Monday, 10/01/07 PowerPoint Games

PowerPoint games:Addressing learning styles is important when designing activities to teach content standards. Inspiration and Kidspiration software allow an educator to do just that -- by addressing needs of visual learners. Technology also allows educators to respond to various learning theories - from behaviorism to constructionism.

Today we'll talk about PowerPoint games: what they are and how they help students construct their own knowledge -- constructionism.What is constructionism? Constructionism sees learning as a dynamic process in which learners construct new ideas or concepts on their current/past knowledge and in response to the instructional situation. Constructivism implies the notion that learners do not passively absorb information but construct it themselves. Today we'll talk about PowerPoint games: what they are and how they help students construct their own knowledge -- constructionism.

It's important to know a little bit of background on the PowerPoint games project before we begin. Dr. Lloyd Rieber - a professor in my department - wrote a paper on this very topic that is an interesting read. Many EDIT 2000 students have created their own games and more and more K-12 classrooms are using PowerPoint games as a way to address content standards through constructionism.

Today we will review from previous semesters. On your blog post your reflection based on your experience playing the games from Spring 07. Your reflection questions are:
1. What was the subject/theme of the ppt game (Read the content for the coresponding webpages and provide a link to the webpage you accessed- PPT games is under the Evaluating Teacher Resources)?
2. Did the technology get in the way or enhance the way the subject was being taught?
3. How would you change the questions in order to enhance the ppt game?
4. What do you think they did well and would incorportate into your powerpoint game?
5. How do you think you would use powerpoint games in your classroom?

Submission due date is: Wednesday, October 3rd by the beginning of class. Make sure your blog is accessible from your website.

Friday, 9/28/07

Today is an in-class workday. Your Inspiration/Kidspiration project is due on Monday.

The questions regarding the project that I have received so far are:

1. Do I need to submit the answers to the lesson as well as the lesson worksheet?

The answer is yes. I want both.

2. Should I post screen shots of the lesson and the answers? You can, but I am only requiring the screenshot for the worksheet for both lessons. The answer sometimes looks very very crowded.

3. In the teacher worksheet you will find a section that asks for a Book title. Ignore that section.
Don't forget to turn your worksheet in on Monday.

4. Your two lessons should be connected to your subject (according to the Georgia Performance Standards) and your grade level.

Wednesday, 9/26/07

Today we will be working with Kidspiration. Today we look at the Kidspiration tutorial available on the Inspiration website.Then we will work on a in-class assignment which should help you learn the features available through Kidspiration. Friday will be a in-class work day. Attendance will be taken so I expect you to be in class. I will be available to work with you on your project. Make sure you have reviewed the rubric before you start working on your deliverables.

Monday, 9/24/07 -Inspiration/Kidspiration

Today we will be looking at visual learning software -- Inspiration and Kidspiration. Both tools allow PreK-12 students to see a concept and its connecting themes and ideas. During class today, we will create an "All About Me" concept map. These will be turned in at the beginning of class on Wednesday.
All about me in-class project should start with a general concept, 3 topics about you and 2 examples regarding the 3 topics. The concepts should be linked together, various colors, and shapes are to be used.

For the class project, you'll create two activities for your subject area/grade level -- one for a whole group lesson and one for a small group or individual lesson. You'll need to review information about visual learning by reading the article distributed during class (learning styles) and read more about the Inspiration/Kidspiration project before getting started. The Inspiration/Kidspiration assignment will be due Monday, October 1st at the beginning of class.

To Do:

1. Turn in the "All about Me" in-class assignment- print out.

2. Review the "Inspiration/Kidspiration" Project.

3. Download the Kidspiration trial version for Wednesday's class and review the Kidspiration Tutorial.

Wednesday, September 19th

Agenda: PuzzleMaker and Creating Worksheets
Today we will focus on creating our Puzzles and Worksheets. Creating worksheets is pretty self explanatory. The puzzle requires that you follow the directions carefully on the site. I have handed an example of how I created a puzzle. It is a very basic guideline so make sure you follow the directions on the site carefully. How can you access the puzzle maker and the worksheet site. Look at the links provided on the productivity project description.

Remember, no class on Friday, September 21st.

Productivity tools is due before class on Monday, September 24th. Don't forget that you have a reflection section that will become the content for your webpage. Look at some of the examples from previous semesters as a "guide." Though the requirements were different they can help you get some ideas. Follow the rubric carefully!!!

To get ready for our next assignment and you don't own a copy of the following applications, download a trial version of Inspiration and Kidspiration. If you don't want to download a trial version, the programs are installed in our lab. I will provide details regarding our Inspiration and Kidspiration assignment on Monday.
See you Monday.

Monday, September 17

Agenda: MS PowerPoint (creating a seating chart)

MS PowerPoint is a dynamic software tool that allows one to create presentations. PowerPoint provides you with the opportunity to list information, display graphics (including animations), concept maps, and tables. Short movies, hyperlinks, and music may also be embedded in PowerPoint presentations.We will spend more class time on learning about PowerPoint later in the semester. For this part of the Productivity Tools project you will learn to use the drawing tools in PowerPoint to create a seating chart. Don't forget that these same drawing tools can be used in all Office applications (Word, Excel, etc.)Here are some sites which provide more information about PowerPoint:

PowerPoint in the Classroom

Integrating PowerPoint

Using PowerPoint in the Classroom

We will be using the handout distributed in class. You will be working in pairs to design and create your classroom configuration.

1. Today your reflection on LoTi levels is due.

2. Review the websites:

Puzzle Maker

Worksheet Generator

They will be what you will be using on Wednesday to create your puzzle or worksheet.

3. Remember, no class on Friday, September 21. It is an independent workday.

4. Wednesday will be the last day we will work on the Productivity tools project. The rest of the project involves using templates. You should be comfortable using those by now.

See you Wednesday.

Friday, September 14th

Agenda: Excel Pictograph Tutorial

What is a pictograph? A graphical representation that shows numerical information by using picture symbols. A form of bar graph with the bars replaced by rows or columns of symbols.

Note: I have posted a link to an example of a pictograph on our Productivity Tools Description.

In order to orient ourselves, I have provided a link to a video regarding how to create a pictograph. It is called "Making a Pictograph in Excel." The tutorial we will be using to create our pictograph is called "An "excel"lent way to create pictographs for younger students."

Make sure you are using the rubric as a guide to make sure that you are meeting the requirements for Productivity Tools Assignment. Good news, I have extended the deadline to Monday, September 24 (due at the beginning of class) from Friday, September 21. Friday, September 21st will be a Independent Work day, that means I will not be in class but you are welcome to work in the lab until the next class begins. The blog posting (reflection) regarding the LoTi Levels is still due on Monday, the 17th by the beginning of class. Don't forget!

To do:

1. Monday, have at least one of the products you have created on saved onto your memory stick. We will work on how to create screen shots for your webpages. If you want to get started here is a handout that we will be using.

2. Make sure your blog posting is saved (published) before class so I can grade it for you.

3. Start puting your reflection together (the one that will be the content for your Productivity Tools Page).

Wednesday, September 12

Agenda: Excel - Grade Sheet, Attendance Sheet, Pictograph

Good Morning! Today we will talk about Excel.

Using templates and becoming familiar with productivity tools such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel are important in creating a professional teaching environment.
MS Excel is a tool in the MS Office Suite of applications. Excel is a spreadsheet application that is used by accountants, office managers, and small businesses. It allows you to create tabular data, work with numbers and charts in a variety of manners.As educators, there are number of ways we can use excel: as a record keeping tool (attendance), grades, gather and display data (graphs and charts), etc.


Directions for today’s classes will be demonstrated in class.

If you feel lost please look at the following site (on your own time):
http://office.microsoft.com/training/training.aspx?AssetID=RC012005461033
Other resources that will help you complete this section of the project:Classroom Excel ResourcesMS Excel Modules

On Friday, we will use the following Link to learn how to create a pictograph in Excel for one of your assignments in productivity project. Review the link so that you can work on it during class time on Friday. Be prepared so that we can figure out any challenges we might face.

I recommend that you don't wait until the last minute there will be 9 artifacts due and reflection as descripted in the project description that will need to posted on the web page porfolio (in the Productivity Tools Page). Don't forget you also have a reflection blog posting due on Monday the 17th regarding the LOTI Levels.

See you Friday!

Monday, September 10

Agenda: Loti Level Discussion and Introduction to Productivity Tools Assignment

Today we will discuss Friday's Loti Level handout and correlate it with the video we reviewed. Levels of Technology Implementation is used to quantify what is going on in a classroom. You'll be referring to these levels, along with standards, in all facets of your project work.

Today we will begin working with templates that can be used to create a professional classroom. Now that you have begun to build a foundation in learning theories, teaching strategies, state and national content standards, and levels of technology implementation, it is time to begin putting together your classroom. You'll use various productivity tools: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to prepare materials for your class.

Use the link to the Productivity Tools Description to get the specifics on the deliverables you will be expected to create.Before you begin working on your materials, you'll sit in on a short lesson on using templates to streamline your work. On Wednesday, you'll have a short seminar on analyzing survey data in Excel and using drawing tools to create classroom layouts. With these sessions, you'll have all of the tools and resources you need to complete your task by the due date.

Any questions on the assignment?

Blog posting for this week due by Monday, September 17th. Loti Level - what is its purpose and how would you use it in your future classroom.

See you Wednesday.

To do:
1. Foundation and Autobiography page assignment is due
2. Late Pass Quiz -
3. By Wednesday, have explored and downloaded your template (Newsletter and Calendar)
4. Bring our Learning Puzzle organizer so I can take a look at it.
5. Remember that a Blog posting is due on Monday, the 17th.

Friday, September 7

Once you know what content you should address for your subject and grade level, how do you know what types of activities to include?Using the Levels of Technology Implementation to quantify what is going on in the classroom. You'll be referring to these levels, along with standards, in all facets of your project work. By using the information from the LoTi website, students we will discuss the assessment tool used at the Georgia Department of Education for technology use and integration in K-12 classrooms. We will discuss the different levels. Please feel free to use the handouts as we are discussing the different levels.

Look inside of an elementary school that integrates technology into its curriculum. As we begin our technology-connected projects this semester, it is important to be able to identify the LoTi level of an activity or project.

On Monday, we will discuss the digital generation and introduce our Productivity Tools Project.

Have a nice weekend.

To do: Remember that our Foundations and Autobiography Assignment is Due on the 12th.

1. I recommend that you make sure that I can access your website from the course blog

2. I also recommend that you ask a classmate to look over your website to make sure that you don't have a misdirected link, missing page or forgot to add the required components to the web page.

3. Have someone look at your blog for you and give you some feedback.

What is due on MONDAY?

1. Correlate the video we saw today with the LoTi level handout. Be prepared to discuss your findings in class.

2. The "Late Pass" quiz is due. It must be complete and correct to earn a late pass.

Wednesday, September 5

Agenda: Today we will discuss teaching Strategies and learn how to post to our blog.

How do educators know how to teach? What strategies are used to address certain learning styles? How does learning theory impact teaching strategies? Is lecturing about your subject matter all that is necessary?View descriptions of various teaching strategies here and here. Find two that would suit your learning style.
Find at least one classmate who has chosen a similar teaching strategy -- do you have the same learning style?How do educators pull everything together? What tools and resources do they use to prepare a supportive learning environment? Our main focus for this semester is identifying technology-related tools and resources that support varied student learning styles and teaching strategies.

To do:

1. Review our course website - course project link. On that page you will find your due dates and requirements for the Autobiography page and Web Foundation

2. Today you reviewed teaching strategies. Post a short reflection on a particular teaching strategy (of your choice) and state how that teaching strategy either meets or doesn't meet the needs of your particular learning style.