iPad Opportunity

You have recently been approached by your principal that student’s test scores have reached an all time low. She needs your help to excite students about learning and help them retain knowledge. Your principal has agreed to purchase an iPad for your classroom IF you can provide her with enough ways of how you could use it in your subject area.

YOUR TASK: Spend the next 5 minutes and review apps that you might be able to use in the subject area provided to your group. Type your ideas on our blog and be prepared to "show and tell" your ideas with the class!

(When typing the information on the blog, be sure to include your group member’s names, subject area you are finding apps for, app names and how you could use them in your subject area)

Here is a brief overview of how the apps on the iPad are setup:
Page 1: General
Page 2: Math
Page 3: Vocabulary & Spelling
Page 4: Reading
Page 5: Geography/History
Page 6: Science/Health
Page 7: Fine Arts
Page 8: Primary
Page 9: Games
Page 10: Teacher Fun

A Closer Look into Digital Storytelling

Multimedia in the classroom can inspire students to achieve at higher levels as well as change the dynamics for teaching and learning in the classroom. The use of multimedia programs open many doors for using multimedia with students. They not only learn first hand how to operate technological equipment but also can enhance other skills such as scriptwriting, creativity, planning, storyboarding, photography, videography and many others. Through these opportunities, students are introduced to a whole new world of communication. By using authentic products such as podcasts, video production, web page production, and others, students are given a creative outlet to communicate thoughts and new knowledge.

What has been your experience with using multimedia tools? Have you been able to use them with your students in a classroom setting? What are some ways that you could see yourself using digital storytelling with your students?

MyCon

Everyone is familiar with computer icons. These small pictures are graphical representations of something else. A spinning globe may represent the Internet browser program on your computer. There are many other more personal forms of icons, however. Corporate officials at Lego® don’t carry business cards. Instead, the company makes small, personalized Lego people for its executives. These icons have the officials’ name printed on the shirt, have contact information on the back, and are even designed to look like the executive.

While we may not have anything this elaborate, we all carry icons with us each day. Our choice of clothes, jewelry, trinkets; all of the things that we carry with us are really personal icons. You might say that these are our “ My-Cons.”

What are you carrying today that can tell others about you? Choose something you are wearing, something in your pocket, or something in your bag that could be used to share something about yourself. Complete the short activity below, and be prepared to share your My-Con.

My name is __________ and I live in ___________. Currently my profession is a _________________ with ____________. I am pursuing a _________ degree in _______________and have ____ semesters/years until I graduate from the University of Montevallo!

The “My-Con” that I have with me today is a ____________________. This item really is a “ My-Con” because it tells others that I am___________.

Experience with Blogging

What has been your experience with using blogs in the classroom? Have you been able to use them with your students in a classroom setting? How? If not, what are some ways that you could see yourself using blogging with your students? What might you post to allow students to reflect upon?

Online Exercise 16- Tips & Tricks

Post one tip or trick dealing with technology that you have used in your classroom, read about, or seen in use. Be sure to include your name with the post!

Podcasting in Education

What is Podcasting? on Prezi

Web 2.0 in the Classroom

Web 2.0 in the classroom on Prezi

Podcasting in Education on Prezi

Website Evaluation and Misleading Websites

Visit the following website to learn more about specific criteria for evaluating websites.
http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic32.htm

With your group members, choose one of the misleading websites from the list below:

Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie
Facts About from Idiotica
Should we ban dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO)?
Mankato Minnesota Home Page, New Hartford
Backup Mankato Site, Another Backup
Burmese Mountain Dog
Museum of Hoaxes
California's Velcro Crop under Challenge (1993)
Did the Holocaust happen?
Physics and Star Trek
The Faked Apollo Landings

Type the name and web address that you have chosen. Based on any 3 of the criteria listed, how can you tell these sites are not reputable? Briefly note the criteria and your analysis of that criteria. Be sure to list the names of your group members!

Online Exercise 8

Online Exercise 8: Project Based Learning & 21st Century Skills

Select ONE of the following to answer and respond on our class blog:

How can projects help students meet standards and develop 21^st century skills?

How can projects be used to enhance student learning?

What websites would you recommend to a teacher that wants to make his/her classroom more “interactive?”

(Don't forget to list your name with your posting)