Sharing Resources

Any student can relate to the lugubrious task of looking up grammar rules and citation guidelines in their trusty, red Harbrace Handbook. My life changed forever when my high school senior English teacher pointed us to a new and exciting alternative.

I felt that this site was especially appropriate to share in this class because it is an online version of this printed-paper book...and so much more! Yet another example of the advantages technology can provide in and out of our classrooms. This site offers over 200 free service for everything from grammar and mechanics to style guide for MLA and APA. They provide strategies and methods for research, and even provide services for ESL students. The website also provides assistance in conducting job searches and tips on professional writing.

Sonnets and WebQuests

To the left, you can see a picture of the first page introduction to the WebQuest I analyzed and posted on my group's Wiki page. The WebQuest is a great tool, but to find the right one takes time and discernment. I finally chose one that focused on teaching students about sonnets, the Shakespearean and Petrarch in particular. The activity was engaging and rich with learning opportunities. Students will be able to research and learn about the topics in smaller groups and later present their findings to the class. At the conclusion of the exercise, students will flex their creative muscles and compose their own sonnets using the knowledge they have acquired during the WebQuest.

Organization

I have included a picture of my files to display the materials I have organized so far for chapters 4 and 5. In chapter 4, I have the photos that I used for the blog, the PLP (Personal Learning Portfolio, and the wiki. I also have saved the file for the biography I used on the PLP. In chapter 5, I have saved the file for my first annotation on my group's wiki page.

Learning about WebQuests

In class on Thursday, we completed a crash course in WebQuests. The activity we used took us through 4 or 5 WebQuests relevant to our subject area and had each team member evaluate from a different perspective. I evaluated the effective and efficient nature of each WebQuest and really enjoyed navigating the pages to see the variety of ways these activities can address lessons and subject matter. I had never heard of a WebQuest prior to this class and it was exciting to learn about yet another teaching tool available for the classroom now because of technology.

I also learned the importance of evaluating and being selective about using WebQuests. Before considering one for a lesson, I need to make sure that it meets all the points I deem necessary from a time, energy, and resources standpoint. Depending on my school's resources, my class's abilities, and the time we have will all determine which WebQuests will be most effective to use. I also learned that their use can extend outside the classroom, as well, for things such as homework or take-home projects that might be longer term.

Sharing Resources

I'm currently taking an "Introduction to Secondary Schools" class. One of our projects was to interview a local teacher in our concentration area and present the interview in a useful way to our class. Because of the local school closings and bad weather over the last few weeks, we had to exchange our interview information via e-mail. This restriction forced me to use technology as effectively as possible by exchanging follow-up e-mails and keeping track of our conversations in my inbox.

The most exciting bit of technology I discovered for our interview was one of her favorite teacher resources. This website was created by a retired educator who desired to collect as many useful web resources in one place so that interns and teachers didn't spend hours searching google and other search engines for tips, ideas, and planning resources. I look forward to using this site in and out of my classroom.

Intro to the Wiki

Today was my first experience with "wiki"s. I have been familiar with everything else we have addressed in class such as blogs, podcasts, and other computer/internet features, but the wiki was new for me. I actually wasn't even sure what a wiki was until we watched the intro video in class and set up to create out own wiki pages. I'm glad to know about this new tool because it seems like such a great way to collaborate with future colleagues as well as a useful tool for my students. When I assign group work or projects to be completed outside of class, I can encourage my students to use wikis to work together and communicate.

Web site Evaluation

I discovered a site that was created by a husband and wife team called Eduscapes. This activity helped me learn how to evaluate websites for the future in my own classroom and for my own professional use. Each category easily broke down the aspects that I needed to consider, and the "comments" section allowed me to explain and evaluate my choices of "yes" or "no" for each category.

Without the evaluation form, I would not have thought to analyze the publishing body as much as I did.

While I would have looked for a fun and creative site on my own, this evaluation also helped me discern what was accurate and professional.