Web Awareness

I wish the technology that is available now was available when I was in school! There is so much more knowledge on topics such as web awareness, that there wasn't ten years ago. It is so important to make students, teachers, and parents aware of proper internet searching techniques in order to filter out as much "junk" as possible. It is equally as important to make sure that when a possible "good" site is found, that it is for sure a good, accountable site. I know that even when I do searches on the internet I come across so many junk sites, and it's nice to finally be able to know how to perform a good search, and how to detect appropriate web pages.

Searching the internet…

Title of Activity: Cells and Systems

References:
Rader, A. (1997-2008). Biology 4 Kids. Retrieved Sept. 29, 2008, from

http://www.biology4kids.com/files/cell_main.html

Grade Level: 8

Subject: Science

Brief Description of Activity:

The students will be given a website that they will go to. On this website, students will read about cell structure. When they have completed the reading, they will click on the link at the bottom of the page to "take a quiz on cells". The website they will use is http://www.biology4kids.com/files/cell_main.html. If the student completes the first quiz, they may continue onto the next one or take the "next step on the tour".

General Learner Outcome:

• Investigate and describe the role of cells within living things
  

Specific Learner Outcome:

• Distinguish between plant and animal cells (e.g., distinguish between cell walls and cell membranes)

ICT Outcomes:

C.6.3.3 Evaluate choices and the progress in problem solving, then redefine the plan of action as appropriate.

F.6.1.1 Perform basic computer operations, which may vary by environment, including powering up, inserting disks, moving the cursor, clicking on an icon, using pull-down menus, executing programs, saving files, retrieving files, printing, ejecting disks, and powering down.

C.7.4.2 Analyze and synthesize information to determine patterns and links among ideas.

Rationale for Computer Integration:

This activity allows student to navigate a website and learn at their own pace. The integration of technology is a great addition to any lesson in order to keep it up-to-date and interesting. The students will gain computer based knowledge as well as curriculum knowledge through this activity.

Effective Presentations

I'm not going to lie...the presentations I always thought were the best were the ones with a lot of animation and noises!! But then again, this is all it takes to amuse a mind who is only think about how much longer I have to sit here and listen to my instructor teach me about the history of a war that, no offence to history majors/instructors (I'm a science major...), is kinda boring. But now that I will be placing myself into the position of "teacher of the boring, and how does this relate to..." I am more ept to making my presentations simple yet interesting, appealing but not over the top, and last but not least easy to read.
In this second assignment I focused exactly on these key objectives. I revamped the Crowsnest Powerpoint by:
1. Adding a consistent background that was appealing and not flashy,
2. Imporving text size (made it larger to be able to read),
3. Improving text content (removed information that was not needed)
4. Added pictures to compliment the information
5. Added some animation to keep interest
6. Added a sources page for where I found the pictures.

I'm excited to see all the other altered powerpoints!!

This Is Me...

Well, here we go!!! I finally got away from Facebook, and now I"ve been put to the challenge to create a Blog, so here's a little about me...
I'm originally from Calgary, and moved to Lethbridge in 1988 due to my father's job transfer. It was an easy adjustment, given I was not even in preschool. The beginning to my long journey through education began in 1990 at an elementary school on the west side of town. After my first year of school, my family built a house on the opposite side of the west side from which we had been residing, forcing us to give up our newly developed friendships and attend a new school as soon as summer vacation ended. My brother's and I spent our summer vacation pestering the neighbours and catching gophers in the field behind our house.
Summer ended like they always do, and I was dreading going to my new school. Lucky for me (or maybe unlucky...) we didn't stay in our house long, and we moved back to our old neighbourhood and started back at my old school. Shortly thereafter, my Dad got remarried and we moved, once again, to the north side of town. It was at this point in time when I really began to feel that a good, solid foundation was being laid out for me. Even though I lost some good friends with the move, I was able to develop some long-lasting friendships at my new schools. It wasn't until I got to high school though that I finally had those "wow" teachers that really made difference in my life. They made me discover my inner personality and my hidden talents. They were a great group of teachers adn I hope to one day be a colleague of theirs. I was also blessed in this period of time to have yet two more brothers join my family, leaving me to be the only daughter!!!
I am engaged to an amazing fiance and we are also the proud parents of the cutest puppy in the whole world!!!
I look forward to the laughs, challenges, and rewards ahead of me in my career as a teacher and also anything else that may follow.