Final 811 Thoughts

I thought that the course was great. When I started out in 810 this winter I was a total technological neophyte. Now I know how to create websites. I have come a long way. Thanks for all the help. I am much more confidant in my use of technology. I am using it at school on a daily basis. My students enjoyed the StAIR and I will be starting my WebQuest soon. I am looking forward to the start of 812. I hope to begin working on a Masters Degree at MSU this fall.

Michigan Merit Curriculum

I think that the best way for me to integrate an online experience into my classes would be through the use of WebQuests. I plan on trying to create one for each unit. Over the course of the year the students would have more than enough time to meet the state requirements. A WebQuest would allow me to employ several pedagogical strategies while keeping the students focused of the topic at hand. I enjoyed creating my Asian Carp WebQuest and think that the students will have fun with it. In the future I plan on having WebQuests that deal with the scientific method, cell structure and function, genetics, evolution and homeostasis.

WebQuest

I was very disappointed that my mic was not working last night. When it was my turn to present my WebQuest I could not be heard. Everyone did a great job with the assignment. My own kids are older so I did not realize how much tech there is in the elementary schools. I was impressed with what the kids are doing these days.

Widgets

This was probably the most difficult Thing to date. I have had trouble remembering how to embed code. I do not feel that online communities are as meaningful as face to face contact. That is probably due to my age. My own children spend a lot more time on facebook than I ever will. I like to use it to touch base with friends and relatives but it is not the same as actually talking to them.

http://surveys.polldaddy.com/s/5997A150C9BE5C2E/

Thing 11 of 23

Comments are what keep online communities together. I kind of dreaded receiving my first comments. I did not know what to expect. As far as commenting myself, if the blog is interesting I have no problem. My concern with students is the possibility for inappropriate comments causing fights.

Google Spreadsheets

I have been experimenting with Google Spreadsheet for our class participation assignment. I picked the spreadsheet application because we do not have access to an office suite on our classroom computers. The cost and memory requirements limit us to using free source material. I was not aware that Google had a spreadsheet application available until I began this assignment.

I found the Google application easy to use. After learning how to use Microsoft Excel in CEP 810, the Google version of a spreadsheet was a breeze. The majority of my students have no experience working with a computer spreadsheet, so several class sessions will need to be devoted to the learning process. I will probably start out with the students working in groups of two, creating a model spreadsheet that uses all of the functions we would use in class. I will model the input and manipulation of data. The next session will involve the students inputting data on their own. It will probably take several days at this point to teach my students how to use formulas and create charts. Some students will always require help with these processes.

Our most obvious use for an application such as Google Spreadsheet, is the organization and analysis of lab data. Google Spreadsheet will make this process simple once the students have mastered the application. I can also see us using it to practice graphing and interpretation skills. Many standardized tests require these skills, and a spreadsheet application would allow students to create and manipulate their own. Once I am able to get email addresses for all of my students I am going to have them set up Google accounts.

Blogs in Biology

I see blogs as a great way for students to show me what they know about a topic without the fear of a grade. I can foresee using them as a weekly journal. Each Friday students would spend some time recapping the week. What they liked, disliked and learned. I would set it up in a non-threatening way so that the students can provide feedback without fear of retribution. They can be a good way to monitor progress between tests.
The use of a blog will also reenforce the writing skills of an English class. I think that our entire school could use blogs in our writing across the curriculum exercises.

Wikipedia

The was not any information listed for River Rouge High School on Wikipedia. Someone had created the page, but did not write anything. I added the information about the name change that has occurred this year. The url and screen shot of the page and addition follow.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Rouge_High_School

River Rouge High School has been renamed River Rouge Middle College High School Academy starting with the 2009/2010 school year.