BP14-2009121_Peer Review

Look out Microsoft Office. Zoho.com is here. Zoho.com has a suite of tools to create documents, presentations, and spreadsheet and more. The tools can also be shared with other for collaborative groups. My music teacher had her students work on presentations about famous musicians in groups. She used power point. the problem with that was the students could only use on computer and only one student could work at a time. This would be a wonderful way to work if it is not block at my school. I also like the the fact that embedding the images in the blog was easy. I did it here. You just publish your document and copy and paste the embed code in the blog. I found this suite of products a little more robust than the google suite and a little easier to use since it looks more like office. The documents also export to office products.
@ Louria, Zoho sounds like something I would also like to use. The graphics look really nice. And again, I hope that we don't run across network problems! LOL! Great choice!

BP13-2009121_Researching and Blogging about Web 2.0 Tools-Part 3

(Image retrieved from Slideshare.com)

The final Web 2.0 Tool I researched was one where you can host your presentations and then share them with other people.  It's called Slideshare.  I found this tool on "The Top 100 Tools for Learning".  I wanted to be diverse in my selection of tools this week and so I thought that this tool was a good choice as it provides a means for both myself and for my students to share information.  Slideshare is free to use and is highly rated.  I would first implement Slideshare in my classroom by creating a few presentations so that my students could see how the presentations look and they could become accustomed to the tool, then I would ask them how they like the look of the presentation.  I use powerpoint for my warm ups and some content already and my students are already familiar with the use of the technology.  I would then assign the tool as a team collaboration project with rubrics with a given topic as a presentation of their choice.  Last week, I chose a similar Web 2.0 tool which incorporated voice narration.  The only difference with this tool, is that this tool is actually compatible with Facebook and Twitter!  It is also compatible with Microsoft.  The only thing I will have to make sure of is that it is fully accessible on my district's network.  I did not run into any problems with Slidestory.  The only constraint at this time, is the same one: time and the push to teach science content.  Finally, what I like most about Slideshare is that you can create a multitude of presentations not just for education, but for business, finance, and humor.  Slideshare can be used by anybody wanting to present any type of content or material.

BP12-2009121_Researching and Blogging about Web 2.0 Tools-Part 2

(Image retrieved from Notely.com)

The second tool I discovered was an organizer called Notely.  At first I wondered if it would apply to my middle school aged students but after taking the demo tour, I found that they could actually benefit from the application a great deal.  Notely is basically an all-in-one student organizer for notes, calendar and grade keeper.  The reason I chose this application is because I believe that my 8th grade students who will be in High School next year will really benefit from learning how develop organizational skills.  Right now, they only use a hard copy of a student organizer, which is called an agenda.  I rarely see students use these on a daily basis.  They mainly use their agendas to write their friend's birthday's in it.  With this tool, students can take notes as they work on-line, keep track of their grades, manage important dates such as test dates, and it's even available on iPhone!  Although most of my students may not have iPhones, it does not hurt for them to be exposed to this type of technology.  In my school district half of my students will have the opportunity to attend a technology based high school where the use of Web 2.0 tools is regular practice.  I would like to think that the students that I send to New Tech will be better prepared because of the exposure of tools from tools such as Notely.  This will provide for a much smoother transition.  This will assist the teachers there in being able to cover more ground if students come in with a better foundation.

BP11-2009121_Researching and Blogging about Web 2.0 Tools-Part 1

(Image retrieved from Classtools.net)

The first tool I found which I absolutely love is one I found on classtools.net. It is a resource for creating Venn Diagrams. The service is free to use and quite simple to manage as well. The best part about the tool is that you can host the tool on your teacher website or blog. In science I use venn diagrams very frequently to compare and contrast as this is one of Bloom's higher order thinking skills. I was amazed at the simplicity of the use of this tool! You can make out questions for students and have them complete them and the rest of the diagram or they can create the entire assignment per your instructions. You have the option of selecting either a two or three circle template. As I stated before, I use venn diagrams to compare and contrast often and can see so many possibilities with this tool! We recently completed Weathering and Erosion and compared and contrasted the differences between physical and chemical weathering. We are now moving onto the types of cycles such as the water, carbon dioxide and nitrogen cycles. When we finish covering each of these, I could use this template to compare all three! I know that my students would be very happy to see a change in the paper form of doing the venn diagrams they are used to using in my classroom. I also have a large venn diagram that I use with index cards and I could also use it as a supplement to having my own version of a completed template of whatever I assign my students possibly on a projector for reference. I can't wait to begin using this tool this week.

BP10-2009121_Reflective Media Asset

BP9-2009121_Week 2-Discoverying Web 2.0 Tools Part 3-Response

"Dabbleboard is an interactive white board that students can use to create drawings and work collaboratively. I have found that most of the web 2.0 tools require students to sign up to get an account to use which would be hard to use with 4th and 5th graders who do not have access unless they already have one. Our county has restrictions on student account as of now. With dabbleboard you can use it without getting an account however they could not use it collaboratively. Our students are already using graphic organizers. This would make the process more engaging for them. They can also add pictures in the products. With an account they can also chat while they are working.  Students can share their work with their peers."

@Louria: I like that fact that students do not have to sign up for an account as well! And the real time collaboration around the world is a plus! Great information to know! Thank You Louria!

BP8-2009121_Week 2-Discoverying Web 2.0 Tools Part 2

The second tool I found of particular interest to me was one called Slidestory.  I truly love digital storytelling and although I teach science, I try to find as many opportunities for my students to create, write and share stories whenever possible.  Another thing I love to do is take and share pictures.  With this tool, students create an account and actually create their own power point presentations.  What is different here is that they can add audio narration to those presentations.  In middle school, students are learning to communicate and build self esteem.  These years are so challenging and critical.  I think that the more they get to build on their presentation skills, the better equipped they will be when they progress into high school and even into college.  I would use this tool by putting students into groups and having them work collaboratively to design a power point presentation on a topic.  They would receive a rubric and a time line for when to complete the project and then I would have them grade each other on their projects.  I would give them the option of either presenting publicly or even posting on a blog if they choose.  I could also use Slidestory to present content myself to my classes on a day when my students will have a substitute and I want to narrate the content.  I would also use a presentation on my teacher website for students to go back to review lessons they have missed or if they want to study for a test.  I could also create an extra credit assignment using Slidestory and post to my blog for students to view and post comments on my blog to verify that they have viewed the content.  This could promote some question and answer type of discussion for myself and my students or an exchange for both.  Lastly, I like the fact that you can upload pictures along with text in the presentations which helps to accentuate your content.

BP7-2009121_Week 2-Discoverying Web 2.0 Tools Part 1

For my first Web 2.0 tool I selected Toxbox which is a tool that allows students to create an account and very quickly begin creating class presentations and projects.  The reason I selected this tool is because I think they would really enjoy the video component of it.  You can sync this account with yahoo messenger and several other IM accounts available for chat.  I am currently collaborating with another teacher from a different campus who teaches high school and we have been discussing a vertical alignment project for science.  This would aid in video conferencing for our students!  I can't wait to tell her about this discovery!
We had initially discussed using Skype but had some problems with more than four users on at one time.  With Toxbox, you can have a live chat session with four and up to twenty people at one time.  I have created my own account and will trial test it to see how many students to see how many students I can get on at one time.  My only hope now is that there will be no blocks from our network for the site which is usually what happens when we attempt to go on certain websites, but I am going to keep my fingers crossed on this one.  If all goes well, I think that we will be on to something great for our vertical team collaboration project.  This would be beneficial for my 8th grade students who will be attending high school next year and can get a "sneak peak" into some 9th grade science concepts.  This would also possibly give us the opportunity to allow us to begin an online tutoring or even mentoring program through video chat.  Aside from class presentations, I feel that this tool can be of great benefit to my students as it opens up a whole set of many opportunities for them to learn from each other and from other students from different schools as well.

BP6-2009121_Flickr

I researched lesson plans using Flickr and found mostly lessons connected to language arts.  I found one lesson which used Flickr in which pictures were used to encourage the creation of poetry.  The objective was for students to walk around the school and take pictures and then to upload their pictures on Flickr and ultimately creatively write a poem from the picture.  I found another lesson using Flickr where pictures were used to study for an exam.  This was accomplished through a series of questions.  I can see how this can be very useful for visual and ESL (english as a second language learners).  From this research I was able to generate my own idea for using Flickr for my students.  I think I could incorporate the idea from the second lesson plan I read about.  Currently, we are studying Earth science and we are learning about Weathering and Erosion.  I could use Flickr to provide picture illustrations and have students complete graphic organizers to describe a sequence of events activity using pictures.  Students would use the pictures to put erosion events in order of occurrence and then describe in detail what is taking place in the picture.  They could also either create a digital or hard copy of a story book or poster for demonstration.  I can see how using Flickr could really help the visual learner!

BP5-2009121_Anti-Teaching

In this post, I want you to make connections regarding the information you have been reading about and watching in the videos. I also want you to take some time to think about you as a learner. If you make the assumption that the educational systems as we know them do not work for the vast majority of the students moving through them, what would work? Think about what you have learned about Multiple Intelligences, Brain-Based Learning, and good instructional design. Are virtual learning environments with course management systems the answer? What about PLEs and Web 2.0 tools? Is technology itself enough? What are the key components you would include in new schools? Pull from your learning and the sources you have already acquired to support your answer (while you are not required to use APA and site your sources in this post - I do want you to be SPECIFIC in giving examples to support your opinion). What are the key components for 21st century schools and ?learning beyond the test?

I have been teaching for seven years now from Pre-K through 8th grade. From what I have observed I stand in the middle of the fence on my opinion as to whether our current educational systems work or not. I want to begin by discussing something that really stood out to me while reading the "7 Things you should know about Personal Learning Environments". That is that students require some form of self-autonomy in order to successfully manage a PLE. In my opinion, of the students I currently teach today; only about ten percent of them demonstrate that capability. While I believe that this is a very important and excellent teaching tool, I strongly agree that students must possess this skill in order for them to gain the most benefit for their academic needs. I always approach things from how I can directly implement tools I am currently learning to how I can use them with the students I currently teach. The other issue I am currently faced with is that on my campus we are limited on time due to the high need to teach necessary science concepts through labs, etc. PLE's also require sufficient time to learn the technology and software applications they require to successfully manage them. I am in no means saying that I would not use them. In contrast, I want to figure out a way to challenge myself and my students to become responsible and autonomous learners. This leads me to the first article about anti-teaching. It was very powerful and I truly learned so much and gained many ideas about how we as educators approach the theory of instruction. I want to add that taking into consideration what I have learned through this course about multiple intelligence and brain-based learning that it is going to take an effective implementation of both to achieve the most from instruction. Furthermore, with our continued advancements in technology I can only predict that we will move towards the sole use of virtual learning where students will utilize PLE's and Web 2.0 tools. This is the primary reason I am in this program. I want to be one of those educators who is at the forefront of seeing those advances take place in the classroom and helps facilitate that process! My son attends a high school called New Technology High School where project based learning and the use of a combination of Web 2.0 tools and Google sites are the primary sources for learning. As far as a which key components I would include in new schools goes? Well, I would definitely require the use as mentioned above of a well balanced combination of project-based learning coupled with effective use of brain-based learning, and Web 2.0 tools. I would implement PLE's to those students who demonstrate the capacity and maturity to manage them as required. The key would be as the first article stated, for students to be able to successfully become empowered though their own learning. My job would be to be the catalyst for engagement and ultimately facilitate the entire learning process.

BP4-2009121_Google Reader

My Google Reader Choices are as follows:

1.  CNN.com - Politics
I chose this site because I want to stay up to date on
 politics as it relates to science and education.


2.  New from the National Academies Press
I selected this site because of it's professional
 science related content.


3.  Science News - The New York Times
This site will help me stay on top of new stories
 in my field of education and content.


4.  TEA posts 8th grade science TEKS information
This site is very pertinent to my profession as it is 
directly related to the Texas Education Agency and 
the science content standards which I teach everyday.


5.  Vernier News
This site will keep me informed of new technology,
 tools and software as it relates to my content area.

BP3_Discovering Web 2.0 Tools

Research Web 2.0 Tools beginning with the resource listed below and choose one that is of interest to you in your teaching/learning environment. Learn how to use the tool through the site or tutorials and use it to create an assignment you might use in a learning situation or use it to create some product. Next evaluate what you have done and think about all the possible educational uses. Post a blog at least 250 words long describing how you would use it in your classroom and the educational benefits the tool provides. Be specific and thorough in your discussion.

Well I am an 8th Grade Middle School Science Teacher at a low socioeconomic school.  Most of my students are minorities; Hispanic and African-American.  I began my search particularly seeking Science related material.  Then I stumbled on Youtego.  I was immediately captivated by the site and was instantly beaming with ideas for uses and incorporation in my classroom!  Basically, Youtego's main concept is self-visualization. Their motto is "recognize yourself to recognize the world around you", (Youtego, 2009).  The way this is accomplished is through the use of simple semantics.  A basic combination of pictures and words to express one's feelings, ideas, thoughts, etc.  It reminded me almost of digital storytelling, which is also another web 2.0 tool I want my students to become more adept in.  I would use this tool in my classroom by assigning a topic such as Newton's Laws of Motion and instructing my students to create the Youtego slideshows to depict the concepts and terminology and then present them in either a blog or website.  I know that at first it may sound or seem too basic, but it is actually very deep and inspirational at the same time which is the primary reason why I chose this tool.  As I mentioned before, a teach a very large population of ELL's, or english language learners.  I feel that this tool would be of great benefit to them as well to aid them in their vocabulary skills.  With this tool students can incorporate music, pictures and their choice of words to represent the natural world or whatever topic I assign.  This tool really appealed to me because this tool will empower my students to become more self expressive through the use of their own pictures and digital technology.  This is my third year teaching middle school and I see the hardships kids in this age group experience.  Students in this age group love social networking sites such as myspace and facebook and they absolutely LOVE to take pictures, so with this tool they can accomplish both and learn at the same time!  Not to mention that they can then share their products as they upload them to blogs, twitter, and facebook.  I have a daughter who is in middle school herself and when I introduced the site to her, she was instantly hooked!  Youtego is one web 2.0 I plan to utilize in my classroom as soon as possible.

In my search for science related material I also found a very useful site called Yacapaca.com.  This site is teacher and student friendly.  The best part about this site is that it is FREE!  Uses for this site as an educator would primarily be for creating quizzes for students as reviews and at the end of units.  I took a practice quiz and I really liked the level of challenge as well as the graphics used.  I could also use this tool as extra credit for students who may need additional support or simply use it as an additional resource such as a homework assignment.  Eportfolios are another option with Yacapaca.  This tool is one that seems more content related and offers a wide variety of subject matter.  As a teacher, I am always looking for resources and this one is very manageable.

                                    Image from Yacapac.com, 2009

Although on my campus we are limited on the availability of technology due to some sites being blocked, I do believe that my students will benefit from one if not both of my choices.  I enjoyed my search as I found many other tools that I have linked to my teacher website for my home campus.

BP2_2009121_iGoogleScreenShots

BP1_2009121_Blogs_in_Education

Before this course I had only written one blog, so this concept is still fairly new to me.  As I researched educational uses for blogs, I found more articles directed at teachers to connect with each other to exchange ideas.  This proved beneficial as I see that there are many other sources of information out there for me to gain ideas for teaching middle school science.  When I specified my search engine for middle school science, I came across several more pertinent articles.  One article:  "Blogs in Education" I found on Adultlearn.com, provided many ideas which I had already had in mind since learning how to use iWeb in previous courses.  Blogging in middle school can be very beneficial as it can provide students many opportunities to enhance skills such as writing and keyboarding.  Blogging also allows students a means for self-expression.  Middle school times are tough and I think that this age group would benefit from an additional outlet for self-expression!
I came across a very interesting science blog created by Steve Spangler which had an excellent layout and included many examples of videos of science experiments.  I actually signed up to get updates!  This was yet another confirmation of how I can use blogging to include video to demonstrate video examples of science experiments done in the lab for students who may have been absent.
"Science Blogs in Middle High School Classes" by David R. Wetzel (August 30, 2008) was another excellent article I researched to gain ideas on implementation for blogging in the science classroom.
One thing that really stood out to me was that blogs can be easily updated.  This will be convenient as information and instructions/deadlines may change over time.  This article also touched on my biggest concern with blogging on my home campus:  access to technology.  We have limited time and access to computers, so I am still pondering how to incorporate this into my instruction.  I am also thinking about those students who do not have internet access at home.  I also had one question from the article.  The article discussed comparisons between teacher websites and blogs and it left me thinking: should I use one or the other, or a combination of BOTH???  I know that with iWeb, you can have a blog as a page.  But I was kind of leaning towards iGoogle after Dr. Deason's class, I don't know.
Anyway, well I will close on how I could see myself using blogging with my instruction:
First of all,  as I stated earlier~ I would want students to have the freedom to write freely and be able to express themselves.  I would also use blogging as a means to challenge them through problem solving (science related) using Bloom's Taxonomy questioning strategies, which is something we are pushing for on our campus.  I would also use blogging to allow students who are not present the opportunity to stay connected to what is going on in class.  This leads me to PARENTS:  they too can stay in the know of what is going on in science class as they view blogs, videos, and pics of what their children are doing!  And last but not least, I would use blogging to provide extra credit opportunities for students who may need to improve their score or for those who want supplemental assignments and resources related to science content.  WOW!  I have my work cut out for me!  I can't wait to get started!  Well, after I finish my own work first.... LOL!  ; )