in matter and laws of conservation of mass and conservation of energy. Students analyze the lyrics to build content background covered in class.
http://www.lodgemccammon.com/music/education/handouts/Dont%20Change.pdfStudents.
To supplement our look at chemical reactions and how they procede, I would supplement with an interactive web-based lesson. The TEDEd lesson - Chemical reactions - is a fun analogy (high school dating) for understanding the nature of chemical reactions and the conditions necessary for chemical reactions to occur. I modified or "flipped" the original by incorporating questions that would refer to our Catalase lab and the role of enzymes in biochemical reactions. http://ed.ted.com/on/hmz1fAST The intent is to have students complete the first three sections of the activity - Watch, Quiz, and Think - before participating the the Catalase lab. Our biology Catalase lab looks at the rates of chemical reactions and the factors that influence rates of reactions in biological systems.
Students will complete the Catalase lab, and a visual record (photographs) of the results will be shared via Voice Thread http://voicethread.com/. Because results among groups typically vary, this format would provide a discussion forum for group members and classmates to share, compare, and evaluate the validity of their results as well as dicuss potential sources of error. Results, discussion, and research should provide a clear indication of factors influencing chemical enzyme activity.
The final question - "Dig Deeper" from the TEDEd assignment - asks students to create a sequel or next chapter of Harriett's date and dance story as an analogy of how biochemical reactions proceed at faster rates and the factors that affect the rates of chemical reactions. I think students could come up with some really creative scenarios. Though latitude would be given regarding presentation format, students would be encouraged to present their final product as a creative parallel to the original TEDEd video using a paper slide video, a music video, http://animoto.com/ , or a comic creation using http://www.pixton.com/ or http://www.xtranormal.com/.
Here is a quick example of how easy it is to create a cartoon with xtranormal. This is my first attempt and it was pretty straight forward. http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/13564305/module-2-quick-example
During this last week or so of the course, I have visited and explored numerous websites and have found some great applications for the classroom. For the Module 2 project I would like to use a variety of web resources and media to allow students to supplement unit content and knowledge in order to build a better understanding of concepts while hopefully providing the motivation for students to create products that express this undertanding. To address the energy and metabolism part of our chemistry of life unit in Biology, I would like students to listen to and read the lyrics of "Don't Change". This activity adresses changes in matter and laws of conservation of mass and conservation of energy. Students analyze the lyrics to build content background covered in class.
http://www.lodgemccammon.com/music/education/handouts/Dont%20Change.pdfStudents.
To supplement our look at chemical reactions and how they procede, I would supplement with an interactive web-based lesson. The TEDEd lesson - Chemical reactions - is a fun analogy (high school dating) for understanding the nature of chemical reactions and the conditions necessary for chemical reactions to occur. I modified or "flipped" the original by incorporating questions that would refer to our Catalase lab and the role of enzymes in biochemical reactions. http://ed.ted.com/on/hmz1fAST The intent is to have students complete the first three sections of the activity - Watch, Quiz, and Think - before participating the the Catalase lab. Our biology Catalase lab looks at the rates of chemical reactions and the factors that influence rates of reactions in biological systems.
Students will complete the Catalase lab, and a visual record (photographs) of the results will be shared via Voice Thread http://voicethread.com/. Because results among groups typically vary, this format would provide a discussion forum for group members and classmates to share, compare, and evaluate the validity of their results as well as dicuss potential sources of error. Results, discussion, and research should provide a clear indication of factors influencing chemical enzyme activity.
The final question - "Dig Deeper" from the TEDEd assignment - asks students to create a sequel or next chapter of Harriett's date and dance story as an analogy of how biochemical reactions proceed at faster rates and the factors that affect the rates of chemical reactions. I think students could come up with some really creative scenarios. Though latitude would be given regarding presentation format, students would be encouraged to present their final product as a creative parallel to the original TEDEd video using a paper slide video, a music video, http://animoto.com/ , or a comic creation using http://www.pixton.com/ or http://www.xtranormal.com/.
Here is a quick example of how easy it is to create a cartoon with xtranormal. This is my first attempt and it was pretty straight forward. http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/13564305/module-2-quick-example
Friday, July 13, 2012
Music & Biology
I love the idea of combining the arts with science teaching. There are so many great resources out there that are incredibly relevant to introducing a topic or illustrating a concept. The Symphony of Science videos are an amazing combination of input from a variety of professional scientists from diverse fields of study that illustrate that science - whatever the topic may be - is a collaborative, applied, and continually evolving effort to understand aspects of this planet and universe. The information is then combined with amazing images and music that speaks to or awakens other parts of the brain. I have some favorites that I use during different units in Biology - The Poetry of Reality, In the Beginning, The Unbroken Thread, We are all connected... and more
http://www.symphonyofscience.com/
My own children, who are in elementary and - soon to be - middle school can sing the lyrics - the scientific presentations - from the Unbroken Thread. The tunes and phasing of the music are catchy and the lyrics are excellent content. It is enjoyable anyway, but for class use, it can be used with specific purpose - ie. have student identify the contributing scientists noting their specific fields of study and identify the connections of that field of study to the topic at hand; identify elements of scientific process that are evident in the video.
There are many other applications for using music in the classroom. I think this combination is appealing to many students. http://www.iamlodge.com/beans/?p=119 has some excellent science songs that cover content. There is even a video to explain how to create a music video or paper slide music video. This is definitely something I would like to incorporate into my classroom.
http://users.rcn.com/fvirzi/kar.shtml has Biology Karaoke - students can use the lyrics and background music to create their own music video - though some of the tunes may note be so appealing to some students. http://www.songsforteaching.com/biologysongs/ is another site with biology related songs. http://www.soundzabound.com/ is a site that has royalty free music that allows fair use for schools. Students can use the background music to beef up their own content relevant videos.
I love the idea of combining the arts with science teaching. There are so many great resources out there that are incredibly relevant to introducing a topic or illustrating a concept. The Symphony of Science videos are an amazing combination of input from a variety of professional scientists from diverse fields of study that illustrate that science - whatever the topic may be - is a collaborative, applied, and continually evolving effort to understand aspects of this planet and universe. The information is then combined with amazing images and music that speaks to or awakens other parts of the brain. I have some favorites that I use during different units in Biology - The Poetry of Reality, In the Beginning, The Unbroken Thread, We are all connected... and more
http://www.symphonyofscience.com/
My own children, who are in elementary and - soon to be - middle school can sing the lyrics - the scientific presentations - from the Unbroken Thread. The tunes and phasing of the music are catchy and the lyrics are excellent content. It is enjoyable anyway, but for class use, it can be used with specific purpose - ie. have student identify the contributing scientists noting their specific fields of study and identify the connections of that field of study to the topic at hand; identify elements of scientific process that are evident in the video.
There are many other applications for using music in the classroom. I think this combination is appealing to many students. http://www.iamlodge.com/beans/?p=119 has some excellent science songs that cover content. There is even a video to explain how to create a music video or paper slide music video. This is definitely something I would like to incorporate into my classroom.
http://users.rcn.com/fvirzi/kar.shtml has Biology Karaoke - students can use the lyrics and background music to create their own music video - though some of the tunes may note be so appealing to some students. http://www.songsforteaching.com/biologysongs/ is another site with biology related songs. http://www.soundzabound.com/ is a site that has royalty free music that allows fair use for schools. Students can use the background music to beef up their own content relevant videos.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
TED fan ... now TEDed fan
TED talks are so inspiring - combining current ideas, creativity, in many cases humor, humanity, and not just relevant problems we face in this world, but solutions and hope. What an amazing forum and platform fo sharing on such a broad basis. So - don't know how I missed this, but I just stumbled onto the TEDEd link. http://ed.ted.com/
This site allows you to search by series or by subject to find an engaging video to introduce or exemplify a specific topic. Along with the video, there is a quick quiz to check for understanding, a section that asks open ended questions to which students can respond, and "dig deeper" section that suggests that extends the lesson. As if that wasn't cool enough.... if the lesson does not specifically fit your needs, you can "flip" the lesson to customize for your own class - create your own link to it for students to engage in the lesson. You can also revise open ended questions in your flip.
To make this even better, this site provides direction for taking any educational You Tube video and designing a lesson around it. Lots of possibilities here.
While I was browsing, I came across this one about how to speed up a chemical reaction (and get a date). http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-to-speed-up-chemical-reactions-and-get-a-date. I think this would be a great addition to my first unit in biology - it adds high school relevant humor and gets the point across.
TED talks are so inspiring - combining current ideas, creativity, in many cases humor, humanity, and not just relevant problems we face in this world, but solutions and hope. What an amazing forum and platform fo sharing on such a broad basis. So - don't know how I missed this, but I just stumbled onto the TEDEd link. http://ed.ted.com/
This site allows you to search by series or by subject to find an engaging video to introduce or exemplify a specific topic. Along with the video, there is a quick quiz to check for understanding, a section that asks open ended questions to which students can respond, and "dig deeper" section that suggests that extends the lesson. As if that wasn't cool enough.... if the lesson does not specifically fit your needs, you can "flip" the lesson to customize for your own class - create your own link to it for students to engage in the lesson. You can also revise open ended questions in your flip.
To make this even better, this site provides direction for taking any educational You Tube video and designing a lesson around it. Lots of possibilities here.
While I was browsing, I came across this one about how to speed up a chemical reaction (and get a date). http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-to-speed-up-chemical-reactions-and-get-a-date. I think this would be a great addition to my first unit in biology - it adds high school relevant humor and gets the point across.
Example of Evolution
Just found a link through twitter to the following article which discuss the process by which a new species of monkey flower has been identified in Scotland. Sharing this type of current research and clear examples of particular examples in evolutionary biology is invaluable to classroom use. Students can read about the process and recognize how the vocabulary and concepts that they have been learning about apply to a visible example. Check out the article.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120710120231.htm#.T_1dmcbTu6w.twitter
Just found a link through twitter to the following article which discuss the process by which a new species of monkey flower has been identified in Scotland. Sharing this type of current research and clear examples of particular examples in evolutionary biology is invaluable to classroom use. Students can read about the process and recognize how the vocabulary and concepts that they have been learning about apply to a visible example. Check out the article.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120710120231.htm#.T_1dmcbTu6w.twitter
Monday, July 9, 2012
Thoughts on Creativity and Innovation
I just watched a video clip posted by someone in our class - Thanks ! - http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/science/july-dec12/flame_07-02.html -
I think it reaffirms the need for creativity and innovation in our teaching and in our expectations for students - particularly with respect to creativity and innovation in science education and increasing the connections across the curriculum. So if creativity and innovation are so important, why
are so many places cutting arts programs? I just spoke with some family members this past holiday about how their school district has cut ALL arts programs as well as all extra activities/classes/ programs that do not address core academic areas. While I realize this is a funding issue, it is also an extreme societal issue. The arts - music, visual art, dance, etc - are age old traditions that allow people not only to communicate complex thoughts in beautiful ways, but also provide an alternative, complex perspective for viewing various aspects of this planet, including its problems - scientific or otherwise. Those who have little experience or background in the arts lack a particular dimension to their view of many scientific phenomena and fail to see the connection. The conceptual nature of the arts and its value for augmenting science education and addressing scientific problems should not be underestimated.
Just last year, I heard of the STEAM initiative which was presented to Congress, urging a push to include ART in the STEM initiative - STEM to STEAM. There are many websites to explore - this is one http://steam2020.com/.
Every fall our school provides all science students with a STEM event during which students are able to visit with and learn from a wide variety of professionals in the community regarding science, math, technology - related work and careers. It was proposed to me by one of our art teachers that we could use this forum as an opportunity to broaden the perspective by including art students and art and design professionals to join our event. This is the kind of forward thinking that we should be employing, so I presented it to our department reps who do the planning for the event and it was not well accepted. Why not get ahead of the curve and move forward past the red tape, and be an example - take the lead for progress and innovation? To me, it is the next logical step in preparing our youth for the challenges that face us now and will continue to face us in the future with respect to science and the environment. Tony Wagner, in the Global Achievement Gap indicates that the engine of our economy in the future will be innovation; innovation that attempts to solve our planetary woes in order to sustain this planet. There must be ways of reawakening curiosity in our students if we are to work toward this end, so why not appeal to a wider audience with an additional connection between the arts, science, math and technology?
I just watched a video clip posted by someone in our class - Thanks ! - http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/science/july-dec12/flame_07-02.html -
I think it reaffirms the need for creativity and innovation in our teaching and in our expectations for students - particularly with respect to creativity and innovation in science education and increasing the connections across the curriculum. So if creativity and innovation are so important, why
are so many places cutting arts programs? I just spoke with some family members this past holiday about how their school district has cut ALL arts programs as well as all extra activities/classes/ programs that do not address core academic areas. While I realize this is a funding issue, it is also an extreme societal issue. The arts - music, visual art, dance, etc - are age old traditions that allow people not only to communicate complex thoughts in beautiful ways, but also provide an alternative, complex perspective for viewing various aspects of this planet, including its problems - scientific or otherwise. Those who have little experience or background in the arts lack a particular dimension to their view of many scientific phenomena and fail to see the connection. The conceptual nature of the arts and its value for augmenting science education and addressing scientific problems should not be underestimated.
Just last year, I heard of the STEAM initiative which was presented to Congress, urging a push to include ART in the STEM initiative - STEM to STEAM. There are many websites to explore - this is one http://steam2020.com/.
Every fall our school provides all science students with a STEM event during which students are able to visit with and learn from a wide variety of professionals in the community regarding science, math, technology - related work and careers. It was proposed to me by one of our art teachers that we could use this forum as an opportunity to broaden the perspective by including art students and art and design professionals to join our event. This is the kind of forward thinking that we should be employing, so I presented it to our department reps who do the planning for the event and it was not well accepted. Why not get ahead of the curve and move forward past the red tape, and be an example - take the lead for progress and innovation? To me, it is the next logical step in preparing our youth for the challenges that face us now and will continue to face us in the future with respect to science and the environment. Tony Wagner, in the Global Achievement Gap indicates that the engine of our economy in the future will be innovation; innovation that attempts to solve our planetary woes in order to sustain this planet. There must be ways of reawakening curiosity in our students if we are to work toward this end, so why not appeal to a wider audience with an additional connection between the arts, science, math and technology?
Web Explorations
Just recently, I was sent a Prezi from my son's school about their math program. While the thought was appreciated, the mechanics of this program and the potential of this presentation were severely underutilized. Although I am not a Prezi user, I have been doing a little exploring on it and I think the potential for use in the classroom is tremendous for increasing interest and connections.
http://prezi.com/
Obviously this is a great tool for students to present their assignments and ideas. They are always so much more intune with technology and how to manipulate these programs and come up with creative ideas for presenting information. Although this is a great tool for students, as I continue to work through this course, I am most intrigued with exploring this type of media for improving the material I present when introducing new units. PowerPoint presentations have their place, but with Prezi, you can add so much more dimension and provide the big picture key ideas while inserting the supplemental interesting information and connections with better organization and hopefully a better capacity to generate interest in the topic. Addition of you tube videos, key ideas, illustrations, flow charts that can be organized in very complex ways is pretty awesome. Now.. to begin the work or reorganizing materials.
Just recently, I was sent a Prezi from my son's school about their math program. While the thought was appreciated, the mechanics of this program and the potential of this presentation were severely underutilized. Although I am not a Prezi user, I have been doing a little exploring on it and I think the potential for use in the classroom is tremendous for increasing interest and connections.
http://prezi.com/
Obviously this is a great tool for students to present their assignments and ideas. They are always so much more intune with technology and how to manipulate these programs and come up with creative ideas for presenting information. Although this is a great tool for students, as I continue to work through this course, I am most intrigued with exploring this type of media for improving the material I present when introducing new units. PowerPoint presentations have their place, but with Prezi, you can add so much more dimension and provide the big picture key ideas while inserting the supplemental interesting information and connections with better organization and hopefully a better capacity to generate interest in the topic. Addition of you tube videos, key ideas, illustrations, flow charts that can be organized in very complex ways is pretty awesome. Now.. to begin the work or reorganizing materials.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Implementing Web Tools in the Classroom
I have not been having too much luck with the first assignment - problems with uploading and formating, but hopefully it is figured out. The following site has some great interactive activities for introducing evolution in biology. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/explotime.html
I love the first 3 sites for giving a geological perspective to biological diversity. Many of my students have not taken earth science, so it helps to build some background information.
The activity for which I have done this assignment is the "What does T.rex taste like?" activity. It is a very good interactive introduction to the basics of cladistics and how cladograms are used to show common ancestry and evolutionary relationships. The main problem I have with the activity is that it is difficult, once you have moved ahead, to go back to review something in a previous folder. You essentially have to click back through the folder again. This would be a bit of an annoyance for most of my students, but in general this is a very good activity.
I have modified the assignment for this activity to suit my needs. It was copied into a Google doc and I had to reformat it, so it may not be exactly as it should be. The link to the assignment is: http://tinyurl.com/introtocladisticsTr
and the direct link to this activity is:
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/explorations/tours/Trex/index.html
I have not been having too much luck with the first assignment - problems with uploading and formating, but hopefully it is figured out. The following site has some great interactive activities for introducing evolution in biology. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/explotime.html
I love the first 3 sites for giving a geological perspective to biological diversity. Many of my students have not taken earth science, so it helps to build some background information.
The activity for which I have done this assignment is the "What does T.rex taste like?" activity. It is a very good interactive introduction to the basics of cladistics and how cladograms are used to show common ancestry and evolutionary relationships. The main problem I have with the activity is that it is difficult, once you have moved ahead, to go back to review something in a previous folder. You essentially have to click back through the folder again. This would be a bit of an annoyance for most of my students, but in general this is a very good activity.
I have modified the assignment for this activity to suit my needs. It was copied into a Google doc and I had to reformat it, so it may not be exactly as it should be. The link to the assignment is: http://tinyurl.com/introtocladisticsTr
and the direct link to this activity is:
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/explorations/tours/Trex/index.html
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Our first assignment has been about exploration of various web resources. I have found it overwhelming. The number of really great resources that I have discovered so far is phenomenal and although I am using Diigo to help organize, I sometimes get off on tangents and forget where I started. I am beginning to build a library and am considering how best to implement some of these new ideas in my classroom. While I have the list on Diigo, I am not sure how best to organize that either. Here is a link to my current library.
http://www.diigo.com/user/lskilang
Our school is moving toward a focus on Google - google docs for organizing and sharing and while I am on board, this has also been overwhelming. By the end of the school year, I was so inundated with shared documents that I found it difficult to find my own documents. Though I realize that this is a matter of figuring out how to put things in folders, etc, I have yet to figure it out.
This course is helping me to see the other opportunities available on Google and I really do think that I would like to start a class blog. I now have this account and glog account though I have not done too much with them. I thought that the glog would be more conducive to working with different classes and setting up a creative site. Loved this site ... http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/
I am still a little leery of twitter and social networking sites. Some people at our school use them, but I am not comfortable with that. In fact, I am not sure I am that comfortable with all of the "joining" I have been doing over the past week or so. However... I am continuing to move along on the learning curve.
http://www.diigo.com/user/lskilang
Our school is moving toward a focus on Google - google docs for organizing and sharing and while I am on board, this has also been overwhelming. By the end of the school year, I was so inundated with shared documents that I found it difficult to find my own documents. Though I realize that this is a matter of figuring out how to put things in folders, etc, I have yet to figure it out.
This course is helping me to see the other opportunities available on Google and I really do think that I would like to start a class blog. I now have this account and glog account though I have not done too much with them. I thought that the glog would be more conducive to working with different classes and setting up a creative site. Loved this site ... http://missbakersbiologyclass.com/blog/
I am still a little leery of twitter and social networking sites. Some people at our school use them, but I am not comfortable with that. In fact, I am not sure I am that comfortable with all of the "joining" I have been doing over the past week or so. However... I am continuing to move along on the learning curve.
We recently came back from a trip to Florida and one of my first questions to the friends we were visiting was about the invasive snakes. This article popped up on the Twitter feed. I like to use current events of relevant biology topics as they provide good introductions and starting points from which to build discussions. I find students are more curious about pythons in Florida than garlic mustard or zebra mussles in Iowa, so these types of articles can be good to initiate topic exploration. Students can then bring their learning and research and tie it into locally relevant examples.
http://smithsonianscience.org/2012/04/invasive-pythons-in-florida-now-eating-bird-eggs-straight-from-the-nest/
http://smithsonianscience.org/2012/04/invasive-pythons-in-florida-now-eating-bird-eggs-straight-from-the-nest/
Thursday, June 28, 2012
I was exploring the Synapse site yesterday - excellent resources there and another great way to connect with other teachers of biology. There are some great connections to videos and also various suggestiongs from a pool of people discussing relevant ideas related to teaching and planning in general as well as to specific topics. Check it out. http://thesynapse.ning.com/
When I went to seach for it again today (I forgot to bookmark - oops), I found another cool site for an innovative engineering company with a focus on cross collaboration with a multidisciplinary group of professionals - pretty cool company and some interesting articles. http://www.synapse.com/
Our school has started "Project lead the way" and we have many budding engineers in our midst. Reading a little bit about this company just reaffirms the importance of educating students in a way that encourages teamwork, creativity, and the augmentation of ideas through a collective, collaborative process. 21st century students need to be creative innovators.
So, it is definitely easy to get lost and off on tangents when surfing the net, but love it when the results take you to interesting places.
When I went to seach for it again today (I forgot to bookmark - oops), I found another cool site for an innovative engineering company with a focus on cross collaboration with a multidisciplinary group of professionals - pretty cool company and some interesting articles. http://www.synapse.com/
Our school has started "Project lead the way" and we have many budding engineers in our midst. Reading a little bit about this company just reaffirms the importance of educating students in a way that encourages teamwork, creativity, and the augmentation of ideas through a collective, collaborative process. 21st century students need to be creative innovators.
So, it is definitely easy to get lost and off on tangents when surfing the net, but love it when the results take you to interesting places.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Purpose
My first post - here goes. As part of my Web Tools class, I will be posting on the progress of my explorations in web technology as they apply to use in the classroom. So far, I a inching my way on the learning curve; however, even this is progress and I am excited to be gaining new insight into a powerful way of sharing and learning.
My first post - here goes. As part of my Web Tools class, I will be posting on the progress of my explorations in web technology as they apply to use in the classroom. So far, I a inching my way on the learning curve; however, even this is progress and I am excited to be gaining new insight into a powerful way of sharing and learning.
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