I searched for something that would be helpful to my colleagues when we do the sheep heart dissection, and came up with this tutorial. It is done well (basically a narrated slide show) and it can be used as an introduction to the lab. I could not find the area to copy the html code, but right clicked somewhere and it gave me the option to copy it. Let's see if it worked!
Zerobio Sheep Heart Dissection
It is there, but just a tad large. I will try resizing later. Using keepvid.com, I was able to download this video and save it to my desktop as suggested. Now it can be used by all of the eighth grade teachers before the dissection next year if they are interested. I was not aware of this feature of downloading to a third party site until now, so I could not see how YouTube could be used at school. Now I know, and hopefully I can incorporate more videos into the classroom.
One more try at embedding... this one is a bit more fun than sheep hearts!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Thing 9
I have observed plenty of videos on YouTube in the past, but never signed up until today. YouTube can be quite addictive as well! I like it because you can find a video on just about anything. It also gives people a place to show their talent or creations. I remember reading once that the new lead singer for Journey (not my musical taste, but an interesting article) was found when a band member saw him singing for a cover band on YouTube.
On the other hand, I dislike it because people can post videos about just about anything! As an example, last week there was a YouTube video circulating among some high school students of a fight at a Bridgeport high school. This led to more searches of school fights, and there were plenty to be found. It is unfortunate that there are not more restrictions on content. Occasionally videos are removed, but they get plenty of hits before that happens. The comments that follow even a well done video (example- Taylor Mali's ) can also be offensive.
There are many entertaining videos I have watched of favorite musical artists, past and present and amateur musicians. The flash mob videos are also fun to watch…. Frozen Grand Central reminded me of those. The list goes on!
YouTube is restricted at Middlebrook and it is understandable because of the questionable content students could access. There have been times when I would have liked access to YouTube for the classroom, but there has always been an alternative to be found. In general, You Tube is probably not the best for classroom use with eighth graders. Teacher Tube might be the safer route for classroom use.
Thing 8
Now you see it, now you don't! It was here... I did it yesterday, but I went back to try to embed the mosaic I made on Flickr and I lost it. I tried to follow Skip's video and I got all of the html code instead of the image, so I went to delete it and I lost the whole post. Oops! Skip, thanks for sending me the link to the video you made. I just screwed up!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mallozd/5660843989/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mallozd/5660843989/
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Thing 7
Once again, what I thought would be a quick Thing took quite some time. I went through photos and added a bunch to Flickr, added titles, a few descriptions, tags and created sets. I can definitely see using Flickr personally to organize and share photos, but I have a long way to go!
Now, for using it in the classroom.... it might not be as easy as it looks if I understand it correctly. I can see it used as a tool forstudents to use photos instead of a PowerPoint presentation. It could also be used by students to illustrate writing pieces, like one called Scientific Summer we do at the beginning of the year. I also saw many subject specific slides , such as blood cells, etc, that could be used for the Circulation unit. No doubt there are plenty more, as you mentioned a collection of photos on Frog Dissection.
What concerns me is using photos but having to get permission to use each one. Perhaps permission is needed only if you wish to post it somewhere, but showing photos in a classroom is OK? I also feel that there is not enough time to incorporate all of these wonderful things into lessons. There seems to be so much to explore and not enough time to do it!
Now, for using it in the classroom.... it might not be as easy as it looks if I understand it correctly. I can see it used as a tool forstudents to use photos instead of a PowerPoint presentation. It could also be used by students to illustrate writing pieces, like one called Scientific Summer we do at the beginning of the year. I also saw many subject specific slides , such as blood cells, etc, that could be used for the Circulation unit. No doubt there are plenty more, as you mentioned a collection of photos on Frog Dissection.
What concerns me is using photos but having to get permission to use each one. Perhaps permission is needed only if you wish to post it somewhere, but showing photos in a classroom is OK? I also feel that there is not enough time to incorporate all of these wonderful things into lessons. There seems to be so much to explore and not enough time to do it!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Thing 6
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| Sea Lion basking in the sun at... from Nikonmania |
After the long, cold winter we have had, I am looking forward to doing the same this summer in Monterey with my family. Hopefully I won't look like this beached sea lion, though! I find sea lions to be pretty fascinating animals. They are found all over North America and love sandy beaches. I have seen sea lions at aquariums and I believe they are pretty smart based on how well trained some are. I prefer to see them lounging and "performing" in their natural habitats though. I have seen sea lions in San Jose, CA and Chatham, MA and I look forward to observing the sea lions this summer in Monterey (and perhaps mimicking some of their basking behaviors.)
In the classroom, I envision having students use Flickr for research projects - to incorporate some of the photos as visual aids. Flickr can also be used to share photos of classroom, team, and school events.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Thing 5
I think I definitely have the hang of subscribing blogs to RSS feeds. The video refreshers were helpful, and since I did a bit of it yesterday I was able to search and subscribe by the methods illustrated. Especially helpful was Google Blog Search. I did not know that existed. It explains why some "blogs" that I tried to subscribe to yesterday did not work... they were websites, but not blogs.
I am still not so sure about the tagging, bundling, and sending my subscriptions to other people. I feel if there is a blog I want to share, I would likely copy and paste the URL and e-mail it. (I know, probably so old school) I will explore that further and probably go back and watch the video clip again from the other Thing.
I think organizing the folders is very helpful. When I want to scan the news, I check the headlines in the news folder (obviously) and it is a quick way to organize and see what is going on globally, nationally, or locally. I can also quickly scan what is going on at the colleges my sons attend and get quick information on my alma mater as well.
Professionally, I have a science folder for subject specific feeds and I have added content that pertains to the areas I teach. I will continue to add to that. In an Education folder, I have subscribed to the Free Things, CT Education Law, and a few others. I plan to add to them as well, but it will take some time to check out blogs. If I find anything new and outstanding, I will certainly share.
I am still not so sure about the tagging, bundling, and sending my subscriptions to other people. I feel if there is a blog I want to share, I would likely copy and paste the URL and e-mail it. (I know, probably so old school) I will explore that further and probably go back and watch the video clip again from the other Thing.
I think organizing the folders is very helpful. When I want to scan the news, I check the headlines in the news folder (obviously) and it is a quick way to organize and see what is going on globally, nationally, or locally. I can also quickly scan what is going on at the colleges my sons attend and get quick information on my alma mater as well.
Professionally, I have a science folder for subject specific feeds and I have added content that pertains to the areas I teach. I will continue to add to that. In an Education folder, I have subscribed to the Free Things, CT Education Law, and a few others. I plan to add to them as well, but it will take some time to check out blogs. If I find anything new and outstanding, I will certainly share.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Thing 4
Apparently when I have information overload, I walk away from the computer for a while and come back to it later! I can appreciate the idea behind RSS- saving valuable time by having information come to me at one site rather than me going to multiple individual news sites and blogs. The idea of saving time with these technological advancements is certainly desirable. Again, the embedded videos were very informative and I was able to set up the Google Reader account, create the suggested folders and even subscribe to several news sites and blogs. I found widgets to use to subscribe on some sites and I had to copy and paste the URL for others. A few just did not work or gave way too many updates on things.
While watching the video on creating folders and bundles, I was a bit overwhelmed at the number of blogs that the person explaining had on her google reader. I am not sure I feel the need to share all the items with people or that anyone would really want them. Tags to share individual pages rather than subscriptions might be helpful.
In terms of information overload, I think the RSS will be a good tool to help filter some information and have important news come to me. I plan to add subscriptions slowly so there is still not too much information. I guess in the next Thing, I will learn how to subscribe to more blogs!
While watching the video on creating folders and bundles, I was a bit overwhelmed at the number of blogs that the person explaining had on her google reader. I am not sure I feel the need to share all the items with people or that anyone would really want them. Tags to share individual pages rather than subscriptions might be helpful.
In terms of information overload, I think the RSS will be a good tool to help filter some information and have important news come to me. I plan to add subscriptions slowly so there is still not too much information. I guess in the next Thing, I will learn how to subscribe to more blogs!
Thing 3
After going through Thing 3 and exploring educational blogs in the classroom, I feel more confident that I will be able to incorporate a blog for my students in the near future. Especially helpful to me was the list of 33 ways to use blogs in the classroom or an educational setting. Even something as simple as having students post individual hypotheses before meeting with a lab group to perform an experiment would be a start. The Social Studies teacher on my team uses blogs for some units for students to comment and he says it is successful. Students seem to like it and he reads comments online rather that collect as HW papers to grade.
I am still amazed at the complexity of most of the blogs. I just don't know where they get the time to create something that complex (or at least it looks that way to me!) The first example on the list was incredible, with all of the links provided. I am easily sidetracked and ended up visiting Google LitTrips and spent some time at Google Body, which I will use as a resource for my students. Also fascinating was the link to YouTube Time Machine, allowing me to search a desired year (high school, college) for popular songs, TV commercials. Maybe not so practical for a science classroom, but perhaps educational value in Social Studies!
As I browsed the blogs on the list, I noticed that some were a bit more simple and at least one was a collaborative effort with a teacher but produced by students. I did comment on a few of the blogs, and on the only other fellow 23 things traveler at this point. I changed a few of my settings on the blog, as suggested by the very helpful video. The embedded videos are helpful because you can pause, try what they say , and go back to them. I am looking forward to giving blogging a try on a unit with my students. After seeing the possible educational applications, I can definitely see a place for them in future lessons.
I am still amazed at the complexity of most of the blogs. I just don't know where they get the time to create something that complex (or at least it looks that way to me!) The first example on the list was incredible, with all of the links provided. I am easily sidetracked and ended up visiting Google LitTrips and spent some time at Google Body, which I will use as a resource for my students. Also fascinating was the link to YouTube Time Machine, allowing me to search a desired year (high school, college) for popular songs, TV commercials. Maybe not so practical for a science classroom, but perhaps educational value in Social Studies!
As I browsed the blogs on the list, I noticed that some were a bit more simple and at least one was a collaborative effort with a teacher but produced by students. I did comment on a few of the blogs, and on the only other fellow 23 things traveler at this point. I changed a few of my settings on the blog, as suggested by the very helpful video. The embedded videos are helpful because you can pause, try what they say , and go back to them. I am looking forward to giving blogging a try on a unit with my students. After seeing the possible educational applications, I can definitely see a place for them in future lessons.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Thing 1 and Thing 2
The main reason I am participating in the 23 things is because I want to learn more about web 2.0. Although I have dabbled in things considered web 2.0 (posting comments on websites, using Facebook, setting up a wiki on pbworks for a recent school project), I feel like I am still predominantly in the world of web 1.0.
I would like to become more familiar with what our students are doing and try to incorporate some of these exciting collaborative technologies into the curriculum. On a personal note, I do not want to be left behind in the technological world. I want to be connected and be a part of the participatory culture.
During Thing 1, it was good to be reminded of just how much the younger generation's lives revolve around technology and how it is second nature to them. From video games, computers, e-mail and AIM to smart phones and texting- they have known nothing else. The shift of the "three Rs" to rigor, relevance and relationships is also important to note.
I do think that the majority of students get most of their technology education outside of the classroom. I know my students are much more technologically savvy than I am and I often rely on them or my sons to help me. In order to keep what kids do in school relevant and exciting, we do need to incorporate these collaborative technologies into the classroom. Students are digital learners and it is hard to compete with their digital worlds if we do not keep up with what's out there. That being said, there is so much to learn and it can be a bit overwhelming.
When it comes to writing on the internet, I will post on the blog as required by this course and I think being able to read comments from colleagues is helpful. I have used pbworks wikis and posted comments there to communicate with students, but that was to a limited student audience. Beyond that, I do not see myself initiating too many posts anywhere. For Thing 2 on blogging, I think it is great if people want to share their news and show their unique perspective but not everyone wants or needs to publish things to a wide audience.
*** I guess I will learn more about Educational Blogs on Thing 3, post on several blogs, and hopefully become more comfortable doing so.
I would like to become more familiar with what our students are doing and try to incorporate some of these exciting collaborative technologies into the curriculum. On a personal note, I do not want to be left behind in the technological world. I want to be connected and be a part of the participatory culture.
During Thing 1, it was good to be reminded of just how much the younger generation's lives revolve around technology and how it is second nature to them. From video games, computers, e-mail and AIM to smart phones and texting- they have known nothing else. The shift of the "three Rs" to rigor, relevance and relationships is also important to note.
I do think that the majority of students get most of their technology education outside of the classroom. I know my students are much more technologically savvy than I am and I often rely on them or my sons to help me. In order to keep what kids do in school relevant and exciting, we do need to incorporate these collaborative technologies into the classroom. Students are digital learners and it is hard to compete with their digital worlds if we do not keep up with what's out there. That being said, there is so much to learn and it can be a bit overwhelming.
When it comes to writing on the internet, I will post on the blog as required by this course and I think being able to read comments from colleagues is helpful. I have used pbworks wikis and posted comments there to communicate with students, but that was to a limited student audience. Beyond that, I do not see myself initiating too many posts anywhere. For Thing 2 on blogging, I think it is great if people want to share their news and show their unique perspective but not everyone wants or needs to publish things to a wide audience.
*** I guess I will learn more about Educational Blogs on Thing 3, post on several blogs, and hopefully become more comfortable doing so.
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