Sunday, November 13, 2011

Bringing it into the 21st Century with Web 2.0 (#6)

My title has all the right buzzwords right now. However, what do you have to do to accomplish this in your classroom? Is it easy, or does it require great effort on the teacher?

I am going to show you my most recent example of how I made the jump with the technology.

There is a common project that is done in high school and middle school science classes known as "Meet an element" which is a poster the students do and research facts about an assigned element, and included some pictures. The pictures are either drawn or printed on home computer and cut and pasted, with glue.

To bring it into the 21st century, instead of posterboard and glue and markers, we do it all on the computer. Nope, not a Powerpoint, I know you were thinking that. Remember the title said web 2.0, which generally means a website somewhere you submit content and it gives you back something impressive! We've selected ANIMOTO.COM with makes little animations for you.


So here are some of this year's best (this is my fourth year using Animoto for this project)

Potassium

Sodium

Silver

Some from last year

Cobalt

Aluminum

Even one from two years ago

Zinc

The students have really enjoyed producing these projects and often want to show me when they're done or ask if they can be shown to the class. I don't remember the students being that excited about their posters. All the money on poster boards and supplies - gone! ANIMOTO has a great deal for educators! You can get an upgraded account for 6 months, and you also get a code for 50 students accounts to be upgraded. Plan wisely and you can get all you students taken care of.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Inspiring words this week...

"Mister, you are the only teacher that makes me think about becoming a teacher"

"Why is that, because I make it look like I am having fun?"

"Yeah."