Dayle Payne GEMS Technology Instructor
Spring, 2007
**This is a quick and not in any way comprehensive list of ideas for integrating technology and getting the most out of your computer lab time. Hopefully, it will spark your creativity by giving you ideas that might make using technology more effective and time efficient for you and your students.**
Quick and Simple Integration Ideas
1. Using the lab Googlepage: gemslab.googlepages.com
- Email dpayne@gemsvt.org with either subject idea or specific site
- I will put it under class links.
- Specific site: I need about 45 minutes lead time.
- A list of sites on a subject: 48 hours is best, can do in 24.
2. ReadWriteThink activities: can do poetry, DoodleSplash for literature, variety of activities that are completed online with little teacher instruction
3. Instant Poetry Forms: could assign a particular type of poem OR allow free choice with a poetry subject, can copy/paste poems into word processing software and format
ettcweb.lr.k12.nj.us/forms/newpoem.htm
4. Create a Graph: online graph creation with simple student instructions. Could bring sets of data to lab and create bar, line, area, pie or xy graphs.
nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/
5. Math.com: provides tools (including ever calculator imaginable), practice of many basic math tasks, tutorials, etc. A great site to introduce to students who could use extra math assistance or challenge.
Integration Ideas that take a Little Planning
I Keep Bookmarks: as you bookmark sites you want your students to use, consider adding questions that would help them focus on the content. An IkeepBookMarks site can be as simple or complex as you wish to make it—a very stable site, if sometimes sloooow. Free registration.
Thematic Pathfinders: browse the collection to find subjects that work for your students. Students then complete online activities—cuts down on random Googling!
Web Worksheets: simple activity webpages that give students tasks and links—it takes about 15 minutes to set one up, then you can give the number to a class and they can find it easily. Free registration.
wizard.4teachers.org/index.php3
On the www.4teachers.org website.
Sample: wizard.4teachers.org/builder/worksheet.php3?ID=100341
Other tools at www.4teachers.org:
Rubistar
Trackstar
PersuadeStar
Think Tank and NoteStar
Project Poster
More detailed, In-depth Ideas for Integration
Online collaborative projects
Comprehensive list which is constantly updated- a little clunky to read
www.globalschoolnet.org/GSH/pr/index.cfm
For younger students: not as well maintained
www.vickiblackwell.com/projects.html
Filamentality: “Filamentality is a fill-in-the-blank tool that guides you through picking a topic, searching the Internet, gathering good Internet links, and turning them into online learning activities.” Can be used by students or adults—has varied activities and learning outcomes.
www.filamentality.com/wired/fil/index.html
PBWiki: classroom wiki in which students can post work about a topic and get reader feedback, simple to set up and monitor but very powerful for integration of all sorts. Free registration.
Quia: make online games, quizzes, etc. to share with your class AND monitor progress online—could be assigned in the classroom, the lab or even for homework!
Username: gemslab Password: gems1234
Tools for Teachers
Wordsmyth: glossary and worksheet creators, great dictionary for both older and younger students
Username: gemslab Password: gems1234
TeacherTap
Inspiring ideas and lots of activities that can be done with minimum preparation.
Teachnology: some great tools for educators BUT a lot of “encouragement” to join the Platinum Level… which potentially would give you more great content.
teachers.teach-nology.com/web_tools/
Utah Education Network: yes, I know we aren’t in Utah… but this site gathers some of the best of the web and has introduced me to many of the sites on this handout. I love the student interactives as time fillers…and searching the lesson plans definitely gives you creative ideas!
http://www.uen.org/k12educator/