New Challenges

My challenges for now are trying to remember how to use all the new technology I learned about this week and trying to find some quick funding to buy some Flip video cameras and iPods. So, my challenges have changed somewhat from day 1.

Much to do!

Today to finish my project, I need to:

Finish the lesson plan I started
Download and convert my movie
Figure out how to get my Powerpoint to iTunes
Make the rubric for the student project

Better get to work.

Lesson Product Ideas

Teacher Products

Misconception video- Make short video interviewing people to ask them a question related to the science topic that usually has misconceptions related to it. For example, asking people why we have seasons. Students would view the video to assess their knowledge of the topic and identify the misconceptions that people may have.

Video/Digital Picture Review- during a unit of study, the teacher would take digital pictures and video as students complete labs and projects. The video can be shown as a review at the end of the unit, dicuss what each lab/project was "teaching" and could be used to assess student knowledge (like with a KWL chart).

Podcast of "Breaking News"- make a podcast that students would watch and listen to as breaking news about a "crime" that was committed at the school as an introduction to the crime scene investigation that the students will complete to catch the criminal.


Student Product

Using Podcasts- students could listen to podcast science news stories instead of reading the story in a magazine or online to complete current event assignments.

Video- make video to discuss their science fair projects- go through steps of scientific method, show work in action (if possible). This can be viewed by the teacher to determine if work was actually complete by student, if they understand their project, and can discuss it.

Journal- open class with students listening to 60 Second Science podcast and then journaling about the topic for that day.

Using Technology to Teach Difficult Topics

Here are some things I have thought of that I would like to try using some of the technology I learned about this week at the workshop.

• Divide class into small groups to storyboard a short video dealing with uses of lab equipment and lab safety. They will love watching each other's videos, and I have no doubt that their videos will be bettter than the ones my school has purchased to show.
• I want to try doing some vocabulary review with I-pods. Seeing the words and hearing the word and definition will help some of my struggling students.
• I would like to use podcasts to help students review info, and to help students who miss classes. I know the kids would love to get to use their IPods at school.

I know that there are many other ideas that will come to mind in the next few days!

Difficulties of Using Technology in Classroom

I am attending a class at the T-Stem Center. I learned so many new things yesterday by learning to use I-pods, making movies on Widows Movie Maker, creating podcasts, etc. I know that I will have some difficulties in using this technology in my classroom. I will definitely need more equipment for my room ( I-Pods, digital video recorder, etc.). That is a challenge as money is so tight. I will start working on some grants to get some of this stuff! I will also need much time to work with the technology to become more proficient. I just have to tell myself..... you don't have to do all of this the first day of school! Take it in small parts!