the network for middle school math and science teachers
eTECH 2010 Conference Notes and Ideas
Welcome to those of you that just recently joined us while at eTECH (Ohio Educational Technology Conference)!
While at eTECH, I went to several sessions and learned quite a bit. Over the next few days, I'm going to go through my notes and then post them online to share with everyone to use and/or discuss.
If you were there and would be willing to share your experience, then please do. If you weren't, but have an opinion on any of the subjects then please chime in as well.
Thanks,
Tom
Tags: conferences, etech
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Tom Jenkins on -
Below are my raw notes. If you would like clarification, please let me know.
Moodle in the Middle School Classroom
(National Trail School) (Session I)
Why Use it?
Increase Efficiency
Free
Great Grading Software
Any Device with Internet Access
Keep Parents, Teachers, and Students in the loop
Can personalize
Link other internet pages, internal Moodle pages, documents, pics, vids
Calendar (w/details)
Monitor student activities (activity reports)
Assessments (many different types, some auto grading, timed, retakes, etc)
Moodle can be downloaded into DASL for report cards
Can be linked to standards (can issue detailed reports for each indicator)
Activities- Many, Many Different Types (journals, blogs, assignments, etc)
Use data bases for collaborative projects- store info class to class for all to access
If limited on # of computers- create digital work stations
Assessments in Moodle (Session II)
Multiple ways to assess (can date and all will show up on the calendar)
Add stat standards as one of the add ons
Journals are wonder vehicles for one on one feedback. Edit and relay notes back and fourth.
Upload single files in multiple ways
Chat and Forum- way to discuss and share as a group (record is kept and saved)
Student Choice, Survey, Feedback= ways to obtain critical feedback in an easy to read format (including graphs, etc)
Database allow the students to upload and share files, can also peer grade
Podcasts, Webcasts, vodcasts, wikis, etc.
Test and Quizzes (timed, reordered, limited choices) Many different types only short answer and essay have to be graded by the teacher. All others are autograded, unless changed by the teacher. Can upload pictures/graphics. Also can randomize simple math problems. Great for make ups, retakes, etc.
Also has Hot Potatoes Quizzes that you can download for free off the internet. http://hotpot.uvic.ca/
This program offers multiple chances to retake the same question (losing a fraction of points each time), hints, graphs,
connect to standards, etc.
All assessment scores can be downloaded into an excel format.
Move to other- notes- Dasl pic Is integrated automatically into a moodle account
For more information regarding Moodle please view my two webinars.
-
Permalink Reply by Tom Jenkins on
-
Hot Potatoes Testing Software
Ray Stewart
Completely Free
Integrates into Moodle seemlessly
Can turn quiz into an html to create an interactive webpage that students can use without having the Hot Potatoes program or any plug in on the computers.
Multiple Choice, short answer, hybrid, multiple select
Fill in the blanks
drop downs
Can insert graphics/pictures into the html source code or put in pictures using toolbar
Can also embed videos
Can have set up whereas students log in to Moodle and Hot Potatoes will direct all information directly from HP to Moodle database
Sentence/Word Scramble
Crossword (can add things like timer,etc)
Matching= Flash Card
Many have drag and drop and can be printed
Hyperlink to source material for review
Get Hot Potatoes
If don't have Moodle and still use the Hot Potatoes Site to host
Help with Hot Potatoes
Tutorials
-
Permalink Reply by Lori Ramsey on -
Hi Tom,
Mary suggested I check out this forum and it looks great! I also attended several very interesting sessions. I didn't attend the Moodle session you are referring too but I have used it myself. In my case I used it in a graduate class (I was teaching the class) and really found it to be user-friendly and robust. That said, the specific class I taught was focused on technology use in classrooms. One of the assignments was to create a Moodle class for their grade level. It was great to see all the ideas they came up with! I think that all of your "why use it" notes are right on the mark. I haven't used it for assessments myself but see that it could be a very useful tool in that domain. That said, I wonder about the ability of the average classroom teacher to set up a moodle site on their own. Do you think that this is something that schools/districts should support and then teachers would be able to take advantage of it independently. Once the server is running it is pretty easy but otherwise I think it might be difficult. Any thoughts are welcome!
Tom Jenkins said:Below are my raw notes. If you would like clarification, please let me know.
Moodle in the Middle School Classroom
(National Trail School) (Session I)
Why Use it?
Increase Efficiency
Free
Great Grading Software
Any Device with Internet Access
Keep Parents, Teachers, and Students in the loop
Can personalize
Link other internet pages, internal Moodle pages, documents, pics, vids
Calendar (w/details)
Monitor student activities (activity reports)
Assessments (many different types, some auto grading, timed, retakes, etc)
Moodle can be downloaded into DASL for report cards
Can be linked to standards (can issue detailed reports for each indicator)
Activities- Many, Many Different Types (journals, blogs, assignments, etc)
Use data bases for collaborative projects- store info class to class for all to access
If limited on # of computers- create digital work stations
Assessments in Moodle (Session II)
Multiple ways to assess (can date and all will show up on the calendar)
Add stat standards as one of the add ons
Journals are wonder vehicles for one on one feedback. Edit and relay notes back and fourth.
Upload single files in multiple ways
Chat and Forum- way to discuss and share as a group (record is kept and saved)
Student Choice, Survey, Feedback= ways to obtain critical feedback in an easy to read format (including graphs, etc)
Database allow the students to upload and share files, can also peer grade
Podcasts, Webcasts, vodcasts, wikis, etc.
Test and Quizzes (timed, reordered, limited choices) Many different types only short answer and essay have to be graded by the teacher. All others are autograded, unless changed by the teacher. Can upload pictures/graphics. Also can randomize simple math problems. Great for make ups, retakes, etc.
Also has Hot Potatoes Quizzes that you can download for free off the internet. http://hotpot.uvic.ca/
This program offers multiple chances to retake the same question (losing a fraction of points each time), hints, graphs,
connect to standards, etc.
All assessment scores can be downloaded into an excel format.
Move to other- notes- Dasl pic Is integrated automatically into a moodle account
For more information regarding Moodle please view my two webinars.
-
Permalink Reply by Tom Jenkins on
-
Yes. If a district does make an effort to set up a Moodle server, then people will start to use it. It may be just a few "techie" teachers at first, but it'll spread to the typical teachers. Of course, like anything else the best way to do it is to take a block of time and play with it. One thing for people to remember is that there is no way to break it and everything that is changed can easily be reset.
Additionally, their are a few other pluses....
-One can actually download ready made "canned" classes from Moodle communities (including
How to do Moodle)
-Online assignments are becoming more common and in some cases expected
-As I understand it, some states may start accepting edays in lieu of calamity days. Moodle is a
perfect vehicle for an eday
Lori Ramsey said:Hi Tom,
Mary suggested I check out this forum and it looks great! I also attended several very interesting sessions. I didn't attend the Moodle session you are referring too but I have used it myself. In my case I used it in a graduate class (I was teaching the class) and really found it to be user-friendly and robust. That said, the specific class I taught was focused on technology use in classrooms. One of the assignments was to create a Moodle class for their grade level. It was great to see all the ideas they came up with! I think that all of your "why use it" notes are right on the mark. I haven't used it for assessments myself but see that it could be a very useful tool in that domain. That said, I wonder about the ability of the average classroom teacher to set up a moodle site on their own. Do you think that this is something that schools/districts should support and then teachers would be able to take advantage of it independently. Once the server is running it is pretty easy but otherwise I think it might be difficult. Any thoughts are welcome!
Tom Jenkins said:Below are my raw notes. If you would like clarification, please let me know.
Moodle in the Middle School Classroom
(National Trail School) (Session I)
Why Use it?
Increase Efficiency
Free
Great Grading Software
Any Device with Internet Access
Keep Parents, Teachers, and Students in the loop
Can personalize
Link other internet pages, internal Moodle pages, documents, pics, vids
Calendar (w/details)
Monitor student activities (activity reports)
Assessments (many different types, some auto grading, timed, retakes, etc)
Moodle can be downloaded into DASL for report cards
Can be linked to standards (can issue detailed reports for each indicator)
Activities- Many, Many Different Types (journals, blogs, assignments, etc)
Use data bases for collaborative projects- store info class to class for all to access
If limited on # of computers- create digital work stations
Assessments in Moodle (Session II)
Multiple ways to assess (can date and all will show up on the calendar)
Add stat standards as one of the add ons
Journals are wonder vehicles for one on one feedback. Edit and relay notes back and fourth.
Upload single files in multiple ways
Chat and Forum- way to discuss and share as a group (record is kept and saved)
Student Choice, Survey, Feedback= ways to obtain critical feedback in an easy to read format (including graphs, etc)
Database allow the students to upload and share files, can also peer grade
Podcasts, Webcasts, vodcasts, wikis, etc.
Test and Quizzes (timed, reordered, limited choices) Many different types only short answer and essay have to be graded by the teacher. All others are autograded, unless changed by the teacher. Can upload pictures/graphics. Also can randomize simple math problems. Great for make ups, retakes, etc.
Also has Hot Potatoes Quizzes that you can download for free off the internet. http://hotpot.uvic.ca/
This program offers multiple chances to retake the same question (losing a fraction of points each time), hints, graphs,
connect to standards, etc.
All assessment scores can be downloaded into an excel format.
Move to other- notes- Dasl pic Is integrated automatically into a moodle account
For more information regarding Moodle please view my two webinars.
-
Permalink Reply by Tom Jenkins on
-
STEM Resources PBS
Engineering Your Future www.futuresinengineering.org
Background Information
Streaming Video (dvds can requested @cost plus shipping, pretty cheap)
Teachers Domain www.teachersdomain.org
Media Library - Nova, Nature, Building Big has thousands of down loadable videos
Lesson Plans
Interactive web pages
Flash Games
Made need to make sure plugins are up to date (flash, quicktime, etc)
Can save in folders, share, rate, etc
Ohio on iTunes U http://www.etech.ohio.gov/ohioonitunesu/ohioonitunesu.dot
Apple needs to load a plug-in
K-12
Aligned to standards
Many different resources/subjects
Newer section for STEM Education (created by pbs/thinktv)
Download/play videos, podcasts, vodcasts, assessments, teacher training videos
can download and embed in personal web pages
Debi Thevenin
dthevenin@thinktv.org
PBS Videos at cost. Ex 6 New videos for $15 + shipping
Mary Anne Kirk
mkirk@thinktv.org
Help on any of the above resources.
-
Permalink Reply by Tom Jenkins on
-
WordPress MU, or WordPressµ, Kent Schools
Made the district website consistent (individual buildings and teachers)- too many districts use combinations- frontpage, word, dreamweaver, etc
Web based- update from anywhere w/o software
Easy to update (for teachers to use)
Strong developer community
Easy to install
Easy to transfer existing content to new server
Rss feed for each individual blog so updates can be went out to personal devices automatically
Many widgets
Easy to add media- including video
Different settings (private or public)
Turn comments off or with approval
Over 4,000 downloadable themes
www.kentschools.net (some examples)
On a personal note: Our district just set up Word Press late last summer. I love it and I still have yet to sit down and learn all of the bells and whistles.
Connecting News to National Science Education Standards
Free Tech. for Teachers
Help Us Help You!
© 2010 Created by Middle School Portal.
Powered by 
.
