Wordle and Media Literacy

Earlier this semester we participated in a group activity, in which we constructed a Wordle. We each thought of words that come to mind when we thought about "Web 2.0". We came up with related words such as connection, technology, collaboration, innovation. A Wordle is a good tool which could be very valuable in the classroom. Wordles collect information and then display the data in a visually appealing way. They can he used to show related ideas or group opinions. Wordles and other types of "word clouds" can help students better interpret information.

SmartBoard NETS

THere are clear advantages to using SmartBoards in the classroom. As I said previoulsy SmartBoard Demonstration our group was able to demonstrate how this technology can be used to make ideas more concrete. We were able to use the boards to model an atom. Other groups showed that the boards could be used to clarify directions during an activity, such as a disection. The use of these boards meets ISTE standard 2. When creating a lesson employing a Smartboard a teacher is designing and developing digital-age learning experiences.

Microblogging- 21st Century Skills

Creating a microblog on a social networking site helps students develop several competencies from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. They learn to utilize the social networks to connect with other and share information. Its a simple step to go from sharing interesting facts about one's self through a social network to using the network to collaborate with others. Microblogging will also give the students an appreciation of the differences of others and diversity.

Digital Storytelling NETS

Students participating in the creation of a digital story are practicing multiple teaching standards. By using technology creatively to develop their story they meet standard 1. When they collaborate by continuing of critiquing each others stories they meet standard two. These students are experiencing first hand how technology facilitates the exchange of information and ideas.

Will My Students Use Wikipedia?

I will encourage my students to use Wikipedia. I understand that not everything on the site is 100% accurate, but Wikipedia provides well organized information and will make finding and sorting through resources easier. I will not allow them to use Wikipedia as a source in a bibliography but I will encourage my future students to use the site to locate credible sources.

Think Aloud

Virgle?

We have been discussing the importance of using credible sites. Our next assignment is to create a Think Aloud that explains how to analyze a site and determine its credibility. For my Think Aloud, I found a site that presents plans for a corporately funded Mars mission. More than that, it presents an entire outline for Mars colonization. At first glance the site appears credible. It is hosted by Google. The project is called Virgle, which comes from the company names Virgin and Google, the two companies funding the supposed mission. The site appears to be a genuine Google project, unfortunately (and much to the disappointment of all of us who were hoping companies would pick up where NASA left off when Obama cut the budget) the project does not exist. Google maintains the facade throughout the site offering only subtle hints (like Guitar Hero II skills as an application requirement). A link at the bottom of the Q&A page leads to a page not listed in the Virgle links where the hoax is finally revealed to be Google's annual April Fool's joke.

Virgle

NETS Credibility

In class today, the teacher discussed credibility of webpages. We watched two student-made videos and viewed a PowerPoint. She showed us how we can verify a source. The PowerPoint linked to several examples of sites which were not credible. Learning this information will meet NETS standard 3. Understanding web page credibility demonstrates understanding of global social issues and responsibility in an evolving digital culture.

SMART Board Demonstration

This week we experimented with SMART Boards. The class split up into groups. Each group was assigned a subject and had to find an activity to demonstrate. Out group decided to teach a chemistry lesson about the basic structure of an atom. We found a program online from the creaters of the SMART Board that worked like a PowerPoint. We also showed the class how they could use the SMART Board notepad draw a model of an atom, like the one below.

The other groups presented several interesting activities. One of the groups demonstrated a virtual frog dissection. Even if the teacher wanted the class to preform a real dissection, virtual demonstrations like these could familiarize the students with the tools and processes and make direction easier to follow.

On the other hand, out group spent two class periods getting our SMART Board to work correctly. At the end of our second period, I looked up a YouTube video that showed six year olds demonstrating how to callibrate a SMART Board. We got it working in the last two minutes of that period. Then, on the day we presented we found out that the computer set up for the class to use did not have the SMART Board notebook software. So we had to wait while the program loaded. In hindsight, we probably could have just used Windows Paint to model the atom like I did to create the Argon atom below.

I have seen a SMART Board used effectively in a chemistry class, but any teacher who want to use the technology needs to be aware that there might be problems.

Wordle

PhotoStory Final Draft

NETS Skype

Our teacher has partnered our class with a fifth-grade class to allow us to practice the use of technology in education. Earlier this week, she posted a list of questions from the other class. Each person was assigned a question to research. In class today, we used Skype to webcam with the fifth-grade class to communicate our answers to them. This assignment met ISTE standard 1 by using technology to facilitate student learning. It also met standard 3 as it allowed us to communicate relevant information and ideas to students.

Google Form Results

NETS Facebook Group

On our fourth day of class we were instructed to join a group on Facebook.com. The group, Web 2.0 and Schools, was created by the instructor to facilitate discussion about the use of technology in the classroom. During the class period we were instructed to read and comment on two things she had posted on the groups wall, an article about informal language online and a video about technologies effects on our generation. The informal language article became important when she told us that we could use less formal language on the Facebook group, as we were all probably used to doing. In out responses to her posts we would be able to use texting shorthand and sarcasm. This assignment met ISTE standard 3 by allowing me to demonstrate fluency in new technology and collaborate with my peers.

NETS Classroom 2.0

As part of the technology course we were instructed to join a webpage known as classroom 2.0. This is a networking site devoted to implementing web 2.0 technology in the classroom. In joining this site I met ISTE standard 3 by demonstrating fluency in networking technology, and by seting up an account with which I will communicate information and collaberatw with peers.

NETS Wordle

Our first assignment for the Instructional Technology course was to text message words that came to mind when we thought about California to a polling website. These words were collected and used to create a Wordle. At the same time, a sixth grade class in California created a Wordle about West Virginia. This quick activity demonstrated ISTE standard 2 (Communication and Collaboration) as it allowed our classroom to work together to collect information and then communicate that information to another class.

West Virginia Wordle