Session 10

Creating a web site using Google Sites

A. Demo an example of a Google site I created.

B. Create your own site

C. Final Project time

Session 9

A. See the afterthought at the end of Session 8 post regarding embedding a slideshow into a blog post.

B. Final project addition: your project should address standards found in the latest version of the National Educational Technology Standards for teachers and/or students.

C. Simulations

Computer simulations can represent real or imaginary situations. They allow users to study or try things that would be difficult or impossible to do in real life.

1. Classroom, Inc.  demo... offline, computer based programs designed to recreate a real-world work experience. 
   
2. Web-based simulations to explore:
   

• Simulations on the Internet (from Kent, UK)
  
• Educational Simulations (compiled by Debbie Rollins)
  
• Free software from NASA's Glenn Research Center
  
• Jet Propulsion Lab (some of the Interactive links in the Featured Multimedia section include simulations)
  
• Web-based HS chemistry simulations (Center for Science Education at EDC)
  

Session 8

Slideshow presentations

Today we'll be using Keynote (an alternative to PowerPoint), another application found in the iWork suite. Slideshows are used to make presentations by teachers as well as students.

A. View my demo slideshow about using Keynote

B. Create a slideshow about your school

C. Create a slideshow designed to be a tutorial

Afterthought:

I just found out how to publish a slideshow (Exported as a PowerPoint file) and then embed it in a blog post!

Alternatively, the published slideshow can be accessed by clicking here

Session 7

A. Use one of the activities listed in the link found at the end of Session 6's posting (under Resources) that lends itself to using a spreadsheet. 

• Set up a new Numbers (or Excel if you're so inclined) spreadsheet
  
• Enter a set of mock data
• Graph the data
• Add a post to your blog and describe why you chose the activity

B. Final project

Design a tech-infused teaching or learning project (alone or with a partner) that you or your students could use. The project should include:

• a description
• a rationale... why do it?
• an assessment protocol

The project should incorporate any one or a combination of the applications presented in this course and should demonstrate your ability to use the application(s) as a teaching/learning tool. Delivery of the project can take a variety of forms... be as creative as your imagination and time allows.

Session 6

Representing data

In accord with the most recent NCTM standards, all students (K-12) should be able to, "Formulate questions that can be addressed with data and collect, organize, and display relevant data to answer them." 

Technology can help address this goal when students learn how to use spreadsheets and their graphing capabilities.

A. Demo: How to create a spreadsheet and graph data using Numbers. 

• Look at existing spreadsheets
• Look at process of turning data into a variety of graphs

B. Task: Create a spreadsheet based on M&M data.

• Create a new Numbers file and name it "T4T."
• Label columns for predicting numbers of each color M&M and actual counts
• Graph data

Resources: Here's a huge list of activities, each of which involves the use of data (collecting, analyzing, and displaying).

 

Session 5

Digital photography

A. Discussion topic: why take photos? 

• How does the ultimate purpose matter?
• What can be done with digital photos?

B. Using iPhoto to edit and organize photos

1. iPhoto demonstration
2. Today's task - using photos from the Library of Congress Flickr pilot select at least 5 photos, and download them to a folder on your desktop. Then open iPhoto and import your photos into a new event... name the event. Edit the photos (practice using the editing tools). Next create a new folder and drag at least some of the photos into the folder. 
3. Add a new post to your blog in which you will create an assignment using some or all of the photos you worked with today.

To learn more about taking and working with digital photography, see:

Digital Cameras: A beginner's guide

Adorama Imaging Resource Center

Digital Photography Tutorials

Session 4

A. Add widgets to your blog (see Session 2, B 5), using those you see in the sidebar of my blog as a model.

B. WebQuest assignment from Session 3.