Once you take the final exam, the class is over. I do have to grade any questions that have essay or short answers, and once I do that, you should see your score in My Grades in WebCT. You can use the syllabus to determine your final grade using your total points.
I've posted some final thoughts for you on the last page of the class wiki. It's interactive, with video, audio, animation and more!
While you're there, you can click on a link near the top of that page (or click here) to write and leave a sticky-note with positive suggestions or comments on the eme2040 wall.
Go forth and TEACH! (and use technology wisely to do it well!)
Dr. B
(Not) The End
Goodbye PBWiki - Hello PBWorks
PBWiki has announced a name change to PBWorks.
If you created a wiki in PBWiki, it has a new name and address. See the FAQs. Yes, your old address should work, but you might want to make note of the change--especially if you are linking to it from your portfolio.
I'm glad they waited until your final project was due and graded!
FETC Virtual Conference
Right NOW I'm attending the FETC Virtual Conference. It's entirely online--including speakers, presentations, communication with other participants, exhibits and even prizes! How cool is that?
I'm listening to Dr. Steven L. Paine – State Superintendent – West Virginia Department of Education. He's talking about what they are doing for teachers, for students and with technology to improve outcomes in education. He first talked about how teachers are VALUED in Finland, Singapore, Korea and China. He's also talking about building a "back porch" for teachers--where they can collaborate, share, plan, work and learn together online. He believes teachers should be better trained, more respected, and better paid....and that we need better teachers! I can't disagree! Did you know in Finland, only 1 in 10 trained teachers are actually selected to work in school classrooms? They only take the cream of the crop!
I like him. He thinks that retirees (like me!) have something to offer! Paine also thinks we'll be looking at more online learning for both students and teachers and much hybrid instruction as well. Aren't you glad you took this course online? And you were introduced to FLVS? Online learning and teaching may indeed be part of your future!
See the program here. I'm hoping that the presentations will be available later for you (and me) to view and hear later, too.
Back to my learning....!
Final Project Example
I've posted a new example of a final project. It includes notes from the course about each part of the assignment. See it here.
ABCD Rubric
I just found this rubric online for assessing instructional objectives:
Rubric: Instructional Objective Statement
You can also build your own rubric at this site--or modify one--or put a whole course online.
Other rubric generators mentioned in your project overview and in Module 7:
And you can learn a LOT more about rubrics here:
If you use the final project rubric as a guide, you will see how it can help students as well as teachers!
Final Exam Resources
I've compiled 10 resources for you to help review for the final exam including some already mentioned in this blog so you have them all in one place. You can see them here:
http://1link.in/dstth
Click on OPEN and it open all the links.
Have fun! You'll be ready!
Word Search Puzzle
Like finding those hidden words? Here's a link to a word search puzzle using terms from our work this semester. Print it out and go to it!
(No fair doing it while in another class!)
Can't find them? Here's the answer key!
New Review Game
In addition to the review quiz posted earlier, Larry Ferlazzo's blog alerted me to some new "make your own game" sites. So here's another one for you created in W2L (What 2 Learn) and based on the final exam questions.
Click here to play:
Penquins in Peril: Introduction to Technology in Education
Penquins in Peril: Introduction to Technology in Education
See Larry's "Best" lists here! You'll find some new favorites! And you might want to bookmark or subscribe to his blog!
BTW, I made at least one error in putting this game together....10 bonus points if you are the first to post it in a comment below!
Here are some other games created by others on W2L that will help you review and show you what else you might create using the free game-creator tool:
BTW, I made at least one error in putting this game together....10 bonus points if you are the first to post it in a comment below!
Here are some other games created by others on W2L that will help you review and show you what else you might create using the free game-creator tool:
- Outputs and Inputs (hangman)
- Technology Hardware (hangman)
- Input Devices (short answer)
- Storage Devices (scrambled letters)
- Software (short answer quiz)
- Storage (for one or two players - short answers)
New Research on Virtual Schools
Several research studies by Florida professors and others indicate: "Online classes may be a relatively young instructional practice for K-12 schools, but experts already generally agree on one point: Research shows that virtual schooling can be as good as, or better than, classes taught in person in brick-and-mortar schools."
Read more in this Education Week article (outlined in the overview)...then talk with the experts from Florida Virtual Schools next week. One teacher will be online each evening, Monday through Thursday (April 6-9)@ 7pm to answer your questions. Who knows? You may become a virtual teacher!
Another Free Teacher Website Builder
| ||
 | Post homework | |
 | Upload Documents to share with the class | |
 | Post upcoming events to your calendar | |
 | Post articles of interest and links to resources | |
 | Receive documents uploaded by students | |
 | Start a class message board, just for you and your students | |
 | Create unlimited numbers of photo albums Students can create pages, too! Try it out! | |
PBWiki Enhancements
PBWiki announced some enhancements to their wiki software today:
- Starred Pages- Bookmark all important wiki pages and create a personal list of information that is important to you.
- Send a Link- Tell other members of your team that you’ve updated the workspace, or to call them to review, comment, or edit the page.
- Navigator- Quickly navigate to any folder, and browse all pages on your wiki. Also a quick way to view your Starred Pages.
- Threaded Comments (Premium Feature)- Now you can reply to comments!
Looking Back at the Semester
It seems like a good time to begin review the course...with technology (of course!) So let's take a look back....
What do you remember? What did you miss?
First, I created a Powerpoint presentation and uploaded it to SlideShare. Slideshare let me add some YouTube videos I thought fit nicely! Cool! When finished, I embedded it in a wiki page.
What else can I do with this review presentation? Once it's in Powerpoint, I have lots of options. I saved the presentation as jpg images. That turns each slide into a separate image.
 |
- The slideshow above is in Smilebox.
- I also created a VoiceThread. Click on the link and you can comment on any slide or memory by typing, using a microphone or webcam, or even calling a toll-free number! (Comments are moderated, so they may not appear immediately.)
- I used the slides to create a video in Animoto, one of my favorite tools:
- I saved it as a movie and uploaded it to YouTube:
- I created a new presentation in Prezi. (Watch out! Prezi may make you dizzy! But it is a cool presentation system!)
I hope it serves as a good visual review of where we've been and what we've accomplished in a short time!
Which is your favorite way to view the review? Leave a comment to let me know!
Semester Review Quiz
A semester review quiz is now available online to help you get ready for the final exam. Most of the questions will come from your textbook.
Be sure to register a screen name to see your score...keep playing to see all the questions. Add questions if you'd like!
Gcast Changes
I'm sorry to say that Gcast, the website many of you used to create your own podcast, is no longer going to be free. The basic service is FREE, but beginning April 1, 2009, podcasting by phone will require a yearly subscription fee of $99. I had also used Gabcast by phone for free, but it now has limited phone-in capabilities. A comment on Larry Ferlazzo's blog suggests: "Two sites that we are going to try out are phonecasting.com and drop.io. Both of these sites offer the option of calling and recording a voicemail type podcast." A microphone for your computer is looking like a really good investment!
Virtual Conference
Want to know more about technology in education? Here's a great opportunity! The award-winning producers of FETC and T.H.E. Journal invite you to participate in a FREE virtual conference for K-12 educators and technology staff exploring the most pressing issues related to 21st Century Skills.
APRIL 23, 2009
11:00am-7:00pm EST
What you can expect:
- The latest developments in 21st century skills
- Engaging speakers sharing their expertise in an interactive and efficient way
- A dynamic exchange of best practices and tips for success
- A virtual networking lounge to expand your network of K-12 educators and technology experts
- Access to other participants through instant messaging
- Free content downloads and presentations to go
- Technology product and service demonstrations.
- Q&As with technology experts
Wikispaces Plans Some Enhancements
Wikispaces is celebrating its 4th birthday and announcing some changes. If you used Wikispaces for your teacher wiki, you'll probably want to use it for your final project, too. This announcement doesn't say WHEN they changes will happen, but I wanted you to be aware that there will be changes! It looks like they will be major improvements, but the directions in your course pages may not be as helpful. You did a good job with your teacher wiki, but if you run into questions, let me know. I'll be happy to help.
Use Me! (Copyright Free Images)
You've learned that you cannot just grab any image off the web and use it in your own presentation or wiki! So what ARE you supposed to do?
Here are some sources you can use for copyright free or creative commons licensed images:
Technology in 2019
Microsoft offers this glimpse of technology ten years from now. My guess? Most of it will be with us even before then!
Free Home Page Builder for Teachers
You've created your teacher wiki, so you are beginning to see both the possibilities and limitations of a wiki for your professional use. There are many alternatives to help give you a web presence. For example, The Scholastic Class Homepage Builder provides teachers who have never made a blog or website with an easy-to-use tool to get started creating an online presence for students and parents to visit. The themes, layouts, and pre-made activities that can be included in the homepage are designed for students in grades K-8. The tool is free, but the page does include ads from Scholastic.
Here's my front page:
Give it a try!
21st Century Teaching, Learning & Classrooms
I found these three presentations by Kim Cofino on the Slideshare site. They are simple, elegant, and impressive. Note the emphasis on the visuals and the emotions and ideas they evoke! Kim shares her great ideas and experiences in her blog, Always Learning. It's one you might want to bookmark and watch!
The 21st Century Educator
View more presentations from Kim Cofino.
The 21st Century Learner
View more presentations from Kim Cofino.
The 21st Century Classroom
View more presentations from Kim Cofino.
Copyright and Creative Commons
One of your upcoming assignments focuses on copyright, fair use and creative commons. This may be the best explanation of public domain and Creative Commons licensing I've seen. It also helps us understand why modeling ethical behavior in using digital content is critical for us as teachers.
Website Evaluation Rubric
So, you're using a rubric to evaluate websites...but are you looking carefully??? Or are you easily fooled?
Check out this website about Albert Einstein using Access Key: 2770816. Find clues that this may not be the best site for information about the man. Press the Leave your feedback here button to share your thoughts and identify clues. Try to find clues no one else has found. You can sign your name or use your initials. If you email me to tell me you've done this, I'll award 10 bonus points...assuming your clues are correct! (There's a deadline on this one of March 7 at noon!)
The website scrolls at the bottom of the backboard page or you can view it a little larger here and then make comments on the Backboard page.
We're using a tool called BackBoard to do this. It's a tool that might have come in handy during your scavenger hunt activity. You post a document or a URL and invite people to leave feedback, comments, suggestions, praise, etc. Free and paid versions available. We're using the free version, of course!
Can you think of other times when a tool like this would be helpful to you as a student? As a teacher?
FCAT Explorer
I found this image today. Since checking out FCAT Explorer is one of your assignments for next week, it seemed appropriate to share this poster.
Remember, you are taking these FCAT courses as if you were a student, not the smart adult you are.
Be sure to get some wrong to see what happens. These will take some time so don't wait until the last minute. And whatever you do, "Don't Freak Out!"
Podcasting and Wiki Assignments
This caught my eye this morning:
Podcasting Yields Higher Scores than Attending the Lecture
Although the research was conducted with university students, the finding are interesting to K-12 teachers, too. From the article: "...when students can pause, rewind, and rewatch a lecture they learn the material better. Podcasting lecture material has the added benefit of changing what can be accomplished during class time."
Since this week's assignment is on podcasting, I wanted to share that with you.
There was a second article, too. In two weeks, Project 3 is due. You'll be creating a Teacher Wiki, the beginning of a way you can connect with students and their parents. The author, Tony Vincent, says,"Many teachers have a class homepage because it is a place where they can share information, assignments, and web links." That's what you'll be doing in the Teacher Wiki. This blog article takes it a step beyond--to an ipod touch!
You can take your Teacher Wiki a couple steps beyond, too, by adding your Powerpoint (or a Powerpoint you design for your page) and/or your podcast (or a podcast you design for your page).
If you uploaded your Powerpoint assignment to Slideshare you're on your way. If not, you can do it or create a new one and upload it. See the directions here.
If you created a podcast using gCast for your assignment, you can use that. If not, you can create one using the directions in the podcast assignment.
Once you have your wiki page created, you can find directions for adding (embedding) your presentation and/or podcast using the directions I created for you. You might also be able to create and embed some media for your final project, so keep these in mind!
Learning Technology? Teach Yourself!
I know it can be difficult to learn about technology, especially when there are new software programs and web tools every day and each of those have many features. I've found a few more sites that help make learning easier for all of us.
The first is TIP (Technology Integration Project). It has has some handouts (TIP Sheets) that walk you through using a tool for the first time. For those of you podcasting this week, there's one on Gcast...and it even tells you how to embed it in your upcoming wiki! And one of the TIP sheets is a guide to PBWiki, one of your wiki creating and hosting alternatives.
Another excellent resource is the Educational Origami's Starter Sheets. For your upcoming wiki project, it offers a handout on Wikispaces.
I've recently mentioned Nortel's resources for you.
Have you found any resources that have helped you learn more about technology for teaching and learning? Share them with the class here in the comments.
Love It! Love It! Love It!
Teacher Kelly Tenkely and her first grade students made this video and posted it on YouTube for the world to see. Love it! Love it! Love it!
Based on an idea from the book, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie."
Kelly is the author of the iLearnTechnology blog--full of great practical ideas for using technology in the classroom.
Look Who's Podcasting!
Did you know that NASA offers both audio and video podcasts for you and your students? They call them NASACASTS!
And now they are offering Do-It-Yourself Podcasts for students K-20! They "provide a set of audio and video clips along with photos and information about a space-related topic. You and your students may choose as many items as you want to include in your project and download them to your computer. Students may use the information we provide or conduct their own research to write a script for an audio or video production.
"Using a camcorder, digital audio recorder or computer, you and your students can record your narration and any other scenes or interviews that you want to include. Mix and mash your recording with the NASA clips you download, and edit your production."
Here's a video clip for grades 3-5. What happens if astronauts get sick?
Here's what they say about "digital kids:" "Today’s digital environments give students the tools to actively create and share content, not just passively consume it. Researchers say students who create and evaluate media are deriving a sense of competence, autonomy, self-determination and connectedness. A Pew Internet & American Life Project study finds the majority of American youth using the Internet are involved in some kind of content-creating activity, such as blogging, making profiles, sharing photos and videos, creating Web sites and remixing content. NASA Education’s DIY Podcast activity is designed to actively engage students in science, technology, engineering and math."
You and your students are encouraged to share anything produced on blogs, wikis, social networks, emails, webpages....!! There are a lot of possibilities here for any grade level or subject area--reading, writing, speaking, research techniques, information skills, science, social_studies, math, art, music, and technology skills. Collaboration, cooperation, publishing, and more!
They also have a teacher tips blog just for you! Check out their search engine to help you find teaching materials. Great stuff!
First Grade VoiceThread
Check out this presentation by first graders who are retelling the story of Wangari's Trees of Peace by Winter. I am SO impressed with their drawings, their voices, and their use of technology! You will be, too!
Think what they are learning: reading, writing, speaking, illustrating, presenting, sequencing, summarizing, AND technology!
See more examples of VoiceThread for every grade level at the VoiceThread in Education wiki.
There's a New Kid in Town (for Kids and Teachers, Too!)
You'll want to visit and bookmark SchoolRooms, a new learning portal for K-12 students, teachers, and parents. Designed by teachers and librarians, SchoolRooms features:
- 71 virtual rooms of content for elementary, middle, and high school levels (Check out the full listing of virtual rooms here)
- Nearly 2,000 unique page views for students to visit 23,000+ links to high-quality Web sites
- More than 5 million Web pages crawled and indexed for Best of Web
The information provided is curriculum-oriented and based on state standards in Florida and other states. There are videos, photographs, and audio recordings, too. SchoolRooms says: "Exploration, discovery, and learning don't have to be boring." They are setting out to prove it!
I've added to the "More Links for You" section of this blog in the column on the right. Check it out!
Free Technology Resources! FREE! FREE!
These two resources are new to me, but they are perfect for you in this class--and after! Both are sponsored by Nortel, a communications company.
The first is LearnIt.org. It has lesson plans by subject, grade or technology; technology tutorials, links to resources and best practices, and a help section to get you started with the site. Next week's assignment is on podcasting, so I checked out the audio tutorials. Fabulous!
The second is the Everyday Technology Toolkit that not only includes some Tech 'Splained videos but also explains step-by-stop how to make your own (or get students to make their own!) complete with planning documents and video and printed directions. From the site: "These short videos (about 4 minutes each) offer a quick way to successfully get up to speed in specific technology concepts. The videos:
- provide the basic "getting started" steps
- provide concrete examples
- work for individual learning or in a classroom setting
- are always available to return to for review"
This series of technology topics can be incorporated into all curricula and offer alternative methods of teaching and learning!
There's a nice video about Animoto, one of my favorite (and free) online alternatives to Powerpoint (and one we won't get to this semester.) You can make a music video in minutes from your own images! Oh, and there's a list of free software applications and tools.If you don't think you'll know ALL about technology when you finish this course, you're right! But sites like this can help you learn and grow!
Did I mention I love free things? Most teachers do, especially when they help them teach and help student learn!
Teacher Personality Quiz
Office Depot is offering a Teacher Personality Quiz. What kind of teacher are you? It's only 5 questions long....and I've got to say, they were spot on with me!
Together with Expo (the marker and dry erase board people), Office Depot is also sponsoring a classroom makeover contest. View the finalists, read what the teacher-finalists and their students think would make for a great classroom, and vote for your choice. You can vote through March 8. Who knows? Someday it may be YOUR turn for a classroom makeover!
Holy Powerpoint!
I've never seen a Powerpoint presentation quite like this! It was created by an artist in Australia and shared by Kathy Schrock (of Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators, a categorized list of sites useful for enhancing curriculum and professional growth.)
You'll have to download it to see the whole thing....It's worth it!
Pretty creative!
Reminder: Wiki Webinar Coming Up! (Teacher Wiki Coming Up, Too!)
Project #3 is a teacher wiki. You'll also be using a wiki for your final project. The course contains some links to tutorials, but there is an opportunity coming up that you might want to take advantage of:
You are cordially invited to a live online presentation (a webinar) called "PBwiki 101: Your Guide to Wiki Basics." This webinar takes place on Wednesday, March 4th at 1pm EST / 10am PST. Sign up for the free webinar here.
For your projects you can use PBwiki, Wikispaces, or WetPaint. Your choice. Sometimes seeing and hearing someone demonstrate the features can be helpful and can extend your online learning!
Image from WebGuild.org http://www.webguild.org/images/1211573010wiki.gif
Searching the Invisible Web
About.com has a great article on how to find and seach the invisible web....and why you might want to do so!
From the article about the invisible web: "In a word, it's humungous. Bright Planet estimates the invisible, or deep, web as being 500 times bigger than the searchable, or surface, Web. Considering that Google alone covers around 8 billion pages, that's just mind boggling."
Image: 'Web 2.0'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29931767@N00/146865077
Word Hearts
I happened upon this generator tonight. Just in time for Valentines!
You enter words separated by commas and it will generate a heart for you.
You can change the color, the font, the background...Have fun!
Free Online Jeopardy Game Template
Here's another tool for you to use with students to help them review information: JeopardyLabs.
"JeopardyLabs allows you to create a customized jeopardy template. The games you make can be played online from anywhere in the world. Building your own jeopardy template is a piece of cake. Just use the simple editor to get your game up and running. Not interested in building your own jeopardy templates? Well that’s cool too. You can browse other jeopardy templates created by other people."
I created a jeopardy-like game just for you based on Chapters 1-4 in your text. In fact, I created a second one to be sure you know your stuff! I thought it might be helpful to review before teh quiz. Play alone, or get together with a classmate or two. You know how to play Jeopardy. You see the answer. What is the question?
If you get the answer right, click on the plus (+) sign at the bottom of the page. If you get it wrong, well...you know!
Happy Valentine's Day
Create your own special images with Image Chef!
Here are two I designed for Valentine's Day--just for you!
Google Challenge
A Twitter message (technically, I guess, a "tweet") led me to a class in S. E. Asia that is learning more about technology in the classroom. The instructor, Jeff Utecht, offers students a Google Quiz. How are your searching skills now that you've completed the searching assignment for eme2040? Take the quiz to find out!
Here are some other search challenges:
- Beat the Clock: Internet Search Challenges (1)
- Beat the Clock: Internet Search Challenges (2)
- Beat the Clock: Internet Search Challenges (3)
- PlentySmart
- Harry Potter Scavenger Hunt
- Google Guide Quiz
Beyond Google:VIrtual Cupcakes for Cancer Re$earch
There are a lot of fun sites on the Internet, and many that can raise awareness and cash for good causes. For example, Electrolux (yep, the vacuum cleaner and appliance people) has a special site where you can build a cupcake and send it to a friend.
You choose the flavor, decorate it, and add a personal message. Then email it to anyone who deserves a little treat, or save it to your desktop to brighten your day.
When you send a virtual cupcake to a friend or loved one this February, Electrolux will donate a $1 to The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (with a minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of $30,000) as part of its $500,000 commitment to help fight ovarian cancer.
Calorie-free, too! I made this one just for you!
Electronic Communications
This week you are considering how you might use some electronic tools with parents, students, administrators and colleagues. Well, here's an interesting twist. Dr. Scott McLeod writes:
Parents are using online tools to push on schools
The Washington Post recently published a really interesting article on the ability of well-connected parents to influence the decisions of their local school districts (hat tip to The Science Goddess). The term ‘well-connected’ refers to parents’ abilities to use online tools to communicate and mobilize (rather than to their connections to people with power).
Below are a few examples of parents pushing back on their local school systems. Parent tools include blogs, online petitions, and even administration countdown timers! I’ve linked to individual posts but you can click on the headers to see the blogs in their entirety.- Has MCPS dropped American History from its curriculum?
- Change mayoral control? Beware the mushroom cloud!
- Media pig
- Wanted: a full-day kindergarten slot - do you feel lucky?
Be sure to also read about the New York City Department of Education ‘truth squad,’ whose job it is to ‘scour a group of 24 education Web logs, e-mail Listservs and Web sites in a hunt for factual errors and misinformation.’
Online communication technologies have greatly amplified the abilities of parents to voice their opinions and mobilize for desired change. Activist parents now have a bevy of new tools and strategies to help facilitate their agendas and they are not afraid to use them. School organizations are going to have to get used to this new state of affairs in which parent activism and criticism are more public, permanent, and far-reaching. I’m pretty sure that most school leaders haven’t really thought about this…
Quiz Alert
You'll soon be quizzed on Chapters 1-4 of your textbook. 
There are several review options available to you as described on the course pages. Here's another one created in Quizlet, a free "flashcard" creation program.
No matter the subject or the age of the student, giving them a chance to practice and review content is important. The importance of vocabulary in mastering any content cannot be overestimated.
Other flashcard creation programs include:
I've done the same vocabulary for you in Study Stack where you can practice using flash cards, matching, hangman, crossword puzzles, scrambled words and more. I found a how-to video on YouTube that shows you how to use PowerPoint to create flashcards. Not quite the same, but a good idea!
Check them out. You may be able to use one of them in your final project or in another course.
Oh! And you will be more prepared for the first quiz!!
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