Final Reflection

Over all I really enjoyed Camp 2.0.  There were a couple of times that I got stuck on an assignment, like the screen casting, but after taking some time I was able to figure them out.  I think having so many options to choose from for our different assignments was helpful (but sometimes I could not make up my mind on which to choose).  I also like getting feed back from others as they looked over my assignments and reading what they like or see as challenges with using this new technology in the classroom.  I think it is good to get the ideas and concerns out there and help each other figure out how to over come them. 
I am very excited to start using some of these things in my classroom next year.  I would like to keep up on some of the screen casting for my lessons, and may be even tape the sound during one of my classes.  I would make that available along with my notes to my students.  I am also nervous but excited to try to get a blog up and running for my class.  I think that can be a very helpful tool. 
I am very happy I took this class and can see using many of the things we did in my classroom!!

Camp Activity 10 - Choice

I decided to try something new. I set up an account with livebinders.com. I thought that this would be very helpful as I tend to have a "list" of websites that I find useful for class participation and for my self to help with ideas. This site looks easy to use and I like that you can look at others binders to get new ideas. I think I might also use this for my personal websites that I like or use. I also like the idea of being able to "find" these websites no matter what computer I am on at the time. I think this will be a helpful tool for me.


By the way my access key is cwarden....

Polling and Data-Gathering

I don't mind this site. I think I would use it more as part of my blog or webpage where I could have students click and submit their answers on a computer. I don't really think right now I would use it during class as not every one has a cell phone or ipod to submit responces. I do think that they would like to do that in class. Ok so I looked at my page and the top chart was the web voting widget so that students could click thier responce right from my web page or blog. That did not look like it worked. So above is the Live chart widget. I hope that works better. If not I don't know how much I would use it. The forms in google docs was easy and agian I would have kids fill it out before we start new units to see where they are with thier understanding and then go from there. I also like that it is stored in google and that the students will have a google account making this easy. Also I do not like that this form is not coming up in my blog. I might be doing something wrong if I am let me know.

InfoGraphics

I really like the idea of being able to relate content to pictures.  This is relevant in many of the topics in Life Science.  We like to have the students do comparisons, contrasts, and  show how different things relate to each other.  Pictures are a great way to aid in the understanding.  I decided to do a venn diagram to show how the 3 different types of cells relate to each other.  I would like to find a way to easily add my own pictures or diagrams to be able to show more of the science content in this.  I think it would be a good way to have students show their understanding, similar to a poster. 

Cloud Computing

1.  I have attached two different documents for this Cloud Computing assignment.  The first one is an activity that the students do to help them learn the different parts of the cell.  They really like it and it makes them think.  I really like it too, except when I can not read what they have written.  Doing this assignment with cloud computing would make it easier to read and I could send it back with comments.  The second link is an essay test that I give the students.  Again I think it would be much easier to correct & return the test back to them in this digital format.  (Thinking less paper lighter bag to carry home with work to correct.)
2.  Having all my assignments accessible in the "clouds" would be great.  It would allow some to work ahead, when allowed, and to turn work in on line reducing paper.  One down side to using this is that there are still many students who do not have the Internet or a computer at home.  This type of format would make it hard for them.  But I could make some paper copies.  It is finding the balance of which students will be using technology for/in school and those that may not. 

1.  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uP17-DK7bkq7w5mE2qCzSNbMU7fITVMZ_l-FHeIsoF0/edit



2.  https://docs.google.com/a/moundsviewschools.org/document/d/1ZGZ_SrqTLZ5WdLf-SHoNy3j8gVzq3EyNViDtPPe_gHc/edit

Study Tools

I picked Quizlet and Word Cloud for my to products.  I have heard of quizlet before from a student who said that they used it to help them study for my class.  I really like the idea of students being able to go on it and study.  It is focused on Vocab, but that is such a big part of understanding science that I think it would be very useful.  I like the ability adjust the definitions to what we used in class and for the students to be able to use other ones to help build their understanding of the terms.  Below is the link for the quizlet that I made on cells and cell organelles. 


http://quizlet.com/_7ru72

The second one that I did was Word Cloud.  I think that this would be a good way to introduce a unit and see what vocab the students know before we start and then compare that to the words that know after the unit. 

One other that I think would be good to have the students use is Spicynodes.  I really like having them use graphic organizers to help relate ideas/topics/structures to each other. 

Creating a MV Youtube Channel

I thought that this was very easy to set up.  I like the idea of being able to have a place where I can store videos that I like to use in class and not have to worry about what else is popping up as I look or show them. 
I have already uploaded my video on punnet squares to my youtube account so I decided to publish this one.  I really like the Nova sciencenow videos.  They are for the most part pretty current and cover things in a "fun" dorky science way.