The Biology Project

A biology website (http://www.biology.arizona.edu/default.html) created by the University of Arizona that explores multiple biology topics.

Topics Include:

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Chemicals & Human Health
• Developmental Biology
• Human Biology
• Immunology
• Mendelian Genetics
• Molecular Biology

Fun Facts About the Biology Project

• In depth explanation is given on each topic.
• Lab activities are suggested for each topic.
• Practice test questions are given for each topic.
• Provides visual aides and animations on concepts that are hard to grasp (i.e. ELISA).
• Offers a link to lesson plans and activities created by high school and middle school teachers in their General Biology Program for Science Teachers. http://biology.arizona.edu/sciconn/lessons2/lessons.html
• Provides simulations and tutorials.

Classroom Use:
This website would be good for a more in depth explanation on biology topics. It provides a lot of animations and lab activities that would prove to be useful to the students. Instead of simply explaining a topic, animation or simulations allow the student and teacher to visualize the concept. The practice test questions would serve as a good review before a test or final.

Chapter 11: Technology in Mathematics and Science Education

Adapting for Special Needs

• Digital Blue QX5 Digital Microscope (http://digiblue.com/digital_blue/qx5.html) is a powerful microscope that attaches to the computer so that students can view digital images on the microscope slide via the computer or a projection system.

• BrainPop (http://www.brainpop.com) a subscription web site that provides instruction in a multimedia format that is helpful for students who are unable to read the textbook. It offers streaming video, lab activities, and resources.

Technology Integration for Mathematics

• Mathematics, Science, & technology Education at UIUC: http://www.mste.uiuc.edu/java/default.php


• Problem Solving: Texas Instruments, Programming Languages


• Representation of Mathematical Principles: Spreadsheets, Graphing Calculators


• Data-Driven Curriculum: U.S. Census (http://www.cenus.gov/), Statistical Software (http://www.statcrunch.com/)


• Math Forums: Ask Dr. Math (http://mathforum.org/dr.math/) Problems of the Week (http://mathforum.org/pow/) Public discussions (http://mathforum.org/discussions/)


• Skill building and practice: Waterford early Science and Math (http://www.pearsondigital.com)

Websites for Math Instruction

• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (http://www.nctm.org)


• Math Forum (http://www.mathforum.org/)


• Texas Instruments Resources for Educators (http://education.ti.com/educationportal/)


• Math World (http://mathworld.wolfram.com/)

Authentic Science Experiences For the Classroom

• The GLOBE Project: an environmental science project that utilizes remote sensing and ground-based observations to study the local environment. Teachers and students can investigate the weather, land cover, soil, and hydrology. Students utilize GPS and GIS to collect and anaylze data. (http://www.globe.gov)


• GoNorth! Adventure Learning Series: a hybrid distance education approach that provides students with opportunities to explore real-world issues through authentic learning experiences with collaborative learning environments. For examplestudents study the possible causes of global climate change. The students would graph tree ring data collected by a GoNorth scientist.


• Web Quests: begins with a web page that describes a task and then provides links to guide students to answer questions or find a solution to a problem.


• Project Feeder Watch: provides teachers with a bird identification key and instructions for stocking a bird feeder, gathering data, and submitting information to the site. (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw)

Technology Integration Strategies for Science

• Jason Project: http://www.jason.org/


• Archimedes Laboratory: http://www.archimedes-lab.org/index_optical.html


• The Association of Science- Technology Centers: www.astc.org


• EarthKAM: http://www.earthkam.ucsd.edu

• GIS Population Data: http://www.esri.com

• Journey North Project: http://www.learner.org/jnorth/

• RedRover Goes to Mars: http://planetary.org/rrgtm/

• The Exploratorium: http://www.exploratorium.edu

• Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE): http://www.diese.org

• Web-Based Chemistry Simulations: http://cse.edc.org/products/simulations/default.asp

• Exploring the Environment Curriculum: http://www.cotf.edu/ete

Visualizing Data

• A tool making it possible to rotate and examine structures form multiple viewpoints: http://www.reciprocalnet.org

Keeping up-to-date on Science Resources & Training

• The Eisenhower National Clearinghouse (ENC)
  

• National Academy Press (http://www.nap.edu)

Chapter 9: Technology in English and Language Arts Instruction

TPACK: (1) use of technology, (2) in a particular content area, (3) as part of a pedagogy strategy, (4) within a given educational context, (5) to develop students' knowledge.

• Example of TPACK in English/ Language Arts Setting: Instead of having students hand in a story , the teacher could have the students compose stories in digital spaces where they can read others work.
  

Teaching students decoding or sounding out skills:

• GameGOO- http://cogon.co/gamegoo/gooey.html/
• Between the Lions- http://pbskids.org/lions/
• Words and Pictures- http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/wordsandpictures/phonics

Developing Reading and Writing Skills

• Software based & online systems- interactive exercises to promote literacy development: The Imagination Station (istation.com), Destination Reading (Riverdeep), & The Literacy Center (LeapFrogSchoolHouse).
• Use of online reference sources and dictionaries
• Electronic Devices such as Educational Insights' GeoSafari Phonics Pad, a computer with a talking word processor, or Alphasmarts's Dana
• Use of interactive storybooks and talking books
• Accelerated Reader- most popular, used to diagnose student's reading level and track comprehension
• Digital Storytelling
• Find sites that match the student's interests and reading levels
• Use of Blogs- used as private journals or public discussion forum
• Motivate writing with video projects (script writing)
• Discussion boards promote both reading and writing within the classroom
• Use of online example to promote writing- have the students look up examples of types of poems for inspiration
• Electronic outliners- automatically generate headings and subheadings from typed information
• Concept mapping software (webbing software)- produce outline as a visual map (ex: Inspiration)
• Electronic Publishing- students share what they have written in electronic forums such as websites, electronic books, multimedia slide shows, and news broadcasts, instead of handing in a paper copy

Chapter 8: Integrating the Internet into the Curriculum

Types and Examples of Web-Based Lessons and Projects

• Electronic pen pals: http://www.epals.com
• Electronic mentoring: http://www.telementor.org/
• Electronic field trips: http://www.tramline.com http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/virtual.html http://www.polarhusky.com
• Electronic Publishing: http://voicethread.com/
• Group product development: http://www.ciese.org/collabprojs.html
• Problem-based learning: http://kancm.org/ http://www.projectpioneer.com/mars
• Social Action Projects: http://www.earthdaybags.org http://www.iearn.org/

Sites with collections of Web-Based Lessons and Projects

• http://www.learner.org/interactives/ All content areas- mostly science, geography, and history
• http://www.stevens.edu/currichome.html Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education (CIESE)
• http://www.$$.edu/fellows The Franklin Institute Online
• http://www.nationalgeographic. com/xpeditions/ National Geographic Xpedtions
• http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/education/education.html National Geophysical Data Center

Web Page and Website Authoring Tools

• HTML: is the Internet standard for how web pages are formatted and displayed. Beginners can find a variety of HTML tutorials, tips, and tools on the Internet.
• Java: high level programming language; has become popular because of its ability to allow users to create interactive graphic and animation activities on web pages.
• VRML: develops and displays 3D objects on web pages
• PERL: used to write Common Gateway Interface (CGI) programs that create dynamic documents. Web page users can insert their comments or answers into active web pages as they run on a server.
• Web Development Software: Web development tools generate HTML, CGI scripts and other code so that users can develop web page and website products without having to know programming languages.

Recommended Web Page Development Sequence

• Plan and Storyboard: make a rough sketch of the page for the site by using cognitive mapping software such as Inspiration or 3 by 5 inch sticky notes place on large pieces of poster board to represent the web pages.
• Develop pages with text: create blank web pages and insert text elements such as titles, paragraphs of description, and any text labels that will later serve as links.
• Insert images and media: Images and animations must be in GIF or JPEG format; movies and sounds must be in MPEG format.
• Insert links and frames
• Insert interactive elements: If desired, make the web page "interactive" by inserting JAVA applets, interactive forms, and mail-to commands to gather comments from users who visit your site.
• Test in a browser: Many development programs have a built in preview system, but it is essential to test the site with an actual browser to observe how it will work when it is published on the web.
• Publish (upload) the site.
• Gather evaluation comments, revise, and maintain the site.

Chapter 7: Distance Learning Tools and the Role of the Internet in Education

Using an Online Organizer

• http://del.icio.us/ allows you to access bookmarks at any location by saving your websites online in one place

Other Search Engines to Consider

• http://www.dogpile.com
• http://clusty.com
• http://www.hotbot.com
• http://www.kartoo.com
• http://www.mamma.com

Current Pitfalls in Internet Use

• Cookies-small text files placed on a hard drive by a web server contacted on the internet. The purpose of cookies is to provide the server with information that can help personalize web activity to your needs. But cookies also may track behavior on the internet in ways to violate privacy.

Strategies to Prevent Computer Viruses

• Keep virus protection software up to date
• Download only from reputable sites
• Never open email attachments from unknown senders
• Never open email attachments until you confirm their intent

Strategies to Address Copyright and Plagiarism Problems

• If the site is clearly copyrighted request permission from owners
• If the site has no copyright statement reference this site by its URL and owner name
• Plagiarism prevention website: http://www.turnitin.com http://www.mydropbox.com

Communicating on the Internet

• Listserv- an electronic list of email addresses, everyone on the list gets a copy of the email sent to the list address
• Bulletin Board (BB)- Electronic area set up in a distance course to post messages and hold asynchronous discussions
• Video Conferencing- allows those involved to see and hear each other. requires a camera, audio in put device (e.g. microphone) an output device (e.g. speakers) and a shared program such as Microsoft's NetMeeting.
  
• MUDs, MOOs, avatar spaces- MUD stands for multiuser dungeons (or dimensions or domains), and MOO stands for MUDs object-oriented programs that allow many users at different sites to interact at the same time via avatars and typed text in a graphical, VR-like environment

Characteristics of Effective distance Courses and Programs

• Knowledge is constructed, not transmitted.
• Students can take full responsibility for their own learning.
• Students are motivated to want to learn.
• The course provides "mental white space" for reflection.
• Learning activities appropriately match student learning styles.
• Experiential, active learning augments the website environment.
• Solitary and interpersonal learning activities are interspersed.
• Inaccurate prior learning is identified and corrected.
• "Spiral learning" provides for revisiting and expanding prior lessons.
• The master teacher is able to guide the overall learning process.

Tips for Online and Distance Learning

• Participate!
• Form learning teams
• Make the activity interesting
• Don't settle for opinions
• Structure the activity

Chapter 6: Teaching with Multimedia and Hypermedia

Instructional Software

• Tutorials
• Drill and Practice
• Simulations
• Instructional Games
• Problem Solving

http://mchmultimedia.com
http://www.educate-me.net
http://www.lynda.com

Interactive Books and ebooks
http://www.grimmfairytales.com/en/main
http://www.alleductionalsoftware.com/interactive-storybooks.html

Collections of Development Resources

• Collections of clip art, sound effects, photos, fonts, video clips

http://www.flamingtext.com
http://www.animationfactory.com/en/
http://www.freesound.org/
http://wwwistockphoto.com

Effective PowerPoint Presentation Tips

• Use large type
• Contrast the text and background colors
• Minimize the amount of text on each frame
• Keep frames simple
• Avoid using too many fancy fonts
• Avoid using gratuitous sounds
• Use graphics, not just text
• Present in a dark room
• Avoid reading text aloud

Video Production and Editing Software

• FinalCut Pro: http://www.apple.com
• Avid Xpress Pro: http://www.avid.com
• Video can be imported onto a computer from a source such as a camcorder or a VCR with a USB or Firewire connection converted into digital format or it may be transferred in digital form from a digital camera.
• Quick Time movies- digital video that is stored on a computer resulting in digitized video clips that are inserted into a multimedia package or uploaded onto the Internet.
• Examples for applying in the Classroom include: Video portfolios, Video lectures, Student created presentations, demonstrations of procedures, & Video decision making/problem solving simulations

Hypermedia Authoring Software Tools

• Student created presentations
• Student designed websites & mini-games

http://www.adobe.com/prodcuts/dreamweaver/
http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/

Virtual Environments and Immersion Tools

• Virtual Field Trips
• Google Earth
• Full immersion systems require headset or goggles and helmet
• Wii
• SecondLife

Web 2.0 Authoring Tools

• Blogs
• Wikis- a collection of web pages located in an online community that encourage collaboration and communication of ideas by having users contribute or modify content
• Podcasts- digitized audio files saved in MP3 file format created, played, & shared by users on the internet
• e-Portfolios
• Social Networking sites
• Video and photo sharing communities

Chapter 5: Teaching with Software Tools

Types of Software Support Tools

Materials generators

• desktop publishing software http://www.adobe.com/ http://www.microsoft.com/
  
• test generators http://www.testshop.com/ http://rubistar.4teachers.org/ http://www.centronsoftware.com/
  
• worksheet/puzzle generators http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/ http://school.discoveryeducation.com/teachingtools/worksheet%20generator/
  
• IEP generators http://www.publicconsultinggroup.com/education/Technology/EasyIEP/
  
• graphic document makers http://www.broderbund.com/
  
• PDF and forms makers http://www.adobe.com/ http://www.colorpilot.com/pdfmaker.html

Data collection and analysis tools

• electronic gradebooks- http://www.classactiongradebook.com http://www.gradekeeper.com/
  
• statistical packages http://www.spss.com/ http://www.ncss.com/
  
• student information systems http://www.powerschool.com/ http://www.excelsiorsoftware.com/
  
• computer based testing systems http://www.exambuilder.com/
  
• student response systems http://www.h-itt.com/ http://www.qwizdom.com/

Graphic Tools

• Image editing tools http://www.adobe.com/ http://www.gimp.org/
• Charting/graphing tools http://www.teachtsp.com/ http://www.serpik.com/
• Clip art, animation, sound, video, and font collections http://www.teachingheart.net/graphic.html http://www.flamingtext.com/http://www.animationfactory.com/en

Planning and organizing tools

• outlining and concept mapping software http://www.storymind.com/ http://www.inspiration.com/
• Lesson planners http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Pagehttp://www.teacherplanet.com/
• Scheduling and time management tools http://www.handshigh.com/http://www.thecalendarplanner.com/

Research and reference tools

• Electronic encyclopedias http://encarta.msn.com/ http://www.encyclopedia.com
• Electronic atlases and mapping tool http://worldatlas.com/ http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/
• Electronic dictionaries and thesauruses http://www.webopedia.com/ http://thesaurus.reference.com/ http://dictionary.reference.com

Content Area tools

• Computer assisted design (CAD)- allows users to prepare sophisticated, precise drawings of objects such as houses and cars. Useful in vocational-technical programs. http://usa.autodesk.com http://www.alibre.com
• Music editors- provides blank musical staffs on which the user enters the musical key, time, and notes that constitute a piece of sheet music. Music sequencers- software packages that the creation of music scores with several parts. MIDI tools- Musical Instrument Digital Interface http://www.tomdownload.com http://www.emagic.de
• Reading Tools http://www.readabilityformulas.com http://www.renlearn.com/ar
• Microcomputer-based labs, graphing calculators, and calculator based labs http://education.ti.com/ http://www.vernier.com/
• Geographic Information Systems and Global Positioning Systems http://earth.google.com http://www.magellangps.com/