High+School+(9-10)


 * This section of the GVSU COE Ed Tech Wiki was established for participants interested in developing instruction and assessments for high school, grades 9-10.**

= Dan Hoekstra = =** Planned Instruction: **=

Often time, I (DH) like to have my students try to organize/arrange the material presented. I have used [|Popplet]a few times and it seems to work pretty well. One thing I really like about it is that you can embed your creation in other places. Last year I had my biology students create a type of portfolio embedding their creations on their Google Site. When starting (or finishing) a chapter, I many break my students up into groups of 4-5 and give each group the same set of 8-10 vocab words. Their task is to then use Popplet to organize the words. This activity forces them to make connections. It is also interesting to compare their popplets and hear why they grouped it the way that they di d. I have also used popplet to create diagrams for water cycles, nitrogen cycles, carbon cycles, food webs, etc. This meets the NET Standards of **Creativity and Innovation**(Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology). Here is an example from Popplet's website: media type="custom" key="20330210"

[|BeeClip]is an online scrapbook that I (DH) have used for students to create presentations. (I felt that PowerPoint probably could have done the same thing but again the students are able to embed their scrapbook elsewhere.) This meets the NET Standards of **Creativity and Innovation** (Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology) & **Research and Information Fluency** (Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information). Last year I gave my biology students a list of 40+ questions dealing with biochemistry. Their task (individually) was to create a scrapbook that correctly answered at least 10 of these questions. Here is a sample: media type="custom" key="20329360"

I (DH) came across [|Gizmos]the other day while going through some of the Week 5 extra resources. As a result I have no idea exactly how I would use it! However, there are some pretty cool interactive science tools (I think it contains math stuff as well). Using some of these animations and simulations would be a great way to introduce a topic. However, it looks like your school would have to spend some money as the trial only gives you 5 minutes. LORDEC is another site I found that provides a lot of interative tools. It appears that they have a lot of links to other sites as well.

[|Prezi]is another presentation tool that some of my (DH) students have used (I have not yet tried to create something with it). The presentations that I have seen are quite amazing! I have considered using this myself rather than relying on PPT all the time. When I assigned an environmental project last year, one group of students choice to make a prezi of environmental issues around the world. They used a world map as the back ground and then proceeded to move from country to country describing the major environmental issues of that area. This project meets the NET Standard of **Communication and Collaboration** (Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others). I couldn't seem to pull up the prezi mentioned but here is a different example I found. media type="custom" key="20330150"

[|Glogster]considers itself to be like a visual blog. I (DH) have not used this in class (yet) but it was mentioned to me by someone at the Kent ISD.

[|Khan Academy]has an amazing number of informational videos. It seems like every imaginable topic is covered. Although I (DH) am amazed at what is there, I would probably use these video as extra resources and not as the primary source of information. Last year Stephanie designed some chemistry assignments for our students. She gave them some choice as to where to go for information. Besides their book and a PowerPoint, they were directed to some videos from Khan Academy. This meets the NET Standard of **Research and Information Fluency** (Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information).

I (DH)am not sure what I think about free online textbooks but after looking over this site ([|CK-12]), it is pretty nice! It would even appear that you can download it iPads, Android devices and Kindle! Somebooks even include teacher editions and workbooks. This seems like it would be great for districts who are on a tight budget. I would be curious however to learn how often these books are updated. (This website said that due to updating, it may be unavailable after 7/15/12.)

[|Tinychat] is a synchronous chat site that is very easy to work with. All I would need to do would be to post my address ([]) on Moodle. Then at the designated time, the students could click on the link. The link could also be emailed and I also put tags on Tinychat so if they searched AP Biology, my page would come up. It appears that you can have multiple webcams going (something not possible on Wimba). The text chat and "push to talk" are very similar. There is even a link to a whiteboard (not quite as high tech). Overall, this site could work well for something like an optional review session.

=** ASSESSMENT AND EVALUTION TOOLS: **= I (DH) am still trying to think of more good and efficient ways to assess and evaluate my students in AP Biology but here are a few things to start:

I (DH) am a fan of [|Google]Docs. Last year I had each of my regular biology students create their own Google Site. (Each student has been issued an education gmail account and therefore have access to educational Google Apps. NOTE: For Google Sites, I found that if I wanted their sites to become mine - so I didn't have to log onto each one - I had to use an educational Google account as well. For other Google Doc, I could use either my Educational account or my regular account. I'm not sure why.) My students used their Google Sites as a portfolio to host their projects (many of which were created using the resources above and then embedded into the Google site). Since I was invited to their sites, they because saved under my sites as well so I only had to log in once and I would have access to all their sites (see NOTE above). I can even leave feedback and grades. Many parents also asked their kids to invite them so they were able to see this progress as well. As far as grading these projects, any major project provided a rubric for the students to follow.

I (DH) also plan to use Moodle to track student participation. I will mostly use this to make sure that each student is doing what is asked. If I notice that anyones participation is lacking, I will set up a meeting with them to discuss my expectations.

I (DH) also plan ot use Moodle to test (summative) my students following our online unit on the human body. Some of these questions will be created by me while other questions will be uploaded into Moodle from the test bank that came with our textbook and from the test banks from other textbooks (using questions from other textbooks makes cheating a bit harder). The results of these tests will be used to determine if the student is ready to move onto the next system of the human body.

At GRCHS we don't have much control over our grading system. All grades must be put into FAWeb as soon as possible. This allows both students and parents to monitor progress in almost real time. As a result, I'm not sure how much I will use the grading portion of Moodle.

I (DH) am very excited to test out a type of formative quiz provided on BioPortal and alligned with my AP Biology textbook (click [|here]for a demo). These quizzes will provide instant feedback for the student and it will also provide them with an individualized plan to address areas of weakness. Since I haven't received my access for BioPortal yet, I cannot really give any addtional details!

= Phill's Finds: = GeoGebra is an outstanding dynamic math tool. It has the ability to show various representations (table, graph, equation) of the same function. You can also build in sliders that allow students to manipulate an existing graph and determine what impact that variable or constant has on the graph. There is no shortage of support, which is a huge asset when learning something new. There is a GeoGebra [|wiki], a GeoGebra [|blog], and [|GeoGebraTube]where questions are asked and answered on just about anything you may wonder about. I just found out while doing this project that they have created a Chrome App. I have only scratched the surface with this tool but intend on using it more this coming year.

Desmos Graphing Calculator is another option to GeoGebra. Although it does not have the same features as GeoGebra, it may be a little more intuitive for students to use. It does allow you to register through your Google account and there is a Chrome App for it. I have used this as a resource for students that may have internet access but do not own a graphing calculator



One of the biggest challenges in having students write mathematics using technology is the lack of a good (heck adequate) free equation editor. Microsoft Office probably has one of the best (IMHO) but not every student can afford to purchase Office not to mention the upgrade for the newest version every year or so. Hats off to Google for improving their equation editor in Docs over the past year or so but it still did not compete with Office. Then the clouds parted, the angels sang and butterflies fluttered. Daum Equation Editor is a free App that is available in the Chrome Web Store and the Mac App Store. It is by far the best free, easy to use, easy to export equation editor that I've found. I have not found a way to do copy and paste, but you can save the equation as a picture and import that into all the Google Drive (document, presentation), Microsoft Word & PowerPoint, Prezi, and Evernote. I (DH) have bene looking for something like this to use in chemistry. I'll have to try it out! By the way, if you ever figure out how copy/paste rather than import/export please let me know!! It will let you copy and paste but it changes everything into LaTex (I think). <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Thanks!

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">I would like to have students begin to use Evernote to compile their notes and activities that we do. Kind of making an e-folio for all of their mathematics. I'm not sure how all the logistics of this would work out, especially if they don't have a device to take the notes with. I envision them not having to worry about lost or missing notes and assignments for my class and they would end up with a "library" of their work in math throughout high school. One of the other hurdles to overcome was how do I get kids to be able to type equations? The app I listed above takes care of that. The Daum Equation Editor will allow them to copy a picture of their equation(s) into their notes along with any hyperlinks of the demonstrations or videos I've created.

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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">I have not used CK-12 but am looking forward to implementing at least some of the material, mainly as an alternative source of information. It's nice because you can modify and pick an choose what lessons or topics you want to have. There is also a FlexMath website that may be a great way to monitor what type of remediation students are doing on their own.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 220%;">Web 2.0 Assessments for Blended Class: <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">thatquiz.org is an excellent site for bell ringer type quizzes or for using customized quizzes. Student can choose topics that they need help in or can be assigned quizzes/test to take. There is a library of quizzes to choose from or you can create your own. It took my students a few times to get used to how to enter their answers (has to be exactly the same as the answer key). It's not a flashy of very pretty looking site for the students but it is an excellent way to give 30+ different quizzes at once and have them graded immediately. There are also options to allow students to go back an look at questions they've answered and change their answers, have immediate feedback, or be able to retake the quiz. I would see this being used as a formative assessment and I have used this as a method of cumulative review.

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Socrative is a free student response system that is accessible anywhere there is internet connection. There are apps for both Android and Apple products and it works with all browsers. I have not used it yet in class but I would love to be able to. You can create multiple choice, true false, and short answer quizzes. They also have an Exit Ticket and a Space Race in which "teams" of students compete against each other to see who can complete the quiz, with correct answers of course, the fastest. Even though the students cannot see the names of individuals, you will be able to when you get the report at the end of the event. I would use Socrative as a formative assessment tool through out the course.

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Google Drive + Flubaroo = Unlimited options! <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">If you haven't hear of Google Drive, it's the old Google Docs. Flubaroo is a free script that can be added to any form and used to grade a multiple choice or fill in the blank assignment. While I personally have not used Flubaroo, I have seen it used and work with a colleague that has used it. I do know that it is not just a point and click type set up but if used enough, I'm confident that it would become second nature. This could be used for either formative or summative assessments. If used for summative assessments, I would also want the students to be able to turn in their work either digitally or paper form.

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">We used Discovery Education's assessments last year for the first time. Needless to say there were some bumps in the road but we will be using them again this year. We will be giving three tests this year; A pre-test, mid-term test, and a final test. Being that we are on a trimester schedule, we have to discuss when we will be giving these. I've been told that we are using these to determine growth, even though I'm not 100% sure on how that determination is going to be made.

Beth Thompson's Favorites
[|Edmodo] provides a safe and easy way for your class to connect and collaborate, share content, and access homework, grades and school notices. It is a frequently used and highly rated educational software. I use Edmodo mainly for students to electronically turn in assignments. Classes are organized by hour, parents can access their child's work and it is time and date stamped so it is impossible for students to say that they already turned it in or the teacher lost it. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">[|Screencast-O-Matic] is an extremely easy and useful tool. This site allows users to create and share recordings of their screen activity. It works directly from the browser, no-installation needed. It is more flexible than Jing, another popular screen capture software, plus you don't have to install Jing's somewhat annoying icon. It is a great tool for helping explain a concept or as an add-on for presentations. [|Quizlet] allows students to make online flash cards. All they have to do is type in the word and definition and Quizlet will create the set tor them. Images can be added as well. Students can review the flash cards in a number of different ways, or the site will make a quiz to review from. It is a great way to study for a test and very easy to use. [|EasyBib] is a helpful website that generates bibliographies for students. All the student has to do is enter in the information for the work they are citing (author, publisher, date, etc.) and EasyBib will convert it into a properly cited bibliography either as a Google Doc or Word document. [|Criterion] is an online evaluation website which corrects mechanics, usage, and grammar mistakes. For example, the site shows run-on sentences, incorrect spelling, improper punctuation, etc. There is a cost per student for use of this software, but the price has dropped significantly recently. The great thing about this site is that students are correcting their own mistakes, grading is very easy, and any teacher can access the students' writing as long as they have they have been trained. It is also wonderful for cross-curricular writing assignments.