Science Daily

Science Daily is a source for latest research news.  There is also a search box where you can enter a keyword or phrase to search the archives for related news topics, the latest news stories, reference articles, science videos, images, and books.  This website is updated several times a day with breaking news.

Prelinger Archives

Several years ago I attended a workshop that was focused on Differentiated Instruction. Several weeks ago my night school instructor reminded me of the same website that I was introduced to from this workshop.  Prelinger Archive is an open directory of videos (including historical), music and other media.
http://archive.org/details/prelinger

For Educators:
Students can create Mash ups of the media from this site.

Using QR Codes in the Classroom

I am always trawling the net to find new and innovative ideas to use in the classroom.  I have known about QR codes for some time now and decided to begin creating a short list on how to use them in the classroom.

For Educators:
 Instead of having students type in a long website, create a QR code to make it easier for them to visit the site.  For example, creating a QR code to the Edcanvas lesson I created for my class. They can view the canvas on a mobile device or an ipad.  

I went on the web to see how others might be using QR codes and I stumbled upon a blogger (Monica Burns) who has other ideas listed as well.
She writes:
How QR codes can make a difference in the classroom

 1. Eliminate the Frustration of Long Web Addresses

Instead of asking students to type in a long web address where they could easily make mistakes, a QR code will take them straight to a website. It's easy to type in USAToday.com, but directing students to a specific article might require them to type in a combination of case sensitive letters and numbers. QR codes are perfect for students of all ages, but especially for children with special needs and those students who are easily frustrated.

2. Take Students Directly to a Designated Website

We all want to avoid using search engines that might bring our students to the wrong website. This direct approach also limits their exposure to similar sites that might not be kid-friendly. You can create a list of QR codes for websites to make Internet research easier for students.

3. Save Time

Instead of waiting for each student to type in a long web address, they can all quickly scan the QR code. You won't have to waste valuable minutes from your lesson because all students will be on task and viewing the correct website in seconds. Try projecting the QR code on the board or printing just one QR code for each table of students to save yourself the time of making extra copies.

4. QR Codes are Easy to Make

Websites like Qurify.com allow you to generate your own QR code for free. Copy and paste a long web address, and they’ll create a code that is unique to that particular website. You can save, print and distribute the QR code to students.

5. Change Up Your Normal Routine

I love to keep things new and exciting for my students. Try creating scavenger hunts that will get your students to visit a variety of websites to gather information on a topic. Get students engaged and moving by placing QR codes in different parts of your classroom or school building.

Webquest

In an earlier post, I had mentioned using Webquests in my classroom.

What is a Webquest?
A webquest is a classroom based inquiry lesson format in which the work is all web based.  View this youtube video that discusses what a Webquest is.  It is a guided inquiry and scaffolded learning structure using WWW .



These are some webquest sites:

/http://www.webquest.org/                 http://questgarden.com/         http://questgarden.com/search/

QR Codes...... What are they?

What is a QR Code?

Quick Response Codes are a type of two-dimensional barcode that can be read using smartphones and dedicated QR reading devices, that link directly to text, emails, websites, phone numbers and more! You may have even got to this site by scanning a QR code! (http://www.whatisaqrcode.co.uk/)

There are many QR Code generators online.  Thanks to M. Addesa for this one particular site.  Click on QR code for the web address.

Publish books using Page Flip Flap

Click on the image and it will take you to the Webquest project that the two girls created using page flip flap.   This Webquest project is discussed two posts below.

As I mentioned in my August, 2011 post, Page flip flap is an online tool to convert work into an online book with page turning effects.  Teachers can use this site to create an e-book of their students' writing for parents and others to view.  

Book Trailer lesson using Edcanvas

The grade 4 students are currently working on the elements of a story. Once they finish reading their novels they will be ready to work on the second part of this unit. (Some students will be using picture books.)  The students will each create a book trailer using movie maker or photostory.  I created a multi-media presentation lesson in order to get them started.  I used Edcanvas to organize my lesson.  I also posted this canvas onto the student blog so that once the students are home, they have a place to refer to while they are working on their Book Trailers.

Ancient Civilization Webquest......lessson and student work

I gave my students the opportunity to learn about their choice of an Ancient Civilization.  So I assigned an independent study unit where they investigated and learned about the civilization of their choice. My students completed a Webquest. Each small group (2-3 students) had a different topic from the next group. I gave each group specific links where they read information, played hands on virtual games, listened to podcasts, viewed short clips and so on. The students were given over a month to complete their unit.  They were given the opportunity to decide on how to present their findings to the class. They could have chosen any method of presentation, such as moviemaker, photostory, brochure, powerpoint, web based timeline, time capsule and scrapbooking.  I  taught the students how to use all these tools prior to this assignment.  I decided to showcase the scrapbooking project.  The following are images from a scrapbook that two of my girls decided to produce for their Ancient China project. 

Garfield Comics

Online comic strips featuring Garfield. http://www.garfield.com/

This link is where you can create your own Garfield comic strip http://www.garfield.com/fungames/comiccreator.html

National Geographic Kids

 A good source for non-fiction text. My students have used the creature feature section. This online site has many things to explore and learn.  http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/