Deena_Sime: First I would like to tell you a little about our school system in Rock Falls. There are approximately 605 students in our high school.
Deena_Sime: There are 5 schools that feed into our high school, each being a separate district within itself, as is our high school
Deena_Sime: . Each district has its own superintendent, which makes 6 total in the Rock Falls school system.
Deena_Sime: Within the past 6 years we have tried to come together and create the Rock Falls consortium.
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Deena_Sime: In the consortium, each subject area has its own committee with members from each district on each committee.
Beth_Tward: Susan, are you using TappedIn?
Susan: Nope.
Deena_Sime: The main goal of the consortium is to get all of the schools that feed into our high school to get their students to cover the same information in each subject area.
Jim_Levin: Please use "whisper" for person to person talk.
Beth_Tward: GUess I may not now...
Beth_Tward: sorry!
Deena_Sime: Therefore, when they begin their freshmen year at the high school, they will1 have all had the same educational experiences.
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Deena_Sime: Three years ago, I served on a separate committee.
Deena_Sime: The purpose of this committee was to choose a mathematics textbook series that all of our feeder school would use at all grade levels K-8.
Deena_Sime: This would allow the majority of our students to come to high school with the same mathematics background.
Deena_Sime: After many meetings, and listening to numerous textbook representatives, we chose the books we felt would get the majority of the
Deena_Sime: students to the level we wanted them to be as freshmen. K-3 chose Everyday Mathematics, 4-8 chose Houghton Mifflin.
Deena_Sime: At Rock Falls High School, we use Saxon.
Deena_Sime: Things would have worked out great if all of the schools in the consortium would have made the change, but all didn't.
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Deena_Sime: Three of the districts stayed with the books they were currently using, and two of the districts changed.
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Deena_Sime: Those that stayed were the districts that were also using the Saxon books. (These were the original books recommended by the high school).
Deena_Sime: Needless to say, the students who used Saxon in the feeder schools are performing better in high school mathematics than the others.
Deena_Sime: Because of the crazy way our mathematics department at Rock Falls High School works, and how successful/unsuccessful our students
Jim_Levin: one minute Deena.
Deena_Sime: are in the mathematics classes they take here, we received an anonymous grant over the summer ($10,000) to help better prepare
Deena_Sime: With all of this background information, I decided to attempt to bridge the gap between textbooks, with my final project. http://essex1.com/people/dsimester/
Deena_Sime: I chose to create a web site that would be available to all students with Internet access. The purpose of the site is to allow incoming students to see what mathematical topics are being covered at the high school.
Deena_Sime: I have created links to classes that I am currently teaching along with a practice placement exam that they will have to take in the spring. Each of the individual class pages contains links to help sites based on the subject for the class. The practice placement exam also includes the answers.
Deena_Sime: Our next meeting with the middle school teachers is scheduled for January. At this time I will be giving them the address to my site to use for themselves and to share with their students.
Deena_Sime: This will allow them to see more of what is expected of our incoming freshmen, and try to adapt their curriculum as such. We are also trying to create a notebook together including activities that they can use.
Deena_Sime: I don't have any evaluations from these teachers or next years incoming freshmen as they are not aware of my site and won't be until January, unless they fall upon it.
Deena_Sime: I have taken two of my classes into the computer lab to view my site and fill out an evaluation form. One of the classes I took to the lab didn't take the project seriously, but my Calculus class did
Deena_Sime: The form I gave them can be found at the bottom of the main page of my site. I gave it to them in hard form, not on the computer. All of them said they would use the site on an average of 2-3 times a week.
Deena_Sime: . At the bottom of the form, they had the opportunity to offer suggestions they would like to see, and other things they felt would make the site more useful. They offered many suggestions: keep the assignments updated, change the background color, and add graphics.
Deena_Sime: I didn't take the cosmetic suggestions too seriously since this is my first attempt at creating a web site and I don't know how to get that fancy
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Deena_Sime: . I thought I was doing great just by adding links to the assignment pages. They did suggest that I find some more useful links, especially for their class. Also, after trying for 3 weeks, I finally got the JavaScript Source to work and added a working 5-function calculator to the home page. (Thanks Jim!)
Deena_Sime: I have made many revisions to my page and I am still making them, almost on a daily basis. I am also experimenting with the JavaScript sources and am having a terrible time with it, but like I said before, I did get one script to work. I have also found a great site that my calculus students love, the Calculus Toolkit link from their class page.
Deena_Sime: If you notice, I keep calling it their page, which they seem to like. Needless to day, I did create it for them.
Deena_Sime: Overall, building this web page has been a great learning experience for me. I really didn't know much about the computer before, only how to run Word and search the Internet. I feel like I have come a long way with an even longer journey ahead of me. Second semester, when
Deena_Sime: With the popularity of the Internet today, students are more likely to check their assignments on the computer than to use our homework hotline (phone lines). It will be a great learning experience for them as this project was for me.
Jim_Levin: very nice, Deena. Let's take questions now.
Jim_Levin: Everyone back from looking at Deena's site?
Jenna: I couldn't connect
Deena_Sime: I think I lost some of my report, sorry.
Jenna: Access denied
Pat_Mc_Ner: Deena, do you plan to let middle school teachers add on to your site to do the same?
Jill_McCue: Deena, is there pressure from parents to use the same mat'l or are they not aware of the diff in bldg?
Jim_Levin: That's okay Deena - there's enough to spur people on to look at your report.
Kim_Klein: access denied
Deena_Sime: If they offer any suggestions that they want to add, sure!
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Jenny_Kias: Do you think that the other schools will eventually convert to the recommended texts?
Nelda_Bake: Since the students want more graphics. Could they work on that?
Pat_Mc_Ner: How do you give access to students who don't have Internet or have been kicked off technology at school?
Deena_Sime: I don't see the other schools changing. As a matter of fact, our principal is pressuring us to change at the highschool
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Deena_Sime: I don't see them changing.
Deena_Sime: I am frozen.
Debra_Bren: Has articulation about standards and benchmarks helped with getting more people on board to see the concepts that need to be addressed?
Jenny_Kias: thats 2 bad
Jim_Levin: I'm archiving this session, so if you don't get to answer all the questions people ask, you can do that via email later.
Kathy_Legg: We are in the process of changing our math program at the middle school level. I will show your site to our teachers and see if they can use it. Good Job!
Deena_Sime: I am back now.
Jim_Levin: That's true for all of you, so don't panic if you get a flurry of questions.
Jim_Levin: Great job, Deena. Applause!
Glenda_Beq: Deena, what abot PSAE?
terry: great job Deena !!!!!!
Jim_Levin: Okay, let's move on the Susan Holderread. Susan.
Deena_Sime: Yes, as a matter of fact, we just had a department chair meeting where our principal is wanting us
Susan_Hold: Hi everyone!
Nelda_Bake: Yea!
Deena_Sime: to create a notebook with all of the standards we address, and when in the textbook we do it.
Susan_Hold: My major project centered around using a commercially available coursepackage called Blackboard.
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Susan_Hold: Here's the URL: http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/holderrd/
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Susan_Hold: Oops. Delete the last quote and period, and click on projects
Deena_Sime: I haven't added anything about PSAE yet, but it is in my pile of things to add.
Jim_Levin: When any of you paste in a URL put a space and period afterward.
Susan_Hold: Anyway, it was very interesting to see the results of online discussions: the class was split 50-50 in terms of whether or not they thought it was effective.
Susan_Hold: I was trying to give those students who are reticent and who need more processing time a chance to speak.
Susan_Hold: And for them, I think it was a good learning experience.
Susan_Hold: The technical problems abounded, however, with this free program.
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Susan_Hold: I think the free users get the world's slowest server. And for kids who demand things NOW, they were not very patient.
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Susan_Hold: And yet some were extremely patient with me as I experimented with a new method of instruction.
Susan_Hold: Has everyone seen the project page?
Gretchen: yes
Beth_Tward: yes
Jim_Levin: If you haven't take a look later.
Debra_Bren: yes
Todd_Mickl: yes
Kim_Klein: yes
Jane_Blant: Yes, I liked the graphics
Susan_Hold: The recommendations they had were, as many anonymous surveys are, brutally honest.
Susan_Hold: And I had a hard time with some of the comments.
Jim_Levin: one minute, Susan.
Susan_Hold: But that's the way it goes.
Susan_Hold: I guess the one not-so-earthshattering revelation is that I need to remind myself to individualize instruction, to vary it frequently.
Susan_Hold: I think teachers sometimes get into a comfortable mode, and this loses a lot of kids.
Jim_Levin: Thanks, Susan. Any questions.
Marna_Kitz: Susan, what level do you teach?
Pat_Mc_Ner: Do you think the split was partly due to student technology ability - how technologically literate are your students?
Susan_Hold: Honors level sophomores.
Susan_Hold: Kids are extremely literate.
Susan_Hold: And I think that's why they
Jim_Levin: What was the source of the split?
Susan_Hold: are often impatient. They have better technology at home.
Beth_Tward: how nice ti have the honor students
Jill_McCue: Would you not recommed Black board?
Deena_Sime: I must be going. I have a basketball tournament today. Good luck everyone, and Happy Holidays!
Nelda_Bake: Susan, I think it is extremely important that students see us struggle to learn something new. Do you think they appreciated that?
Susan_Hold: Source of the split? The kids who are most successful in the "traditional classroom" really didn't like the online version.
Jim_Levin: Interestin!
Susan_Hold: They were no longer the center of attention. That sounds sort of mean...
Gretchen: Susuan, I loved the faces with speech bubbles on your page!
Susan_Hold: But I think for many it's true.
Susan_Hold: Thanks Gretchen . had fun with those.
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Susan_Hold: Nelda, I'm not sure if 15 year olds (developmentally) can appreciate teacher struggle. We're supposed to be perfect!
Pat_Mc_Ner: Susan, do you plan to take this project further?
Jenna: Would you recommend Blackboard?
terry: How are you going to change next time?
Nelda_Bake: Dont you think that its frequently true that students who do well in traditional settings, don't do as well in nontraditional settings?
Susan_Hold: I may use it in a few other classes--maybe my non-honors kids will appreciate it more.
Susan_Hold: Blackboard sells subscriptions; I think you may get what you pay for!
Nelda_Bake: Susan, maybe they don't show it now, but at some future time they may remember this,
Glenda_Beq: What is the cost?
Susan_Hold: Terry: I think the kids (and I) will take a break for a while!
Susan_Hold: Don't know the cost now.
Jim_Levin: Great job, Susan! Applause!
Pat_Mc_Ner: FYI, Bradley University is paying someone to set up teacher work on Blackboard for next year.
Susan_Hold: Thanks.
Jim_Levin: Next up is Kim Klein.
Jim_Levin: Kim
Kim_Klein: Hi everyone! I teach first grade in Skokie, Illinois. When trying to think of something to do for my major project I knew that I wanted to directly involve parents.
Kim_Klein: In the area that I"m in it is sometimes a struggle to get parents involved.
Kim_Klein: I send home weekly hard copy newsletters that often get tossed aside.
Kim_Klein: In the beginning of the year I requested e-mail addresses from parents
Kim_Klein: I was suprised by the response I got. All but 2 of my students' parents have e-mail accounts
Kim_Klein: I find that this is a wonderful way to communicate with them.
Kim_Klein: So I figured that using the computer as another resource for my classroom could only be a postive thing.
Kim_Klein: I decided to expand my hard copy newsletter into Room 16
Kim_Klein: Sorry
Kim_Klein: Room 16's Net News
Kim_Klein: http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/krklein/newsletter.htm .
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Darren_Los: that is fine
Jim_Levin: If you can't get to Kim's page, whisper to me and I'll help out.
Kim_Klein: I thought parents might be more interested in finding out what was going on in the classroom if they could have the ease of looking on the computer.
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Kim_Klein: I started out just including basic information
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Kim_Klein: Ways for parents to contact me, school address and basic things we are covering in class.
Kim_Klein: I got wonderful feedback from parents the first time they veiwed the site.
Kim_Klein: It has expanded to include word wall words (spelling words that are given weekly)
Jim_Levin: one minute Kim.
Kim_Klein: Our current projects for each month, a montly calendar and helpful websites.
Kim_Klein: Parents are thrilled with the pictures that are posted.
Kim_Klein: It gives them a chance to be involved and see what's going on in the classroom ona daily basis.
Kim_Klein: I sent out hard copy surveys to parents.
Kim_Klein: I will use their feedback to improve the site.
Kim_Klein: I really had a great time with this project
Jim_Levin: Great Kim. Questions?
Kim_Klein: I will definitely keep it up after the course is over.
Pat_Mc_Ner: What affect on student learning did you see because of the increased communication?
Susan_Hold: Have you gotten any parental feedback yet?
Jane_Blant: a really good idea, Kim, I too am surprised so many have e-mail accounts.
Jill_McCue: Kim, how nice that so many of your families have access!
Kim_Klein: For one, parents have less excuse for not know assignements.
Deena_Sime: You had a great idea Kim. I think I will try to incorporate that into my page.
terry: did the students react to the parent involvement?
Gretchen: Deena, I'm only able to speak in gibberish. I'm checking to see if I can paste into it.Deena, I'm only able to speak in gibberish. I'm checking to see if I can paste into it.
Beth_Tward: Did you have any difficulties getting info posted weekly?
Kim_Klein: Yes, the students come in and tell me that they looked at their pictures ont he computer.
Kim_Klein: Not yet Beth, one parents suggested that I update the page daily!
Muffy_Pace: Will you ever do away with the hard copy newsletter?
Jane_Blant: Did it require more time than sending notes by hard copy?
Todd_Mickl: Kim, how did you inform parents about your site?
Nelda_Bake: Did you have to get parent permission to use children's pictures?
Kim_Klein: I put it in my hard copy newsletter Todd and I also sent home a seperate note about it.
Beth_Tward: I don't think so!
Kim_Klein: I e-mailed them the new site to check out!
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Jill_McCue: As a parent of 3 kids in school I would prefer online comm and save a few trees. We have so many daily papers sent home!
Kim_Klein: I agree Jill! All of those papers just get lost in the shuffle!
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Kim_Klein: YEs, I had to get permission slips for all picture use
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Kim_Klein: All but 3 parents gave me permission.
Josh_Norma: As a parent I would like the updated information
Nelda_Bake: I think it is a great idea.
Susan_Hold: Josh--are you a parent?
Kim_Klein: I am trying to stay on top of things and update it as much as possible
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Todd_Mickl: that's the hardest part
Kathy_Legg: You might see if your district will incorporate use of pictures in their technology usage agreement that students and parents sign. We have done this successfully in Waukegan.
Kim_Klein: Yes it is!
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Susan_Hold: Good job Kim. The site is very informative.
Nelda_Bake: I wish I had been able to contact my son's teachers.
Josh_Norma: That was me--Linda,Mom
Jenna: Don't be surprised noe if you get messages telling you that you haven't updated it enough.
Kim_Klein: That's what we have Kathy. But the form is very confusing.
Susan_Hold: OK Linda! : )
Todd_Mickl: we have also integrated the agreement
Kim_Klein: And parents in my district have limited English, so it's even harder!
Kim_Klein: I already have Jenna
Kim_Klein: It was also nice for parents to be able to see pictures from our field trips
Jenna: Great job Kim! I hope it continues to bring positive feedback to your classroom!
Kim_Klein: Then they could share the experience with their children
Jim_Levin: Great job, Kim. By the way, TAPPED IN is back up, so those planning to use that can relax a bit.
Glenda_Beq: CHEERS!!
Gretchen_H: Jim, I had my gibberish problem. If I disappear again, that's why. Quitting Netscape and then coming back seemed to fix the prob.
Kim_Klein: Thanks Everyone!
Jim_Levin: Let's move on - next is Paulette Wall. Paulette ---
Jenna clap
Susan_Holderread claps louder.
Susan_Hold: Is she here?
Gretchen_H: I don't think so.
Jim_Levin: I don't see here, let's go on to Brian Engle. Brian--
Brian_Engl: I'm Here!!!
Susan_Hold: Last minute holiday shopping?
Jim_Levin: go for it Brian.
Brian_Engl: I'm haveing a little difficulty pasting
Jim_Levin: You won't see what you pasted - just push return and you should see it in the chat window.
Jim_Levin: That is, click in the place you type, paste, then push return. If its a URL, type in a space and period after you paste.
Brian_Engl: It isn't given me the option of paste
Jim_Levin: You'll need to use the keyboard equivalent - control -V or command - V on a Mac.
Brian_Engl: Hello everyone, I would first like to provide a bit of background information concerning the current position and district Iām in.
Brian_Engl: her we go again
Beth_Tward: right mouse click paste on a pc
Brian_Engl: Currently I am working as the Assistant Director of Technology (Facilitator of Educational Technology) for the Wood Dale School District.
Brian_Engl: Two of my major responsibilities are to generate technology in-services for teachers throughout our district. ( pre-k - 8) As well as to make sure our junior high students leave with the necessary technology skills to be successful at the High School Level
Brian_Engl: Because my position is new for the District, they have given me an enormous amount of breathing room in order to start up programs that will develop the skills of both teachers and students.
Brian_Engl: Because I wanted to link both teachers and student learning in order for everyone to see the importance, I decided to develop a technology team of students that would focus on specific programs and then help teach them to the staff throughout the district.
Brian_Engl: The project started with a group of Junior High students whom we as a district felt had enough basic skills to make this project a successful adventure.
Brian_Engl: I felt it was necessary to both challenge and benefit them in all their special areas.
Brian_Engl: Because I have to deal with the district as a whole, I wanted to develop a program that would benefit students throughout our district. The idea of a student led technology team was one of the first ideas that I felt could and would meet all my desired goals.
Brian_Engl: Each student was nominated by teachers from their specific grade level, as well as by testing criteria that had been previous developed by the district for admission into the Gifted Program
Brian_Engl: The group was originally designed to handle 20 students, but because of conflicts and time issues it was narrowed down to 15 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. As we continue on this year and for upcoming school years we hope to expand and increase the number of students that we are able to bring into the program.
Brian_Engl: We used the Microsoft Office Standard Suite, which includes PowerPoint, Word, Excel, IE5, and Outlook. As a group we did our first training with PowerPoint and Word, the training went very well. As a group we were able to develop a tutorial for PowerPoint and Word which can be found on my project web site, along with a set of notes for PowerPoint.
Brian_Engl: http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/bengle/First.html .
Brian_Engl: Like I said on my conclusion page, as with any new program or project, I am continually analyzing and making adjustments as I go along.
Jim_Levin: one minute Brian.
Brian_Engl: The hardest or most difficult aspect of the project has been TIME!!!
Brian_Engl: The students worked very hard during the times that we met, however, it really takes a lot of time to develop their skills to a high enough level
Brian_Engl: to be capable of teaching teachers
Jim_Levin: Great, Brian - questions?
Brian_Engl: However, I recently had a meeting with some of the administrators throughout our district and from that meeting we have decided to develop a Saturday Morning program that will be taught by one of our teachers a long with student's from the Technology Team. The class currently is going to be set up for six Saturday mornings and is being designed to target those students throughout the district
Susan_Hold: Were teachers uncomfortable with having students teach them?
Brian_Engl: Not at all!! They actually really enjoyed it!!
Gretchen_H: I love the idea of students as teachers. I think that can be such a huge confidence boost for them, as well as a learning experience.
Susan_Hold: That's neat.
Jill_McCue: Brian, I found the tutorials really informative. Think I'll use them myself.
Josh_Norma: Were the students pulled out of class to teach teachers?
Brian_Engl: Wonderful!!
Nelda_Bake: I, too, will be using the tutorials, for me.
Jill_McCue: Is the Saturday class idea going to work?
Pat_Mc_Ner: Were the students ever available to go into teacher classrooms to assist them in using technology?
Brian_Engl: After our first class, we had every teacher us it on their own with their class, without us even asking them to.
Brian_Engl: Who knows about the saturday class, it is currently just in the works, but they have done a Saturday program before
Gretchen_H: Is there a possibility of your students helping the elementary school teachers as well?
Brian_Engl: Just not in tech
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Nelda_Bake: Did you have any teachers who hate computers?
Brian_Engl: They are helping all the teachers throughout the district
Brian_Engl: Yes
Brian_Engl: As we develop the program, I hope to bring more and more teachers on board
Brian_Engl: It is a step by step process with a lot of our staff
Brian_Engl: Baby steps, BABY
Jim_Levin: Baby steps are good.
terry: are student teams all working on the same tutorials or do they work in groups on progects?
Brian_Engl: They are good, any steps forward are nice
Nelda_Bake: At least you won't have to do it all by yourself, now.
Jim_Levin: Very nice, Brian. Applause!
Brian_Engl: They work in small groups of three or four
Josh_Norma: Baby steps make everyone feel comfortable and more ready to try something new.
Todd_Mickl: Cool Idea..Nice job.
Nelda_Bake: It is a bit overwhelming, if you are the only one trying to accomplish it.
Susan_Hold: Nice work, Brian.
Brian_Engl: yes
Glenda_Beq: Good JOB!!
Josh_Norma: CLAP!
Brian_Engl: thank you
Beth_Tward: nice job Brian!
Jim_Levin: Linda and Josh Norman are next - do you two need twice the time or not?
Debra_Bren: Great project Brian.
Josh_Norma: Probably one and a half of the time.
Jenna: After 11:30, thank goodness in tapped in
Jim_Levin: Okay, go for it.
Josh_Norma: · Our project had Josh's seventh grade students create web pages over the five themes of geography. http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/jrnorma1/project.htm http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/lnorman/project.htm
Jenna: I thought you did great! I am nervous now. Wish I could just get it over with.
Jenna: I also did a lot of pretyping.
Josh_Norma: · The Academic Web pages were created around the academic state standard of the five themes of geography in a seventh grade social studies class in Pekin, Illinois. The five themes are location, place, human environment interaction, movement and region. Each theme covers a different aspect of geography. For example, location deals with longitude and latitude.
Josh_Norma: · All students filled out permission slips, took permission slips home to their parents, and filled out a pre-survey indicating what their background knowledge was for creating web pages. Then, all were introduced to the IBM software, Learning Village.
Josh_Norma: · Learning Village has many components to the package. The Pekin Public Schools was a beta test site for the software, which gave us the package free and a one-year upgrade. It costs six figures to purchase this from IBM.
Josh_Norma: · One can use HTML to enhance web pages, but they are not necessary to author. Some of our students used some HTML, but most just used the built in categories. The next time they author they will be expected to use some html.
Josh_Norma: Are we going too fast?
Jill_McCue: nope
Leonard_Fr: a little; I was taking another look at your website
Josh_Norma: · Our pre-results indicated that students had no prior knowledge of web page authoring, not with personal web pages or academic pages. Therefore, this was a good test group to see if it is feasible to teach the skill at seventh grade and use it academically with the content of social studies. Students had never used Learning Village either.
Josh_Norma: · So, after the five themes were taught and practiced in the classroom, each cooperative group chose a city to apply the five themes of geography. Each person was responsible for a section of the web page. They were given three days in the computer lab that is connected to the Internet by a T-1 line to gather research, pictures to compliment their areas, and backgrounds from a book-marked list of sites.
Josh_Norma: · Their homework each night of those three nights was to continue gathering information from books, brochures, and the Internet if that was available at home. At the completion of the three days a rough draft was submitted to the classroom teacher.
Josh_Norma: · Then, a class period was taken to instruct them in the use of Learning Village, and they were given time to explore it on their own. The next day, the students were given a half of a day to look at web pages created by teachers to get ideas for design.
Josh_Norma: · The Learning Center teacher talked with them about design tips (i.e. dark backgrounds need light colored font. At the completion of this project a list of tips was created by reflection of the teacher and Learning Center teacher.
Josh_Norma: · The most important issue for this project is that it takes time to utilize this teaching strategy. One can't take shortcuts of time when teaching the use of web pages, introduction of Learning Village, and good design of web pages. They also needed to spend time deciding who would complete each section.
Jim_Levin: one minute Josh and Linda.
Josh_Norma: · Before beginning the web page each group needed a storyboard for their page written out. They also needed a list of sources for the research and pictures. Then, when they are on the computers, the groups should first type in the text, and then they could insert the pictures, change the background, and add HTML enhancements.
Josh_Norma: · It was valuable for them to peer edit the other groups web pages and add positive comments to their guest book. A guide was given to them before they began to research, so they knew what was needed on the web page. The two teachers edited the pages also before they were posted and had students make the changes.
Josh_Norma: · Our post results were one hundred percent positive that students found this to be valuable. Most mentioned that they learned how to take pictures off of the web. They all felt comfortable with the concept of the creation of academic web pages with Learning Village and that they knew the five themes of geography perfectly.
Jim_Levin: Great, Josh and Linda. Questions?
Brian_Engl: What are you filling concerning Learning Village, would you recommend a district to buy it? Did the students like it or did they find it restricting?
Glenda_Beq: YOU mention a guest book? Did I miss it?
Pat_Mc_Ner: Great project Linda and Josh!
Brian_Engl: What did you use for Storyboarding? Inspiration is a great piece of software I use when storyboarding for web pages!
Darren_Los: Nice job
Josh_Norma: The five themes are location -- longitude, latitude.
Josh_Norma: · So, our major goal was to see if junior high students could use this strategy of publishing effectively for their classroom content and to link the five themes to a real life situation for better retention of information. The only suggestions that the students had were to give them more time and work without a partner.
Jenna: Great project. I have passed it on to my geography teachers
Jane_Blant: looks like you brought your students a great learning experience!
Josh_Norma: We have just a little more before the questions.
Leonard_Fr: Great project! The kids did a wonderful job!
Marna_Kitz: I'm very impressed with the results from the students. What a great idea!
Jim_Levin: Nice job! Applause. Next is Jason Bates. Jason--
Josh_Norma: · They want to create more with other areas of the content. Therefore, we concluded that this is a valuable way to apply and publish content material. Finished
Debra_Bren: I've shared this project with my teachers also.
Jason_Bate: Hello all, yes down here in Florida we finally decided on a President. Took a while , but it is done.
Brian_Engl: nice job
Nelda_Bake: Did most of your students have good basic computer skills before starting this project?
Tim_Rogers: Your site looks great..nice job
Beth_Tward: Very nice! I have always had difficlulty thinking of a good eay to teach the five themes
Jason_Bate: I teach 7th grade Earth Science at a private school
terry: Will you have the next class re-start next year or continue this one?
Jason_Bate: Next year I am looking to acquire the position of curriculum and technology specialist, and I feel that this project will assist in my preparation.
Jason_Bate: My site can be found at http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/jwbates/EdpsyProject.htm
Jim_Levin: (some people may need to delete the period and quote the system puts in at the end of that URL
Leonard_Fr: I'm getting a 404 error message
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Jason_Bate: ohohoh
Jim_Levin: It worked for me, go on Jason.
Todd_Mickl: delete the " and .
Jason_Bate: hold on
Jason_Bate: In this project, students will be creating their own eportfolios and journals.
Jason_Bate: This will give my students an opportunity to display their work to a broader audience and teach them valuable technology and critical thinking skills.
Jim_Levin: one minute Jason.
Leonard_Fr: Thank you; I got it now.
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Jim_Levin: Okay, thanks Jason, questions?
Jason_Bate: The eportfolio allows students to work on something authentic and create an impressive final project. Too often students focus on the daily tasks, but don't have a chance to look at the big picture and see how they are learning and changing.
Jason_Bate: By compiling their work in this eportfolio, with the purpose of publishing for a broader audience, students learn to organize and evaluate their work.
Jenny_Kias: is this on a server that will be active throughout their academic career
Jason_Bate: I thought 1 minute meant to hold on
Jason_Bate: yes Jenny, until they graduate from HS
Pat_Mc_Ner: At what grade do your students start technology training?
Jim_Levin: Good point - those are many of the same reasons why we wanted you CTER students to have your own eportfolios :-)
Jason_Bate: grade 1
Jill_McCue: I'm sure the students were proud. My students' faces were ecstatic when I told them they were officially on the Web.
Jason_Bate: I just developed a computer skills continuum for teh school
Jason_Bate: grades 1 - 12
terry: please share that!
Todd_Mickl: Do the student keep a copy of their portforlios on CD?
Jason_Bate: sure I can post on web board thsi week
Josh_Norma: I love this concept and want to try it in my district.
Jason_Bate: we have a copy on server, but it i sheld on the web
Todd_Mickl: to take to colleges etc.
Brian_Engl: I just used your site to propose the idea to my district
Jason_Bate: ahh, yes they will alwys have a copy
Jason_Bate: great Brian
Jason_Bate: Front Page is best device
Glenda_Beq: YOu mentioned a private school -- are there "curriculum standards thatyour computer skills are matched with"?
Pat_Mc_Ner: Nice job
Jason_Bate: yes, Glenda
Jim_Levin: Great, Brian. Applause!
Nelda_Bake: What do you mean you shield it on the web?
Jason_Bate: held (hold on it th eweb)
Jason_Bate: spelling i sbad today
Jason_Bate: see
Jim_Levin: okay, let's take a 5 minute break. You may want to close any extra windows you have open.
Jason_Bate: jim that was me Jason, not Brian
Beth_Tward: A lot of great work Jason!
Jason_Bate: thanks Beth
Leonard_Fr: Nice job
Jim_Levin: Oops, sorry Jason. Great job - APPLAUSE.
Brian_Engl: Great job Jason!
Jim_Levin: 4 minute break - stand up, stretch, whatever.
Jason_Bate: Thx Brian, to you as well
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Debra_Bren: Nice job Jason. Your format was very descriptive and easy to follow too.
Beth_Tward: Hey jim
Todd_Mickl: Jason, do you have sample eportfiolio that your students worked on?
Beth_Tward: Can I present with webboard?
Jason_Bate: Debra thx, having trouble with web server Big Chalk
Jason_Bate: Todd, yes...mine from CTER
Jason_Bate: as well as other schools
Beth_Tward: Thanks!
Beth_Tward: I be last here
Jason_Bate: that i found on the web
Beth_Tward: i'll
Jason_Bate: jenny
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Jim_Levin: Jenny Kiaschko is up next. Ready to start in 2 minutes, Jenny?
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Jenny_Kias: Yes!
Jenna: Are we going to Tapped In at 11:30?
Jim_Levin: Yes, tapped in at 11:30
Jenna: Thanks
Jenny_Kias: Here is my URL--in case anybody wants to look at it http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/kiaschko/387mp
Jason_Bate: pretty good
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Jim_Levin: Okay, let's move on. Jenny--
Jenny_Kias: For my major project, I integrated a Geometry Software program into my curriculum.
Jenny_Kias: I used The Geometer's Sketchpad software in my Informal Geometry class, which is very low level.
Jenny_Kias: I wanted to use it in the chapter about triangle congruences, postulates, and theorems.
Jenny_Kias: This is a very difficult chapter for these types of students, because the have a hard time with abstract
Jenny_Kias: ideas. This program was tremendous. I really like The Geometer's Sketchpad, and all of the support
Jenny_Kias: material that comes with it. We had some difficulties getting used to the software. The students that
Jenny_Kias: I teach for this class are not very computer savvy. But, in the end, it worked out really well. They
Jenny_Kias: developed a more concrete understanding of the material, and did quite a bit better on the tests, as a
Jenny_Kias: result-I believe. In fact, the students want to use the software again!! Hopefully, I can schedule time
Jenny_Kias: in the computer lab to use this program again.
Jenny_Kias: I know that Nelda asked me if this type of software would be good for 4th graders, and I think that it would.
Jenny_Kias: It is quite user friendly, but there is a lot to learn before you can really get into some of the cooler projects.
Jenny_Kias: I had to spend a good deal of time with the software so that I could field any questions that the students
Jenny_Kias: might have. The next time that I use it -will be better, of course, just because we are all familiar with
Jenny_Kias: the program.
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Jenny_Kias: Any questions?
Josh_Norma: Our district is just getting this software this spring, so I will definitely use your info.
Jim_Levin: Couldn't you also use this with more advanced students as well?
Glenda_Beq: Is there a website for us to look at?
Jason_Bate: Jenny are you familiar with any other teacher susing program??
Jenny_Kias: Definitely
Jill_McCue: Jenny, we have this program on all the computers I'm thinking about taking the Math 351 online class about it for next year's class I will teach
Beth_Tward: how much time would I have to spend with my class to get valuable info. from it?
Jenny_Kias: I only teach the low level geometry--other classes are algebra
Jason_Bate: teachers from my school are
Beth_Tward: Is it a time consuming program to learn?
Todd_Mickl: Many of our math teachers use this software at all levels, they love it
Jim_Levin: How about having your Informal Geometry students teach your more advanced students?
Jenny_Kias: we have Cabri geometry --but i like this one better
Jason_Bate: I will giv ethem your email to exchange ideas
Pat_Mc_Ner: Did you use for just specific skills or can you see using it to teach a whole unit of geometry?
terry: Illinois ISBE is promoting this software with Middle School math -- we are doing trainings everywhere and would certainly love so share your experiences
Beth_Tward: that's kind of my questions
Jenny_Kias: it is not time consuming--but you do need to spend a couple of hours experimenting
Marna_Kitz: Having the students work with partners was a good idea. They probably built off each other's ideas.
Jenny_Kias: I don't have advanced students, jim--but that would be great if I did
Jenny_Kias: you can use it for everything--there is different software for every subject
Susan_Hold: Advanced students are a tougher crowd sometimes!
Jim_Levin: Very nice, Jenny. Applause!
Jenny_Kias: it worked really well with partners--because my students don't show up very often
Jenny_Kias: Thanks
terry: was there a particular type student who responded best?
Jason_Bate: WOOWEEE, great job
Brian_Engl: great job jenny
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Jill_McCue: Yeah, it's hard to stay ahead of them, right Susan
Jim_Levin: Next is Todd Mickley. Todd--
Jenny_Kias: If anybody has questions about the software--there is a link on my site to the company
Jason_Bate: story of my life Jill
Todd_Mickl: Hello everyone! I teach an Honors Physics class (juniors) in Roselle, IL.(4 Sections)
Beth_Tward: thanks Jen
Debra_Bren: Great job Jenny. We are in the process of looking at this for our middle school. Would love to share insights.
Jenny_Kias: email me about it
Todd_Mickl: The goal of my project was to determine the impact of online communication on the performance and attitudes of students and parents. I used four major forms of online communication in my project. The first was the posting of the class schedule on this site:
Todd_Mickl: http://www.lphs.dupage.k12.il.us/acd_dept/sciweb/Classes/HPhysics/Schedule.asp .
Todd_Mickl: This allowed students to look ahead and also see what they missed when they are absent.
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Todd_Mickl: If you click on the "Notes" link you can see the next form of communication ? my PowerPoint lecture notes online.
Todd_Mickl: Using the "Save as web page" feature makes putting the notes online very easy. All I do is add a slide to the end of each presentation with a link to the "note listing" page so they can easily navigate back. This is helpful for students who missed a day or may just need to review the notes again before the test.
Todd_Mickl: The third and fourth forms of online communication I used can be found on the class homepage:
Todd_Mickl: http://www.lphs.dupage.k12.il.us/acd_dept/sciweb/Classes/HPhysics/index.htm
Todd_Mickl: Here I have a link to email me and my AOL screen name, so students can contact me at any time.
Todd_Mickl: Also on this page is the link to the online chat area I have set up for review sessions. Every evening prior to an exam, I hold an hour-long review session where students can ask me any questions they may have about the chapter.
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Todd_Mickl: I password protected it to avoid unwanted interuptions.
Todd_Mickl: To determine if the use of these forms of communications impacted the students, I compared their test scores to the scores of last year's classes: http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/mickley/edpsy387/Tests.html
Todd_Mickl: Since only a third of the students used the online review session, I am not surprised that there is no major improvement in the test scores.
Todd_Mickl: In addition to the test scores, I administered a survey asking about their use of the online content and their opinions about it.
Jim_Levin: one minute Todd.
Todd_Mickl: http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/mickley/edpsy387/survey.html
Todd_Mickl: I wanted to use an online form, but our network administrator was having problems getting it connected to a database, so I used the ever-reliable paper and pencil.
Todd_Mickl: I have a detailed summary of the results here:
Todd_Mickl: http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/mickley/edpsy387/surveyresults.html
Todd_Mickl: http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/mickley/edpsy387/surveyresults.html .
Todd_Mickl: I also sent a survey home to the parents to see if they had used, or seen their students use the online content.
Todd_Mickl: Parents, in general, were also enthused about the online content, though not many knew about it prior to the survey. During the project, I had only one parent contact me via email. Of the surveys I received, only about half would prefer communicating by email. This surprised me. It is very difficult to get in touch with most teachers via the phone. After a view rounds of "telephone tag" I might finally get to talk to the parent.
Jim_Levin: very nice, Todd. Questions?
Marna_Kitz: Wow. What a great idea! I would like to model something off that myself.
Glenda_Beq: Todd -- if you help me get my PowerPoint fixed -- I'll help you fix your online form!!
Tim_Rogers: Todd what software did you use to create your web page?
Beth_Tward: The test scores look good. Imrovement!
Pat_Mc_Ner: Do you know why only a third of students attended chat? Access or??? Neat project!
Todd_Mickl: FrontPage
Todd_Mickl: Mostly time restrictions
Susan_Hold: It was interesting to see your results, Todd.
Josh_Norma: Neat Web Page!! Very informative!
Tim_Rogers: Looks great....
Jenna_Brya: Do you think the student involvement increased once the parents had seen the survey from you?
Nelda_Bake: Why do you think parents didn't communicate more with e-mail? Are they just not used to using the computer, very much?
Todd_Mickl: I wiil have to see if there is an increses in usage
Susan_Hold: Parents probably have to fight with their kids to get online at home!
Jenna_Brya: Most parents would encourage their students if they are first aware of the availability.
Jenna_Brya: Good point Susan!
Debra_Bren: Results look good. What a nice option for students (and parents) Greta job!
terry: were you using powerpoint for all presenations before or did you have to move to it?
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Todd_Mickl: I metioned the content at our curriculum night
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Leonard_Fr: Very interesting project. Were you able to find out how many of the kids have internet at home. I imagine quite a few in your neck of the woods
Todd_Mickl: I was using powerpoint on a less frequent basis
Todd_Mickl: only 2 that completed the survey did not have it
Todd_Mickl: but those can acces it at school
Jim_Levin: Great, Todd. Applause!
Jenna_Brya: Do you offer study sessions at school?
Jenna_Brya: for those who cannot do the study session online?
Susan: Are we now headed over to Tapped IN?
Leonard_Fr: Really liked the idea of a chat room for test preparation
Jim_Levin: Okay, the plan now is to switch to TAPPED IN, and do those, then lunch.
Susan: Seeya there!
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Jenna_Brya: see ya
Jim_Levin: So, let's meet in our CTER room in TAPPED IN. E511
Gretchen: Will we be returning to webboard?
Muffy_Pace: see ya
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terry: see everyone there :)
Jim_Levin: We'll return to WebBoard after lunch break.
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Beth_Tward: so long!
Gretchen: Okay.
Leonard_Fr: see you all at tapped in;
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Jill_McCue: Sandy, from what you know re math links, is it asking a lot of myself to try one during 399. Wasn't there something about only having to finish within a year no a semester?
Pat_Mc_Ner: I was thinking the same thing Jill, but I don't know if I can fit it in.
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Glenda_Beq: Sandy, I have a Question about Summer Coursework (planning ahead) -- due to NECC 2001 --would it be possible for me to take a CTER 4 class and a CTER 3 classs in the July 1 - 31 segment
Jill_McCue: I'm intrigued by the geometer sketchpad esp. after hearing all poitive things today
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Debra_Bren: Hi everyone.
Susan: How was lunch?
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Jim_Levin: Good - had an Italian beef sandwich.
Glenda: Lunch was great!!
Susan: Chili here.
Debra_Bren: MMM good. Had soup.
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Glenda: Hey, I tired again to get into BRanvenet? Is it down?
Beth_Tward: hi all
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Jim_Levin: okay, folks ready to start?
Susan: You did fine, jenna!
Beth_Tward: yes
Jim_Levin: Beth, you're on.
Glenda: Sandy, I'll talk to you later!!
Beth_Tward: I apologize for my typing skills (which aren't great anyway).
Leonard_Fr: I'm ready; but not everyone is here yet.
Beth_Tward: I had an unfortunate incident with my mom's German Shepard.
Jill_McCue: thanks for info
Leonard_Fr: What happened?
Beth_Tward: My major project involved creating a webquest to teach about endangered species
Beth_Tward: I used the quest with both of the sixth grade science classes that I teach.
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Beth_Tward: Each class had about twenty-five students participating.
Beth_Tward: I kept the quest to one page because I thought it would be easier for kids to navigate
Beth_Tward: I also included a lot of links, but Yahooligans was the best. I wasn't even nervous letting kids surf with it.
Beth_Tward: Here is my webquest url
Beth_Tward: http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/etwardow/indexa.html .
Beth_Tward: The quality of my students' work was mixed (as usual). Some students were much more focused and on task than others.
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Beth_Tward: I do feel students learned more with the Webquest. This is because they were all focused on the Internet information.
Beth_Tward: I find that is not always true using texts. It was slide show creation that caused a problem with some.
Glenda: Beth, project your address again -- don't forgot to leave spaces or type something
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Jim_Levin: . http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/etwardow/indexa.html .
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Beth_Tward: Either they were so into the Internet they hardly got started, or they were so interested in graphics and animation there wasn't much information written down.
Beth_Tward: Most students did a very good job considering they had never done a WebQuest. I also did not give them as much time as I wanted to in the computer lab.
Jim_Levin: one minute, Beth.
Jim_Levin: good job, Beth. Questions?
Beth_Tward: sorry - pasting trouble
Pat_Mc_Ner: What would you do different the next time to keep students on task in the lab?
Beth_Tward: They were on task...Just preferred surfing to slideshow
Jill_McCue: Beth, after seeing your web quest I was inspired to have my HS science students try to build one
Beth_Tward: It really was great
Beth_Tward: sorry I cant cut/paste
Beth_Tward: I have no index nail
Nelda_Bake: Great site, Beth.
Tim_Rogers: Your site looks great Beth....lots of links
Debra_Bren: Did you use bokmarked sites for students to navigate?
Beth_Tward: They are really cool to do
Glenda: Beth -- how much time did yu give them?
Beth_Tward: thanks
Beth_Tward: yes
Beth_Tward: wish you could see the power points
Beth_Tward: we worked about 45 minutes for five to six days
Beth_Tward: VIsit my site...
Debra_Bren: Great site Beth. Had lots of good information. I had my students look at it and they to had a hard time "getting back to task".
Pat_Mc_Ner: Nice job!
terry: we'll keep checking for slides in the future off your e-folio -- good job
Beth_Tward: Thank you!
Jim_Levin: Great job, Beth. Applause!
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Jenna: Great job!
Jim_Levin: Jill McCue is up next. Jill--
Jill_McCue: Hello all. My final project was to build and display an English showcase web page for my sophomore and senior English class. The five students wrote and edited in our computer lab. They designed the pages and organized the work. The chore of writing anything longer than a paragraph is daunting to these students who are hard of hearing.
Jill_McCue: The students studied newspapers and decided to have a poetry page, interviews, memory features, book reviews, and editorials on school rules. They drew comics but edited them out, because they were not happy with the scanned images. We may try drawing them on the computer next time. The students used school colors throughout the showcase and chose RUSH or Read Us Streamwood High as the title. I thought it was a very cool name!
Jill_McCue: All of the specifics of my project are part of a 17-slide power point that can be accessed at http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/jmccue/rush_files/frame.htm if you are using Internet Explorer. Iāll summarize the findings and insights, both good and bad. Check out the presentation another time if you get a chance!
Jill_McCue: 3 things I found most interesting during this project are: 1. Adults that have viewed the site are just astounded by what we made. They act as if I am the computer wizard with the kids. Most of you know this is not true! 2. The students wrote long, detailed grammatically correct stories with little assistance and prodding. All who viewed the site noted their increased use of descriptors. 3. The studentsā proofreading and revisi
Jim_Levin: (we discovered that Powerpoints like Jill's can't be viewed well in Netscape)
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Jill_McCue: Downfalls of this project involved technology issues and parent involvement. As part of a special education program I am not always given equal access to district programs that other faculty have. This is the reason that our showcase is under another teacherās name
Jill_McCue: (Thank you, Joyce) and must be changed. The web page program, Great Page, is very simple but limiting. A suggestion was made to put a link to the stories within the pages, but I found no way to do that. However, I took that comment and added a button for each student so that their families would not need to look at each page to find their studentās work. Maybe being forced to change web page development programs will allow us to u
Jill_McCue: I only received 1of 5 parent response forms. After reading some of your results on surveys being returned, I donāt feel so bad. I felt I needed some adult feedback regarding the site, so I asked 2 teachers who have worked with these students and asked our technology coordinator to evaluate my use of Great Page. Their positive responses to our showcase and the quality of the writing were certainly uplifting!
Jill_McCue: I will continue to do our longer writing assignments in the computer lab. The studentsā increased motivation and pleasing performance make up for the hassles involved with scheduling lab time and technical difficulties.
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Jim_Levin: one minute, Jill
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Jill_McCue: Please visit our showcase during the year, as we will continue to add new work. My freshman class is interested in writing for the showcase, also. After todayās presentation (and when I find time to rebuild it) our showcase will be accessible through my eportfolio under EdPsych 387 major project. The district has demanded that I remove this from my friendās file, and I understand their dilemma regarding liability.
Jim_Levin: very nice, Jill. Questions?
Pat_Mc_Ner: Wonderful project!
Jill_McCue: I hope you have all had a chance to see RUSH. I need to delete it all this afternoon as I do not want my friend's reputation put at risk.
Jill_McCue: Any questions or comments?
Jim_Levin: Can you put it on your LRS web site?
Glenda: Jill -- I'm concerned as an ISBE employee -- are there no AUP's for the teachers?
Jenna: Great job! I think it is awful that you don't have a space for your work.
Debra_Bren: Neat project Jill. Great work!
Jim_Levin: Many districts have them; many don't
Tim_Rogers: Jill that is a great web site...the power point works great on AOL....
Nelda_Bake: Terrific. Tell me why your friend's reputation is in danger?
Jenna: Maybe you could be one to change that..hopeful
Glenda: My exact point - NELDA
Jenna: I viewed it at school and thought it was a great project!
Jill_McCue: I will store a new showcase on LRS however I will be denied access to Great Page where it is edited
Jill_McCue: Tech people tell her liability of wha I put under her name is dangerous. I understand
Jim_Levin: Can't you copy it from Great Page and move the files to the LRS?
Beth_Tward: WHy? Is it a district thing?
Glenda: What a shame -- a beautiful project that impacts students with disabilities!!
Beth_Tward: i see
Jill_McCue: Won't it be only as is Jim with no changes available
Beth_Tward: Can they link the school site to your page?
Beth_Tward: that's what my school does
Beth_Tward: then I can edit all I want
terry: don't get discouraged --- and like everyone said try to get input into your district policies
Jill_McCue: I'm using her password and everything
Jill_McCue: The kids had fun doing it once maybe it will be twice as much fun
Jim_Levin: Great job, Jill! Applause!
Susan: Nice job!
Brian_Engl: nice job
terry: NICE !!!
Beth_Tward: Excellent job!
Leonard_Fr: very,very good
Glenda: Keep up the Good Work and don't ever let them get you down!!
Jim_Levin: Pat McNerney is up next. Pat--
Pat_Mc_Ner: Hi everyone! The purpose of my project was to improve the scientific method write-ups that students create by teaching them to use technology to write, create tables and charts, and to analyze and edit their work.
Pat_Mc_Ner: My goals were to teach students to use word processing and spreadsheet to do scientific writing; to give students a consistent way to critique their write-ups; and to give students the understanding that by utilizing technology they can easily revise their work without having to rewrite the whole paper.
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Pat_Mc_Ner: Two tutorials that had been previously created by me were used to teach students the basics of word processing, spreadsheet, and graphing. A web-based checklist was developed for students to interact with to critique their scientific write-ups. I wanted to keep the checklist short and to the point. I wanted the site to give students a good idea of what should be included in a scientific write-up. .
Pat_Mc_Ner: Science teachers discussed the issue that they receive very few good scientific write-ups prior to the project. We discussed the following problems they saw in the students' work: poor handwriting - we can't read their work; missing sections - students skip main parts of the scientific method; unorganized - students do the write-up and when they miss parts, they draw arrows to the part or squeeze in something they expec
Pat_Mc_Ner: The learners consisted of 6-8 graders (150 students); 3 teachers (unskilled at utilizing technology - no formal education in it). Sequence of project: 1. Research approval by University of Illinois; 2. Permission forms to participate in research signed; 3. Teachers and students participate in first lab and create a scientific write-up without the use of technology; teachers and students take pre-surveys; 4. Students
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Pat_Mc_Ner: Pre-survey Results: 78% of students felt they really didn't use the scientific method when doing a lab and 72% felt they didn't know all of the steps to the method. Only 14% felt that they had not done a lab with all the steps during their studies, which makes sense since they just finished a write-up. Only 15 of the 150 had learned the scientific method before 6th grade. Students rated themselves an average of 2.2 of
Pat_Mc_Ner: Two teachers felt that their students used the scientific method when doing labs, but only one teacher felt they had students create a write-up. Overall, teachers felt that only about 40% of students really knew the scientific method. Teachers rated themselves at a 4 out of 5 point scale at knowing and using the method
Pat_Mc_Ner: The first set of labs produced mixed results. Teachers reported the grades for the first round of write-ups. Out of 150 students, there were no A's. There were 20 B's, 80 low C's, no D's, and 50 F's. A few of the students rewrote the lab when given the opportunity, but not all partners participated in the rewrite and it was mainly the better students doing the.
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Pat_Mc_Ner: Post-survey Results: 35% of students still felt they didn't use the scientific method very well. 84% felt they used the web-tool successfully and 81% indicated that the tool would help them. Students rated their skills at using the scientific method at a 2.5 (still low), but rated their ability to do a write-up at an average of 3.7 which was an increase.
Pat_Mc_Ner: Teachers agreed that using technology made it possible for them to read the students' work. Students included more sections of the write-up and most students handed in the write-ups with better organization. Teachers also saw more willingness by students to edit their work and more of the lower scoring students were
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Pat_Mc_Ner: Teachers felt that the tool brought consistency into the scientific method between grade levels. They asked for a rubric to be included that they could utilize for grading labs. They felt that students should continue to use technology for scientific writing. Teachers asked for links after Internet comes to sites that enhance the understanding of each section of the scientific method.
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Pat_Mc_Ner: Students felt that using technology helped them check and revise their work so that all parts and all relevant sections were included. Many students felt that when they had a problem with the site, it was because they did not understand that section of the scientific method. Students who had had several science teachers who used the scientific method said that not all teachers taught it with the same sections under expe
Pat_Mc_Ner: Students felt that the check-off site could be used before doing an experiment. They thought that when they wrote up the scientific method from problem down to designing the experiment, that critiquing it before doing the experiment would help. Students also wanted more links to help on definition. Links to other science sites was not possible since the school was waiting for Internet to be installed.
Pat_Mc_Ner: The second set of labs produced better results. Teachers reported the grades for the second round of write-ups in 6th - 8th grade. Out of 150 students, there were 25 A's, 50 B's, 50 C's, 15 D's, 10 F's. While the overall grades were better, I do not believe that I can conclusively say that technology was the sole contributing factor to the higher grades. I feel that many other factors may have contributed such as:
Pat_Mc_Ner: Students gained a better understanding of the scientific method after first lab; groupings of lab partners may have been better; the second lab students were doing was easier to understand and more interesting; teachers may have reviewed the scientific method to raise students' understanding of it; students might have done as well on second lab write-up without the web-based critique tool by merely using word processing a
Pat_Mc_Ner: This researched has raised some issues for me in science education: do most schools wait to teach the scientific method at the junior high age; do teachers really teach the scientific method differently and do some teachers let students skip sections for sake of time or because it causes too much grading; why hasn't this school grasped the use of technology as a tool earlier in the students' education?
Pat_Mc_Ner: The tool I created needs work. It is hard to create a tool to critique all types of experiments and to create one that can address all learning levels. The tool needs evaluation and input from educators and students so it can evolve into a good tool. I believe that using a tool like this is better than relying on other students to critique the work of students. I also think that if a student repeatedly uses a tool lik
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Pat_Mc_Ner: This page gives detailed information on project http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/pmcnerne/MajorProject/Normal.htm try it later
Pat_Mc_Ner: this is the site to my project http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/pmcnerney/MajorProject/index.htm later
Jim_Levin: one minute, Pat.
Jim_Levin: good job, Pat. Questions?
Glenda: In your conclusion, you made some great points!!
Pat_Mc_Ner: Thanks
Beth_Tward: DId students do a lab in a science room then go to a computer lab for the write up?
Jim_Levin: Excellent set of questions you've raised.
Pat_Mc_Ner: yes
Jill_McCue: Jim, before I delete would you explain how I might be able to copy it to LRS? I'm unsure of what you mean. I don't have Great Page, it's only accessed by Joyce's password.
Brian_Engl: Amazing site, very informative.
Pat_Mc_Ner: thank you - needs input from other teachers
Kathy_Legg: I;m going to try using this in my science classes, as students have a very difficult time with the scientififc method.
Pat_Mc_Ner: I agree, send me your input!!!
Jill_McCue: Pat, my teaching of scientific method will include your resource Nice job
Jane_Blant: Your site is a neat way to teach so much
Pat_Mc_Ner: Let me know how it goes
Debra_Bren: Very interesting site. Great job!
Beth_Tward: I teach the scienntific method at 6th grade, but the kids hate writng detail. Maybe i'll show them your site.
Pat_Mc_Ner: My students have taken their next lab into the computer lab and are working hard
Beth_Tward: You did a great job Pat!
Jill_McCue: I promised her I'd do it today. She has dinner with tech person Mon and she wanted me to be off so she could tell him I was.
Glenda: I think this would be a great tool for Science Fair projects
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Pat_Mc_Ner: We are going to do that with their projects at 7th and 8th
Pat_Mc_Ner: Does anyone teach the method earlier than 6th grade?
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Gretchen: I taught it to my 4th graders.
Jill_McCue: I'm going to be in Bloom"norm area tonight and not home til tom late. Want to emailme directions and I'll try as soon as I get home late tom night?
Pat_Mc_Ner: That is good to hear Gretchen
Jim_Levin: Great job, Pat! Applause!
Jill_McCue: Thanks a bunch. I have all kid work saved on disk so not a big deal if we have to rebuild.
Pat_Mc_Ner: Thank you!
Jim_Levin: Nelda Baker is up next. Nelda--
Glenda: I use to "spoon feed" it to Third Graders
Nelda_Bake: Hi, everyone. I've been very busy losing things and finding again.
Jim_Levin: Do you want to go later, Nelda
Nelda_Bake: ust a little background so you know where my teachers are coming from.
Nelda_Bake: Yes, Jim, that might be better.
Jim_Levin: okay, Tim, are you ready?
Tim_Rogers: Yes
Jim_Levin: go for it.
Tim_Rogers: Greetings, Everyone!
Tim_Rogers: I teach at Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield, MO.
Susan: Hi tim.
Tim_Rogers: My webpage is..
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Tim_Rogers: It will not paste.
Jim_Levin: When you paste, you might not see it - just hit return afterwards.
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Jim_Levin: Click in the place where you type, use keyboard equivalent or right mouse to paste, then hit return.
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Tim_Rogers: ok
Tim_Rogers: The goal that I hoped to reach in this project was to be able to design and build a web page.
Tim_Rogers: The web page would be used by my students to find articles and weekly assignments.
Tim_Rogers: I first designed the pages on paper and then the challenge was to build the site.
Tim_Rogers: I chose the software "Dreamweaver" which had a 30 day free trial offer.
Tim_Rogers: The question was, Could I get it done in 30 days?
Nelda_Bake: test 3 2 1 ipassed
Tim_Rogers: I can tell you that is was a long process trying to learn the software by going to the help pull-down and reading the tutorials repeatedly.
Tim_Rogers: Some of my students have been using the site to pull magazine articles off the links that I provided.
Tim_Rogers: There are 7 pages which include my home page, four classes, photo gallery, and a forum.
Tim_Rogers: The best way to view the site is on netscape.
Jim_Levin: one minute, Tim.
Tim_Rogers: I have pages that will distort on AOL.
Tim_Rogers: The students seem to like the idea of their classes and pictures being on the web.
Tim_Rogers: Of course, they are a few who could care less and never will touch a computer.
Jim_Levin: good job, Tim. Questions?
Tim_Rogers: I learned a great deal about web pages and all the things that can be added to enhance their design.
terry: Tim, was this school colors? - clean front page .... and I loved Mr. Rodger's Neighborhood.
Tim_Rogers: Yes, for the school colors.
Glenda: Did I miss the address?
Jenna: Great site! I am so impressed that you learned dreamweaver and all....quickly
Jim_Levin: Did any student object to putting pictures on the web?
Jenna: I have used it and found it great but hard to learn on my own with limited time.
Pat_Mc_Ner: What was the reason for selecting Dreamweaver?
Tim_Rogers: One student objected and one parent.
Tim_Rogers: A friend told me about Dreamweaver.
Jenna: How do you update the pages now or when the 30 days expires?
Jane_Blant: Is dreamweaver similar to Front Page?
Tim_Rogers: I think I will have to purchase a copy of Dreamweaver.
Jim_Levin: . http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/tarogers/index.html .
Tim_Rogers: I have never used Front page.
Tim_Rogers: Thanks, Jim!
Pat_Mc_Ner: Isn't Dreamweaver used in conjunction with databases to make web design and editing easier?
Beth_Tward: Does anyone know how Dreamweaver compares to Front Page - ease of use?
Tim_Rogers: Good questions.
Jenna: I found it more difficult than Front Page but it has many more options.
Brian_Engl: It is a wonderful program, not as easy as Front Page
terry: kinda like the ford/chevy argument isn't it?
Tim_Rogers: Thanks for the information.
Jane_Blant: I understood what you meant ....I had to watch the tutorial over and over for Front Page
Leonard_Fr: I've nerver used Dreamweaver but I have read many favorable reviews about it
Brian_Engl: I use DreamWeaver because the user is able to integrate Flash and other add ons a lot easier
Tim_Rogers: I would use it again now that I know how to use it.
Jim_Levin: Great job, Tim. Applause!
Jenna: Tim have you received feedback from parents?
Pat_Mc_Ner: Super work Tim!
Tim_Rogers: No, I have not received that from parents but family members and coworkers enjoy it!
Glenda: ISuper Job Mr. Rogers!!!
Jim_Levin: Next up is Leonard Fretzin. Leonard--
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Leonard_Fr: I'm here Jim and about as ready to go as I'll ever be.
Jim_Levin: You're on.
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Leonard_Fr: I teach at Kenwood Academy High School (Chemistry) which is a CPS school located near the Univ. of Chicago near Hyde Park
Leonard_Fr: I teach five Regular Chemistry classes, totalling 137 enrolled students. The students are
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Leonard_Fr: approximately 95% African-American.
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Leonard_Fr: I have constructed a website that will augment the success of my Chemistry students, help theirparents understand the requirements of the course, and serve as a timesaver for myself.
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Leonard_Fr: I amoften asked questions about different aspects of the course and now can refer my students andtheir parents to the website for detailed information.
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Leonard_Fr: Our administrators may also be interested inthis project as a basis of links from the current school site that other teachers may wish to duplicatd.
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Jim_Levin: one minute, Leonard.
Leonard_Fr: The website contains seven files consisting of an index file (/chemistry) with links to six other areas. The site is at http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/fretzin/chemistry.html
Jim_Levin: very nice, Leonard. Questions?
Jill_McCue: Leonard, your site is awesome. I'm very impressed and love the scrolling note at the bottom
Pat_Mc_Ner: Do you have any idea as to the percent of parents or students who have used your site?
Susan: What percentage of your students have internet access at home?
Debra_Bren: What type of comments have your students related to the site?
terry: do you students use the on-line calculators ? at school? at home?
Marna: Great site! I especially like the set of calculator links.
Tim_Rogers: Nice job Leonard....the page looks like a fun place to visit.
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Leonard_Fr: Yes, I did a survey of the students after a couple of weeks. I found that 46% of the students used the site at least once
Pat_Mc_Ner: Chemistry is avoided by many - great work to help students!
Leonard_Fr: But only a small number of parents used it.
Jane_Blant: great job, Leonard!
Jim_Levin: not much home access to the Internet?
Pat_Mc_Ner: Maybe a survey to see what improvements you could do to keep them coming back would be good -- this is a great idea.
Glenda: I love the carnival theme -- it makes Chemistry FUN!!
Leonard_Fr: I was very surprised to find that 68% of students had access from home
Jim_Levin: Interesting!
Glenda: OUt of 137?
Jim_Levin: great job Leonard - Applause!
Beth_Tward: I am impressed by the amount of information you had on your site.
Leonard_Fr: No out of the 96 respondents to the survey
Debra_Bren: Great information in your site.
Susan: I wish Chemistry had been a carnival when I took it...
Beth_Tward: Very nice Leonard!
Leonard_Fr: Well, I have been accumulating chemistry related links for a couple of years
Glenda: I agreen with SUSAN!!
Pat_Mc_Ner: Access at home, may not mean students get to use it.
Debra_Bren: Ditto me!
Jim_Levin: Kathy Leggett is up next - Kathy--
Leonard_Fr: Chemistry is pretty difficult for most of my students. I teach all regular classes
Kathy_Legg: I'm ready!
Jim_Levin: you're on.
Kathy_Legg: A little background-my students are about 70% Hispanic and 25% African American. Few have access to computers or internet at home, less than 10%.
Kathy_Legg: I work on a team of 2 teachers and have 50 students. I teach math, science, and study skills which has no set curriculum.
Kathy_Legg: The communications teacher doesn't have access to computers and therefore does not use technology in any way I wanted to incorporate the use of technology
Kathy_Legg: into her curriculum and do something useful in study skills. I decided to teach students to use power point as we now have a pc lab to go with the mac lab.
Kathy_Legg: Our students used hyperstudio before, but never digital cameras or power point. I taught them to use the cameras in our room, then we went on our walk.
Jim_Levin: one minute, Kathy.
Kathy_Legg: Ray Bradbury had drawn the map for us and the locations are near our school. We go on the walk every year, but are the only school in the district that does, even though the book, is in the curriculum.
Kathy_Legg: Teaching the use of the camera was easy, power point easy to, the kids caught on quickly. Editing was the hard part.
Kathy_Legg: My site is located at: http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/kleggett/BradburyWalk_files/v3_document.htm .
Jim_Levin: Very nice, Kathy. Questions?
Kathy_Legg: Getting their English correct, and the editiing process was the most time consuming, but they were so excited to see it on the web that we had volunteers to put their eyewittness letters on during lunch and after school
Jim_Levin: Greentown = Waukegan, right?
Kathy_Legg: That site we used frontpage and can be located throught my eportfolio
Kathy_Legg: yes Jim
Jenna: Great project! How many cameras did you have?
terry: looks like the cammera pictures were really motivating
Kathy_Legg: three
Jim_Levin: Have you seen an impact more broadly? in other classes?elsewhere in Wuakegan?
Jenna: Did one student do individual pictures or did they share?
Kathy_Legg: They can't wait to do some more this week when we play with yoyos
Beth_Tward: How many kids got to use the cameras? DId you rotate?
Pat_Mc_Ner: Do you plan to do more projects like this with the students?
Kathy_Legg: Other teachers have used the site in conjuction with teaching "Dandelion Wine. and find it useful
Jenna: nice presentation
Kathy_Legg: They shared
Jane_Blant: a neat idea........
Debra_Bren: Nice job, Kathy.
terry: for later .. your powerpoint --> HTML woiks in Netscape ... share the secret later
Jill_McCue: kids are so good at picking up new equipment and using it. I'm always afraid I'll break it
Beth_Tward: Creative project!
Kathy_Legg: I am looking forward to doing more like this, but need to get approval to put them on the district site and am working on the red tape involved.
Glenda: Kathy -- what grade level?
Jim_Levin: I wouldn't be surprised if you get email from teachers all over the world who teach that book.
Jim_Levin: very nice, Kathy! Applause!
Jill_McCue: How neat that you can display author's actual places for others to view
Tim_Rogers: Good job Kathy
Kathy_Legg: 7th grade, and the equipment was purchased through a grant for student use and I figured they would be more careful with it than some of the teachers.
Jim_Levin: Let's take a 5 minute break to stand up, stretch, then we'll finish the last 4 presentations.
Beth_Tward: ok
Jill_McCue: okey dokey
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Marna: That sounds good to me, too.
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Jim_Levin: Did you go out to stretch, Beth :-)
Jill_McCue: She took you seriously
Jill_McCue: What a great way to have a final presentation. I've been looking forward to this all week rather than dreading it
Jim_Levin: Glad to hear, Jill.
Debra_Bren: Me too. Especially when you hear all the great things that are happening out there for students. There are some really awesome projects here.
Jim_Levin: Yes, I'm very impressed.
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terry: it's been a great refresher for me picking back up on the personalities of my classmates !!!!
Marna: Please excuse me, but I want to try copy-and-paste one more time before my presentation.
Jenna: I admit I was nervous bu after we started I have loved this.
Jim_Levin: Sure, go ahead Marna.
Marna: My favorite part of this entire project was leaning how to incorporate JavaScript into the site. The tutorials were very helpful
Jill_McCue: Jim, if I burned my pages on CD could I still trasfer them and delete them today?
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Jenna: Great way to find new ideas.
Jim_Levin: Sure, that will work Jill.
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Marna: Thanks. That worked. Now for the link.
Beth_Tward: I understand your cut/paste problem Marna.
Marna: http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/kitzmllr/finalproject.html .
Beth_Tward: I can relate I mean.
Jim_Levin: Yes, its really funky that this Java applet doesn't show what you pasted.
Debra_Bren: Me too. My attempts haven't been successful at all.
Marna: Ta-da!
Jim_Levin: That worked for me, Marna.
Marna: Thanks for your patience.
Jenna: I see it but cannot click on the link
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Jenna: Beth what happened with the German Shepard?
Jim_Levin: Although you might also want to put a period and space at the beginning as well. Does this work better, Jenna.
Susan: Same with me, Jenna.
Jim_Levin: . http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/kitzmllr/finalproject.html .
Jenna: Perfect
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Susan: That's the ticket!
Marna: http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/kitzmllr/finalproject.html .
Marna: Was that better?
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Jim_Levin: Some versions of this applet put a quote at the beginning and end, and a period, and then that messes up the URL.
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Jim_Levin: You'll need to put ". " (ie. period and space) at the beginning, Marna.
Nelda_Bake: I guess I am ready to try it again but it sure is scary when everything disappears on you. I have to keep reminding myself not to panic when strange things happen.
Jim_Levin: Okay, Deb, are you ready?
Pat_Mc_Ner: Jm, is there any reason for me to keep the 300+ surveys now that I have the results?
Jenna: maybe type Link: (space) url then ta da or something to give and ending.
Jim_Levin: Okay, let's let Nelda go next.
Debra_Bren: Ok.
Beth_Tward: tell you later.
Jim_Levin: Nelda, ready?
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Nelda_Bake: Our school of 300, 4th and 5th graders, is just now getting a working computer in every classroom.
Glenda: Have we started? Are we still stretching?
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Nelda_Bake: By next year, the classrooms should all be hooked up to the internet.
Jim_Levin: We've started.
Nelda_Bake: The first obstacle I had was teaching everyone how to turn on the Macs in the computer lab. Sounds silly but it is true.
Nelda_Bake: Most had never even touched a computer in our lab.
Nelda_Bake: Part of that is because our computer assistant is very "careful" with her computers and no one was allowed to use them when she was gone.
Nelda_Bake: All of that is changing as she actually trusts some of us now.
Nelda_Bake: My project involved setting up classroom web pages,teacher's e-mail
Nelda_Bake: addresses, and a school newspaper.
Nelda_Bake: This project has taught me that the only limitation as to what I can do is TIME.
Nelda_Bake: After working on some classroom web pages and the newspaper, in established, but limited formats,
Jim_Levin: one minutes, Nelda.
Jim_Levin: one minute, I mean.
Nelda_Bake: I really want to develop my own school site where I can incorporate our Principal's Newsletter
Nelda_Bake: and Zimmerly Newsletter into web pages. The students are much more excited than the teachers
Nelda_Bake: about being involved in the technology so I hope to give them more responsibility.
Nelda_Bake: I will be asking for, at least one student from each classroom, to work on their web page, one day a week after school, or when they are in the computer lab with their individual classes.
Nelda_Bake: Highwired.com was originally set up for use by high schools. I find the home page to be a bit busier than I like. However, one of the things I do like is the fact that it is organized like a newspaper with editors, writers, etc. Students would be able to work on articles and submit them for publication. Then, the editors can look it over and have the final say as to what is published. This way, students can work independently and you don't hav
Jim_Levin: very nice, Nelda. Questions?
Susan: What's the age/gender breakdown of teachers in your school?
Glenda: I love your use of "careful"!!
Pat_Mc_Ner: Why do you think the teachers are less excited? Amount of time needed? Nice project.
Jane_Blant: Sounds like they gave you a lot of the responsiblity - no wonder you ran out of TIME
Gretchen: Nelda, I am very impressed. You've come a long way since August!
Jenna: You took on a lot!!
Nelda_Bake: Mostly women, 2 men.
Beth_Tward: Yes you did.
Jill_McCue: Big undertaking with a staff who can't turn on computers
Marna: Now that you have web pages, do the students access them?
Nelda_Bake: Amount of time is the biggest problem.
Debra_Bren: Great job Nelda. I'm impressed
terry: I second Grechen's comment -- you have really done a LOTTTTTT
Nelda_Bake: Next time, I will start smaller.
Jenna: I think time will always be the problem because we will always want to do more moremore
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Jill_McCue: Nelda, people do what you do for schools and don't have to teach
terry: how did you solve the sharing of your webpage template for teaches?
Tim_Rogers: Nice job Nelda....It does take a lot of TIME
Jenna: You did a great job
Pat_Mc_Ner: I think it is hard to not become over zealous on these projects because we see what they can become!
Nelda_Bake: We are just now getting the students into using the web pages because I have been ill.
Glenda: Highwired is ver easy to use and we have alot of IL schools uing it
Jill_McCue: I agree, Pat
Jim_Levin: Excellent progress, Nelda. Applause!
Debra_Bren: I agree Pat. These projects take on a life of their own!
Jill_McCue: I'm going to look at Highwired for my classes
Jim_Levin: Deb Brennan is on next. Deb--
Debra_Bren: Hi everyone.
Beth_Tward: Sper job Nelda!
Jim_Levin: Deb?
Debra_Bren: My project involved setting up a framework for middle school students to review books submitted by other ms students, to submit book reviews and serve as a vehicle to find links to authors, literary genres and reading projects for a summer reading project.
Debra_Bren: Sorry - some pasting trouble.
Jim_Levin: That's fine - go ahead.
Debra_Bren: To begin th eproject, I submitted a survey to students in lang arts classes to see how many students participated in a summer reading project over the past yera.
Jill_McCue: Nelda, I feel like we are different teachers than we were in August. Way to go.
Debra_Bren: We had a very disappointing turnout for projects. I asked students where they get their ideas to locate books, search for authors and the quality of projects they would like to be involved in.
Debra_Bren: This led to responses from students that ranged from getting their ideas from other students, searching the internet for books, etc.
Debra_Bren: Another issue that I grappled with throughout the project was students visiting our school web sit. Only a limited percentage (14%) of students visited our site with any frequency.
Jim_Levin: one minute, Deb.
Debra_Bren: This project will be linked to our school web site, with a template for students to submit book reviews, read reviews submitted by other students, see author and reading links, and begin projects for summer reading work.
Debra_Bren: Students have been involved in designing the templates, teaching and setting up directions to powere point submits, and digital camera and scanner directions.
Debra_Bren: This is basically a portal for submitting student work and in the beginning stages.
Jim_Levin: very nice, Deb. Questions?
Debra_Bren: I enlisted the NJHS students to help in editing skills in working with all levels of students.
Gretchen: A variation of this would be great to have on a class webpage, to manage students' independent reading. Right now I have them right book summaries on an index card. They would enjoy doing it on a computer, instead.
Jill_McCue: Is summer reading a required project at your school
Jenna: Deb, maybe another survey after your break or springtime to see if the students are visiting the school site more.
Gretchen: oopss.... write.
Jane_Blant: Did any of the students get into the author sites....any favorite authors at that grade level?
Pat_Mc_Ner: Debra, nice project, will anyone evaluate the reviews students submit to make sure they are appropriate?
Jenna: Is this an alternative to handing in written work (paper)?
Debra_Bren: Not a requirement, but a recommendation in the past. Through our School Imporovement Plan we'd like to see an increase in reading literacy. this may be astep.
Marna: I like your idea of having students submitting book rewiews using a template. Do you think it will increse interest? Or did it already?
Jill_McCue: Could students be given some incentive for using it? Extra credit in English, etc
Jim_Levin: (remember that I'll make this transcript available, so if you miss any questions to you, you can answer them later via email to whoever asked it.)
terry: would be great to share book reviews with other classes-schools as it progresses
Debra_Bren: Yes - That's what took so long. Students had to be instructed on site evaluation. They came up with the links.
Tim_Rogers: Good thought Jill
Debra_Bren: Interest is definitely up. Started with a small cadre of students.
Debra_Bren: I started with students that didn't have any prior knowledge of working on the internet.
Jenna: Extra credit works for me.. my students now visit my site even though they get credit for the first time.
Beth_Tward: Yes! Site eval. is an important skill to learn.
Pat_Mc_Ner: Do teachers submit reviews?
Debra_Bren: These aren't the same students that I have doing our school web page.
Jenna: You have done a lot!
Glenda: Laura Bush (President ELect's Wife) is a former LIbrarian -- perhaps we will see her pick this up as her own agenda
Jane_Blant: It's a good way just to keep them reading and find new and interesting things
Beth_Tward: Are teachers very interested in your site?
Debra_Bren: Yes - I'm also working with teachers to have the students submit entries to get recognized.
Jim_Levin: Great job, Deb. Applause!
Debra_Bren: Teacher interst has grown.
Debra_Bren: Students also want this linked to our school accelerated reader list. That
Beth_Tward: Yes, applause!
Tim_Rogers: nice job Deb
Jenna claps
Debra_Bren: will happen when we "unveil" the site at p/t conferences.
Jill_McCue: great idea
Jim_Levin: Next up is Gretchen Halasi-Kun. Gretchen--
Gretchen: Ready to go.
Gretchen: Greetings from Florida! First, to update "y'all", I am no longer a Texan, I am now a Floridian. I left one Bush governor for another. There's no escaping.
Debra_Bren: Sorry - My pasting didn't work. Had to type fast - lots of errors!
Jim_Levin: that's oka.
Gretchen: technical difficulties....
Gretchen: Here's some background. The school I was at was an elementary school in TX. There
Gretchen: doesn't seem to be as big of an emphasis on technology in TX as there is in IL. If it won't raise the test scores on Bush's TAAS test (everything revolves around this test in TX, even local real estate prices), then we're not interested
Gretchen: . The computer lab teacher (who prefers to use the lab for test prep drill-and-practice) was mildly annoyed by it. My kids and their parents, however, loved it.
Gretchen: it's not letting me pasteOn with my project. Here's the site: . http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/halasiku/optc.html . On with my project. Here's the site: . http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/halasiku/optc.html . On with my project. Here's the site:
Gretchen: ok... never mind.
Gretchen: The State Board of Ed cut the Parent-Teacher conference days from the calendar this
Gretchen: year. My principal still expected us to connect with each parent with either a face-to-face
Jim_Levin: (it just doesn't show up in the lower window when you paste - it works, but doesn't look like it worked).
Gretchen: meeting or a phone call. This got me thinking about having an Online Parent-Teacher Conference.
Gretchen: The Online Parent-Teacher Conference (OPTC) has three parts: ePortfolio, Teacher Comments, Parent Comments.
Gretchen: I chose 5 of my fourth grade students to participate, rather than my whole class, because I was under pressure to get it done before I moved to FL. I am so glad I only did it with 5, because it was a lot of work.
Gretchen: The first step was to create an ePortfolio with each child. Later, (not now) you can view one student's ePortfolio by clicking on "example" on my project web site.
Gretchen: The ePortfolios contain student work created on the computer using Kid Pix, Power Point, and Word.
Gretchen: They also contain paper-and-pencil work that was scanned in. Here is one page of Anthony's ePortfolio, if you would like to take a peek without viewing the entire thing.
Gretchen: It's a paragraph from an essay he wrote called, If I Were In Charge of My House. He then did the illustration in Kid Pix. http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/halasiku/hk-kiessling/sld012.htm .
Jim_Levin: You need to give us the username and password.
Gretchen: ok: kiessling is the username.... pencil is the password
Gretchen: Also, in the ePortfolio, the students answered questions about how they feel about school this year.
Gretchen: . The students searched the web for clip art that would go with the answers to their questions. Here's an example:
Gretchen: One question asked about friends. I took a picture of the student and his closest friends.
Gretchen: . http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/halasiku/hk-kiessling/sld021.htm .
Jim_Levin: one minute, Gretchen (I like the idea of a machine that will turn a sister into a monkey).
Gretchen: The next section was the teacher comments. I included a graph of the 1st marking period grades along with comments on how the student is doing in school.
Gretchen: . I only put positive comments in this section. If I had anything negative to say, I would schedule a face-to-face conference.
Gretchen: . I think it would be harsh to see negative things written about your kid on the internet.
Jim_Levin: very nice, Gretchen. Questions.
Gretchen: The last section was the Parent's Comments section. It is the area that needs the most improvement.
Jenna: Do you think you will try this in Florida? How is technology there?
Gretchen: At the end, the parents completed a survey. You can see the survey questions and results.
Jenna: GREAT JOB! I love this!
Jane_Blant: Lots of STRONGLY AGREE on your evaluations - they loved it! It's a neat way for students and their parents to share some tech. time!
Beth_Tward: What a cool idea to have an on-line conference! It's so hard to connect with parents sometimes.
Susan: I hear the schools are a little sketchy in FL.
Pat_Mc_Ner: Do you think the computer teacher was mildly annoyed because of too much ownership of her lab? You were going outside her set boundaries. Did you limit access to a student's eportfolio to only you and their parents? Who else had access?
Jill_McCue: Gretchen, you should market a program for PT conf. You could be a millionaire
Nelda_Bake: Wonderful.
terry: is the protected site how you addressed the student info on the web issue?
Jane_Blant: I love the picture of close friends!
Beth_Tward: Yes!$$$$$$$$
Gretchen: Here in Fl.... I'm not sure. I just trying to adjust to Middle school.
Susan: When do you go public?
Tim_Rogers: Great Idea Gretchen...I would rather of done the parent teacher conferences on line any day
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Jill_McCue: Middle school kids might hack their way in and change things
Gretchen: Yes... the passsword was needed to keep the student info private. I have his parent's permission to share it with you today.
Jenna: Well, I teach Middle School....yes different but they would love it.
Beth_Tward: Jim, did you have a sister you wanted to turn into a monkey?
terry: great idea!!!! -- we're all looking for ways in increase parent involvement
Jim_Levin: five of them.
Jill_McCue: Still a problem for families with no computer access
Gretchen: Parents were really pleased... even though there were some glitches here and there.
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Debra_Bren: Nice job Gretchen!
Susan: Really cool idea!
Jill_McCue: 5 monkeys and you
Gretchen: Yes.... I chose parents with access, but others could do the same but they'd have to come in to the school to have the conference. Sort of kills the point.
Jenna: I find that parents like email for conferences , they would like the online idea also. Problably easier to get tomore teachers.
Jim_Levin: Very nice job - the online confernece especially make sense since you're now in Florida and they're in Texas.
Nelda_Bake: Or they might be able to use a computer at a public library.
Beth_Tward: Excellent job! I'm sur that took a LOT of time.
Jim_Levin: Way to go Gretchen. Applause!
Gretchen: Thanks. Yes, it did take a lot of time.
Jim_Levin: Next up is Marna Kitzmiller. Marna --
Marna: Here I am.
Jim_Levin: you're on.
Marna: Hello everyone. Have you all enjoyed this as much as I have? It's been great to hear your comments on your websites.
Jill_McCue: It's wonderful
Marna: http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/kitzmllr/finalproject.html .
Jim_Levin: . http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/kitzmllr/finalproject.html .
Marna: . http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/kitzmllr/finalproject.html .
Marna: How was that?
Jenna: good
Jim_Levin: That not work for anyone?
Jill_McCue: Got Jim's
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Jim_Levin: oops - where'd she go?
Jenna: Did we scare her?
Jim_Levin: While waiting, we can look at her site.
Jenna: good idea
Jill_McCue: showed her work and now she's done
Nelda_Bake: Technical problems, undoubtedly.
Jim_Levin: Have any of your used Mathematica?
Jill_McCue: I really like the color scheme. I noticed this morning it's attractive to my eye.
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Marna: I'm back. Let's try again.
Jim_Levin: Welcome back - we were looking at your site.
Jenna: welcome back
Jane_Blant: I really like the word tutorial when I see the words advanced trig
Jill_McCue: No kidding Jane
Beth_Tward: That goes double for me
Marna: I wanted to find something to help cross that hurdle, an interactive tutorial that could help students quickly see how changes in math expressions can change the accompanying graph
Marna: Mathematica has many prewritten tutorials, (you can find them at the Mathematica site) but I couldn't find any that did what I wanted. Therefore I wrote one of my own.
Marna: There are two versions, one for Mathematica and one for MathReader.
Marna: They both provide the same information, but the Mathematica version is interactive, while the MathReader version is not.
Marna: The goal of my project was to determine if this type of tutorial could help students with their understanding of graphs.
Marna: For the evaluation I asked students to take a short test (write the equation to describe 2 given graphs). Then they worked through the tutorial, step-by-step.
Jim_Levin: one minute, Marna.
Marna: I had wanted to do it on-line and have the results e-mailed to me, but had trouble getting that to work as "hidden ". Any suggestions?
Marna: I m
Marna: Oops
Marna: The results showed that most students liked this form of work and would like to see more.
Jim_Levin: very nice, Marna. Questions?
Marna: tutorials like this one.
Jane_Blant: I'm sure you're good at explaining things to your students.......I'm impressed that you wanted to write your own tutorials.
Marna: My favorite part of this entire project was leaning how to incorporate
Marna: I see that I lost some of my script.
terry: Marna, how long have you been working with Mathematica?
Marna: I started last year.
Nelda_Bake: I am really glad to see teachers writing tutorials. It might be interesting to have students make tutorials.
Pat_Mc_Ner: I like tutorials. I find students asking questions specific to their learning and the others can move on assuming they have the reading skills needed. Nice work!
Marna: Thanks.
Beth_Tward: Once again, an amazing amount of work. Good job Marna!
Marna: Thanks again.
Jenna: Very nice pages! easy to follow and understand
Glenda: Nice job -- I like your cross stitich sites too!!
Jill_McCue: great color scheme on project and a nice job on project!
Nelda_Bake: I like using tutorials. Plus, you can use them as often as you like.
terry: nice job ... I'm sure the Wolfram would be interested in your tutorial too!
Marna: I've been working on that.
Jim_Levin: Yes, the headquarters is right here in Champaign.
Marna: Any more questions?
Jim_Levin: Very nice project, Marna. Applause!
Marna: Merry Christmas.
Debra_Bren: Nice job Marna.
Jim_Levin: I'm very impressed with your projects. Great to see the great things you've all developed. Have a restful holiday break.
Jenna: Good job everyone!!
Pat_Mc_Ner: Happy Holidays to all!
Beth_Tward: Merryy CHristams!
Jenna: Restful that sounds nice
Nelda_Bake: Happy Holidays!
Gretchen: Jim... is this the last day of the term?
Jim_Levin: A big round of applause for you all!!!
Jill_McCue: you, too. Have grat holidays!
Marna: This was a great experience!
terry: Congratulations to ALL -- and to all a good break
Tim_Rogers: THis has been great with a lot of ideas
Jenna: Happy Holidays!
Jim_Levin: Yes, today's the last day of finals at UIUC.
Beth_Tward: I agree. I learnede a TON!
Debra_Bren: Happy and safe holidays to everyone. I really enjoyed all the projects.
Jane_Blant: I'm impressed with everyones' projects
Beth_Tward: still can't type though
Debra_Bren: Me either:)
Glenda: Good luck!!
Gretchen: I'm off to the beach!
Jenna: ugh!
Pat_Mc_Ner: I'm jealous!
Marna: The Beach???????
Glenda: Don't rub it in Gretchen!!
Beth_Tward: ditto
Jim_Levin: Let's hope that speech regonition soflware gets better real soon now.
Debra_Bren: We don't want to hear that Gretchen!
Marna: Ditto!
Glenda: Heheheh
Gretchen: : )
Pat_Mc_Ner: Thank you Jim.
Beth_Tward: ask Leonard about that
Jenna smiles
Jim_Levin: yes, chill factors of -50 predicted for tongiht.
Jenna: yikes!
Debra_Bren: Jim, thanks for all your help...AND patience!
Jim_Levin: You're most welcome, Pat. Its a real pleasure to see the great things you're all doing.
Jane_Blant: Happy Holidays, all!
Marna: That Ditto was for speech recognition.
Glenda: Bye!!
Jill_McCue: bye all of to celebrate Christmas
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Beth_Tward: Bye!
Tim_Rogers: Jim I tried to register the other day and I could not get the password right ....any ideas
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Jim_Levin: Thanks to you here for sticking around to the end.
Pat_Mc_Ner: Jim, I will keep the permission forms, but do I need to keep the surveys?
Nelda_Bake: Bye ,
Jane_Blant: Bye, Nelda
Jim_Levin: That's up to you, Pat.
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Jim_Levin: Bye all - have a safe, health, and restful holiday break.
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terry: bye and Jim I also want to thank you for all the time you put in with us .. I know it is extra (and thank the TAs for us to0)
Jane_Blant: Jim, will anyone be in for tech support on Monday, or are they all off for break?
Jim_Levin: Will do Terry, thanks.
Jim_Levin: Sandy and I will be here - Pedro and Constanza are in Argentina for summer break.
Jim_Levin: If you have a technical question, please let us know - or any question.
Susan: Bye!
terry: see everyone later keep safe and warm
Jane_Blant: I'll call then, I still need to finish my portfolio page. Thanks, Jim
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Tim_Rogers: Jim I tried to register the other day but needed a password...do you know what it is
Jim_Levin: Jane, give a call to either my or Sandy's phone. mine is 217/244-0537 sandy's is 217/244-3315
Jim_Levin: Let me check, Tim.
Marna: Have a nice break. Bye for now.
Jane_Blant: THanks , Jim! Bye, all
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Jim_Levin: When are you asked for a password, Tim?
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Tim_Rogers: when I tried to get into 362
Jim_Levin: one second...
Tim_Rogers: I tried all the passwords that I knew
Debra_Bren: Sandy sent us an email with those passwords. Let me try to find it.
Tim_Rogers: ok
Jim_Levin: try using your netid for both the username and password. Do you know your netid?
Tim_Rogers: ok I will try that
Jim_Levin: It might be tarogers
Tim_Rogers: Have a Merry Christmas...This was a nice way to present....bye
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Jim_Levin: Yes, especially with the weather! hapy holidays.
Jim_Levin: CU later, Pat & Deb. Have a great holiday break.
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