I found this educational website, which involves solar system scales. It is one that isn't too flashy, doesn't have much to catch the eye, but does do what it should. Simply type in the diameter of the sun you'd like to have and then it calculates the sizes for the other solar system objects and their distances. If you don't have any idea of what size you'd like to start with, just guess and see if your choice is feasible. I'll most likely make use of this to alter my outdoor SS scale that I do. I start the students making scale planets with the earth having a 10cm radius and Jupiter having a 140cm(roughly) radius. This works pretty well, but my outdoor scale, to demonstrate the vast distances of space is a little lacking. We get through the inner planets and our moon OK but run out of room around Saturn. This site could be helpful.
It's definitely designed for a purpose or to meet a need. There's nothing fancy but it works. I guess that makes it qualify as a good web site. I think my 8th graders could also figure out how to use it, although most wouldn't fully grasp the output.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Educational Web Pages
I'm currently working my way through a site that has numerous pages listed by popularity. They are educational in nature and varied. Right now I'm doing a cursory overview and will narrow my search soon. I am surprised with some things, good and bad, and look at things a little differently after reading the second article for ICII. Just a couple of ideas can change everything! The current page is Sites for Teachers. I expect that at least one good/bad site will come from this database. For now, I'll continue to wade my way through to something I can use.
Student Interest
Student attention can get tough during the spring in NW PA. As we near the end of the year (49 more school days left), students can get lazy. If their grades are high enough, mathematically, they can shut down and drift through the remainder of the year. The fortunate part of my demanded curriculum change is that I'll be finishing the year out with space, followed by glaciation. Today, I read the students a news story about a Russian satellite falling to earth in a streaming ball of fire, "nearly" coming in contact with a jetliner. The discussion that ensued dragged the classes through the number of bits of "space junk" orbiting over their heads to the Taco Bell target for MIR space station. (for those not familiar, the MIR space station was the first Russian, long term habitation in space and set MANY records. It also brought the idea of living in space far into the future. When its usable life was over, it was abandoned and purposely set into a meteoric path with the earth. Taco Bell, seeing a great possibility for advertising, placed a huge bull's eye in the ocean near where MIR was supposed to land. Even those not interested in space were interested in whether or not the target would be hit. You see, if MIR hit the target, every human being on the face of the earth would receive a free taco.) The reentry of the space station was mundane and went pretty much as planned, missing the TB target. Talk about cheap publicity though!
Thinking of the number of things orbiting over your head can be scary and set you to thinking about what might be the next object to return to earth, but it makes for a good short writing exercise! So does the idea that the area where my students are currently living was once covered by a couple thousand feet of ice, and the house sized rocks that they see littering the landscape were once sitting happily in the Canadian countryside long before humans could have been held responsible for the warming of our planet. The earth is still rebounding from the tremendous heft of the ice sheets. Students can see the impacts of the ice and identify with what they see. It too is a good way to end the school year. I hope to keep the students engaged right up until the last day, learning about their world and preparing them for anything that they choose to do in the future. I believe that science, and the skills they learn will help them in any subject area they choose.
Thinking of the number of things orbiting over your head can be scary and set you to thinking about what might be the next object to return to earth, but it makes for a good short writing exercise! So does the idea that the area where my students are currently living was once covered by a couple thousand feet of ice, and the house sized rocks that they see littering the landscape were once sitting happily in the Canadian countryside long before humans could have been held responsible for the warming of our planet. The earth is still rebounding from the tremendous heft of the ice sheets. Students can see the impacts of the ice and identify with what they see. It too is a good way to end the school year. I hope to keep the students engaged right up until the last day, learning about their world and preparing them for anything that they choose to do in the future. I believe that science, and the skills they learn will help them in any subject area they choose.
A good email
I received and email today that really made me think about how much I could do with computers in the classroom. It comes from a relatively local university and utilizes a Phoenix college. The idea is to get students involved in the MER(Mars Exploration Rovers) projects through NASA. These have survived 6 times as long as expected. I was quite interested in the idea, until I researched a bit(on their cite) and found that they were looking for high school students. My 8th graders would most likely be out of their league here, both mentally and computer skill wise). Even if I could get a couple of students that were interested and ahead of their grade, the next problem was the proximity to the "mentors", which would have to be visited twice each month. In my locale, it is a 40 minute drive one way just to get a network card...the universities listed would be on the order of vacation time! While there are solutions to this issue, the final straw that broke the proverbial camel's back was the requirement of having the school's tech department being cooperative and available to help sort out issues. Currently, I'm willing to fight through what I have to, but am entirely fed up with attempting to get any sort of help from my tech guy.
If you or someone you know is near a major university(listed on the web page) and have a good tech department, check out Phoenix Mars Mission to see what is offered. The requirements aren't that bad and really seem intended to bring the word of what the MERs are doing to the general public. It would also be a great PR exercise! If you have a couple of space oriented students that are well spoken and willing to commit some time to research and discussions, this just might be the place for you. I am and sadly, unable to utilize such a program.
I have used the MER animations to instigate discussions with my students and to get debates started about the money spent on these indulgences. Students do a very good job of discussing the benefits and consequences of such quests. Even as young people, most seem to see at least some benefit to exploring the solar system and the worlds beyond. Many are interested in visiting other planets or moons tehmselves. The spirit of adventure lives on......even though so many will spend their evening in front of MySpace trying to make themselves look cool, or tough or important and competing to see who can get the most "friends". At least there is hope that some will continue to question the established truths and work to forge the future. Where would we be if Galileo hadn't pointed his newfound telescope to the heavens and noted that there were moons orbiting Jupiter, which supported a Copernican(and heretical) view of the solar system supporting the heliocentric view. Where would we be without free thinkers, suffering from constraints of one establishment or another, who supported unpopular views that had scientific study behind them? Being involved with this program would benefit students and bring their education to a point of realism unmatched in regular classes. Take the time to send the link to someone that may benefit if you cannot. Thanks
If you or someone you know is near a major university(listed on the web page) and have a good tech department, check out Phoenix Mars Mission to see what is offered. The requirements aren't that bad and really seem intended to bring the word of what the MERs are doing to the general public. It would also be a great PR exercise! If you have a couple of space oriented students that are well spoken and willing to commit some time to research and discussions, this just might be the place for you. I am and sadly, unable to utilize such a program.
I have used the MER animations to instigate discussions with my students and to get debates started about the money spent on these indulgences. Students do a very good job of discussing the benefits and consequences of such quests. Even as young people, most seem to see at least some benefit to exploring the solar system and the worlds beyond. Many are interested in visiting other planets or moons tehmselves. The spirit of adventure lives on......even though so many will spend their evening in front of MySpace trying to make themselves look cool, or tough or important and competing to see who can get the most "friends". At least there is hope that some will continue to question the established truths and work to forge the future. Where would we be if Galileo hadn't pointed his newfound telescope to the heavens and noted that there were moons orbiting Jupiter, which supported a Copernican(and heretical) view of the solar system supporting the heliocentric view. Where would we be without free thinkers, suffering from constraints of one establishment or another, who supported unpopular views that had scientific study behind them? Being involved with this program would benefit students and bring their education to a point of realism unmatched in regular classes. Take the time to send the link to someone that may benefit if you cannot. Thanks
Monday, March 26, 2007
Dropout Rates
I was reading the post regarding the decrease in funding for certain programs in the blog from Instructional Computing II, just after I read an article on "The High Cost of High School Dropouts" in the NEA's magazine. This 'President's Viewpoint' shows that he feels the dropout rates will threaten the nation's future and mentions a 12 step process to reduce these rates. In this article, Reg Weaver compares the dropout crisis to the 9/11 attacks as a threat to our democracy. No mention of funding, but racial demographics and dropout rates were cited. More stuff that is without a funding base?
Having a student in school that doesn't want to be there is rough at any age, but the older they get the harder it is. Keeping the student engaged is key. Keeping a non-college bound student interested in the education is tough, but Mr. Weaver states that the NEA will call for more emphasis on vocational and technical training, both of which require more funding or more business partnering. Is this the answer? I don't know, but I'll have to wait and see how the funding and organization stack up.
Having a student in school that doesn't want to be there is rough at any age, but the older they get the harder it is. Keeping the student engaged is key. Keeping a non-college bound student interested in the education is tough, but Mr. Weaver states that the NEA will call for more emphasis on vocational and technical training, both of which require more funding or more business partnering. Is this the answer? I don't know, but I'll have to wait and see how the funding and organization stack up.
Podcasts
I just started to read about the idea of podcasts in schools. I received an offer from a company offering a $40 starter kit. This is an idea that I have heard of but never explored. I started my search on Google and found Wikipedia's information useful, to better understand what they are(lots of technical stuff). The first page I visited was Podcasts Increasing in Popularity, which suggested that individuals would increasingly make use of this technology and students would benefit as well. But had yet to find what I was really looking for. I was looking for a "How to..." or a program that would show me what the uses were and what pitfalls there were. When I looked further I found that podcasts appear to be for audio. I found some information on About: radio, but was still disappointed in the in the audio end of things...my students hear me enough, would they really like to get online and listen to me at home? What would or COULD they do with my voice, using the editing technologies out there? Right now, I'm not interested in trying one of these casts, but may change my mind if someone can show me what I can do with one...we'll see what happens I guess.
I did find a page that seems pretty good at the "How to" stuff at http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/00-podcast-tutorial-four-ps.htm
It seems promising. There must be good uses that I'm just not seeing yet.
I did find a page that seems pretty good at the "How to" stuff at http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/00-podcast-tutorial-four-ps.htm
It seems promising. There must be good uses that I'm just not seeing yet.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Technology Coordinator
I'm wondering what your definition of "Technology Coordinator" is? I have my idea, but in my district, I'm apparently wrong. I've introduced my colleagues to so many new things (thanks in large part to the UF classes I've taken), but my coordinator seems more like a repairman that gets mad when you have a question, even though you follow the new procedure for stating the question, emailing it to the proper location and waiting patiently for days to get a reply, which usually shows no personality or care for you as a person. Is this typical, or am I just SOL with who I have? Check out my post on my other blog Hoppy's Melon to see a little of what I deal with at work as I try to make more use of new technology. Sometimes it's just so difficult to make basic use of computers at my school.
Good Reactions
While I've done no research today, I did spend quite a bit of time dealing with the interactive PowerPoint. I showed a teacher that co-teaches the learning support science with me a few things that I thought we should try with this new idea (at least new to me). She was very impressed, so we spent a while going through what we could do with it. As so frequently happens after school, when you have things to do, another teacher showed up. Another one needed to learn how to do this...that took up most of the time I'd set aside for the research today, but did seem worth while. I'll see what my co-teacher thinks of tonight when she stops in to plan tomorrow.
At least I've already hit one new thing that I'll definitely use and don't need enormous quantities of new equipment to put to use. That's a pretty good success ratio! It's also one that can grow in its uses as the tech in my building catches up.
At least I've already hit one new thing that I'll definitely use and don't need enormous quantities of new equipment to put to use. That's a pretty good success ratio! It's also one that can grow in its uses as the tech in my building catches up.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Animations to Go
While searching this evening, I discovered some more cool stuff for science animations. Even more importantly, I figured out how to get around needing the network for some of them. My school's network is continually slowing down, going down etc...making the use of video/animation from the network a shaky thing. I found that most of the stuff from NASA can be saved to any where you'd like by just using Mozilla! That little tid-bit makes me sooooo happy as I start into the planets and go a little nuts showing what the MERs are doing, and how they came to be.
Back to the new animation page. Some of these would make good starter ideas to get kids thinking and more importantly to me, questioning. Of course some are lacking, while others are impressive. The Cassini animation was interesting as I try to stress how huge things are in space and how long it takes to get anywhere outside our orbit. ESA has done much for NASA. They're animations of the MERs are impressive and since they're done for NASA, spending your tax dollars, it's free to be used by any teachers...as long as they receive credit. Pretty simple there.
On top of that, I also found that Hubble Space Telescope(HST) has hundreds of thousands of pictures it's taken since it's launch in 1990. Also free to use. NASA and it's more up to date portion called Jet Propulsion Lab(JPL) have some great things out there that can be used to supplement instruction, generate interest and get kids thinking. Nothing I've seen so far is anything that should usurp the teaching process, but can be used to get kids involved.
Also, I've found two freeware programs that convert and save videos and animations to your computer...I'm just a little hesitant linking to them as the seem to be in the gray area of legality. I'll do some more research and see where they stand. For now I'll just stick to the safe bets at NASA and Mozilla.
Back to the new animation page. Some of these would make good starter ideas to get kids thinking and more importantly to me, questioning. Of course some are lacking, while others are impressive. The Cassini animation was interesting as I try to stress how huge things are in space and how long it takes to get anywhere outside our orbit. ESA has done much for NASA. They're animations of the MERs are impressive and since they're done for NASA, spending your tax dollars, it's free to be used by any teachers...as long as they receive credit. Pretty simple there.
On top of that, I also found that Hubble Space Telescope(HST) has hundreds of thousands of pictures it's taken since it's launch in 1990. Also free to use. NASA and it's more up to date portion called Jet Propulsion Lab(JPL) have some great things out there that can be used to supplement instruction, generate interest and get kids thinking. Nothing I've seen so far is anything that should usurp the teaching process, but can be used to get kids involved.
Also, I've found two freeware programs that convert and save videos and animations to your computer...I'm just a little hesitant linking to them as the seem to be in the gray area of legality. I'll do some more research and see where they stand. For now I'll just stick to the safe bets at NASA and Mozilla.
First Interactive PowerPoint
Well the first interactive PowerPoint is FINALLY in the bag! I became quite a bit more cumbersome once I started testing it to see what kids could do to get around the basic idea. I ordered things to keep on task. I think it came out pretty good, but I'm unsure how to make it stand alone...never tried it. That will be my main mission for this PM. If you have any ideas feels free to help :)
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Interactive PowerPiont
Today I looked at the interactive PowerPoint. I'm really amazed at what it has to offer...before this I had no idea that this was possible. The new avenues are endless! With my school becoming more and more involved in technology, I see PP's being hyperlinked from our school page for students to review for exams, get help for assignments and for parents to see what their students are learning. This seems like a technology that I could really use and one that will help make students more involved in their own learning.
Most teachers seem to hand out some form of review for tests/finals...imagine that being interactive and full of just the things you'd like to have the students look at! I guess it's time to learn how to create these myself...more on that later.
Most teachers seem to hand out some form of review for tests/finals...imagine that being interactive and full of just the things you'd like to have the students look at! I guess it's time to learn how to create these myself...more on that later.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Impact Calculator
I recently found this page http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/impacteffects/, which I'm going to use next week to help finish my current lab. Students are calculating the orbits of a few NEO(near earth objects) and plotting them with the orbit of the our home planet in order to determine whether these objects pose an immediate threat. Other important ideas are discovered here too, but the addition of a writing piece that involves the potential consequences of a chance meeting with a given object should really bring home the point. Students can use this page to run simulated impacts and adjust the numbers to match their asteroids. Even though this does not have the high impact graphics or the entertaining aspects of other pages, this is a good looking, simple to use resource that has a very good purpose. It's also something that I find interesting...just plug in a few things and see what will happen when a rather small (1000m) object lands at 100 miles from your house, then try one that's a bit larger(say 10 miles) and have it land 100 miles away. This could also lead to another creative writing where students put themselves at a given distance from the impact and describe what they see, what happens and how their "normal" lives are interrupted/changed....so many possibilities!
A research topic
I believe that today, I have chosen to research how the internet/technology can be used to teach Earth and Space Science. What methods are out there that I've missed, or possibly misused? What can I do to improve what my students and I do each year, with limited technology...with unlimited technology? Hope this is useful quest :)
Thursday, March 8, 2007
A New Interest
One day at home on the computer and I've already found myself a new interest. With so many of students online, the idea of a group blog seems like a fun thing to try. I have to check on some things and learn more about it myself, but this could something that will help me to help my students...more on that when I know more.
An Intro
Welcome EME 5404! This is blog number two for me...in the other one I have a pretty good record of where I've been mentally over the course of the last year or so. Feel free to check that out at http://spring06eme5207.blogspot.com/. Some of the entries are a bit long, so I'm working on that aspect.
Throughout the instructional computing II class, I would like to look into the facilitation and expansion technology into the classroom. I would really like to know about the ideas and findings involved in the use of varying strategies in the science curriculum. What's out there? What has been tried? How did it work? It would be interesting to see how the ideas can be gathered and combined to try other things.
This is my initial thought. I'll see how it stands up...too broad? too refined? Maybe in the wrong direction? We'll see soon.
There is also some interest in how sims are used for education. I found a space station sim that seems like it would be a great idea for use in my space/astronomy sections...just have to map it to approved curricula and state standards.
Throughout the instructional computing II class, I would like to look into the facilitation and expansion technology into the classroom. I would really like to know about the ideas and findings involved in the use of varying strategies in the science curriculum. What's out there? What has been tried? How did it work? It would be interesting to see how the ideas can be gathered and combined to try other things.
This is my initial thought. I'll see how it stands up...too broad? too refined? Maybe in the wrong direction? We'll see soon.
There is also some interest in how sims are used for education. I found a space station sim that seems like it would be a great idea for use in my space/astronomy sections...just have to map it to approved curricula and state standards.
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