DAY TWENTY-SIX: April, 22nd

One thing that I learned today about Smartboards from my peers presentations is specifically that all the devices can be changed from the actual board. Therefore, the students can changed passwords, documents, and enter other information that teachers do not want them to have acsess to. I also learned that teachers have had major problems with losing material. A benefit that I discovered was that Smartboards come with their own interactive notebook; this comes with many interesting tools compared to a normal computer's notebook. All groups struggled getting their presentation ready or had some sort of mouse or other difficulty. Therefore, most groups believe there is too much time wasted while getting supplies ready. Teachers need time and they need to be trained!!

DAY TWENTY-FIVE: April 20th

In reality, I believe Smartboards are not worth the financial investment, as of right now. I believe students can perform activities easier and faster on their own computer monitors than by taking turns on a Smartboard. Don't get me wrong I think Smartboards are fun and great, but I believe it is a technology that needs to be farther studied and or enhanced in order to be investing that extreme amount of money. Smartboards are great for certain subjects, but for others they are limited. So, during this time I think Smartboards are not worth the investment, however; in the future they might be. I would invest in a Smartboard as a future teacher if they were easier to set up and if they were not powered by a projector.

DAY TWENTY-FOUR: April 15th

Whiteboards help teachers meet the ISTE-NETS-T because teachers have the ability to adapt lessons to this new learning peice of technogoly. Whiteboards are creative and allow students to interact upon each other. This new and fun experience can make any boring lesson fun and influencing. Whiteboards help meet standard "Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments": 2a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.

DAY TWENTY-THREE: April 13th

A piece of evidence shown within the reading, Interactive Whiteboards and Learning: A Review of Classroom Case Studies and Research Literature, that proves Smartboards are worth the educational investment is the strong learning production. Current learning theories promote student engagement and consider this type of engagement to be a key component of knowledge construction. These learning theories include constructivism and active learning. With the Smartboard both of these tasks can be met along with many others. "The SMART Board interactive whiteboard supports interaction and conversation in the classroom; it helps with the presentation of new cultural and linguistic elements" (Gerard 1999).

WebQuest by ElanaSlaubaugh

This great interactive WebQuest was made to teach fourth graders about famous pirates. It relates to multiple intelligences in many ways and evaluates each student on group and individual work. Hope you like it!!

DAY TWENTY-TWO: April 8th

While students complete their WebQuests they will develop the ability to apply technology effectively. They will learn to use technology as a tool to research, organize, evaluate and communicate information

DAY TWENTY-ONE: April 6th

SS.S.2.1 Citizenship Students will...
model a respect for symbols, ideas and concepts of the United States and analyze the roles of significant individuals (Respect For People, Events, and Symbols).

By creating a webquest, my future students will meet the following ISTE-NETS-T; Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity, 1c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.

DAY TWENTY: April 1st

Pirates

I would really like to make a few good changes on this WebQuest. First of all I feel this WebQuest is based too much on making crafts. I would like to take out some of the craft making and add in some group writing and or research. I also would like to end the week off with a more planned activity. The site does not give full instructions for the "dress up" day. All in all I would like to make this project a little more harder and cut out one or two crafts. Also add in some group work. The font and pitures were creative and appropriate; however, I feel it needs to be more piratey looking (less bright colors/ more black and possibly red). The links were great! I think this would be a great activity by adding in more activities pertaining to different intelligences.

The teacher who created this WebQuest is from North Carolina so their standards are different then ours. I chose to use North Carolina's Standard Course of Study since this was orginially her idea and deals with North Carolins history.

Competency Goal 3: The learner will trace the history of colonization in North Carolina and evaluate its significance for diverse people's ideas.

3.02 Identify people, symbols, events, and documents associated with North Carolina's history.

Competency Goal 4: The learner will analyze social and political institutions in North Carolina such as government, education, religion, and family and how they structure society, influence behavior, and respond to human needs.

4.05 Identify and assess the role of prominent persons in North Carolina, past and present.