Class 6 Notes

Today we learned how to draw on PowerPoint (which I never knew we could do!!).  I had a lot of fun with it because I LOVE Photoshop.  When I was in highschool, I used a lot of Photoshop because of my photography class.  Today’s lesson really brought me back to that.  Instead of playing around with photos that I took, I drew a diagram of the nervous system using the tools given in powerpoint.  Some of the effects were similar to Photoshop, but it was only the very basic ones.  It was a little more difficult to utilize since it is not as intricate as Photoshop but it is definitely useful especially in the classroom.  The teacher can use it to draw diagrams of different processes like mitosis and be able to change aspects of the drawing on command.  This will provide the students with a clear picture of what the teacher wants to show them.  If there is a mistake, the teacher can easily delete it and redraw/fix the problem without having to throw away the entire drawing or make it impossible for the students to understand because of all the scribbles.  I had NO idea that I can use this drawing tool on PowerPoint.  It is so efficient and a very fun and useful tool to have!

Figurative Representations

Figures for innovation: The Water Cycle

This diagram shows the steps of the water cycle just by looking at the picture and descriptions with each corresponding number.  It does not go into detail about each step but has enough information to reinforce the concepts.  After being shown this diagram, at the end of the class, the teacher can give them the same exact diagram without the explanation of each number and have the students describe each step.

Figures for Efficiency: Water Cycle

This water cycle diagram shows the process in just a picture and very minimal wording and a bit of animation.

Figures for community: Students working on the Water Cycle poster

Students collaborate in making a water cycle poster to emphasize their knowledge of the various steps.

Week 5 Journal

I’ve noticed that the teachers at the high school I’m observing still rely heavily on the overhead projectors.  I’m not sure how effective this is anymore.  It gets the message across but it doesn’t engage the students at all.  It is very monotone and does not interest the student if it is not a topic that is especially facinating.  It was the same routine that I remember when I was in high school biology.  The teacher would have each overhead already written out.  They would cover the part of the notes that they did not want the students to write down yet and just talk about the part that was showing.  Half of the time, the students are so busy trying to copy down the notes in time that they are hardly even paying any attention to what the teacher is saying.  I know this because this is what I was doing when I was in high school.  I was too concerned with missing the notes that I wasn’t listening to the vital information the teacher was telling us.  Finding new ways technologically to educate students is important.  I know it is very expensive but I feel it is important for the information being learned to stick with the students instead of it getting drained out of their brains after an exam.

Since I was in high school, they have definitely gotten better with technology (like the synergistic program they are currently using).  But if you’re not in that class, you, as a student, is missing out on this great way of learning.

Class 5 Notes

Today we learned the ins and outs of Microsoft Word.  I thought I was pretty knowledgable about the software but after today, whoa.  I learned so many little shortcuts that would have made my life sooo much easier when I had to make graphs and type my resume instead of doing it all manually one by one.  It definitely was an effective class because I will use these tips in the future.  The most interesting part to me was learning how to do the headings and modifying the paragraph so that it you don’t have to do it one by one.  I knew there were different shortcuts that we could take to make working with Microsoft Word much more efficient but I never knew there were this many!  I use programs like Word and Powerpoint all the time for school and work so lessons like these are very helpful for me.

Week 4 Journal

I began my high school observations last week.  Today was the second week of my observations and I was paired up with Mr. Polk, a general science teacher.  As mentioned before, a few of his classes are in a synergistic lab.  I explained what it was and how it worked in the last journal.  Since it was only the students’ orientation last week, I didn’t get to see much.  This week, however, I actually got to see the students use the program.  It was great to see the students interact with each other and actually use the time in class to do their ongoing project with the computers.  Not only were they being assessed orally by the teachers, but also through written as well.  They learn as each lesson goes on and is responsible to take notes for each lesson.  The computer prompts the students through each lab that they have to participate in.  Each student was very focused on what they had to do.  I got to witness some of the oral assessments and the students seem to be really comprehending the material that is being presented.  I’ve never seen or heard of a program like this and it seems very effective.  My cooperating teacher gave me handouts and the link to the program.  If you’re interested in checking it out, the link is:  pitsco.com

Class 4 Notes

motion sensor

 

Today we learned how to use Logger Pro and Vernier hardware.  Logger Pro was really cool!  It looked very outdated and not modern but the program had SO many possibilities.  I went through the tutorial and did what it said to do.  I thought it was cool that the user is able to go through the tutorial and actually perform the directions given in the actual tutorial iteself.  Many tutorials only give readings and directions, but the one for Logger Pro gave the user the hands-on experience needed to become proficient in the program.  Ther Vernier hardware was interesting as well.  I actually had to use one in one of my classes last semester.  We used the thermometer to measure the temperature of a stream in my Environmental Education class.  When we were introduced to it then, I was very intrigued.  I am even more interested now that I learned that there are other sensors that I can use with this piece of hardware.  This is so helpful and efficient in collecting data for various experiments.  It really cuts down on time and will be much more approximate than having to collect data like temperature manually.

Journal 3

I began my high school teacher observations today.  I attended 4 periods in which 3 out of the 4 used overhead projectors or the chalk board.  The fourth period class, however, was very interesting.  THey used a program where the students’ basis for each lesson is through a computer.  The teachers acted as facilitators instead of instructors.  They worked with modules, where there are 13 different subjects available at the high school.  THe students would work in groups.  The way these modules work is a lesson would be picked out (by the computer).  THe student would have to log into their username that they got individually and begin this lesson.  It would start off as a basic knowledge assessment of the subject.  They had earphones because the program used vocals, pictures, and words to go through the lesson.  After the assessment, each slide would provide information and have small activities for the students to do.  The lab that the students had to do was directed through the program.  The classroom had all the lab equipment needed.  If the student needed help, they wouldn’t have to raise their hands, they would simply press a button that would turn on a light on top of their computer and the teacher would know they needed assistance.  In each class, there is a computer tech teacher and a science teacher.  I was able to experience the program and thought that it was great!  It holds the attention of students and helps them learn the lesson at the same time.  It is not boring and since there are assessments involved, it keeps the students focused.  Also, all the students’ work through the computer can be monitored by the main computer.  This helps the students stay on track with their work.  I wish I was able to explain this program better.  It’s really great and many more teachers should try to use it in their classroom if possible!

Project 3 – Wiki Lesson

Teaching in an informal setting that required a few weeks of instruction for outdoor activities, I would tell my students to create a wiki page for each activity (rock climbing, ice climbing, surfing, hiking, kayaking, canoeing).  This would make the students research each activity and learn the ins and outs of each one.  I would ask them to identify the activity, what equipment it entails, what skills a person needs to be able to get through the activity, safety precautions, ideal places to perform it, and areas around where we, as a group, can go.  I would then ask them to submit a page under a main domain (like what we did in class last week) where I would be able to evaluate their assignment.  I would have each student evaluate and analyze another student’s work and email me what they have learned from each page.  By using the revision history, I am able to keep track of the progress the students are making in their wiki page.  The discussion page will allow the students to talk about any problems they need help with and have other students aid in those problems.  It would teach the students how to work cooperatively.  THis would help my efficiency as a teacher because it puts all of their work right at my finger tips.  The ease and the organization of wiki is much better than having the students hand in hard copies.  I will also be able to answer their questions in a timely manner since the assignment is all online.  The one issue I see with this is plagiarism.  For the assessments, the students may “copy and paste” the information onto their wiki without citation or on their evaluations.

Class 3 Notes

We worked on wikia.com today.  We had to sign up for the website and was given a technology in which we had to research it and make a wiki page.  The process itself was pretty simple.  The hardest part of this assignment is coming up with the information for it.  There are many search engines to research the technology but it was still difficult to write about and answer questions since the two pieces of technology I received were unfamiliar to me.  I found out about both InkScape and Google Base while doing this assignment.  I am intrigued by InkScape and will more than likely play around with it when I get back home.  I’m really into PhotoShop so that program really caught my eye.  I probably spent a little more time than I should have researching it because it seems like a very fun program to use. 

Google Base was pretty cool too.  I never knew that there was a program where you can place online/offline content in and have it searchable by Google.  I wasn’t able to finish this wiki page because, again, I probably spent too much time researching InkScape.  I was able to write some of the basic properties of the program though. 

After we made our wiki pages, we had to edit our other classmate’s pages.  Again, this was pretty simple.  According to the chatter around the classroom, if your wiki page was edited, then you would receive an email telling you who edited your page and what was edited.  Through this, you can then accept or decline the edit. 

This was an interesting class!  I never knew how much technology a teacher can use in the classroom!  I always thought of the usual like PowerPoint and not all the other types of programs.  This is definitely helpful for future refrences when looking for ways to engaged my students in a more innovative way.

Class 2 Activity 2

One obvious way to communicate the responses I had to the Journal entries was to comment directly on their pages.  That would be the quickest way to relay my thoughts on their entry. The only issue I see is the privacy of comments.  Once the comment is left, it’s there for ALL readers to see.  The only alternative if this is being used in class where I have to give feedback to students is for me (the instructor) to have a master list where emails are provided.  If it is a comment that is in need of privacy, I can easily just email the student instead of posting it on their page.

Having a class this size may get confusing if there is no way of tracking who I  have left comments for.  One way I thought of was to make an Excel spreadsheet.  I would copy and paste everyone’s name on the spreadsheet and as I commented on a student’s page, I would mark it down onto the spreadsheet.  This way, I can visibly see the people I have already made comments to and not have to worry about commenting doubly.    I would save the spreadsheet as a PDF and insert it in my blog as an image.  I will update the spreadsheet every time I read more student’s journals.  By doing it this way, the students can just go to my blog, click on the image, and see if their blog was already read without having to back track and check whether or not I left/emailed them a comment.

I’ve learned that keeping track of everyone’s blogs on your own is pretty tough.  There are many people who like writing a lot (such as myself) because it’s the best way to get their thoughts out.  This way, however, is much easier than having 80 students hand in hard copies of journals every week.  It’s much easier to keep track of and not lose any work handed in by the students.  After reading about RSS, it makes it even more easier (in a sense).  RSS allows the person to retrieve the latest content without having to visit each and every single site individually.  This would greatly help in having to read through 80 student journals per week.

Although I don’t begin my classroom observations till next Wednesday, I really look forward to seeing whether or not technology is being used and how effective it is in that particular high school’s classroom.