Neat Video and More Crystals

http://wimp.com/studentstoday/ <- Amazing Video on college students today. Impressive/Impacting.

Crystal Stocking

"Ruby" Crystals

Blue Crystals

Silver Ornaments

So- this class is way over. Go me for getting an A! But I figured it is almost easier to keep posting the fun links I want to have/use as a teacher than making WAY too big a folder of bookmarks for me to ever handle. Maybe I'll research something else- but I am comfortable with blogging and like how easy it is to search through my blog.

Final thoughts.

I just finished posting my final discussion post- so this class is more or less over for me.

But our professor posted a couple of articles and one got me thinking.

"Who are your students? Don’t weasel out by listing trivial demographic details. Who are your students, really?

What are you students capable of becoming?

How can your students best discover the joy and wonder in the world?

How can your students best express their passion and enthusiasm for their discoveries?

How can your students best help others discover something new about the world?"

I really like technology. I grew up with it. I have a glimpse of a grasp in understanding some of it's uses. But as a teacher - it all comes down to my students. What will be best for them. What will help them learn and understand the world around them.

Personal Project

For my personal project: I used a new tool called glogster.

It is set up as a very user-friendlyl user-face that allows you to make online posters. It was pretty slick. You can add in video, images, hyperlinks, texts, and lots of fun designs. Not badly done.

I want to instill a new life-time habit for my students. I want them to look at the world around them. I want them to make observations. I want them to ask questions. I want them to discover answers for themselves.

How I would use this tool in my ideal future classroom: I would assign a project and have the kids use gloster to present their findings in a different format than just a straight paper or poster.

This project could be reading a non-fiction book about an aspect of science. Or a research assignment looking at the chemistry behind a real-life example. (These are literally ENDLESS!)

I want the kids to pick something that interests them. Whether this is something they have heard on the news. Or an example I have brought up in class. Or something that they have always wondered about. This project can be redone throughout the year, or maybe become an extra credit option-> to deal with the topics we are covering in class.

Here's an example of what a student could turn in:

And two fun things my Dad actually found this week...
What happens when you combine every element on the periodic table?

And What Makes a Great Teacher?

Tips and Fun

Some teaching tips/fun things I've found:

• Grade Contracts
• 10 worst things teachers can do
• Water Tricks! (who knew water was so cool!)
• Ready for Christmas? I think I might do the Borax Crystal Snowflake this weekend!
• Can you say Educational Games!
• Love to color?

Happy Thanksgiving!

• A snazzy video converter
• Google Tool Tutorials
• Easy way to find Creative Commons pictures- no copyright issues
• Great blog on collecting student's work online - no wasting time passing out papers
• Using Enter the Group to work collaboratively
• Online FREE Scientific Calculator awesome if students need calculators at home
• Slightly kidish- but still fun
• Need to cut up YouTube Videos?