Day 27 - 4/27/10

I learned alot about searching for information on the internet. I found it shocking that some websites that seem like they would be very reliable have grossly wrong and offensive material on them, such as the martinlutherking.org website. I learned that it is important to make sure the information you find is valid. I thought this activity met the following ISTE-NET standard:
develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital-age communication and collaboration tools.

Day 26 - 4/22/10

I've learned a lot from my experiences with SmartBoards. They can be a great resource, but they can also be a pain to find activities that both utilize SmartBoards and are actually worthwhile and more than a gimmick for the SmartBoard software. I think that it's important to have an actual reason to use SmartBoards rather than trying to shove them into every lesson, because there are a lot of activities out there dealing with every subject that aren't really worth the time. It is also important to know how to use these activities. With the frog dissection SmartBoard activity, I think it would serve best as a pre-activity leading up to the actual dissection, rather than to be used instead of an actual frog dissection in a biology class. Overall though, I think they are very convenient. Even just the basic functions of the SmartBoard (writing in different colors, erasing, correcting student work, hiding things, etc.) that come with the SmartBoard itself would be a huge convenience for a teacher, and would replace the need for a dry-erase board or overhead projector among other things.

Day 25 - 4/20/10

I think that SmartBoards are worth the investment if teachers actually use them correctly. Any kind of technology is going to get students interested in learning, and if they are actually using the technology, they will be more apt to learn and attend class.

Day 24 - 4/15/10

Today in class we continued using whiteboards and preparing our presentations. However, we spent most of the time getting the projector to work. I think whiteboards utilize the following ISTE-NETS-T standard: customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.

WebQuest

My WebQuest

Day 23 - 4-13-10

Today in class we learned about using smartboards in the classroom and read this article about smart boards. I think that smartboards are worth the educational investment because:

Greater classroom enjoyment and motivation – particularly
on the part of
extrinsically motivated learners – can
in turn lead to fewer student
absences. Interactive whiteboards
are captivating enough to successfully
compete
with a student's favorite consumer technologies (e.g.,
game
devices, cell phones and MP3 players), focusing
students on task,
garnering
enthusiasm and providing
additional motivation to attend
class.

Smart boards increase class attendance and decrease the dropout rate of students who utlize them in class. Students are excited about technology so we need to provide them with technology so that they will remain interested in learning.

Day 22 - 4/8/10

Today in class, we continued working on our WebQuests. Building a WebQuest helps build the following 21st Century Skill:

• Understand and utilize the most appropriate media creation tools, characteristics and conventions

Day 21 - 4/6/10

Today in class we began working on our WebQuests. Building a WebQuest meets the following ISTE-NETS-T standard:
1b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.

Day 20 - 4/1/10

Happy April Fools' Day!

Today in class we chose a WebQuest we are going to adapt to make our own Webquest. Here is the WebQuest I am going to edit, "The World of Jazz". I like it because I like the content of the project (jazz music), and that you get to design a section of a museum. Besides the graphics and resources, I am going to change a few things. In addition to the list of jazz genres, I am going to set up a list of specific jazz artists the students can choose from, because the jazz genres aren't really even in the amount of time they took in history or the number of artists that information will be available about, and they can be really open ended with some of them. I am also thinking about putting up a map of a museum and leaving a section blank, because it could be hard for some students to envision how an entire museum is set up. A CSO this Webquest will use is: MU.O.GM6-8.4.5 discuss the evolution of musical styles, including their relationship to historical events.