Technology In Teaching

Podcasting the Conference

2010-03-18T18:44:00Z

I just learned how to use Audacity. Here's the result. Download the podcast, foxatetv-mp3, or just listen to it....(read more)

No School Today, Hooray, Hooray!

2010-03-18T17:37:00Z

Which is NOT to say that I'm not working. I'm at a technology conference in Columbia, SC. It's being held at SCETV. I've learned about how to use a Promethean board's software - you can start using it, even if you don't have an interactive whiteboard. The download is here. Also, found a lady who knows more about the social media than anyone who has a life - her professional learning network site is here. In a podcasting workshop, I heard of a web conferencing software that is free to 20 or fewer...(read more)

An Interesting Technology - Dropbox

2010-03-16T20:54:00Z

I found a site that gives you 2 GB of online storage . You can install it on all your computers, and it will sync files. It works across platforms, and may be the next killer app for the masses. Even without the multi-computer syncing, it would be worth it for the storage - hey, no more easily lost jump drives! I'm going to try using it for my back-up needs....(read more)

The Value of "Goofing Off"

2010-03-15T12:06:00Z

That's what I did this weekend. I took home work to grade, but didn't do any of it. What I did do is: Shopped - not for myself, but for my husband. We went together, and got him some dress clothes (he's been in a khaki rut for some months), a VCR/DVD player, and various other items "Did lunch" with hubby at a Chinese buffet Surfed the web while he napped, later Crocheted Cleaned house Watched Hallmark Channel, several shows That's it - a VERY non-busy weekend. And, absolutely NO school work. Not...(read more)

The Wonder of Light

2010-03-11T14:32:00Z

Today, I've set up my class for some exploratory activities in light. I have 12 stations around the room, and the students will circulate, looking at: Polarization of light Refraction (how light can slow down in different mediums) Reflection (using mirrored surfaces) Diffraction (breaking light up into its different colors) Intensity of light (I have a CBL and light sensor) It took almost 2 hours to create, gather materials, and organize. I've teamed with my main man (my husband, who works next door)...(read more)

Writing Plan

2010-03-05T14:12:00Z

I've decided to write about handling managing lab activities, in a high-needs urban environment. My classes are the "regular" Physical Science, with the normal mix of students, including LD and other special-needs students. My students' previous experience with hands-on activities is limited; many were in classes that seldom had the students exploring science concepts. For many, the highlight of previous science classes was making a poster about a science topic. So, when I ask my students what tool...(read more)

Test Scores Are UP, Test Scores Are UP!!!

2010-03-02T22:32:00Z

Happy dance!!!!! I just gave a quiz on electricity, and I had actually GOOD scores (well, at least 5 out of 20). This is a first for me this semester. This class has been passive, bored, and boring. We did 3 labs in the last week, and those that were actively participating scored well on the quiz. Perhaps this will be a stimulus to the rest of the class, none of whom are incapable, but most of whom are lazy, inattentive, and seldom giving their best. Too many of them are repeaters - who failed last...(read more)

Who Knew How Much Better I Could Feel With a Good Night's Sleep?

2010-02-26T22:09:00Z

But, I do. My February blahs are just about gone, I did hands-on lab activities in my worst classes, and, although they were NOT angels, I was able to move them forward nicely, without feeling the urge to annihilate the badly-behaved. Instead, they got a truly-needed time out (one kid made me laugh - he put his face in the corner). I went to bed early, slept nearly straight through (almost reverted to bed-wetting, but fortunately woke up enough to make it to the bathroom). I woke with energy, and,...(read more)

My Most Critical Teacher Need

2010-02-23T13:29:00Z

R & R. Yeah, that's right, Rest & Relaxation. Not taking grading/planning/paperwork home with me, not running around doing errands, not cleaning house. I mean, sitting in a lounge chair with my right hand cradling a trashy novel, and my left hand wrapped around a Margarita. Folks, I'm bone-tired. Beyond vitamin help. Needing some serious vaca-time. It's only the last week of February, Easter Break is 5 weeks away, and I've reached bottom. The kids are wack, and the administrators have hidden the...(read more)

Trying to Write a Publishable Article

2010-02-22T13:55:00Z

I've been teaching for over 20 years, and, in that time, I've learned a lot (as we all have). I recently decided to work on writing an article for a science/teacher magazine. I'm going to post weekly about my progress (or lack of it), as a way of keeping me on track to have it finished in the next 3 months. I'm not expecting that to be easy; we all know how the end of the year contributes to the pile-up of paperwork, parent contacts, and after-school catch-up sessions. Added to that is the fact that...(read more)

Catching Up on the Internet

2010-02-18T14:52:00Z

I'm home today. I've not been feeling up-to-par for several days, and I thought a day home might be just the thing. I was right. Although I was so fatigued last night that I didn't even go to Ash Wednesday services (which I really love), today, when I woke up, I was nearly back to normal. Well, it probably helped that I slept in until after 8 am. I normally get up at 5 am. I'll get to the necessary stuff later in the day; right now, I'm catching up on email, enjoying reading blogs, playing online...(read more)

Being Sick Sucks!

2010-02-17T20:24:00Z

I'm not feeling well today - not feverish, not coughing, just tired and "oocky". Because I have no confidence in getting better by tomorrow, I'm working on setting up my class for a day off: Write the sub plan, copy and attach worksheets to the plan Get copies of the class lists, mark reliable students Clean up the corners of the classroom (you know we ALL have piles of stuff somewhere), put away loose stuff (coffee cups, staplers, post-it notes, etc.) that I don't want to walk out the door Put all...(read more)

Managing Labs in a Science Class

2010-02-17T16:26:00Z

This is something I am passionate about - the importance of doing labs in class. I know it's a lot of prep, and it takes an unbelievable amount of oversight, but, even with - shall we say - difficult students, it's critical to their understanding of science. Here's how I manage the process: Compartmentalize everything that can be - either in a shoebox, or in gallon-sized ziplock baggies. Get things ready before class, and hand out to the groups. Make one kid responsible for getting everything back...(read more)

Using a Mobile Broadband

2010-02-16T15:47:00Z

Several teachers at my school, including me, have recently purchased either a mobile broadband connection, or bought a netbook. We did this for several reasons: The school network blocks many sites, including those that might be useful in education. JAVA and Flash don't always work, and we often can't update the apps to run the online applications. Some of us also run businesses, and don't want to use the school network for outside businesses. We may check company mail, or access a website on our...(read more)

Resource for Physical Science Teachers

2010-02-10T13:47:00Z

I've been using the TeachersDomain site for a class I've been taking, and it's LOADED with resources - web pages, videos, interactive animations, etc., including some full unit lesson plans. If you join (it's free), and sign up for the group # 6553, there are folders with topics organized by SC standards. You can either just use them yourself, or copy them to folders of your own. It's unbelievably easy. They are most useful if you have either a Smartboard, or access to an LCD projector, but some...(read more)