Final Project(s) Update

First Project:


In thinking about this class and what I felt would benefit me in the classroom I decided to work on two final projects. The first project I work on was my Wiki site. Dustin had showed me his wiki site that he created using Glogster; I loved it and wanted to update my site. I learned more about Glogster EDU from the Web 2.0 project that Dustin and I worked on. I already had a Glogster account so I emailed Glogster and asked them to convert it to a Glogster EDU account, in which they did within a matter of a day. I was set! Once I started creating my home page through Glogster EDU I became so excited that I created a Glogster page for each of the pages in my wiki. I became so addicted to Glogster and my wiki that I spent about 4-5 hours a day just changing and adding stuff to my wiki page. I was also thinking about how my second grade students will be able to complete projects using Glogster. I signed up for the free premium trial of Glogster and love it; I will probably pay for the membership. Please check-out my wiki site by clicking on “wiki.”

Second Project:

The next project that I worked on was a WebQuest. Dustin and I created a Biomes Virtual Fieldtrip WebQuest through Weebly.com. We worked together to decide what biomes the children would be researching, then we found kid friendly websites for them to gather their information, we created graphic organizers, decided on projects they would complete, and how they would be graded on the tasks. Dustin and I worked on this project when we had free time in class; we talked on the phone, and used Skype to communicate about the project. This WebQuest was created for second grade students. To view the WebQuest please click on “WebQuest” or “Biomes Virtual Fieldtrip WebQuest.” I am excited about using this WebQuest with my students.

Virtual Field Trip WebQuest

Dustin and I created a Virtual Field Trip website where second graders will explore biomes across the world. With a partner they will have to complete a graphic organizer, fill in a map, complete a project of their choice, and independently they will create a postcard, souvenir, or passport.


I look forward to introducing this WebQuest to my students. Click where you see Virtual Field Trip to view the website.

Skype

Dustin and I used skype to talk about the final project. Dustin shared a page with me and I sent him a file. I really enjoyed using skype and realized that it is not that hard to use. I did have some trouble getting my microphone to work, I could hear Dustin talking but, he could not hear me. I will continue to work on why he could not hear me. I checked all the settings and everything looked like it was correct, I am sure I am overlooking something.

Final Project--for fun

I really wanted to work on updating my Wiki page. I am using my wiki page and the WebQuest with Dustin as my final projects.
When viewing my wiki page, look on the right, you will see other links ex: schedule, homework...ect please look at those pages as well, on the "2nd Grade Links" page if you click on the bubble it takes you to a technology page that is full of great activities.

Click where you see the word Wiki to view the site.

Article Response: The Student WebQuest by Maureen Brown Yoder

This article is a good introduction and resource when creating your own WebQuest or researching a WebQuest to use in your classroom. Yoder clearly outlines and defines each of the steps used in creating a WebQuest. I know from personal experience that creating a good WebQuest takes a lot of time and research. I also know that this is a great tool for providing students with a safe and fun way to research the internet, and really keep them motivated and engaged in completing the tasks. In researching WebQuest ideas I have found several that I plan on using with my students. I am excited about the 2010-2011 school year, I have learned so many ways to implement technology into my lessons and I know my students will be safe from dangers of the internet.

Article Response: YouTube Comes to the Classroom by Anna Adams and Helen Mowers

WOW! What a powerful article! I totally agree with Adams and Mowers, students do have a voice and want to be heard, I see it in my classroom and in my personal life. I know several teenagers who have made and posted videos on YouTube. I also know teachers who have created videos and posted them on YouTube. I am so blessed that my district does not block YouTube. When I was teaching a unit on simple machines Dustin showed me a YouTube video that was created by Rube Goldberg and I showed it to my class when they were designing and building their own simple machine, the kids loved it! I have never thought about using YouTube in the classroom but now I am considering creating a video with my class (if parents approve) and posting it on YouTube.

Article Response: Six Uses of the Internet to Develop Students’ Gifts and Talents by: Del Siegle, Ph.D.

I really enjoyed reading this article because I am planning to use the internet a lot this year with students that need to be challenged. I agree with Dr. Siegle in the fact that the internet is a great way to provide challenges to the gifted and talented students. I enjoyed reading about writing using the round-robin method (we did something like this in class). One student starts a story and emails it to another student so that student can add to it and then send it on to another student. If you do not want to use email, save the story on the desktop and have students open it and add to it as class time allows. I also enjoyed reading about how to create Web scavenger hunts to help with internet searching skills. One of my favorite uses of the internet was the e-mail pen pals; this is something that I really want to do with my class this year. I remember having a pen pal when I was in school and it was a lot of fun and I learned a lot about letter writing.