Wednesday, October 27, 2010

quizstar

I still think that quizstar is such an amazing resource for the classroom.If i was to use quiz star in the classroom i would be able to make up my own quizzes for my students and document that they took the quiz and review their answers and what not. I can make it that much more exciting for the students and for myself to make up the quizzes by adding pictures , music and other multimedia to my quizzes. This program is interactive and creative.
I am bilingual. I speak spanish and english so i really enjoy the fact that quizstar can make the quizzes in multiple languages. This allows me to broaden the culture of my students through the use of different languages. If we were having a spanish lesson that day. I could make a quiz in spanish and english. Which is an new and innovative way for the students to take the quiz. Learning doesnt always have to be repetitive and boring. And quizstar is a resource that proves that. I also like the autonomy it gives the students by allowing the students to complete their quiz and then review it after. I really like the features that quizstar has to offer and i think is a resource that i can use as an advantage for myself as a teacher and even more for my students. Technology in the classroom is becoming more and more advanced and i believe this program quizstar is an exexample of that.

hyperlink:
http://quizstar.4teachers.org/

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

What are a few of the similarities and differences between... Internet Project, Internet Workshop, Internet Inquiry, and WebQuest

SIMILARITIES&DIFFERENCES

Some key similarities of these models are the use of the internet to access unlimited resources, the use of the inquiry-based approach to construct understanding, the need for information literacy to be successful, and the potential to incorporate a more active learning process in the classroom. For example Internet Workshop has many variations. Generally, though, it contains these steps:
1. Locate a site, or several sites, on the Internet with content related to a classroom unit of instruction
and set a bookmark for the location(s).
2. Develop an activity requiring students to use the site(s).
3. Assign this activity to be completed during the week.
4. Have students share their work, questions, and new insights at the end of the week during a
workshop session.(Leu 2000).I found this truly creative.One key benefit in today’s classroom that is also shared across these models is the ability to link to an informational mode familiar to students.

The key differences I noted centered around independence required / allowed in the process. Some of these models allow students a great deal more freedom. For example, webquests tend to prescribe the inquiries to be made and the sites to be used in the research. This may make the webquest model more ideal for a classroom or individual student that needs precise direction. Internet Workshop, one designed around the three themes identified in this emerging framework of how literacy is changing. Because Internet Workshop fits easily into the instructional schedule of any classroom, it can be used without sacrificing another element of the curriculum. In the time it takes to read this article you could learn how to use Internet Workshop in your classroom, preparing students for the literacy future they deserve.(Leu 2002)

There are also differences in the degree of open publication of student work and thereby feedback potential from the audience outside the classroom. This may actually be a benefit for fragile students who have not yet developed the sense of confidence that comes from success.


Leu, D.J., Jr. (2002, February). Internet Workshop: Making time for literacy [Exploring Literacy on the Internet department]. The Reading Teacher, 55(5). Available: http://www.readingonline.org/electronic/elec_index.asp?HREF=/electronic/RT/2-02_Column/index.html


Leu, Donald J., Jr. & Leu, D. D. (2000). Teaching with the Internet: Lessons from the classroom
(3rd ed.). Norwood, MA

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Wikis vs. Blogs

A blog is a sort of journal that is online. Most people like to update it daily or weekly or whenever they desire. A wiki is an online resource also and is meant for anyone to update in real time. A blog is owned by an individual whereas wiki is being updated by many people in a group.
For blogs, the timeline is more important. For wikis, when an article was published matters less, because articles are supposed to be updated as new information becomes available. Blog posts are usually one persons' opinion, followed optionally by comments. Wiki articles represent consensus, but can have an associated discussion/talk page.
A wiki is a superset of a blog. A wiki can host a blog, but not viceversa.
A wiki allows multiple users to create, modify and organize web page content in a collaborative manner.
A blog is a Web site that maintains ongoing posts. A blog is frequently updated,a personal Web site featuring diary-type commentary and links to articles or other Web sites.

Wiki:

- Multiple Authors,
- Edited by a group or team,
- Contains links to other Wiki pages,
- Continuousy changing and growing rapidly,


Blogs:

- Usually a single author. Sometimes can have multiple contributors,
- Author posts, user comments,
- Opinion Sharing ,
- One-to-many content.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

What do you think makes a good classroom web site and/or teacher ePortfolio? Provide specific examples. Should the teacher integrate the latest technologies (e.g. from Horizon Report) into his/her instruction?

You need to make sure it draws attention so i think bright colors or a black background with white writing will definitely grab the attention of others looking at the website. It needs to consist of information that the people reading the website will be interested in. And in a language that everyone will understand so be intellectual in your speaking but also simple, because you dont want people to be confused. Also make sure the website or eteacher Portfolio flows.. choppy information and transitions can also cause people to become disinterested and/or confused. The reading also mentioned  the website being interactive, including WebQuests, electronic communities, and other activities for students . This is  great resourse in keeping the attention of the students. And that is one of the major goals of the website. And make sure above all of the things i just mentioned that you are appropriate and professional. You can have fun with it but make sure you are professional . I think the Horizon report is a great tool. It  provides a snapshot of tech tools that are “likely to have a large impact on teaching, learning, or creative inquiry on college and university campuses within the next five years. And after skimming through and looking at examples from the report i see that this is true and i think it is a great and innovative tool to use when making websites in a new and better way.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

a little about me...

     My name is Meghann Chambers. I am from Long Island , NY. I am a junior at the University of Hartford and my major is early childhood education with a minor in biology.I am a Resident assistant,a Red Cap which is our orientation team and also apart of two multicultual organizations by the name of Brothers and Sisters United and Naciones Hispanicas Unidas. I love music and enjoy doing adventurous things(i.e. rollercoasters, bungee jumping, riding motorcycles) I LOVE swimming, i started out swimming competitively when i was 4 and still enjoy it as a hobby. I really enjoy reading even though i dont get to read as much as i would like to. There is alot more to write& i dont want to bore you guys . You will learn more about me through this blog....byee..to thy own self be true.