Google Presentation

For this project, I collected images corresponding to a list of opposites with my iPhone.  Because this scavenger hunt was a group project, using Google drive and Google presentation made this group project easily manageable and stress free.  First, we took pictures for each word.  Then, one member uploaded the pictures to Google and drive and shared the album.  Next, I resized the images so that they would be manageable for the presentation.  Finally, I inserted the images into the presentation and created the following slide show on opposites.

  

Google presentation is an excellent tool that could be incorporated in the classroom in various ways.  Specifically, I think this would be extremely helpful for group projects.  Because students can easily share the presentations through Google drive, they do not have to worry about scheduling time to meet up to work on the PowerPoint.  Additionally, because the presentation saves to Google drive, it can be easily accessed from any location.  Finally, teachers could utilize this to create a presentation and post lectures on their class websites.

Digital Images

 

Prior to this assignment, I used Google images to find pictures for any project or presentation.  However, the following websites provide quality images on a variety of topics without copyright concerns.  For my project, I chose to create an album of pictures of Russia.
Here is the slideshow I created using Picasa web album.

Free Digital Photos was well organized, easily accessible, and had many images to choose from. Other quality websites discussed in class are Pics For Learning and Flickr Creative Commons. Picasa Web Albums is an easy to use tool that could be applied to many lessons in an elementary school classroom. For example, I would consider having students utilize this tool in order to create a slideshow pertaining to a certain topic. Adding captions to a picture is another great feature of the site because it allows an audience to understand the significance of the image. Additionally, as a teacher, I could add pictures to a Picasa Web Album, create a slideshow, and embed it on my classroom website. This would be a fun and easy way for parents to be involved with their children's learning. Also, I could compile images pertaining to a certain topic and create a slideshow to peak my students' interest prior to a lesson. I look forward to implementing this tool in my future classroom.

Resource Wiki

Compiling a resource wiki was unique from any other group project I have ever done before.  Often group projects can be stressful; however, I was pleasantly surprised by the ease of creating a quality project without having to accommodate each individual's schedule.  I really enjoyed collaborating via the wiki with classmates from my section and students in other classes whom I have never met.  

Together, we created an excellent resource for quality and evaluated educational websites for topics including: games, language arts, math, science, social studies, and teacher resources.  Additionally, rather than merely posting a link to a website, each group member added an annotation explaining the purpose of the site and which grade it might be most useful for.  I have really enjoyed learning new ways to incorporate wikis in the classroom.  Completing this resource wiki offered another purpose of wikis.      

Inquiry Based Activity

 Having just learned about WebQuests, I was initially somewhat confused about the difference between a WebQuest and an Inquiry based activity.  However, after participating in a simulation of an Inquiry based activity, I learned that the purpose of an inquiry based activity is for students to engage in problem-solving and critical thinking skills by investigating questions after teacher instruction.  Similar to an inquiry based activity, a WebQuest is inquiry oriented; however, during a WebQuest, students obtain information solely from resources on the internet.

One thing I learned about inquiry based activities, is that students gather information on their own by visiting websites evaluated by the teacher.  With a partner, I completed the Rockstar Trading Card activity.  Given explicit instructions and recommended websites, we chose a gemstone, answered questions, and posted our research on a wiki.

I really enjoyed creating my own inquiry based activity because it helped me apply my knowledge of inquiry based activities to something I could use in my future classroom.  I chose to design an inquiry based activity for a fourth grade science lesson on the phases of the moon.  This activity was great practice for me to design a lesson that aligns with the state standards. 

First, I had students watch a short video explaining the phases of the moon.  Then, I listed a link to an excellent interactive website that had students virtually visit the phases of the moon and practice labeling each phase.  I also posted another link to an informational site, appropriate for fourth graders, that provided an explanation of the phases and showed the phases of the current month, so students could apply the knowledge to the real world.  Finally, I had students answer five questions that they knew the answers to based on the research they completed.  To view my inquiry based activity on the phases of the moon, please visit my website.

I will definitely use this tool in my future classroom. I think it can be easily adapted for any grade level or any achievement level.  Additionally, because the activity builds self-directed skills, students will be more likely to retain information after researching because it will be more meaningful to them.