Insights from GoogleDocs

Before our group PBL project in class I had experimented with GoogleDocs on a small scale.  I knew that it would be a great tool for our group to use to collaborate.  I really enjoy the ability to not only create original documents using this tool but to also upload documents that have already been created and stored on a local computer.  This is a great tool to use in order to share files.  I really appreciate the ability to be able to use this again because I am learning more and more as we progress.  I think that this is part of the future of file sharing.  Do you use it?  If so, how do you use it?

Using PBL in Multiple Classrooms

Recently we were charged with the task of developing a PBL activity using Science, Music, and Language Arts and another PBL activity using Math, Social Studies, and Visual Arts.  For this activity, we also had to clearly align our content with standards from each of these areas.  This proved to be an interesting challenge.  The hardest thing to do during this activity was to come up with a topic that could be used in each subject area.  Many musical concepts can be tied to science and many can be tied to language arts, but how many can be tied between all three of them at once.  Once I found a topic I was comfortable with, I had to find activities to accompany each subject area.  This part of the task was also a good experience because I had to think in a very different way than I normally do.  Overall, I enjoyed completing this because not only did I learn from my own ideas, I learned from reading the ideas that my classmates came up with.  There were many great ideas included in this discussion.  It makes me think, how many of us already do activities that teach across the curriculm in our own classes or by collaborating with others?

Voice Thread

The latest project in MEDT 7464 involved using a tool on the web titled Voice Thread.  This tool was very easy to use and develop a lesson with.  The hardest part was figuring out how to get more people involved with commenting because I only had one microphone available.  The students that were involved with commenting really enjoyed using Voice Thread.  They found it to be very user friendly and easy to work with.  After questioning the students I found that they would like to do another project using this tool.  Overall it was a successful project.  I believe that this tool could be helpful no matter what age group or subject area you teach.  It is definitely something to look at to help integrate technology into your classroom.

Here's a link to my Voice Thread project.