E-Journal 1- Tuesday, October 3, 2006

I just wanted to jot down a few thoughts about my process of creating my endangered species project.  I am finding so much useful information that I know my third graders will love!  I am still having trouble finding a listserve that dedicates it's time to endangered species.  I have subscribed to http://www.gsenet.org/library/05dir/env-lsts.php which is a listserve dedicated to NJ Environmental News and Information.  It's very interesting and it's a way to relate my global animals project to our state.  I have attached my completed powerpoint that I will use for Tegrity. 

E-Journal 2- Monday, October 16, 2006

http://imet.csus.edu/imet2/dunnagane/especies/ This is an excellent webquest for endangered species.  The students would be creating a newscast/article by completing research.  There are many resources including online sites and book suggestions.  The students would get a great concept of how endangered these 20,000 different species are.  The students would take a closer look at what the Endangered Species Act is. 

http://warrensburg.k12.mo.us/webquest/endangered/This webquest has the students creating a powerpoint about student’s favorite endangered animal to encourage donations.  There are only a few research sites listed but the sites give the information needed about the animals.  This webquest is more elementary than the first, a better fit for a third grade class. 

http://library.thinkquest.org/25014/english.index.shtml This is a thinkquest which is much more thorough than a webquest.  The format seems a little more crowded for elementary students.  The information is amazing and the students would learn a lot.  I would probably use this on the smartboard with the students as a class.  They could then go on the thinkquest to send their own feedback and opinions. 

E-Journal 3- Monday, October 30, 2006

My webquest is coming along nicely.  I have entered all the aesthetics so now I am entering the information.  I should have it ready soon!  My listserve is ok.  It’s more about environmental issues in NJ than just about animals.  I did find this interesting article.  http://www.gsenet.org/wed.php#'Water%20Is%20Safe%20to%20Drink,'%20Garfield%20Officials%20Say

In response to the material in week VIII…I agree that the outcome for distance learning has to be constantly presented.  While taking TBED542 online I noticed that when the professor wasn’t constantly responding and keeping the discussions on track it was very easy to get off topic.  Students should be clear on what is expected since they will not be told verbally and may not get the chance to ask as many questions.

I really liked to ITV sessions.  I think this could be a valuable teaching tool in schools as long as the teacher knows how to use the equipment properly.  If a school doesn’t offer a certain course, an ITV could be hooked up in a school that does provide the course, allowing 2 classes to be taught at once. 

I use audio, video, and web-based learning in my classroom daily.  Having my own smartboard and projector makes technological teaching much easier.  I can’t imagine teaching without it.  It’s the students’ connection of school to an interest of the times.

E-Journal 4- Monday, November 13, 2006

I think I am very close to done with my webquest.  Right now my Euphrates home page is from 605 so I am currently working on a homepage with links to each project from the different classes.  I am also working on my e-portfolio with standards and links.  I am not quite sure how to change my homepage from the 605 page but still have a link to the 605 page.  I am currently deep in thought about that! My listserv is still just OK.  I am not thrilled with it but it because it doesn’t directly link to endangered species.  The environmental news would be better for older grades, not so much third grade as most of the issues are above their heads.  One of the current postings was very interesting to me:

   They've finally done it. For the past three and a half years, 

I've been writing to you about the Bush administration's efforts to 

undermine the Roadless Area Conservation Rule that protects 58.5 million

 acres of America's wild forests. But earlier this month, the Bush administration proposed to repeal the 

roadless rule in its entirety - and allow timber, oil, and mining interests to tear a spider web of roads 

through America's last wild forests.

http://www.gsenet.org/alerts.php#BUSH%20ADMINISTRATION%20PROPOSES%20REPEAL%20OF%20ROADLESS%20RULE

I love the library website we got last week.  I’ve already used it with my class.  

We were reading a story about a quilt and I found a great book about a Jamaican quilt.  The kids loved it!