Image above created using: Canva - https://www.canva.com/ For more information see number 12 below (Images and Photography)
Websites for more information on collaborative learning:
google site Jason.org Google apps explained Collaborative note-taking All things google smartclasswebsite
doxieduolearning Doxie Duo Learning and TUX
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/doxieduolearning/home
Blog: http://doxieduo.blogspot.com/
doxieduolearning Doxie Duo Learning and TUX
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/doxieduolearning/home
Blog: http://doxieduo.blogspot.com/
21 TEACHER TOOLS
This is my collection of teacher tools that I have worked with and tried to figure out how to use! The trick will be to remember how to use them once school begins! I am hopeful due to the struggles I am having in learning how to use them. More frustration = more learning: for me!!
Horizon Report Reflection
Horizon Report Reflection
ISTE Standards
ISTE Standards online
ISTE Standards: Google Doc link (permission requested to share this document and reference the standards)
Google sheet discussing ISTE standards in relation to the standards. Tools and standards
ISTE Standards: Google Doc link (permission requested to share this document and reference the standards)
Google sheet discussing ISTE standards in relation to the standards. Tools and standards
1. Bubbl.us
The first one I tried is Bubbl.us mindmap. https://bubbl.us/mindmap I had used wisemapping for my copyright mindmap and found it easy to use. I love having my students make mindmaps so I thought I would try another tool. This tool had limitations that inhibited some of the things I wished I could do. Overall I thought it was a simpler program, but did not offer some of the extra tools to make adjustments like Wisemapping. https://app.wisemapping.com/c/maps/
2. Socrative
Socrative is a tool that allows teachers to create assessments online that can collect student data and display it for the teacher immediately. Of course, every student would need some means of connecting to the internet which in a regular classroom is usually not possible. This will be an awesome tool since I have the Ipads at my disposal. Some have mentioned in the blog that your school gives every student a tablet so they also would be able to use this program. It is a bit time consuming to make the quiz and I have not found any shared quizzes from other teachers yet. I made a quiz and then had my son log in and take the quiz while I watched his results. He thought it was neat; I had to read into his teenage response to the activity which of course was given to him during his summer break! So maybe he wasn't as thrilled as I was when he was taking the quiz! :) One problem that he did have was that the quiz/window/internet froze up and then would not reload the page. I am not sure what happened but I hope that isn't an issue all the time.
Chemistry Lesson: Matter
Objectives:
1. Distinguish between the following: physical and chemical properties and mixtures and pure substances.
2. Classify changes of matter as physical or chemical.
3. Explain the gas, liquid, and solid states of matter in terms of particles and energy.
4. Explain how the law of conservation of energy applies to changes in matter.
Introduction:
Demonstrations: (Get their interest)
1a. Students describe paper. Repeat after crumpling and ripping.
1b.Burn the paper. Students describe what they observe and what is left.
* all safety measures taken as this is done in the lab by instructor
2a. Drop food coloring in a glass of water. Describe.
2b. Boil water and allow it to boil dry while starting the lesson/ppt notes.
* when boiled dry, students make observations and discuss.
3a. Put oil in water, observations. Make a hypothesis as to what would happen if a drop of food coloring is added. Allow them to read food coloring box to research the material. Put a drop in and make observations.
3b. Put a cork in bottle, shake up the oil and water and make observations. Let sit while starting lesson/ppt notes.
Instruction:
1. Notes on ppt covering the objectives.
2. In the past I had students make mindmaps in their notes (after the ppt) as I guide them on the board. This is the beginning of the year and I introduce them to or reintroduce them to mindmaps by using these topics and their input.
This year, I will introduce mindmaps using the Ipads.
3. Review the material using Socrates quiz online with the Ipads.
Assignment:
Read lab handout and prepare lab notebook with their hypothesis, materials, and summarized instructions.
Chemical vs Physical Reactions Lab
Next Day: Students carry out experiments, make observations, classify data in tables and charts (which I always use Ipads for this part: Numbers app which is similar to Excel). They submit data with screenshot and emailed to me.
Evaluation:
Complete lab following all safety rules.
Data emailed to instructor.
Observations by instructor, on the spot corrections.
Paper and pencil test at the end of the chapter.
Chemistry Lesson: Matter
Objectives:
1. Distinguish between the following: physical and chemical properties and mixtures and pure substances.
2. Classify changes of matter as physical or chemical.
3. Explain the gas, liquid, and solid states of matter in terms of particles and energy.
4. Explain how the law of conservation of energy applies to changes in matter.
Introduction:
Demonstrations: (Get their interest)
1a. Students describe paper. Repeat after crumpling and ripping.
1b.Burn the paper. Students describe what they observe and what is left.
* all safety measures taken as this is done in the lab by instructor
2a. Drop food coloring in a glass of water. Describe.
2b. Boil water and allow it to boil dry while starting the lesson/ppt notes.
* when boiled dry, students make observations and discuss.
3a. Put oil in water, observations. Make a hypothesis as to what would happen if a drop of food coloring is added. Allow them to read food coloring box to research the material. Put a drop in and make observations.
3b. Put a cork in bottle, shake up the oil and water and make observations. Let sit while starting lesson/ppt notes.
Instruction:
1. Notes on ppt covering the objectives.
2. In the past I had students make mindmaps in their notes (after the ppt) as I guide them on the board. This is the beginning of the year and I introduce them to or reintroduce them to mindmaps by using these topics and their input.
This year, I will introduce mindmaps using the Ipads.
3. Review the material using Socrates quiz online with the Ipads.
Assignment:
Read lab handout and prepare lab notebook with their hypothesis, materials, and summarized instructions.
Chemical vs Physical Reactions Lab
Next Day: Students carry out experiments, make observations, classify data in tables and charts (which I always use Ipads for this part: Numbers app which is similar to Excel). They submit data with screenshot and emailed to me.
Evaluation:
Complete lab following all safety rules.
Data emailed to instructor.
Observations by instructor, on the spot corrections.
Paper and pencil test at the end of the chapter.
3. Remind Me
After discussing the problem with connecting with parents and students and after using the cel.ly in class, I decided that it would be a good idea to have a way to message my students. I always give out my cell number on my syllabus for students and parents to use. I also make it mandatory for parents to sign the syllabus verifying they have read it. I am a mother and it gets busy at the beginning of the year with paperwork and sometimes a signature is made without actually reading it. Later when the need arises, they do not have the information or the number anymore. Also no one intends for the child to have trouble or need to call the teacher. In small towns though, some of the parents and students have my number for various reasons. When I have had to contact students, I rely on texting the few numbers I have with them forwarding to all of them. This is not very reliable!
Every once in a while things are planned in school that interfere with what I have planned or assigned for the students to do. Also, sometimes students will come in after school for help and I will be made aware of some fundamental problems with the homework or the students' understanding or even that I might not have covered in class what they need in order to do the homework. Being able to text the students and let them all know so they can rest-easy and not worry about doing something that they might not have the tools to accomplish will be good. In the past, there was always a couple students who didn't get the message and would come to class having worked late into the night on the problems and came to class in a panic. I will feel better about being able to reach them all.
I also take students to many science contests, Science Olympiad, Smarts Challenge, Envirothon, and Science Bowl. It would be nice to have a way to communicate with the students in each event for reminders of practice times, information about contests, reminders to bring paperwork in, and for parents to ask how they are doing or return times.
Remind me will be a vital tool that I believe I will use all the time. Students and parents can have better communication with me and I with them. In this day and age, waiting for parent-teachers conferences to talk to the teacher is not realistic. We live in a day and age where immediate answers are expected. This will give some quick response and intervention hopefully.
Every once in a while things are planned in school that interfere with what I have planned or assigned for the students to do. Also, sometimes students will come in after school for help and I will be made aware of some fundamental problems with the homework or the students' understanding or even that I might not have covered in class what they need in order to do the homework. Being able to text the students and let them all know so they can rest-easy and not worry about doing something that they might not have the tools to accomplish will be good. In the past, there was always a couple students who didn't get the message and would come to class having worked late into the night on the problems and came to class in a panic. I will feel better about being able to reach them all.
I also take students to many science contests, Science Olympiad, Smarts Challenge, Envirothon, and Science Bowl. It would be nice to have a way to communicate with the students in each event for reminders of practice times, information about contests, reminders to bring paperwork in, and for parents to ask how they are doing or return times.
Remind me will be a vital tool that I believe I will use all the time. Students and parents can have better communication with me and I with them. In this day and age, waiting for parent-teachers conferences to talk to the teacher is not realistic. We live in a day and age where immediate answers are expected. This will give some quick response and intervention hopefully.
4. Quick Response-QR
Awesome tool! Students struggle with finding websites that have the information necessary for preparation for science contests in which we compete! I give them handouts with the lists of websites but I notice that it is overwhelming and they do not go to them. I even struggle with searching through the links to get to the good stuff. Now I have them linked directly to the pages I want them to use via the QR codes! I plan to do a beginning of the school poster using the codes and possible a question of the week code! I really enjoyed using this tool. I even got into using Google Drive so now I will continue on leaning that tool. Please check out my Powerpoint for preparing Envirothon contest
5. Search Engines
When searching volcano on adult search engines, sometimes some very inappropriate items come up. Also, some sites that are off the educational subject of volcanoes. I found the three kid search engines to focus more on the educational and clean sites about volcanoes.
JustMeg: search engine URL (shortened using goo.gle) https://goo.gl/mbxH1k
I created a Google Doc that the students can use to record their findings after going through my lesson. Molecular Shapes Assignment See Youtube video to explain what you need to do for the assignment. This video was created using Screencast-O-Matic. This tool can be downloaded or you can record without downloading. It was very easy to use and I chose the option of uploading to my Youtube site. It does take a few minutes to upload to Youtube.
Molecular Shapes Youtube video explanation of assignment:
6. Classroom Management Tools
First, I registered for the Class Charts. I like that I can customize the seating arrangement by different factors like behavior, grades, boys vs girls etc. I plan to use it to create lab groups and seating charts. I don't usually have behavior issues but I might use this tool this year to try it out. Parents might like seeing that their kids are doing a good job instead of negative comments.
I went to Classroom Carrots and read through how it works. I think it might be more work than help. I also do not think that it would be effective for secondary students. Although, once I put stamps and stickers on their tests (juniors) and they were so excited about it. I thought they would think it was dumb and childish but they did like it. It is funny how rewards of any kind can make a big difference with the students. As secondary teachers, we start thinking that the kids are too old for those things. I did not like that I had to buy stickers on the Classroom Carrots site. Random Name Picker would be good to use too. I unconsciously call on the same students or some more than others and this would help me be more fair. I have to get my class lists and then set it up. I use my iPad for a timer and it works similar to the E.gg Timer site.
I went to Classroom Carrots and read through how it works. I think it might be more work than help. I also do not think that it would be effective for secondary students. Although, once I put stamps and stickers on their tests (juniors) and they were so excited about it. I thought they would think it was dumb and childish but they did like it. It is funny how rewards of any kind can make a big difference with the students. As secondary teachers, we start thinking that the kids are too old for those things. I did not like that I had to buy stickers on the Classroom Carrots site. Random Name Picker would be good to use too. I unconsciously call on the same students or some more than others and this would help me be more fair. I have to get my class lists and then set it up. I use my iPad for a timer and it works similar to the E.gg Timer site.
7. youtube videos!!
Summer is here and so is the boating fun! Here is a little video of my kids and a cousin tubing behind our boat. Tubing 2015
Also created a video of my 3 year old dog, Lily, a poo-chi! My new baby since my kids are getting big! Lily
Also created a video of my 3 year old dog, Lily, a poo-chi! My new baby since my kids are getting big! Lily
8. Smore
I created a newsletter about QR codes. See my newsletter at this link: Newsletter
9. Various Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 Tools: ANIMAPS
This tool is cool but it does take a lot of time to get used to and I found it difficult to edit mistakes. I tried to just figure out by doing it but found I had to watch a couple of the tutorials to learn how to do it first. They were pretty good at explaining. I do wish it had more land features or topographical maps to use so I could use it with Earth Science more. Check out my map of places I traveled in Kuwait while deployed in 2004-2005: Kuwait Map
10. Stopframe Animators:
CultureStreet and OSnap*Time-Lapse
CultureStreet has a variety of tools to create art! I created some projects using four of the applications-see skitch images below. Then I downloaded the app for OSnap on my Ipad. You can see video I created that I put on Youtube titled "A New Day". It's short and sweet but it holds potential for my motion labs and gravity labs. I also would like to have the students use these tools to create projects.
11. Ipads in Education*Doceri is an interactive white board. It is a free app on the Ipad but costs $30 and comes with license and online training. There is a free trial, but I am going to wait to try it until closer to school starting so I can use it at school. I downloaded the app on my Ipad and worked with some already made projects for chemistry. I emailed it but it has to be downloaded to a disc it says. This program may be good with my Ipad and computer at school.
*Educreations: This is a great free tool. See my lesson embedded here: Chemistry lesson Easy to make except for when I messed up and had to start over. |
*Reflector Director and Reflector 2 look like something that will solve lots of my issues with my Ipads that I had last year. I will be able to present and modify with my Ipad and play videos with volume! I have an Apple TV box at school but we had so much trouble with sound playing. I plan to purchase this app after approving through my principal. I keep finding it to be only $6.99 though rather than the $12.99 in the tutorial. That is a good thing.
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12. Images and Photography
I created my "Cozy Critters" poster that is found in my heading for this page and here too because it is so cute!
Canva - https://www.canva.com/
Although it is free the images and some of the other items that you might choose do cost a dollar. I did the beginner challenge and found that out and cancelled the items that needed to be paid for. It was fun to do and I think students will enjoy using this tool but be careful to have the ability to buy things passworded.
Although it is free the images and some of the other items that you might choose do cost a dollar. I did the beginner challenge and found that out and cancelled the items that needed to be paid for. It was fun to do and I think students will enjoy using this tool but be careful to have the ability to buy things passworded.
13. Skitch *from Module I
This is a great tool that I used for most of the course after learning how to use it. It is a free download and enables you to take screenshots that you can edit and add to. Unbelievably useful tool! I will be able to check learning that students are doing by having them do skitch screenshots.
14. Kahoot! *from Module I
Kahoot! is an excellent resource that I plan to use as check on learning, review, or even as pre-assessment before covering information. This site allows the user to create a game that can be played by multiple players and connected via the internet and answers are collected from each player and logged. This allows the teacher to collect and analyze students knowledge, understanding, or even misconceptions about topics presented. It is also fun and competitive to add variety to lessons that may tend to get dry and boring.
The site is free to use. This makes it an even better tool for teachers. It does take a bit of time to create a quiz game but well worth it. I also found many games already created and shared among the users. They quizzes and games are organized and can be searched easily to find one that fits your needs.
This tool could be used to generate a pre-assessment to gather information about the students' current knowledge. It can also be used as a review game to add variety to the classroom. I would prefer to use it in bits or short quizzes over small sections of information covered.
A screenshot of a quiz I created is shown on the Module I page. I would use this quiz as a check on learning and as a review. My lesson for the properties is taught by a hands on activity using stations. At each station is information on the property presented and a hands on activity to do with the property. For example, station 1 would be massing an object. This is a physical property because it can be measured and changing the mass does not change the substance. The students then mass an object and then remove some of the mass and mass it again. Discussion questions would include whether it was the same material before and after the mass changed. After stations, the next day I would begin with the Kahoot! game and discuss any misconceptions.
The site is free to use. This makes it an even better tool for teachers. It does take a bit of time to create a quiz game but well worth it. I also found many games already created and shared among the users. They quizzes and games are organized and can be searched easily to find one that fits your needs.
This tool could be used to generate a pre-assessment to gather information about the students' current knowledge. It can also be used as a review game to add variety to the classroom. I would prefer to use it in bits or short quizzes over small sections of information covered.
A screenshot of a quiz I created is shown on the Module I page. I would use this quiz as a check on learning and as a review. My lesson for the properties is taught by a hands on activity using stations. At each station is information on the property presented and a hands on activity to do with the property. For example, station 1 would be massing an object. This is a physical property because it can be measured and changing the mass does not change the substance. The students then mass an object and then remove some of the mass and mass it again. Discussion questions would include whether it was the same material before and after the mass changed. After stations, the next day I would begin with the Kahoot! game and discuss any misconceptions.
15. Snapguide
I created a step by step guide of creating a chemical formula. It's rough and needs some editing but I like how it makes me keep it short and simple in the steps. I tend to get wordy when I could say it better with less words! :) Chemical formula stepguide
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16. Ted Talks
Ted Talks are videos of experts speaking on a variety of topics. It is an awesome tool that I have used for the last two years in my classroom. Every year, students are asked to watch six Ted Talks in the science category and write summaries of what they learned. With my new technology knowledge I can create a more collaborative assignment using my worksheet: Ted Talks worksheet
17. Google Sites
Just Meg Science site was created to start planning for school this fall. I will use this site to create a communication tool with students and parents. Students will also access this site for assignments, online lessons, and for collaboration with the teacher and other students.
18. Augmented Reality
The following explanation or definition of Augmented Reality from 7 Things You should Know about Augmented Reality, explains it better than I can do:
"The goal of augmented reality is to add information and meaning to a real object or place. Unlike virtual reality, augmented reality does not create a simulation of reality. Instead, it takes a real object or space as the foundation and incorporates technologies that add contextual data to deepen a person’s understanding of the subject."
Educause. (2005, September). 7 Things you should know about augmented reality. EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative. Retrieved December, 2011, from net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7007.pdf
OBSERVATIONS BY ME:
I need to do more research and work on this topic. I tried to create a poster using Layar and found it difficult to do. I took my own pictures and tried to upload them but they were not accepted due to poor quality. If I have students create AR media, I will need to research the different tools and find one that will be user friendly to alleviate frustrations with the students (and me).
My Layar site
"The goal of augmented reality is to add information and meaning to a real object or place. Unlike virtual reality, augmented reality does not create a simulation of reality. Instead, it takes a real object or space as the foundation and incorporates technologies that add contextual data to deepen a person’s understanding of the subject."
Educause. (2005, September). 7 Things you should know about augmented reality. EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative. Retrieved December, 2011, from net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7007.pdf
OBSERVATIONS BY ME:
I need to do more research and work on this topic. I tried to create a poster using Layar and found it difficult to do. I took my own pictures and tried to upload them but they were not accepted due to poor quality. If I have students create AR media, I will need to research the different tools and find one that will be user friendly to alleviate frustrations with the students (and me).
My Layar site
19. Participation Applications
The following are sites/apps for taking polls or surveys. I created a survey using Survey Monkey. I chose this one because I have taken surveys using this site and wondered how they were made. It was easy and not very time-consuming.
Poll everywhere - http://www.polleverywhere.com/
Survey Monkey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/
Google Forms - your account (if you have used this already, you may NOT use it again!)
Pollsnack - http://www.pollsnack.com/
Polldaddy - https://polldaddy.com/
Kwiksurveys - https://www.kwiksurveys.com/
Poll everywhere - http://www.polleverywhere.com/
Survey Monkey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/
Google Forms - your account (if you have used this already, you may NOT use it again!)
Pollsnack - http://www.pollsnack.com/
Polldaddy - https://polldaddy.com/
Kwiksurveys - https://www.kwiksurveys.com/
20. Khan Academy vs OpenEd
I have been using Khan Academy for a couple years now and have seen it transform into a fantastic resource. Although the math section is more developed in terms of assessments, I still like the science section too. When students critiqued Khan Academy, they reported to me that they found the speaker to be monotone.
I entered OpenEd with an open mind, but soon was overwhelmed trying to figure out how to use the site. The resource library has more options including videos, lesson plans,and assessments but loading them into the class is challenging. I went through the tutorials and tried to sign up as a student to see what it looked like from the student's point of view. I liked what the student saw. It was simple and straight forward. Maybe I have a slow learning curve for new technology, but I must say that it would be frustrating to waste time trying to figure out how to use the site.
I entered OpenEd with an open mind, but soon was overwhelmed trying to figure out how to use the site. The resource library has more options including videos, lesson plans,and assessments but loading them into the class is challenging. I went through the tutorials and tried to sign up as a student to see what it looked like from the student's point of view. I liked what the student saw. It was simple and straight forward. Maybe I have a slow learning curve for new technology, but I must say that it would be frustrating to waste time trying to figure out how to use the site.
21. Pinterest
pinterest
Pinterest is a familiar tool but I never thought about using it for science projects. I have used it for craft projects, graduation picture ideas, and other projects where I need a variety of ideas. In searching for science topics, I found plenty of experiments, projects, and ideas that I can use in my classroom. |
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