Excel Crossword: NETS 1 & 2

This crossword puzzle was created in Excel. In creating the crossword, I learned the basic functions of Excel, such as formatting row height and width, changing font sizes and colors, adding borders, as well as adding hidden "clues" for each word. This would be useful in an elementary classroom as a creative way to practice spelling and comprehension.

Geo Crossword Ed422mg

Journal #7: The Beginner's Guide to Interactive Virtual Field Trips - NETS 2 & 5

Zanetis, J. (2010). The Beginner's guide to interactive virtual field trips. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20100304#pg1

Interactive Virtual Field Trips (VFTs) are field trips held over the Internet and often utilize videoconferencing equipment.  Interactive VFTs are experienced in "real-time", which means students can interact with formal educators in remote locations such as museums, historic sites, science labs and even festivals or artistic events.

Interactive VFTs require use of h.323 videoconferencing technology, which requires a special piece of equipment called a codec.  Many teachers are not aware that the h.323 technology may be available in their school district, so it may be a good idea to check.  A simple videoconferencing system made up of a computer and webcam can be used for small groups of students, in lieu of the h.323 technology.
There are hundreds of museums, science centers and historical sites that offer VFTs.  One example of the types of lessons available is the "Math: Batter Up" program presented by The National Baseball Hall of Fame.  This program encompasses a lesson geared for grades four through 12 and teaches students how to compute batting averages and statistics for famous athletes.

According to the article, there are several benefits for students utilizing interactive VFTs.  The main benefit is that students find interactive VFTs "novel and engaging" and do not have a difficult time adjusting to interacting with an instructor on-screen.  The second benefit is that students can see the "wonders of the world" in relation to what they are studying without leaving the classroom.   Utilizing VFTs, teachers would be able to take students to the Great Barrier Reef when studying the ocean or the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology when studying the Mesozoic period.  Imagine the possibilities!

In many cases there is a fee for interactive VFTs, but some are offered for free.  For resources outlining VFTs, the following websites can be referenced:

http://www.efieldtrips.org/
http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/virtual.php
http://www.gaillovely.com/VirtualFieldTrips.htm

Does an educator need expensive equipment to take children on a virtual field trip?

You do not have to have expensive equipment for virtual field trips.  There are virtual field trips that are called "asynchronous" VFTs (different than interactive VFTs), which means that they are webpages with video tours, podcasts or interactive programs.  Students would not interact with a live person, but would still get the benefit of seeing something in a different part of the country or world, or experiencing something online that they could not do in the classroom.  Asynchronous VFTs could be experienced right on the computer screen or a larger screen in the classroom if available.  Gail Lovely's link shown above gives a variety of websites for asynchronous VFTs.

Will VFT's be an important resource in future classrooms?

Yes-especially in California, where education funding is an issue.  I can definitely see the benefit of being able to expand on curriculum using VFTs.  Many of the sites that offer VFTs work national standards into the lesson plans and include prep work and follow up for the students.  This seems like a valuable resource for teachers to vary the way in which they teach and expand on subjects.

Powerpoint Presentation: NETS 1, 2 & 3

This Powerpoint presentation is a collection of lesson plans designed to meet the ISTE NETS-S for students. In creating the presentation, I learned to design custom text and backgrounds for slides, create transitions between slides, add hyperlinks, and import pictures and sounds to each slide. Powerpoint presentations will provide a way for my future students to complete reports or assignments in a more creative and interesting way.

Powerpoint Rubric - NETS 2, 3 & 5

I created this grading rubric using software called iRubric found at http://www.irubric.com/. This was a collaborative project to create a grading scale to be used to grade Powerpoint presentations. The iRubric software is easy to use--you choose options such as how many columns and rows you need, then plug in the appropriate information.  Rubrics created in iRubric can be shared with other educators online.

Journal #6: Interactive Whiteboards - NETS 2, 3 & 5

Sources:
Wikipedia at http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADBR_enUS297US297&q=wikipedia
Classroom 2.0 - followed 8 threads under "Interactive Boards" at http://www.classroom20.com/

What is An Interactive Whiteboard? How Does it Work?

 An interactive whiteboard is a large interactive screen attached to the wall or on a stand at the front of a classroom. It is basically the combination of a whiteboard and a computer. The main use of this technology is to display a computer desktop on the screen so students and teachers can interact with computer programs and the Internet. The computer can be controlled on the interactive whiteboard by using a special device, a digital pen or even a finger.

The most popular interactive whiteboards are Smartboard and Promethean, which vary in price up to the thousands. Prices are not listed directly on the Internet—a school must contact a dealer for a quote.

What I Learned from Discussions on Classroom 2.0:

According to discussions on Classroom 2.0, here are some ways teachers are using interactive whiteboards:

• Loading interactive virtual field trips (VFT’s), which are live interactive broadcasts to museums, historical locations (i.e., Kennedy Space Center, The Smithsonian), or any other place of interest. VFT’s usually include primary sources, such as actual artifacts in a museum.
• Downloading and showing educational videos from either a district library or the Internet. This would help to expand on lessons and make them more engaging to students (and also fulfill state standards.)
• Playing online math games in small groups
• Downloading and using instructional flipcharts that other educators have shared online
• Navigating to interactive sites for almost any subject
• Allowing the students to engage by drawing/circling answers on the interactive whiteboard screen.

The common theme among most of the threads I read on Classroom 2.0 was that teachers love the interactive whiteboard for the following reasons:

• Easy to engage students
• Students are eager to participate
• Students are excited and think it’s fun—this goes for all grade levels
• Teachers are away from the board and can walk around while students are learning; takes the focus off the teacher and creates a collaborative classroom environment