Web Awareness Concept Map

This is my mind map for web awareness. :)

Grade 5 Science Internet Activity

Title of Activity – Electrical Currents

Reference Section

·    Science Kids. (NA). Circuits and Conductors. Retrieved Oct. 7, 2010 from, http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/circuitsconductors.html

·    NeoK12. (2010). Conductors and Insulators. Retrieved Oct. 7, 2010 from, http://www.neok12.com/quiz/ELECTR03  

Grade Level: Grade 5

Subject: Science

Brief Description of Activity

Students will navigate to http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/circuitsconductors.html and follow the directions to make different circuits.  Students will see which materials act as insulators and which act as conductors.  When students have completed that activity they will then navigate to http://www.neok12.com/quiz/ELECTR03 and do the matching activity about insulators and conductors.

General Learning Outcomes

·    Demonstrate safe methods for the study of magnetism and electricity, identify methods for measurement and control, and apply techniques for evaluating magnetic and electrical properties of materials.

Specific Learning Outcomes

·    Demonstrate that a continuous loop of conducting material is needed for an uninterrupted flow of current  in a circuit.

·    Distinguish electrical conductors—materials that allow electricity to flow through them— from insulators—materials that do not allow electricity to flow through them.

ICT Outcomes

·         C.6.1.3   use technology to support and present conclusions

·         C.7.1.4   make predictions based on organized information

·         F.3.1.1   demonstrate courtesy and follow classroom procedures when making   appropriate use of computer technologies

Rationale for Computer Integration

A couple computer activities have been incorporated into this lesson to provide students with another way to learn the material.  These activities are great for visual learners because it is so interactive.  By working individually at the computers students could work at their own pace.  It is also possible for students to work in pairs and pool their knowledge while working through these activities.

5 Features of Effective Presentations

Five features of effective presentations include:
1. Big print
2. Simplicity
3. Maximum of 6 words per bullet
4. Clarity
5. Pictures should match the content

I feel my presentation has satisfied all of these aspects because it has big print, I kept it simple, it had clear ideas, only a few words per each bullet and the pictures were relevant to the content.

There is the link to my presentation: http://prezi.com/eqvneovn3-bz/tech-assign-2/

Pros and Cons for Blogging in the Classroom

Blogs can be a very friendly, easy to use tool in a classroom.  It can be accessed quite easily from a computer at school or at home.  They can also be designed a variety of ways and be changed easily.  An upside to using blogs in the classroom is that students are working on skills such as reading and writing.  There can also be forums for discussions.  It may also be a helpful way for teachers to post homework for students. 

The downside to blogs is that in many cases, everyone on the Internet can see them.  Many times a teacher needs to check with the school district that acceptable use policies (AUP) allow for blogging to even occur at the school.  Also, parental permission must be acquired by all students participating in the blog.

Personally, I really think blogs aren't worth the hassle.  This is the first time I've been on a blog and I feel it's pointless for me.  It's just one more thing putting my name out in the Internet world and at least in this point of my schooling career, I just can't see a point in having a blog.

A Little About Me...

Hello fellow people.  My name is Kayla and I was born and raised in Calgary.  Some of my hobbies include playing the piano, camping and sports.  I am particularly a huge Calgary Stamps fan and love going to watch their home games.  Something else about me is that I have a black lab.  Her name is Echo, she's full of spunk and I won't trade her for the world. :P

I've used Microsoft Powerpoint before as a learning tool in school.  This application has been particularly helpful for some assignments I have done in the past.  It helped keep my information organized and easy to present in front of my classmates.  Some features of Powerpoint that I thought made my presentations visually pleasing were the fact you could choose different backdrops, add photographs and even insert links to the internet right in the presentation.  I feel that this application could be a very powerful teaching tool for individual or group presentations.  With that said, this is only one way to present information and I still feel that giving oral or poster presentations are just as valuable.