I created my digital storytelling on Energy Flow in Ecosystems. I was able to incorporate it with the unit I am currently teaching. My students loved it. I didn't tell them that I created it, I wanted to see if they'd guess. Half way through, I saw students heads turn back and look at me, with a questioning look. They were really impressed with my new and improved technology skills and thought the video was an upgrade from some of the old school videos they have been viewing from unitedstreaming.
I did however have a problem viewing my digital storytelling in the embedded player on internet archive. It did save to the website but only if you were to download the video to play it. So I uploaded my work to teacher tube so that I could embed it to my wiki space. Did anyone else encounter this same problem with internet archive?
I was so excited about my students enthusiasm about the new and improved tech resources that I am motivated to create new photostories for other units!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
My Golly George, I think I've Done It!!!
Okay, so I think I have accomplished a major task---my projects are complete. I think and I hope! Here is a link to my wiki Check it out if you'd like and leave some comments. I love hearing feedback--positive and constructive.
Project Based Learning... Effectiveness?!?
The Importance of Project Based Learning Blogs by Suzie Boss
I have been struggling with incorporting more PBL activites in my classroom. Ultimately, I would love to have differentiated PBL projects for all of my units. However, when I spend countless hours arranging the project, finding reliable resources, and motivating intros, I find that my students are not as engaged in the project itself as they are working with each other. Sure, I have a few groups of students that excel in each class. But then I have about 2-3 groups that I find need constant monitoring. With these groups I spend so much time overseeing their progress that I find that I tend to ignore the groups that are borderline or excelling with the project. How do I motivate these students who would rather sit and do nothing? They sit and do nothing when I lecture, during lab activities, demonstrations, and even projects. So what do I do to get through to these students. Ultimately, I think students are more successful when they have to work on projects. Not only are they gaining knowledge on a content, but they are developing real world skills that are neccessary to be successful in the real world. Skills such as leadership/teamwork, responsibility, work ethic, and time management. These skills are not utilized to their fullest in traditional classroom setting and I highly believe these skills are extremely important. But why would I want to continue to put so much time and effort into establishing PBL if I feel drained at the end? If I am the one feeling like I am doing all the work? I want to discover a way to make project based learning more succesful in my classroom and a major problem I am struggling with is motivation... How do I motivate the unmotivated?
I have been struggling with incorporting more PBL activites in my classroom. Ultimately, I would love to have differentiated PBL projects for all of my units. However, when I spend countless hours arranging the project, finding reliable resources, and motivating intros, I find that my students are not as engaged in the project itself as they are working with each other. Sure, I have a few groups of students that excel in each class. But then I have about 2-3 groups that I find need constant monitoring. With these groups I spend so much time overseeing their progress that I find that I tend to ignore the groups that are borderline or excelling with the project. How do I motivate these students who would rather sit and do nothing? They sit and do nothing when I lecture, during lab activities, demonstrations, and even projects. So what do I do to get through to these students. Ultimately, I think students are more successful when they have to work on projects. Not only are they gaining knowledge on a content, but they are developing real world skills that are neccessary to be successful in the real world. Skills such as leadership/teamwork, responsibility, work ethic, and time management. These skills are not utilized to their fullest in traditional classroom setting and I highly believe these skills are extremely important. But why would I want to continue to put so much time and effort into establishing PBL if I feel drained at the end? If I am the one feeling like I am doing all the work? I want to discover a way to make project based learning more succesful in my classroom and a major problem I am struggling with is motivation... How do I motivate the unmotivated?
Monday, February 15, 2010
Brainpop: Diversity of Life Videos Class Discussion
1. What video did you watch from Diversity of Life?
2. List five things that you learned from this video.
3. How did this information that you learned relate to the unit we have been discussing on energy flow in ecosystems?
2. List five things that you learned from this video.
3. How did this information that you learned relate to the unit we have been discussing on energy flow in ecosystems?
Podcast: What if All Plants & Animals Died? Class Discussion
After listening to the podcast: What if All Plants & ANimals Died? Discuss the following:
What are changes that are being made in the ecosystem around where you live that are negatively impacting the environment?
What are changes that are being made in the ecosystem around where you live that are negatively impacting the environment?
Population or Community? Class Discussion
"Wildflowers"
1. Are these wildflowers in this field considered a population or community? Explain.
2. In your own words give me an example of a population and an example of a community you have seen before.
Abiotic vs. Biotic Class Discussion
What are the abiotic factors that are neccessary for life? How are these important to you?
What are the biotic factors that you interact with in your environment? Think of organisms besides the ones in your house.
What are the biotic factors that you interact with in your environment? Think of organisms besides the ones in your house.
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