Module 4

Wiki: Find, link and discuss a wiki that is similar to one that you might create for your class (i.e. same grade or subject, etc.)

Ms. Aceituno's Science Classes Wikispace--http://amerischoolscience.wikispaces.com/

I like the set up and the content of this Wikispace. This Wikispace follows the criteria of a well-designed web page (pg 255). It has good structure and organization and has a page for each of the teacher’s classes. It is visually appealing and has just the right amount of content and it is not overcrowded with irrelevant links. You can easily navigate through the Wiki and see that it includes homework assignments, student project samples, class expectations, project guidelines and deadlines, as well as PowerPoint notes from past classes. I am going to utilize this Wikispace for ideas on arrangement and content.  

2 Widgets: Find 2 HTML widgets that you might use within your wiki. These widgets must be embedded directly within your blog post. Discuss how you might utilize these widgets in your classroom.

My Pinterest Board "Weird Science"

I would post science experiments and cool photographs for my students to look through. I would allow them to do these science experiments and write up a report of what experiment they did, what happened in the experiment, and why they think it happened. I think this would be a good way to encourage students to learn on their own.

Google Calendar

I am a very organized person, almost to the point of OCD. One thing I love being organized about is dates. I am always putting dates into my phone’s calendar and planning things far in advanced to make sure that I can get everything taken care of in a timely manner. Rather than just listing dates on my Wikispace, I would use the Google calendar widget to post all important dates for class including test dates, homework assignments, field trips, reminders, etc. 

Web-Based Lesson: Discuss and link to a web site where students could access or you could create a web-based lesson.

Glencoe Science webquests-- http://www.glencoe.com/sec/science/webquest/

As I began searching for a science web-based lesson, I found plenty of lessons, but I couldn’t find one that was well-suited for a middle school science class or that was free. Just as the book states, one of the downsides to finding lessons on the internet is the challenge of find the perfect one for your grade level (pg 257). I checked out the websites listed in the book and still had no luck. I finally came across Glencoe science and found some interesting and useful webquests. After evaluating the Glencoe science webquest with the Rubric for Evaluating Webquests discussed on page 248, the webquest showed to be a great tool to use in the classroom. Glencoe science is a great source for students and educators to access web-based lessons. It offers webquests on some very interesting topics such as neon, gemstones, laser eye surgery and roller coaster physics. These science webquests are a great way for students to practice higher level thinking, following directions, making use of information on the internet and applying what they have learned (pg 258). Webquests are also an excellent way for students to practice or learn teamwork skills (pg 245).

For example, the webquest about neon signs teaches the chemistry behind the glowing tubes and how gases are combined to create the different colors. The student then applies what they have learned in order to design their own functioning neon sign.

M4: How Wikispaces is being used in K-12 classrooms http://t.co/Efvu5xxt7n #ED527UM
— Peyton Truett (@peypey3191) October 13, 2013