Lab 20: Using Blogs as a Classroom Tool

Description: What is blogging? Why should I learn how to blog? What’s all the fuss about anyway? A blog, short for web-log, is an online journal. The main difference between a blog and a personal diary is that blogs are usually public and can cover topics as diverse as “war zones of the world” and “what I ate for breakfast today.”

Blogging is an easy, and usually FREE, way to share your thoughts, feelings and, yes, even your knowledge. It’s almost like having your own online class except that it’s open to anyone you choose to let in (that is, of course, if they have a computer and Internet access)! As a teacher you can use this as a resource for class discussion or as a tool for collecting other online resources. Blogs can be used to give homework assignments, to gather online readings, or to provide journal questions.

Reading: Integrating Technology for Meaningful Learning, pp. 181 – 199; 314 – 361
Applications/Equipment Used: Windows OS, Web Browser, Blogging Software
Lessons: How To Blog Using Blogger Software

Links:

Understanding and Using Blogs
Beginner's Guide to Blogs
Blog
Legal Guide for Bloggers
Evaluation of Blogs

Tools for Searching Blogs
Google Blog Search
Yahoo Blog Search
Blogger Blog Search

Resources for Creating Web Logs or Blogs
Blogger
Live Journal
Technorati
CreateBlog

Lab Procedure:

1. Complete the tutorial for Blogger.com.

2. Using Blogger.com (or any other free blogging software), create a blog.

3. Your blog must fulfill the following requirements:

• 3.1. Be created for a specific (imaginary) class or lesson plan.
• 3.2. Include at least one web link that your students will use to complete an activity.
• 3.3. Include at least one photo or graphic that will enhance your students’ understanding of the topic.
• 3.4. Include at least one sidebar web link to additional resources or information related to the topic.
• 3.5. Include an activity or question that your students can answer by using the “Comments” function.

4. Make sure that you save and publish your blog. (You can delete it after I review it!)

5. Copy the URL of your blog into the body of an email and send to my email address. The subject line of the email should give your name and the lab number. EX: AC 230 Frank Jones Lab 07.

Congratulations! You have just completed the final lab for AC230.

Lab 19: Basics of SMART Board

Description: What is a SMART Board? It is an interactive whiteboard that is connected to a computer and a data projector. Once the computer image is projected on the board, the SMART Board can be used as a computer. By just using your finger you can control the computer. People choose the SMART Board interactive whiteboard because it helps energize presentations and motivate learners. The first interactive whiteboard was made in 1991.

Combining the simplicity of a whiteboard with the power of a computer, the SMART Board interactive whiteboard engages students and audiences around the world.The touch-sensitive display connects to your computer and digital projector to show your computer image. You can then control computer applications directly from the display, write notes in digital ink and save your work to share later. Best of all, the full-featured SMART Board interactive whiteboard is incredibly easy to use. If you can use a computer, you can use a SMART Board interactive whiteboard.

Reading: Integrating Technology for Meaningful Learning, Chapter 4: 118 – 169
Applications/Equipment Used: Windows OS; Digital Projector; SMART Board; SMART Board software; Web Browser; Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Links:
SMART Technologies Inc.- both the industry pioneer and market leader in versatile, intuitive group collaboration tools, including interactive whiteboards, whiteboard capture systems and software. Headquartered in Canada.
See Training Center for various tutorials and demonstration videos.
Engaging Learners the SMART Board way - contains sample SMART Board lessons.
SMART Board Lesson Ideas - lessons from Wacona Elementary.
SMART Board Ideas - contains several excellent sites explaining the SMART Board and many interactive sites that are great for students to use on the SMART Board. These Internet sites can also be enjoyed and used on any computer in school or at home even if you don't use a SMART Board.

Lab Procedure:

1. You will create a sample lesson plan of how you will use SMART Board to make your teaching more effective and attractive. Your lesson plan must include the following elements:

• Specify the grade level and the lesson topic.
• Describe the lesson objective.
• Explain how you plan to teach towards the objective.
• Describe in detail how you will use SMART Board to assist your teaching towards your lesson objective.
• Briefly indicate how you will assess the teaching effectiveness of this lesson.

2. Save your lesson as a word file with name jones_lab19.doc, with your name and the lab number at the top of the document.

3. Send your word document to my AC230 Digital Dropbox on York’s Blackboard. The subject line should give your name and the lab number (Frank Jones Lab 19).