Below is my word cloud. This is just one of the six that I did. This is Level 6 of Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: Cognitive Domain.



We have to use the words in each level when we are writing up our lesson plans and learning objectives. I did a word cloud for all 6 levels and I would love to put these somewhere close when I am working on my lesson plans. I may put them in small frames on my desk, or use them on the outside of a notebook for easy reference.

Level 1 has words showing you are expecting the learner to REMEMBER an idea or fact the way they learned it.
Level 2 has words to describe the learner communicating that idea in a new and different way. The learner shows their UNDERSTANDING when they do this.
Level 3 has words that show the learner can APPLY this knowledge to solve new problems.
Level 4 has words that show the learner can ANALYZE, or break down into its steps, this new knowledge.
Level 5 has words that show the learner can CREATE by developing something new based on the knowledge they now have.
Level 6 has words that show the learner can EVALUATE and make decisions using critical thinking skills.

I would have to say that this technology enhances what a teacher can do to help students remember vocabulary words or key concepts. A word cloud is a graphic organizer that is visually appealing. I do wonder if research has been done to show that this tool can help students that have different learning styles.

Powtoon

Powtoon is so much fun to do! I would have to say that in the SAMR model this is definitely a transformation in the use of technology. They are always saying that humans learn things visually and in sound bites. That's why commercials are not longer than 60 seconds!

It redefines how a teacher can communicate important concepts with their students. I am thinking of using this at the beginning of each lesson to stress points throughout the year and to help my students remember key concepts. And just imagine what a student can do with this! Endless possibilities!

Pecha Kucha

I have finished the PowerPoint slides. I did one for a lesson plan I am doing on relationships in ecosystems. There are 20 slides because I am using the Pecha Kucha method. The Pecha Kucha method is using PowerPoint or Google Slides but having only 20 slides, each lasting only 20 seconds.
Unfortunately, in order to link this presentation to my blog, I had to move it into google slides and the sound, fonts and image enhancements I used in PowerPoint were lost. Here is a link to my presentation:

Relationships in Ecosystems Presentation

The first thing I did was to write the rough draft of my script. Then I created the 20 slides. It took quite a bit of time to find the appropriate images and to decide what words to have show on the slide. It is important to have the slides look visually appealing, but also to use few words. The narration should take care of sending the message you want your students to hear.

I did learn more about PowerPoint and I experimented with the edges on images and different fonts. I think next time I will work on changing the transitions between slides to fade into each other.

After the slides were completed, I re-wrote the script to keep it under 20 sections. I also practiced to get it to flow and to follow the animations. Then I recorded it. Turned out to be not as difficult as I thought as long as you plan and practice! Here is a link to my script:

Script for Relationships in Ecosystems

I put the presentation on screencast.com so you would be able to see it on my blog. But I had to download snagit first so I could get the full 7 minutes in. This tool is very useful for online learning presentations. It would be ideal for an assignment on google classrooms. I had difficulty with screencast.com so I posted this on YouTube. It took me all day to figure it out!!! Here is the presentation. Enjoy!


I would have to say that the Pecha Kucha model for presentations has transformed the way we can present information to students. Can it redefine how we use presentation tools? I was thinking that I could put this PowerPoint presentation online for my students. It would help those students who are visual learners and ELL students.

I would then assign them a species to do research on and they would have to report the relationships that particular species has in its ecosystem. They can use the Pecha Kucha form to present it, or they can try a graphic novel or comic strip. This is a new way to get information across to students using an old method. The old method is the way advertisers grab their audience with short sound bites that only last 30 seconds!

Corrections to APA style paper

I corrected my APA style paper. My tables were not supposed to have lines around them. I also cited the NCES in my introduction, which I hadn't done in the last paper. I waited to cite it in the methods section.

Here is the link to the corrected paper.

Corrections to APA style paper

The APA guidelines I used were found on the Purdue Owl site. The link to their website is here:

APA guidelines for tables and figures

The important thing to remember when creating your tables or reporting figures in your text is that the text is clear and concise and the table is clear when you look at it visually.

Self-Grading Form

Below is a self-grading form I created:





Here is the link to the spreadsheet I created that will auto-grade the quiz.

spreadsheet showing results

Here is a link that can take you to the form if you want:

Relationships in Ecosystems Quiz

Here is a link to show charts and graphs of the data

Data Analysis

This is definitely a useful tool to use. I was surprised at how easy it is to do. The ISTE NETS for teachers would address the following: I, A; II, E; III, D; IV, A, B, C; and V, C, D. The tool can be used to assess your students, to see how certain questions were answered correctly or incorrectly which can be used to modify your teaching or your assessment, and the tool can also be shared with parents and administrators.

I also feel we need to teach the students themselves to use this tool because it is a great way to collect and analyze data. They can use this in the workplace.

Google Forms Survey

I have created the following survey. I did have some difficulties, but I was able to figure them out and adjust (see notes below).



Here is a link to my spreadsheet:

How Social Are You spreadsheet

I will try next to see if I can put the form on a page and link to the page...

I cannot put a link to the survey because I took the survey and it recognizes my email so only the above screen shows. I should not have clicked on the check box that states you can only do the survey once. I will try to see if editing that makes a difference.Yes!!! I was able to edit and change the requirement so the survey can show above! I also created a page on my blog that anyone can go to and take the survey.

If you would like to take the survey, you can click on the link below:

Link to Survey

I can use these surveys for Girl Scouts and in the classroom. Sometimes I need to find out how many are going on a camping trip and what equipment they have at home. These surveys would also be useful to set up meetings with colleagues when you are trying to come up with a date where everyone can attend. I think I would like parents to take a survey also to see what their expectations are for the school year. I would do a survey at the end of the year also.

Some of the questions were not clear (the list option, for example) and I would probably not use some of the questions. I found useful the question that gave a scale, the check boxes, and the multiple choice. With parents, it would be useful to give them room to write a paragraph or so.

I embedded the survey in the blog, added a link and a page on my blog, so there are multiple ways you can get folks to view the survey.

This looks like the survey is a tool of the spreadsheet that collects and reports the data. In a way, it is a portal that links directly to your spreadsheet. The results show up directly into your spreadsheet. 

APA Paper with Discussion and References

This part of our assignment was to discuss the results and bring up any limitations we saw with the data used in this study. These questions make you think about your study and also encourage you to dig deeper into where the data is actually coming from. It is important to understand the parameters used when compiling the data.

The reference page was quite difficult to put together this time. When you are using data and articles from the Web, it is difficult to get a clear picture from the APA guidelines on what exactly you should be putting in your reference information.

I think it is important to keep in mind that the reference section should give anyone seeing it the information they need to find the article or data again.

Below is a link to the final paper. This was a good practice activity for me, especially doing the tables. It is good to know that APA format guidelines are online and accessible to everyone.

Final APA Paper