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.