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!
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