Science+Best+Practices+October+2011

=Science Department: Top 5 Best Practices With Technology =
 * October 26, 2011**

**#1 WIki Wiki!** **#2 Google Docs** In the near future, we will be adopting a building wide platform for using Google Apps for Educators...why wait, when you can tap into all of this cloud based goodness now? **#3 Ipods** **#4--Mobile Devices** **#5—Personal Response Devices**
 * Wikis still have my vote as the most versatile technology tool available on the web, especially when combined with resources and other web 2.0 tools to create a virtual learning portal for your students.**
 * **Student Resources**
 * Multimedia Resources (Kahn academy, youtube, etc)
 * **RSS reader**—subscribe to online publications and have them “delivered” directly to your wiki for your students to browse. Click here for an example on Foley's wiki page.
 * **Quizlet** –create study resources for students, or have students create and share their own. Card sets can be linked or embedded right to your wiki for quick access. Click here for an example.
 * **Google Custom Search**—create a searchable database of web-resources that you pre-select. Below is an example we put together for Kennelly's scientist research project in Gen Bio.
 * media type="custom" key="11035654"
 * **Project tool –**create private pages for individual or team work. This latest wiki addition makes it quick and easy to assign groups and get students going on wiki-based projects or activities. You keep them from seeing each others work or open them up for peer review and cross-group collaboration.
 * Math Example
 * English Example
 * **Discussion Board --**I know you've seen these many times before, but these make an excellent formative assessment tool based on on readings, exit tickets, homework reflections, etc.
 * **Forms Tool**
 * Formative Assessment
 * Student Evaluations
 * Quizzes
 * **Collaborative and TRANSPARENT Documents and Presentations**
 * Math Examples
 * English Example
 * **IMovie**-film, edit and submit movies direct from an ipod
 * **Podcasts** –record and edit interviews, oral responses, etc.
 * **Apps -**If you come across any apps you find, please let me know and I can get them installed. Free apps are more likely to happen!
 * PhyLer Lite and I Formulas-practice equations
 * Mitosis --resource for learning, exploring and practicing skills on mitosis
 * Quick Graph and Graph --allow students to do just what it says
 * Mind Blowing--create mind-maps that can include text, images, audio and even video clips
 * IMole Builder--build and manipulate molecules
 * Google Earth--Ipod finger friendly version of this amazing software
 * Molecules - manipulate 3D models of molecules
 * Planets--3D Guide to the solar system
 * The Chemical Touch--A finger friendly periodic table
 * PollEverywhere --create instant formative assessment using this web-based tool and your students cell phones
 * QR codes
 * ActiveExpressions
 * Turning Point

=**Suggestions**: =


 * Explore **multimedia resources** and find a few that can help “flip” your classroom. Assign students to view content-based material as homework and plan an activity in your classroom that challenges them to apply the content in an engaging, student-centered lesson. How will you hold students accountable for completing homework since it is crucial for a more student centered lesson in this case?


 * Build a resources page or **RSS Feed** on your website that relates to a current or upcoming unit. Develop a strategy for getting students to do some guided independent reading or viewing in your content area. How might you have them share their findings and identify relevance connections?


 * Design a lesson that uses **Google Docs and/or a Wiki** as a way for students to work collaboratively on a presentation or a report. Since students don’t have to be in the same class at the same time, this might work well with the Math department connections we have been exploring. How might you use the comment feature to guide the process and give formative feedback?


 * Design a lesson that uses the forms tool in **Google Docs** to collect information from students. How can you use this student data/feedback to drive a lesson? This idea might work well in conjunction with suggestion #1 and #2.


 * Utilize the **IMovie or WavePad** feature of the **Ipod** in an upcoming lab to have students record and report on the process using still pictures/video/and narration. How might these be shared and reviewed by peers?


 * Plan a lesson that utilizes the **classroom responders** at carefully planned points as a way to check for understanding along the way and guide a lesson. How will you plan to adapt your instructional direction as need arises? How might you integrate this strategy into a more student-centered lesson as opposed to a lecture?

=Exit Ticket-Please let me know if there is any way I can help you as you implement these or other ideas into your lesson planning. = media type="custom" key="11037310"