These are some articles on technology used in classrooms that I found informative for any science teacher.
Cavanagh, S. (2009). Web Connects K-12 Students with Scientists. Education Week, 29(11), 12-13.
Retrieved February 25, 2010 from EBSCO Host Academic Search Complete.
Technology is being used effectively, by bringing together students in K-12 and scientists, in a live webinar. The article describes the topic of H1N1 flu pandemic as it was presented to exceptional students. Two scientists from John Hopkins University presented information in an entertaining way that so captured the attention of their audience that questions and comments poured in. One student from Auburn High School in Rockford, Illinois, commented favorably on this medium for education.
Putman, S.; Kingsley, T. (2009). The Atoms Family: Using Podcasts to Enhance the Development of
Science Vocabulary. The Reading Teacher, 63(2), 100-108. Retrieved February 25, 2010 from
EBSCO Host Academic Search Complete.
Putman is a teacher at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, and Kingsley is a fifth-grade teacher at Sand Creek Intermediate School in Fishers, Indiana. They conducted experiments that revealed how podcasts accessed outside of school were useful in reviewing and strengthening science vocabulary skills. Using creative and entertaining activities, these podcasts were enthusiastically received by all ages.
Qian, Y. (2009). 3D Multi-User Virtual Environments: Promising Directions for Science Education.
Science Educator, 18(2), 25-29. Retrieved February 25, 2010 from EBSCO Host Academic
Search Complete.
Dr. Qian is an assistant professor in the School of Leadership Studies at St. Thomas University. She teaches and writes articles on recent learning technologies. Aware of how children learn and play with new game media, she encourages discussion and suggests the use of virtual environments in science education.
Taylor, H. (2010). Teaching in Any Century. Connect Magazine, 23(3), 7-9. Retrieved February 25,
2010 from EBSCO Host Academic Search Complete.
Heather Taylor began as a teacher in multi-age classes in Vermont before her present position as editor of Connect Magazine. Taylor outlines four areas that are often spoken about when defining 21st century skills. They are: using digital technology to collect and anylize data, thinking and solving problems creatively, having skills in core areas of education (e.g. math, science, language, history, and the arts), and being able to work collaboratively to produce ideas or a product. However, she regrets that the emphasis for acquiring these skills is to compete in a global economy rather than education for all.
Yoder, M. (2009). S'Cool Tools: 5 Great Tools to Perk Up Your Classroom and Engage Your Students.
Learning and Leading with Technology, 1(11), 12-15. Retrieved February 25, 2010 from
EBSCO Host Academic Search Complete.
Maureen Yoder teaches a course in Emerging Technologies that shows ways to promote imagination and creativity . She found products that use software in Lego Robotics, interactive learning centers, virtual environments, and a Google Apps site for worldwide teacher collaboration. (The prices are listed and may appear daunting, but educational grants might be a possibility.)
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Reflective Blog #1
I am a student that is reviewing educational blogs. Following are some interesting classroom, educational, and teacher blogs that I found especially informative.
Classroom Blogs
Reflective Creations: http://reflectivecreations.wordpress.com/
I liked this classroom blog.The graphics are clean and easy to read and navigate.The poems by students were entertaining. The blog included book reviews by students and a link to Livefeedjit.com that lists the visitors' locations on a world map. Another link takes you to Spellingcity.com where there are spelling lists with games and activities to acquaint students with the words. Unfortunately, the last entry was November 2009, so we have to wait for more recent entries. However, there is much to do while waiting.I found this well worth the time to explore!
Mrs. Buckmaster's Class - Peeler open School for the Performing Arts: http://upperhouse.edublogs.org/
This is another great classroom blog. It has some clips of past performances by the Upper House kids. There are "shoutouts" from all over the world because the site includes a translation of the text. It was fun to read all the comments.The newsletter is from September 2009, but it gives a snippet of what is going on in class.
There are many photos and colorful graphics within a clean looking page. There is a link provided to the internet that also serves as a fundraiser for the school. Everytime you shop online, the school receives funds!
I would recommend this site to other schools with performing arts programs. Mrs. B. encourages classes to write and leave a link so that they can write back.When you communicate with them you can create your own avatar.
Educational Blogs
Science Notebooking: http://www.sciencenotebooking.blogspot.com/
This is a simple blog that includes many photos with explanations of science experiments that have been tried. The teacher has simple ideas to differentiate her lessons. The photos help to picture the projects as they are created.
Betchablog - education + technology + ideas: http://chrisbetcher.com/
Chris Betcher has many ideas about improving education. He currently conducts conferences in Australia and includes creative ways to use technology. I liked his stress on building relationships and trust with our students. He encourages "experiencing the unexpected" as teachers so that our hopes stay alive.One of the postings is a list of five skills that will take us into the 21st century as educators.Chris uses photos sparingly bu effectively in his format to keep it readable.I would recommend this site to any teacher that is reluctant to use technology or that needs warm encouragement.
Teacher Blogs
Ask a Tech Teacher: http://askatechteacher.wordpress.com/
I love this blog written by a former college business instructor that now is teaching technology an elementary school. She offers many websites for kids that have been tried and proven in her own school.
I liked how they were organized into grade levels and topics to make it easier to navigate. Some of the lessons she used have a workbook to accompany them, so she has links to places like Amazon to order a hard copy, or Scribd.com to download an e-book. I recommend this site to anyone working with elementary or middle school students.
High Techpectations by Lucy Gray: http://elemenous.typepad.com/
If you are a classroom teacher who wants to join the global community of educators, this is the site for you. Lucy Gray encourages collaboration among teachers and communication among their classrooms. Not only does she have a wealth of information to share, but she welcomes others to share as well. People from all over the world have sent photos or videos which help to open conversation among the members.
There are members that use Skype to have live conversations. This site makes the world seem much smaller and accessible. Her home page is colorful and even includes a way to translate information so I recommend it to any educator.
Classroom Blogs
Reflective Creations: http://reflectivecreations.wordpress.com/
I liked this classroom blog.The graphics are clean and easy to read and navigate.The poems by students were entertaining. The blog included book reviews by students and a link to Livefeedjit.com that lists the visitors' locations on a world map. Another link takes you to Spellingcity.com where there are spelling lists with games and activities to acquaint students with the words. Unfortunately, the last entry was November 2009, so we have to wait for more recent entries. However, there is much to do while waiting.I found this well worth the time to explore!
Mrs. Buckmaster's Class - Peeler open School for the Performing Arts: http://upperhouse.edublogs.org/
This is another great classroom blog. It has some clips of past performances by the Upper House kids. There are "shoutouts" from all over the world because the site includes a translation of the text. It was fun to read all the comments.The newsletter is from September 2009, but it gives a snippet of what is going on in class.
There are many photos and colorful graphics within a clean looking page. There is a link provided to the internet that also serves as a fundraiser for the school. Everytime you shop online, the school receives funds!
I would recommend this site to other schools with performing arts programs. Mrs. B. encourages classes to write and leave a link so that they can write back.When you communicate with them you can create your own avatar.
Educational Blogs
Science Notebooking: http://www.sciencenotebooking.blogspot.com/
This is a simple blog that includes many photos with explanations of science experiments that have been tried. The teacher has simple ideas to differentiate her lessons. The photos help to picture the projects as they are created.
Betchablog - education + technology + ideas: http://chrisbetcher.com/
Chris Betcher has many ideas about improving education. He currently conducts conferences in Australia and includes creative ways to use technology. I liked his stress on building relationships and trust with our students. He encourages "experiencing the unexpected" as teachers so that our hopes stay alive.One of the postings is a list of five skills that will take us into the 21st century as educators.Chris uses photos sparingly bu effectively in his format to keep it readable.I would recommend this site to any teacher that is reluctant to use technology or that needs warm encouragement.
Teacher Blogs
Ask a Tech Teacher: http://askatechteacher.wordpress.com/
I love this blog written by a former college business instructor that now is teaching technology an elementary school. She offers many websites for kids that have been tried and proven in her own school.
I liked how they were organized into grade levels and topics to make it easier to navigate. Some of the lessons she used have a workbook to accompany them, so she has links to places like Amazon to order a hard copy, or Scribd.com to download an e-book. I recommend this site to anyone working with elementary or middle school students.
High Techpectations by Lucy Gray: http://elemenous.typepad.com/
If you are a classroom teacher who wants to join the global community of educators, this is the site for you. Lucy Gray encourages collaboration among teachers and communication among their classrooms. Not only does she have a wealth of information to share, but she welcomes others to share as well. People from all over the world have sent photos or videos which help to open conversation among the members.
There are members that use Skype to have live conversations. This site makes the world seem much smaller and accessible. Her home page is colorful and even includes a way to translate information so I recommend it to any educator.
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