Web-based Resources

Your iMovie lesson ideas are due at the beginning of class today.
-----------------

Finding and using web-based resources is a large part of integrating technology in the K-12 classroom. While discussions of search strategies and how to evaluate websites are important -knowing how to use the resources is of utmost value.

------------------

What is it that gets students interested in your content area? What is the hook that draws them in? Sometimes it's a story, a "what if?" questions, or a model of something really large or really small. In other instances, it's a controversial issue that directly impacts the lives of your students. How can technology help you to find that hook? Internet resources and WebQuests can help a teacher to create a learning environment that makes students want to know more.

For the next several class sessions, we'll be looking at exemplary web resources for your content area and creating a WebQuest to add to your web-based portfolio. MarcoPolo is called a gateway site -- since it is acts as a "gateway" to 7 nationally recognized educational sites. We'll spend some time surveying the MarcoPolo partner sites and discussing how resources can enhance your curriculum.

Although most educators are aware of the wealth of resources available via the Internet, they are not sure how to use them appropriately in teaching their content area. In the mid-90s, Bernie Dodge, a professor of educational technology at San Diego State University, developed the notion of WebQuests. What is a WebQuest, you ask? Let Dr. Dodge tell you himself. Why would you teach using a WebQuest? One of Bernie Dodge's former graduate students, Tom March will tell you why.

For Tuesday's class - be familiar with the definition of a WebQuest and bring to class at least 2 of your content standards that could be addressed with a WebQuest.

Movie Day

**Feng Wang - a doctoral student in Instructional Technology - will be here at the beginning of class to talk about his dissertation study and how it relates to the WebQuest project we will begin on Thursday.

While one of my main goals with the iMovie project was to allow you to see how easily you can create videos for personal and professional use - I really want you to leave this project with an understanding of how teachers and students can use these tools for teaching and learning.

iMovie is a part of the iLife suite of software that comes with all Macintosh computers. There are other programs such as MovieMaker (available on all PCs with Windows XP) that can be used on other computer platforms. We chose to use iMovie for our project because it is easy to learn and your results are quick. Some schools that are primarily PC-based have purchased some Macs to be used for school news shows and other video development needs.

So, how do you use videos for teaching and learning? Watch a winning video entry from the Mabry Middle School Film Festival. See how a group of 5th grade students use video to show what they understand about color and spectra. High school students use video to learn about the history of their community. Early elementary students talk about fractions.

What could be done for your subject area? Brainstorm two different uses for video for your future classroom. Include one example of a teacher-created video and one example of a student-created video. Use the attached form to describe in detail what standards would be addressed, what the video would include, and how it would be used as a part of a lesson. This form is due Thursday, February 23 at the beginning of class.

Need places to go for ideas?
Student-Created Video Workshop
A Teacher's Guide to Making Student Movies
Student-Created Science Lab Video Reports
Did You See That Poem?