Teach in Real Life: Students See Devices as Tools, not Toys

A six minute video showed students in a highschool in Utah using technology in their science class to test water contamination in their area, and in history to take a virtual tour of a WWI trench. The science teacher said that by using the technology, student's learning was enhanced 20% over not using the technology. (She taught the class both ways to guage this). The virtual tour enabled students to see something that they couldn't see by going on a field trip, yet it placed them there with enough of the information that they could realize the situation, place themselves there mentally, and create a more realistic idea of what a trench is than by simply viewing photos of one. The science lab tech devices were obtained by the teacher through a grant. Both were good ways to involve students in the classroom. Jeanna

Timelines 2.0: A Fun, Easy, and Free Classroom Tool

What do Mark Twain, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Shakespeare, Truman Capote, Virginia Woolfe, and Paris Hilton all have in common? They are all listed under writers in the timeline website I checked out (and had to register for, though it is free), called xtimeline, which this article in Edutopia, speaks of. I briefly went through a few, and the timelines are interesting and have links to other sources where you can gather more information. The part about creating your own timeline, imbedding pictures (when we learn how), and things of that nature, seemed especially fun. Interesting would be to have grandparents do one for their grandchildren. The children could see what happened in the world when their grandparents were their age and be astonished. (what did you do if you couldn't watch t.v., granps?) Not a bad site. I am sure there are many more things that could be done with this. Jeanna

when does the frustration end?

Due to illness I have missed classes. Though I have read the posts, I am not all that clear on what I am supposed to be doing (hopefully I can catch up), but I can discuss what I've done so far.

First and foremost, I have not been able to access ITUNES no matter whose computer I use and this has been very frustrating for me. I have spent hours at it. It rather accounts for my not posting because my frustration level is too high.

I went to Flickr but all I have accomplished in doing is setting up yet another account.

I watched the video posted. What a guy, and I mean that with the deepest sincerity. He certainly gave me something to think about. Mostly, have I accomplished my childhood dreams? In case anyone is wondering, to my best recollection they were: to live in an old Victorian house and remodel it (did that), to have a normal family (no discussion, just go with me on this - did it), be an airline attendant (we used to call them stewardeses) - not done it but have been offered the position by the gal in charge of all of the attendants for Republic Airlines. All I need to do is take her up on it. Own a restaurant. (Nope, but I became a very good cook and cooked for my kids' swim teams, friends, etc and it was like having a restaurant). Be an actress (I shot a commercial for Junior Achievement. It was so long and boring to do that I never really wanted to do it again). I've actually acquired more dreams as an adult, some of which I have actualized.

I am hoping that my frustration level begins to level out. I am looking forward to the camera session as that is something that I am very interested in. I am also physched about going to the school for a visit as I would like to see a school that sounds so solid and up to date.

I am still unclear as to whether we have class tonight or not (my fault, I know), so I'll just show up and if no one is here I will try to delve further into the assignment though I am not sure what I am looking for.

Until then....... Jeanna