Multimedia Project

Link

Creating an introductory video for a program that I myself had just learned about was a little intimidating, but I think it was an amazing idea. I think this is a great way to introduce programs to students that they can use for projects, so that they know how to use the program, and can always have access to the video recording once it's posted online. This is a great resource for students, parents, teachers, and everyone that could possibly be looking to use this program. I had a lot of fun learning more about Glogster and how it can help in education! 

Electronic Portfolio

Link 

Creating a portfolio of all of the work that I have created throughout this course is a lot of hard work, but it's worth it. Now I have a place where I can access all of my work in one place, and look back and see how I felt about it, and the most important things that I learned during the semester. It takes a very long time to do all of this work but it makes it easier for everyone, especially the teacher of the course. Making your students create a portfolio, especially an electronic one is a good idea to save time and make sure they're not missing any work, and make sure you don't lose any of their work. Plus, Google sites is very easy to use.

Wow!

My Web of Wonders Project

Working on this project was a lot of fun, but the only thing I didn't really enjoy was my five-minute time limit. Obviously, my video went a couple minutes longer, but I still had so much more that I could talk about. I have learned so many different things in this course, and I wanted to share all of them in my summary of each topic, but it wasn't realistic. Every little thing I learned, and every big thing, will go towards making my classroom so much better than it ever could have been before I took this class. From understanding TPACK and being able to use it in my incorporation of technology, to being able to understand the controversies that come with certain technologies like simulations. This project is something that I will be able to keep forever, and continue looking back at, so I can remember all of the most important parts of what I learned in this class.

Integrating Technology into the Biology Classroom

Here is the link to a Glogster I made about integrating technology into the modern biology classroom!

There are many ways that science teachers already use technology for their teaching, however, it can always be better. I attached a rubric below that teachers can use, but I also have a few suggestions myself. One of the most important for me is being creative with it. In order to really engage students, your class needs to be exciting, and technology can really help with that. Science teachers understand the benefits of a lot of different kinds of technology, like excel, however, they can tend to get caught up in the eases of PowerPoint. Try getting outside the box a little more and don't just have the info up on a slide that the students need to just copy down. 

Staying Safe

Mike-tosis

As a biology teacher, I thought this video would be especially helpful for me to show in class! I would use it in conjunction with the mitosis/meiosis topic and use a lab that was designed to show the spread of disease. Students would put gloves on and then touch something, one of them being coated in E. coli. They would then go around and shake each other's hands transferring the E. coli to one another. They would then swab their gloves and plate the swab to see which people ended up with the bacteria on their gloves. This would show how quickly something can spread even when you can't see it, and just like an infectious disease, it can really hurt people.

Warning Signs

https://www.stopbullying.gov/

Warning signs a child is being cyberbullied to look out for: 

• Noticeable increases or decreases in device use, including texting.
• A child exhibits emotional responses (laughter, anger, upset) to what is happening on their device.
• A child hides their screen or device when others are near, and avoids discussion about what they are doing on their device.
• Social media accounts are shut down or new ones appear.
• A child starts to avoid social situations, even those that were enjoyed in the past.
• A child becomes withdrawn or depressed, or loses interest in people and activities.

As teachers, it is important that we make sure all of our students are safe so they can get the best education they can. When they are being cyberbullied they are usually not able to focus in class, as they are constantly worried about it, and can't learn what is being taught. If you believe that one of your students is being cyberbullied, it is important to talk to them and their parents about it before doing anything else so that you can confirm your suspicions. It is also important to have digital awareness yourself, so that you know what is going on online and better understand what the kids are going through. Overall, the best thing you can do as a teacher is maintaining your role as a positive role model, and continuing to encourage students to work together and become self-aware, especially when it comes to their emotions.


The 5 Best Internet Safety Resources for Teachers

Forms of Cyber-Bullying

6 Types of Cyberbullying

The NY State Attorney General defines cyber-bullying as "the use of e-mail, web sites, instant messaging, chat rooms, cell phone text messaging and digital cameras to antagonize and intimidate others." The link above also includes 6 of the most common types of cyber-bullying that students can encounter. The list includes:

• Harassing someone: Usually consists of threats, or other verbal forms of bullying sent through any kind of messaging system, and is mostly anonymous
• Impersonating someone: Usually includes convincing other people that you are that person and thus spreading lies and ruining friendships
• Using photographs: Most often nude or embarrassing photos threatened to be sent out to a large group of people
• Creating Websites, Blogs, Polls, and More: Spreading rumors and building support via social media platforms to turn people against the victim
• Participating in Video Shaming: Similar to photographs, but threats to share embarrassing videos online
• Engaging in Subtweeting or Vaguebooking: Never mention the victims name but are very clearly about the victim