Chapter 31 and My Favorites

After reading chapter 31, I found advanced performance tracking and feedback program the most interesting. Imagine a leotard-like suit that can transmit body movements to computer software where it diagnoses the body’s ability to perform. The computer verbally and visually prompts the user on their performance. If the verbal and visual prompts are not effective, there is a device that is used to transmit information to retrain the muscle’s memory. The example in the text refers to using this device to critique key elements of a tennis swing in order to improve. Who wouldn’t want to improve elements of sports movements? I play softball and struggle with swinging the bat. Once in a while I will hit the ball perfect and send it flying for a double. I would love a device that would critique my swing and tell me how to fix it so I could have the perfect swing every time. Furthermore, I could see this device used to help injured people in rehabilitation programs. Along with exercise, advanced performance tracking would alter the muscle memory and ensure the injury site returns to a fully functional state.



My favorite activity this semester was designing a website. I loved every activity we worked on but the website was the most efficient and inexpensive way to keep the lines of communication open with parents and students over long periods of time. I will use the website for the rest of the year to post science news, introduce projects, post pictures of fieldtrips, update homework, and inform parents of important dates. Websites are simple and straightforward. I can easily change the format when needed. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about all the telecommunication tools out there especially websites.

Rich Media Reflection

I found chapter 30, Using Rich Media Wisely, extremely informative. There are several rich media ideas I will take to my classroom, one of which is using more visuals to effectively teach while maintaining cognitive motivation. I already use some visual aids such as YouTube and on-line animations in my classroom. After reading, I realize I can use an assortment of visuals to communicate instructional ideas to my students. PowerPoint is a useful visual aid I need to utilize. It is cost effective and quick to create. PowerPoint can incorporate audio such as narrations that relate to the visuals. It can also use text along with graphics for learners to refer to as they follow the presentation. I need to remember to choose simple and clear images, label important parts of each graphic, and use clip art in moderation while creating visual aids for my students. PowerPoint slides, animations or videos must support the attention of students while avoiding sensory overload. Visuals must provide interest and motivation for students while increasing retention of information. Students retain more when information is related to their world. For example, analogies will help build mental models for students to draw from. Additionally, I will bring structure to my students by making printed copies of the visuals that will outline the lesson. I feel students like to see the big picture at the beginning of a new unit. I will also ask questions along with the visuals to guide students in the right direction. Outlining the target goals by the use of visual aids will help students stay focused and motivated. Furthermore, I will concentrate on lessening the use of seductive details. On occasion I tend to perseverate on useless trivia when teaching. Students have learned they can pull me off topic easily by bringing up a side-bar idea related to the topic and off to computer I go to find a visual aid. Sometimes the visual aid is helpful, but I need to distinguish between useful visuals and seductive details. I am going to be more conscious to use visual aids with text whenever possible to cognitively motivate my students.

SUMO Paint Review

SUMO Paint is a free, Web-based art and photo editing program. This program is easy to use for non-technical users. All tools are self explanatory. With a little trial and error, users can quickly learn to manipulate images using the tools. Images can be opened from your computer, the URL, or the SUMO account. You can also access all fonts from your computer to add text to your images. Images can be saved to your computer or SUMO account. In order to save to SUMO you first need to register which is quick and easy with practically no personal information. I had fun playing around with student’s photos but I need a great deal more experience to take full advantage of this application. My favorite feature was the star shape tools. I used these features along with the color filler tool to jazz up images. You can manipulate the star shapes and create different sizes, appearances, and shapes. I feel teachers can utilize SUMO Paint when creating visual aids especially with PowerPoint. If you are planning to buy an image editor, first give this application a chance. It does a nice job editing images for later use. Here is an example I created:

Google Documents Review

Google document is a great user friendly, Web-based word processing, presentations and spreadsheets program. I found many reasons to use this program in the classroom. Google document allows students to create, save, and share documents immediately on-line. Students can collaborate with one another instantly instead of emailing one document at a time. Documents can be created from scratch or up-loaded from existing saved documents. All documents can be saved safely on-line so you won’t lose your information if the hard drive crashes. Since all documents are saved on-line, future teachers can access student work to evaluate in-coming students. I feel teachers will be able to utilize Google documents in the classroom for several activities given that documents can be accessed from any computer. For example, peer editing in a language arts class or student presentations in science class. I’m excited to continue “playing” with Google documents and discovering more activities I can use in my science classroom.

6th & 7th Grade Science News

I put this website together for my students and parents. I continually get the complaints from parents that students are not bringing homework home at night or they can’t read the planner. I know this website will clear everything up…LOL. Seriously, I know some parents will use this website and try to keep their scholars on track. This website will also help inform students of work missed when they were absent.

Here's my site: CW Science News

Competencies for ID

As an educator, I find myself following the role of instructor for most competencies that where discussed in chapter 27. Reading through the list of competencies I find I have numerous strengths as well as numerous competencies I can improve upon. One strength is the ability to communicate effectively. I teach middle school science without a classroom text. I need to design every lesson to communicate information orally and visually for my students. For example, I will model how to set up and perform a science experiment by demonstrating the dos and don’ts. Every time we complete an experiment, I notice instructions that work well and those that need improvement. I write notes to myself for the following year to make it run more smoothly. Communication with parents is another important aspect in teaching. The middle school faculty agreed to send a folder home with each student every Monday with essential information such as student’s progress reports to keep parents updated. All the information in the progress report can also be found on-line at the school’s website. In addition to the Monday folder and website, I send home a written note to recognize good behaviors and attitudes. I have a lot of practice communicating with parents and students. An additional strength is the ability to foster an environment of learning and performance. I have recently started to feel more confident with classroom management. About two years ago I started utilizing Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH) which is a program that teaches students how to learn that success in the real world takes more than academic knowledge. Success is the confidence to rise above their circumstances. It teaches students to get along with others, take responsibility, and handle problems and decisions when they arise. Students discover their own self-worth and approach life ready to achieve. CKH focuses on critical, life-changing skills. I feel my room promotes an emotionally safe atmosphere where students can perform to their full potential. On the other hand, I found several competencies I need to improve upon. I need to improve on how I provide clarification and feedback, assess learning and performance, and evaluate instructional effectiveness. I attended a two day conference about formative assessment which concentrated on the three competencies I chose to improve. “Formative assessment is a planned process in which assessment-elicited evidence of students is used by teachers to adjust their ongoing instructional procedures or by students to adjust their current learning tactics.” – W. James Popham, Transformative Assessment, 2008. The major part of formative assessment is using feedback whether written or spoken to help the student to understand what to do to improve. I need to learn to provide descriptive feedback that will motivate and move students forward. One way to do this is through penalty free assessments which are based on targets and provide strictly feedback on the student’s knowledge without an actual letter grade. A target is an objective worded with student friendly language. After correcting the assessment, I will be able to find the targets learned and the ones that need re-teaching. I will group students according to whose getting there quicker. Some students will work independently while other will work in small groups with me to master the targets before moving on to new ideas. I feel I am ready to make big changes in my classroom to improve the way I give feedback, assess learning, and evaluate instructional effectiveness.

Funderstanding Rollar Coaster

The purpose for my screencast shows how to use Funderstanding.com. This website is great for students to practice their knowledge of maximum kinetic energy (KE) and maximum potential energy (PE) using a roller coaster. In the beginning of my energy unit I assign a roller coaster project where students actually build a functioning roller coaster. Students use the roller coaster to demonstrate their knowledge of maximum KE and PE as well as gravity, friction, mass, and speed. After all these ideas are taught, students “play” on the website using the energy terms to practice for their project.