Not So Techy Tech

This week we had to compile a power point presentation that would be an engaging way to teach a lesson.  Based on the amount of time it took me to do one presentation it is not something I would do frequently if ever.  I agree that is it good to give students multiple methods of learning.  With that being said, their are many curriculum courses that offer built in videos and games with the printed material.  It seems as though that is a better alternative.  On the other side, I think it is a great way for students to exercise their creativity and show what they know about something.  Of course you would have to keep them on task at the same time.  I did my presentation on statistics and included a video with a link to a site that gave 10 places (occupations) that utilize statistical information because relevance is important.

This week we utilized Google Docs for creating class grading charts.  I’m grateful that they operate much like Microsoft Excel so the set up was easy for me.  This is the first technology media that we have used which is similar to what I see being used in a regular classroom.  The school I am currently working in utilizes something much like this to record grades.  I’m not sure what platform theirs is built on.  I do like that all your grades are stored in one place.  What I would like to know is how do parents know what their child’s grade is.  Surely they can have access to the entire spreadsheet for privacy reasons.  I liked that the document would allow you to create quizzes, test or surveys.  I have used Survey Monkey once for this.  This is a better method because you can organize your quizzes and save them for future use.  I created an exit quiz for the end of a lesson in math.  You can view the quiz on this link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekxa34BfIBAFUFjzMa8jlBl6nHaGZK_IXHqrBsgxmYpNeEiQ/viewform

One of the features I liked about the spreadsheets was the ability to make pie charts to show what percentage of your students are proficient, at level, and below proficient.  You can view my grade book set up on this link:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LBYX9Z9uFfrWGAMsxLSeFN4WJL9LF1ErHNRck-OJSVw/edit#gid=0

 

So, this week I had to create a character map for instruction.  I utilized a web site called Kidspiration.  They offer a free 30 day trial.  Though the project wasn’t difficult.  I liked the interactive poster I made last week better.  I did try a second thing with this project.  I included a survey on the map for students to comment on how they felt about the assignment.  I might have gone a little crazy with the math symbols in the background.

So I had the opportunity to work on an interactive poster for my technology course.  I liked doing this more than the wiki page.  What I  thought was good about the interactive poster is that you can control what your students are looking at on line by have the entire lesson in one place.  What a great way to set up if you know you are having a sub coming in for you.  Your plan is all in one place.  I wish I could have made some items animated but that is probably outside the scope of the free subscription.  I utilized a site called Thinglink.  If you want to look at my first attempt at putting a lesson in an interactive poster, please let me know what you think.  This lesson is for math.  Click o this link to enjoy finding out about the Pythagorean Theorem!!!

 

 

Last week I had the opportunity to work on a Wiki page.  Wiki pages are a convenient and organized method for tracking information for your classroom.  A teacher can store resources for their students such as study guides or homework assignments, or they can allow students to store and organize resources for research.  Though the free Wiki pages are an awesome resource, I was assigned a task of looking at other teaching resources to report about on my Wiki page.  One of the sources I looked at was Google Earth.  Google earth is a satellite based program developed in the late 1990’s which allows users to navigate to coordinates, addresses, cities and landscapes.  The satellite images are not limited to earths surface.  In fact, Google Earth has continued to expanded over the last 20 years with coverage of the Moon, Mars,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeG0g9a8-0M the ocean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoR0NSp-d2Q and the stars.  Usage of Google Earth exploded in 2003 when CNN used the program to track the Iraq war for millions of American viewers.   Public demand for real time information is skyrocketing.  Google’s real time tracking and historical images makes it a relevant resource for scientists, ecologist and teachers.

For teachers Google Earth can be utilized to meet the social studies common core standards of understanding global and climate change.  The USA National Phrenology Network has a website which utilizes Google Earth to monitor the impact of climate change on plants and animals.  They provide training and resource materials for students, educators, and non-profit groups.  USGS scientists offer videos series to students on climate change in conjunction with research based on satellite images of various locations in the US and other global locations.  Students can view changes tracked over time to learn how to read maps and solve problems which have risen over time due to human activity and weather related phenomenon.   Students can listen to podcasts that cover issues such as the carbon cycle and the difference between climate and weather.  They can learn how climate change causes the El Nino and La Nina effects in the oceans.  Images are available of Glacier Parks from the past in comparison with the present which show the effects of global warming and how farming and settlement has changed our landscape.  the formation of deserts.  Students can see how volcanoes and gases contribute to changes in the atmosphere.  Students can see the contrasting images of how greenhouse gases change the air and water.   NASA’s cooperation with Google allows students can see real time discoveries in our solar system and on planets.  For middle school students, USGS offers students an opportunity to learn how to monitor plant and animal phrenology, how biologist use satellite radio tags to track behavior and movement of sea inhabitants as well as tracking the Mojave Desert Tortoises.   

Click on this link to explore different lesson plans that utilize Google Earth

https://www.usgs.gov/science-support/osqi/yes/resources-teachers/grade-9-12-global-change

So I have been fighting for over two hours to get this site to let me add other sites to follow.  I found the widget button and the instructions say to hit “shift” “click” to edit them.  Assuming “Click” is the mouse button it doesn’t work.

Extremely frustrated and NOT happy by any means