For my project I chose to use Wikispaces in order to track student participation in group projects. I planned for my students to work in a group to create a board game based on the history of Michigan. They would use textbooks in the classroom and the Internet for research on this topic. Group members would be expected to contribute equally to this project. Since I am not teaching a class of mine own currently, I have been just planning the project. Therefore, I am not sure exactly how things would work if they were implemented in the classroom.
There are many things that I have found by researching more and from feedback from others. One thing I did not think about initially was that students would not know how to use a Wiki. So, when I am able to use this in a classroom I will have to first teach a series of lessons to get students familiar with Wikis and comfortable using them. I also would like to let them explore on their own before being graded on their group project.
Another thing I would change is that I would assign roles to the students. I think that students at the grade level I have chosen to create this for (4th grade) will have a hard time breaking up the roles themselves. So, the first thing that would be due would be the rules of the game and how to play. I would require each student in the group to come up with an equal number of steps to contribute. The next part that would be due are the questions that are asked in the game. This is the bulk of the project where they much research the history of Michigan and make up questions based on their research. I would like each student to come up with at least ten questions that they contribute to their groups questions. The next part that would be due are the materials required to play the game. This is a much smaller part of the project that again I would like each member to contribute about the same. The last part of the project would be due is the final product. This is the actual game board that is designed together. One person would be in charge of creating the game board, another would have to put all the rules and materials together to make the instruction booklet or flyer, and another would have to make question cards from the questions their group game up with.
Along with the different parts of the project that are due I also want them to be giving feedback to their peers. The problem here is that I do not necessarily want students to see other groups projects and take their ideas. So, I am thinking that once a group has completed the part of the project they will have one other group that they will be giving feedback to. I would require each student to make one comment on the others' Wiki telling them things they are doing well and what they can improve on. I would only allow the group whose project it is to edit the page and the others will just be able to view. I will have them leave comments after each part of the project. Lastly, I want to make sure the students understand what quality feedback is and what I expect from them. So, before the first set of comments they leave I will have a quick lesson showing quality feedback and not quality feedback. I may have to do this before each time they have to comment. If I do not do this I could see students being lazy with their comments, so I want to prevent this from happening.
I think this project could be very successful with the changes I have made. Other changes may have to be made based on the students or because of problems I did not predict. I also think students will be engaged and excited about this project because it combines working in a group, technology, and games all into one project. These are all things, in my experience, that students really enjoy and respond well to. I am very excited to try this out in my future classroom!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Mobile Learning Lab
There are so many great ways to use mobile technology in the classroom! I explored several of these tools and have found many ways to incorporate them into my teaching.
First, I explored the use of cell phones in the classroom. I have always thought this would be a great way to engage students, but I also can see how it could become a problem. It would be hard to monitor students to make sure they are not texting, going on social networking sites, or other off-task sites. After creating a poll with Poll Everywhere, I think this would be a great way to use cell phones in the classroom. It was very easy to set up a poll and the results came right to my computer.
The next tool I explored was the use of iPads and iPods in the classroom. There are so many great apps available out there to use that can be used on both the iPad and the iPod. One app I found to use in math is the ArithmeTick-Math Flash Cards. This is an app that times you as you complete math problems. For students who are still struggling with their basic math facts this would be a great app to use, as well as other students who need a little practice. I read the article about using MP3 players in the classroom and found some great ideas. One idea that stuck out to me was recording listening activities for students to complete in a center. By including a listening passage, comprehension questions, clarifications, and other things students can be working on their own and I would be free to work with another group of students.
The last thing I explored was using e-book readers in the classroom. I have a Kindle and love it! There are so many ways you can use these in the classroom. You can download text and they are able to store hundreds of e-books, newspapers, and magazines. You are able to enlarge text very easily and you are able to highlight text that is important. I would love to use these in my classroom, but like other mobile learning devices they can be costly.
I would love to use all of these mobile learning devices in my future classroom! Although there are many benefits, there could also be some challenges. The cost and availability of these tools could be the main issue. Like I said before it also could be difficult to make sure students are using them in the correct way and not becoming off-task.
First, I explored the use of cell phones in the classroom. I have always thought this would be a great way to engage students, but I also can see how it could become a problem. It would be hard to monitor students to make sure they are not texting, going on social networking sites, or other off-task sites. After creating a poll with Poll Everywhere, I think this would be a great way to use cell phones in the classroom. It was very easy to set up a poll and the results came right to my computer.
The next tool I explored was the use of iPads and iPods in the classroom. There are so many great apps available out there to use that can be used on both the iPad and the iPod. One app I found to use in math is the ArithmeTick-Math Flash Cards. This is an app that times you as you complete math problems. For students who are still struggling with their basic math facts this would be a great app to use, as well as other students who need a little practice. I read the article about using MP3 players in the classroom and found some great ideas. One idea that stuck out to me was recording listening activities for students to complete in a center. By including a listening passage, comprehension questions, clarifications, and other things students can be working on their own and I would be free to work with another group of students.
The last thing I explored was using e-book readers in the classroom. I have a Kindle and love it! There are so many ways you can use these in the classroom. You can download text and they are able to store hundreds of e-books, newspapers, and magazines. You are able to enlarge text very easily and you are able to highlight text that is important. I would love to use these in my classroom, but like other mobile learning devices they can be costly.
I would love to use all of these mobile learning devices in my future classroom! Although there are many benefits, there could also be some challenges. The cost and availability of these tools could be the main issue. Like I said before it also could be difficult to make sure students are using them in the correct way and not becoming off-task.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
PART B - Storyboard and Script
We chose to use google presentations to create our storyboard.
Here is the link: Prezi Storyboard
We each took a section of the Prezi to teach. I focused on the slide and script for teaching "how to invite others to view." We have chosen to use Adobe connect to record our presentation and will each be presenting our section.
1.How to get started with Prezi (Lisa)
The following script will be said as one of our group members are demonstrating the process to create a Prezi. We will demonstrate with step by step directions why Prezi is a unique presentation tool. We will be using Adobe Connect for our presentation. The presentation we will create on Prezi will be a variety of technology tools to enhance learning.
Script:
Our group decided to teach others about Prezi, a free cloud-based presentation application. Prezi is not like traditional PowerPoint or Google Presentation. What makes Prezi unique is that it uses a canvas. Information is placed on the canvas and grouped in frames. Information is zoomed in on to get a different perspective and look than traditional presentation applications. Framing on a Prezi will be discussed in more detail later in the presentation.
First, you need to sign up for this free presentation application. Once you sign up and get an account, you can create your own Prezi. To do so you first click New Prezi. You will now have to title your Prezi and you may write a description of your new presentation if you wish. Once you write your title and description click New Prezi. This will bring you to a template page. Choose the template that you wish to use. You can use a blank template or one that is already created. Now it is time to be creative! Click anywhere on the template to type information in. If you look to the left of your screen, you have a large circle with small circles surrounding it. The four categories are Insert, Frame, Path, and Colors. Click one of the smaller circles to get more specific functions related to that category. For instance, if you click Insert you can now insert a shapes, files, images, YouTube videos, and/or particular drawings.
Transition: Now that you learned the basics you are ready to move, rotate,scale, and zoom in on pictures and text.
2. How to move, rotate, scale, and zoom (Steve)
Movement of pictures and text in the Prezi program is a very intuitive action. Those of you who have used any touch screen devices will feel right at home. To move a picture or text box just click on the object you want moved and drag your mouse. The object will move with your cursor. When you reach the desired location for your object, let go of your cursor.
Now that you are able to move items let’s discuss how to change their appearance. First click on the picture that you desire to change. You will see a circular graphic pop up over the picture. This circular graphic contains the tools you will need to rotate, scale, and zoom your picture. First to rotate your picture click, and hold, on the border circumference of the circle. On the outside of the circle you will see an arrow indicating you now able to rotate the picture. To rotate the picture just drag your mouse the direction you would like to rotate the picture, release the mouse click and and your picture will be in its new rotational position.
To scale your picture, which will change what the viewer sees of your image, again click the picture bringing up the circular graphic. In the lower right corner of the circle is a pencil. If you click the pencil, a rectangular bracket will appear on your picture. To change the dimensions of the picture click and grab the corners of the brackets to the desire position. When you are satisfied with the dimensions of the picture let go of your click and the new looking picture will be saved.
The last editing tool we will discuss is the ability to zoom in and out on your pictures. Again, to begin, you will click on your picture. This will bring up the circular editing graphic. To zoom in on your picture click the plus button in the interior of the circle. To zoom in further on your picture continue to click the plus button until the picture is at your desired size. To zoom out on your picture, repeat the previous process using the minus button.
Now that you have learned how to edit your pictures and text boxes, you are ready to learn how to create paths and frames in your presentations.
3. How to create a path and frame
Linnea:
When putting words and pictures into your prezi, frames are an excellent way to group them according to a theme, topic, or purpose. To choose a frame, go to the guide and click the frame circle. A frame can be a square, a bracket, or a circle frame. It does just that, “frames” your presentation. They can serve the purpose of framing, or to create an additional visual aspect. I would recommend either mixing up your frames or using the same shape for consistency. These then also make choosing your path much easier and add an element to choose as a stop on your path.
This is where your prezi really comes to life. The path is how your presentation will flow as you go from step to step. The most important part is to decide where you want emphasis and the importance to be during your presentation. You can use the path to add emphasis as you zoom in and out. The path decides how much is shown in each view which you click through, each click changes a step on the path. First, decide where your prezi will start, mostly likely at title and author or introduction. Using the path, you can show further out and zoom in to show more detail. For example, the first part of the path may be the whole view of the title and author, then zoom in on the second step of the path to just the author or a picture. Be creative! Using the path you can allow yourself more time transitioning by setting the path on arrows between, and you can also have the path continue to zoom in/out or rotate as you go to make it more visually stimulating. However, you have to be cautious that you do not get carried away, too many path turns may make your audience dizzy. You can set a step of the path on any object in your prezi, this may be a picture, a word, a frame, an arrow, etc. Then you can zoom in or out depending on emphasis. Be careful when you zoom out, that other pictures or words don’t come into the view and distract the audience.
Here is the link: Prezi Storyboard
We each took a section of the Prezi to teach. I focused on the slide and script for teaching "how to invite others to view." We have chosen to use Adobe connect to record our presentation and will each be presenting our section.
Here is our script:
The following script will be said as one of our group members are demonstrating the process to create a Prezi. We will demonstrate with step by step directions why Prezi is a unique presentation tool. We will be using Adobe Connect for our presentation. The presentation we will create on Prezi will be a variety of technology tools to enhance learning.
Script:
Our group decided to teach others about Prezi, a free cloud-based presentation application. Prezi is not like traditional PowerPoint or Google Presentation. What makes Prezi unique is that it uses a canvas. Information is placed on the canvas and grouped in frames. Information is zoomed in on to get a different perspective and look than traditional presentation applications. Framing on a Prezi will be discussed in more detail later in the presentation.
First, you need to sign up for this free presentation application. Once you sign up and get an account, you can create your own Prezi. To do so you first click New Prezi. You will now have to title your Prezi and you may write a description of your new presentation if you wish. Once you write your title and description click New Prezi. This will bring you to a template page. Choose the template that you wish to use. You can use a blank template or one that is already created. Now it is time to be creative! Click anywhere on the template to type information in. If you look to the left of your screen, you have a large circle with small circles surrounding it. The four categories are Insert, Frame, Path, and Colors. Click one of the smaller circles to get more specific functions related to that category. For instance, if you click Insert you can now insert a shapes, files, images, YouTube videos, and/or particular drawings.
Transition: Now that you learned the basics you are ready to move, rotate,scale, and zoom in on pictures and text.
2. How to move, rotate, scale, and zoom (Steve)
Movement of pictures and text in the Prezi program is a very intuitive action. Those of you who have used any touch screen devices will feel right at home. To move a picture or text box just click on the object you want moved and drag your mouse. The object will move with your cursor. When you reach the desired location for your object, let go of your cursor.
Now that you are able to move items let’s discuss how to change their appearance. First click on the picture that you desire to change. You will see a circular graphic pop up over the picture. This circular graphic contains the tools you will need to rotate, scale, and zoom your picture. First to rotate your picture click, and hold, on the border circumference of the circle. On the outside of the circle you will see an arrow indicating you now able to rotate the picture. To rotate the picture just drag your mouse the direction you would like to rotate the picture, release the mouse click and and your picture will be in its new rotational position.
To scale your picture, which will change what the viewer sees of your image, again click the picture bringing up the circular graphic. In the lower right corner of the circle is a pencil. If you click the pencil, a rectangular bracket will appear on your picture. To change the dimensions of the picture click and grab the corners of the brackets to the desire position. When you are satisfied with the dimensions of the picture let go of your click and the new looking picture will be saved.
The last editing tool we will discuss is the ability to zoom in and out on your pictures. Again, to begin, you will click on your picture. This will bring up the circular editing graphic. To zoom in on your picture click the plus button in the interior of the circle. To zoom in further on your picture continue to click the plus button until the picture is at your desired size. To zoom out on your picture, repeat the previous process using the minus button.
Now that you have learned how to edit your pictures and text boxes, you are ready to learn how to create paths and frames in your presentations.
3. How to create a path and frame
Linnea:
When putting words and pictures into your prezi, frames are an excellent way to group them according to a theme, topic, or purpose. To choose a frame, go to the guide and click the frame circle. A frame can be a square, a bracket, or a circle frame. It does just that, “frames” your presentation. They can serve the purpose of framing, or to create an additional visual aspect. I would recommend either mixing up your frames or using the same shape for consistency. These then also make choosing your path much easier and add an element to choose as a stop on your path.
This is where your prezi really comes to life. The path is how your presentation will flow as you go from step to step. The most important part is to decide where you want emphasis and the importance to be during your presentation. You can use the path to add emphasis as you zoom in and out. The path decides how much is shown in each view which you click through, each click changes a step on the path. First, decide where your prezi will start, mostly likely at title and author or introduction. Using the path, you can show further out and zoom in to show more detail. For example, the first part of the path may be the whole view of the title and author, then zoom in on the second step of the path to just the author or a picture. Be creative! Using the path you can allow yourself more time transitioning by setting the path on arrows between, and you can also have the path continue to zoom in/out or rotate as you go to make it more visually stimulating. However, you have to be cautious that you do not get carried away, too many path turns may make your audience dizzy. You can set a step of the path on any object in your prezi, this may be a picture, a word, a frame, an arrow, etc. Then you can zoom in or out depending on emphasis. Be careful when you zoom out, that other pictures or words don’t come into the view and distract the audience.
Once you have set your path, you can always change it by dragging that number to another object. However, you can’t have more than one number per object; that’s how frames and separating text can help. Using the path view, shows each path step at the bottom of your screen. Make sure the flow makes sense. There’s no limit to how many steps you can have in your path. Your path is really what makes the prezi because no matter how great your text or images, if your audience is not following, then it does not help.
4. How to invite others to view (Amanda)
Once you have created your Prezi you are able to share it with others. First, you want to change the privacy settings. You can do this by clicking on my Prezi. Then, click on the arrow that says Allow Copy. Here you will have the option of making your Prezi public and allow copy, public, or private. If you choose public and allow copy, others will be able to save an editable copy of your Prezi. This is the easiest way to share templates, assets, animations, and sound effects you have used in your Prezi. The great thing about it is that your original Prezi will always remain untouched, only the copies are modified. The second option is to make your Prezi public. This allows your Prezi to be viewed by anyone who is searching for it. The last option is private, which can only be accessed by the owner, co-editors, and invited viewers.
To publish your Prezi all you have to do is go to prezi.com/my and check the box marked Publish. On the Share tab, you can invite others to view or edit your Prezi. This is also where you can obtain an embed code to add the Prezi to your blog or website. So, to invite someone to view your Prezi click on Share and then the Viewing tab. Then, you can choose to share through email, facebook, or twitter. All you have to do is click on the icon you want at the bottom of the window. If you would like to allow someone to edit your Prezi, click on Share and then click on the Editing tab. Then again you can choose to share through email, facebook, or twitter using the icons at the bottom of the window. If you would like the embed code to share your Prezi on your blog, click on Share again, and at the bottom you should click on Embed. This will give you the code you need.
Another option you have once you have created your Prezi is to download it as a portable Prezi. A portable Prezi is an exported or downloaded version of your Prezi presentation. These can be viewed without Internet access and without a Prezi account. If you want to do this, you click on your Prezi and select Download from the options bar, choose to Export to Portable Prezi and click download. You will be prompted to click to download your file. You will receive a zip file. Save this and then upzip it and start Prezi.exe (PC) or the Prezi file (Mac) to load your portable Prezi. Now you can present without an Internet connection, burn your Prezi on a CD or DVD, and distribute your Prezi.
4. How to invite others to view (Amanda)
Once you have created your Prezi you are able to share it with others. First, you want to change the privacy settings. You can do this by clicking on my Prezi. Then, click on the arrow that says Allow Copy. Here you will have the option of making your Prezi public and allow copy, public, or private. If you choose public and allow copy, others will be able to save an editable copy of your Prezi. This is the easiest way to share templates, assets, animations, and sound effects you have used in your Prezi. The great thing about it is that your original Prezi will always remain untouched, only the copies are modified. The second option is to make your Prezi public. This allows your Prezi to be viewed by anyone who is searching for it. The last option is private, which can only be accessed by the owner, co-editors, and invited viewers.
To publish your Prezi all you have to do is go to prezi.com/my and check the box marked Publish. On the Share tab, you can invite others to view or edit your Prezi. This is also where you can obtain an embed code to add the Prezi to your blog or website. So, to invite someone to view your Prezi click on Share and then the Viewing tab. Then, you can choose to share through email, facebook, or twitter. All you have to do is click on the icon you want at the bottom of the window. If you would like to allow someone to edit your Prezi, click on Share and then click on the Editing tab. Then again you can choose to share through email, facebook, or twitter using the icons at the bottom of the window. If you would like the embed code to share your Prezi on your blog, click on Share again, and at the bottom you should click on Embed. This will give you the code you need.
Another option you have once you have created your Prezi is to download it as a portable Prezi. A portable Prezi is an exported or downloaded version of your Prezi presentation. These can be viewed without Internet access and without a Prezi account. If you want to do this, you click on your Prezi and select Download from the options bar, choose to Export to Portable Prezi and click download. You will be prompted to click to download your file. You will receive a zip file. Save this and then upzip it and start Prezi.exe (PC) or the Prezi file (Mac) to load your portable Prezi. Now you can present without an Internet connection, burn your Prezi on a CD or DVD, and distribute your Prezi.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Part B - Application of TPACK
The next part of the Wicked Problem Project is to evaluate my idea using TPACK. My project is addressing the issue of all group members contributing equal parts to a project. Students will be working with a group to create a board game based on the history of Michigan.
What is the TP knowledge for the solution? (i.e., how does the technology you have chosen support the teaching strategies and methods you have chosen?)
I chose to use Wikispaces as a place for my students to work as a group, so that I can clearly see who is contributing what to the project. By using Wikispaces and giving due dates for specific parts of the project, I will be able to give feedback and allow groups to improve their project as they go. Also, by having students use Wikispaces to create their project they will be more engaged. This is because students enjoy working in groups and by allowing them to use a technology to do this it will increase their engagement even more.
What is the TC knowledge for the solution? (i.e., how specifically does this technology make the content in your problem more intellectually accessible? Be sure to think about representation.)
Often times technology is just added on and does nothing to enhance the content of the lesson. My goal is to use Wikispaces to enhance the content of my lesson on Michigan history. By using Wikispaces to create the parts of their project my students will have the opportunity to work together and I will be able to see how they are working as a group. They also will be able to give feedback to their peers and make adjustments to their project based on feedback they receive. By using an Internet tool to create their project, students will be able to work at school and at home. This will give students the time they need in order to create their part of the project. The students will need to research the history of Michigan in order to create the questions for their project, which I will allow them to use textbooks and resources in the classroom as well as the Internet. By using the Internet to research the information and then put it onto their group's Wikipage, students will get to learn the information in a new way. After using the technology to plan the parts of the game in one spot, it will be easy to see how it will all come together in the final board game project.
What is the PC knowledge for the solution? (i.e., how specifically do your pedagogical choices make the content in your problem more intellectually accessible?) Be sure to think about how the student will experience the content given these instructional strategies.
By having my students work in groups using Wikispaces the content will be more accessible to them because they will learn from each other. It also makes students take responsibility for their part of the project. Often when students work in a group they do not contribute equal parts to the project. So by telling students up front that I will be checking to see that they all have contributed equal parts, will help them to succeed. This will get them used to working together as well as hold them responsible for their part. By using these pedagogical strategies the content in my problem will be more intellectually accessible.
What is the TP knowledge for the solution? (i.e., how does the technology you have chosen support the teaching strategies and methods you have chosen?)
I chose to use Wikispaces as a place for my students to work as a group, so that I can clearly see who is contributing what to the project. By using Wikispaces and giving due dates for specific parts of the project, I will be able to give feedback and allow groups to improve their project as they go. Also, by having students use Wikispaces to create their project they will be more engaged. This is because students enjoy working in groups and by allowing them to use a technology to do this it will increase their engagement even more.
What is the TC knowledge for the solution? (i.e., how specifically does this technology make the content in your problem more intellectually accessible? Be sure to think about representation.)
Often times technology is just added on and does nothing to enhance the content of the lesson. My goal is to use Wikispaces to enhance the content of my lesson on Michigan history. By using Wikispaces to create the parts of their project my students will have the opportunity to work together and I will be able to see how they are working as a group. They also will be able to give feedback to their peers and make adjustments to their project based on feedback they receive. By using an Internet tool to create their project, students will be able to work at school and at home. This will give students the time they need in order to create their part of the project. The students will need to research the history of Michigan in order to create the questions for their project, which I will allow them to use textbooks and resources in the classroom as well as the Internet. By using the Internet to research the information and then put it onto their group's Wikipage, students will get to learn the information in a new way. After using the technology to plan the parts of the game in one spot, it will be easy to see how it will all come together in the final board game project.
What is the PC knowledge for the solution? (i.e., how specifically do your pedagogical choices make the content in your problem more intellectually accessible?) Be sure to think about how the student will experience the content given these instructional strategies.
By having my students work in groups using Wikispaces the content will be more accessible to them because they will learn from each other. It also makes students take responsibility for their part of the project. Often when students work in a group they do not contribute equal parts to the project. So by telling students up front that I will be checking to see that they all have contributed equal parts, will help them to succeed. This will get them used to working together as well as hold them responsible for their part. By using these pedagogical strategies the content in my problem will be more intellectually accessible.
Friday, February 10, 2012
PART A - BRAINSTORM SESSION
My group chose to use Adobe Connect for our web conferencing tool. The advantages of using this tool was that it was very easy to use and had an unlimited time limit to record. It is also much easier to have a discussion through web conferencing then on a discussion board, google doc, or even trying to set up a time to meet in person. We had no trouble coming up with a time where would could all be present in the conference. The disadvantages to using this tool is that before we could use Adobe Connect we had to get it set up by our instructor in order to have hosting rights. There also were some times that more than one person was talking at once, so the sound is not as clear. Even with these disadvantages, I think Adobe Connect was the best choice for our group to use as a web conferencing tool.
Here is the link to our recorded web conference:
http://connect.msu.edu/p1tktsq8ij4/
http://connect.msu.edu/p1tktsq8ij4/
Sunday, February 5, 2012
PART A - Description of Need or Opportunity
The educational need I have chosen to address is group projects. A lot of times when students are given a group project to work on, most of the work falls on one person or a few. This has happened to me in the past and it is not fair! By using Wikispaces, I will be able to see which students are contributing to the project and what they have contributed. Also, by using Wikispaces it will be easy for students and myself to make comments to help improve the project.
Another benefit of using Wikispaces is that it is on the Internet. This gives me the option of allowing students to work on it at school as well as at home. At the school I am currently working at, we have both a computer lab and laptop carts that I would be able to check out for my class to use.
The objective of this project will be to design a board game based on the history of Michigan. I am planning this project for a fourth grade class because that is when they study the history of Michigan, although it can be adapted to another grade level with a different topic. I want my students to use the wiki page to design the parts of the game. I will have assignments throughout the project that are due at designated times. These assignments will be the different parts of the project like the questions, rules, and materials. They will get feedback from me and their peers and will be able to improve the parts for the final product. I will be assessing the students based on what they contribute to the wiki page and then the final product, which is the actual board game.
Since I am not currently teaching my own class, I am putting together my plan to use in my future classroom. I may need to make changes to my plan based on the technologies I have available, when I have my own classroom.
Here are some sites I found useful information on wikispaces:
http://www.slideshare.net/kihitara/wikispaces-in-the-classroom-presentation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjHJXAODbH4
http://mrsroncone.wikispaces.com/Ways+to+use+a+wiki+in+your+classroom
Another benefit of using Wikispaces is that it is on the Internet. This gives me the option of allowing students to work on it at school as well as at home. At the school I am currently working at, we have both a computer lab and laptop carts that I would be able to check out for my class to use.
The objective of this project will be to design a board game based on the history of Michigan. I am planning this project for a fourth grade class because that is when they study the history of Michigan, although it can be adapted to another grade level with a different topic. I want my students to use the wiki page to design the parts of the game. I will have assignments throughout the project that are due at designated times. These assignments will be the different parts of the project like the questions, rules, and materials. They will get feedback from me and their peers and will be able to improve the parts for the final product. I will be assessing the students based on what they contribute to the wiki page and then the final product, which is the actual board game.
Since I am not currently teaching my own class, I am putting together my plan to use in my future classroom. I may need to make changes to my plan based on the technologies I have available, when I have my own classroom.
Here are some sites I found useful information on wikispaces:
http://www.slideshare.net/kihitara/wikispaces-in-the-classroom-presentation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjHJXAODbH4
http://mrsroncone.wikispaces.com/Ways+to+use+a+wiki+in+your+classroom
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