Mi Casa

This technology software can be used in many different areas of biology. One that comes to mine deals with biomes. The students can use Mapbuilder to locate the different biomes that are all over the globe and then use the images they find to discuss the different aspects of this biome

Map of our Houses

When we teach about nuclear chemistry we can have the students look for nuclear powerplants through the map builder and google map. We can have them see how close these powerplants are to where they live, or how far away they are but are still able to provide energy to places far away.

We also could use it when teaching Biology or Earth Science to look at different geographic regions in order to learn about places that are far away. We can learn about erosion and water runoff when teaching Earth Science.

lesson plans

For my first lesson I will begin to teach my students about the cell division of mitosis. This class lesson is targeted for introductory biology on the high school level. To visually stimulate my students I will use an interactive video of mitosis which is available on a website. http://www.cellsalive.com/mitosis.htm. This visual will help the students see the steps in slow motion from Interphase to Telophase. Including, this visual aid I will then teach the class step by step of what is actually occurring. The goal of this lesson is for the students to learn the different steps of mitosis and see mitosis in action on a simulated cell.

For my second lesson plan, I will be teaching my class about the circulatory system using the online website from thinkquest.org. This website has many tools that I could use while teaching this topic. This lesson once again is built from high school biology students. This website shows a diagram of the heart and labels the main parts of it. Also, there is an interaction video that shows the heart in action, which shows the blood moving throughout the heart and the heart expanding and contracting. This site is a useful tool because it allows the students to have another source of information that they can connect better to then just the textbook. http://library.thinkquest.org/25896/index.shtml


The third lesson plan idea is to use conduct an experiment where my students are dissecting a frog. I found a website that I can use which has great information on how to dissect the frog, what steps to take, what to look for etc. http://frog.edschool.virginia.edu/Frog2/. Also, this video will be used as a guide for myself, as the teacher and then will show the class how to do each step with my sample demenstration. This allows the class a visual on what to do rather than just words and procedures..

Reflection 7

My first lesson plan idea is to use the interactive periodic table. The target audience here are high school students in introductory chemistry. The big idea is for them to learn the different elements on the periodic table and the usefulness behind them. Also, the big idea is for the students to learn why certain elements are grouped together on the table. Another idea is for them to learn why the periodic table is arranged the way it is. The goal of this is for students to memorize the different element symbols and learn a little bit about each element. Also, the goal is for the students to understand the concepts behind the arrangement of the periodic table. This follows the standards because the standards mention that students need to know the periodic table and the elements on it. A possible resource is the following website http://www.webelements.com/ .

The second lesson plan idea that I have would be to use videos to display chemical reactions. There are videos online or on VHS and DVD that would be able to show these reactions. The target audience again is high school students. The big idea is for kids to be able to have a visual of the reactions that are either too dangerous or too expensive for them to perform in the classroom. Also, providing the students with a visual is an excellent way for them to learn. The goal of this lesson would be to have the students learn how different chemicals react and what happens during this reaction. This follows the standards because the standards state that students should learn basic reactions in order to grasp the concepts of chemistry. A possible resource for this lesson would be YouTube or the Chemistry Video Collection VHS.

The third lesson plan idea that I have is to perform experiments using computer software to generate the results and graph them. This would target high school students. The big idea for this lesson is to allow students to see chemistry first-hand and to view it for themselves. The goal for this lesson would be for students to understand how a chemical reaction occurs and then look at the factors affecting the reaction through the use of the graphs on the computer. This follows the state standards because the standards discuss how the students should understand what variables affect reactions and what the names for the different variables are. The resources necessary for this lesson would be software such as ChemDraw, ChemSketch, or ChemOffice.

Kristin, Reflection 7

My first lesson plan idea is to use ChemDraw software when teaching about how multiple atoms combine. The big idea of this lesson is that this is a computer program that students can use to better visualize what compounds look like in a three-dimensional space. The target audience would be high school students. The goal of this lesson would be for my students to be able to visualize what compounds will look like outside of the plane of the paper. This would fit the standard of integrating technology more in science classes. Some resources needed for this lesson would be the ChemDraw software.

My second lesson plan idea is to use modeling kits when learning how to name compounds. The target audience would be high school students. The big idea of this lesson is that the naming of compounds follows a particular pattern. The goal of this lesson would be for my students to not only learn the names of the compounds but also to associate the names of compounds with a visual image of the physical structure of that molecule. This would fulfill the standards because it is a hands-on activity and does not rely on simple rote memorization. A resource for this lesson would be modeling kits that each of the students could use.

A third lesson plan would be to demonstrate violent reactions using video clips on YouTube. The target audience of this lesson would be middle and high school students. The big idea of this lesson is for students to understand the volatile results that can occur when two seemingly harmless chemicals are mixed. The goal of this lesson is for students to be more educated about laboratory safety. This would fulfill the standard of teaching students about the safety precautions they should take in the laboratory as well as teaching how compounds combine. Some resources needed for this would be a computer with access to the Internet and a projector so students can view the video clips.

Kristin, Reflection 6

The video case that I used can be found at the URL http://www.edutopia.org/images/movies/keys.jpg. In this video case, the program and grading system of a school in Indianapolis is discussed. This new type of program relies on Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences in order to provide students with a broader education that is more closely tied to each student’s strengths. In this program, students are encouraged to do projects and engage in a “flow” process in which they are fully engulfed in the projects in which they are participating. Also, the students in this system are graded based on their levels of motivation and their progress speed. In this video, students used computers in order to assemble their projects, especially seniors who made a final video that encompassed all the projects of their K-12 years in the school. The technology in this video was student-centered. An eighth grader used the computer to do one of his yearly projects as well as a senior who used high-tech software to assemble a video portfolio to be used when applying to colleges. I think that technology in this case does make the lesson more engaging. By using high tech resources to do projects, students gain a better knowledge of how to use computers as well as an ability to do a project in a new and different way. In order to implement the lessons shown in the video, teachers would have to gain knowledge about how to use the software in order to help students with their projects. By learning how to edit videos and form a portfolio, a teacher would be able to help a senior with his or her final project. Based on the video, I would assess student performance in the same way that the school had created a grading system. They based their grades on levels of motivation such as intrinsic, extrinsic, or passing. I think this most effectively ascertains the level of participation and effort of a student, which is more efficient than any standardized test. A challenge that could be faced in this lesson is that it would be difficult to be able to adequately help all students with their projects. However, I do not perceive this to be a huge issue and think that the positive points of this technology outweigh any negative aspects.

Video Case Analysis

http://www.edutopia.org/php/article.php?id=Art_639&key=005
ENGAGING IN REAL WORLD PROJECTS

This video case occurs in a high school environment where two students are working together to create a video-game storyboard, with writting and visuals. In this high school, the class periods aren't like a typical high school. This project they are involved in is through Microsoft, where they are producing a part of a video game. This is enganging the students in the real world, and a job they could possible have after schooling. The technology used in this class was a computer program that creates animations and video game visuals. This video shows student-centered learning. Here, they have a project manager from Microsoft where they engage in real life situations where they explain what they made and what they need help in. This project introduces and puts all types of classes (english, science, art) all together. There project includes all aspects of student learning in terms of subject areas.

This type of project is very exciting to see and makes me jealous. These two students have created a project for themeselves which they enjoy and is relevent to there every days lives. Having a connection like that makes learning "non-painful" and enjoyable for the students because they are doing something that they want to do and are willing to put in countless hours because they are excited about what they are doing.

This kind of assessment must be very time consuming. The teacher first needs to find someone in the real world who is willing to take time out of there day to work with these students on the projects they have created. It is very fortunate for these two students to have someone to be there project monitor in an industry that they aspire to be apart of. "It's not what you know, its who you know."

To asssess these students you need to sit them down and have them discuss to you what they are doing, why they are doing it, and what is involved with it. I feel the best kind of assessment is verbal assessment where the student is able to project there ideas and knowledge to the teacher without being narrowed down on what they are looking for, like a test.

Using technology in the classroom is a huge advantage. Students are growing up with technology and being able to incorporate that into your curriculum will make your students more interested and able to connect to what you, as a teacher are teaching.

Not all students are great with technology. Therefore, you would first need to teach them the technology which takes time out of teaching the curriculum.