Posted by David Wetzel
What is Wallwisher and why use it? Its a Web 2.0 application which allows students to express their thoughts or share information on a science concept.
This online application allows the author (teacher or student) to add information as post it stickies, it also allows others to add comments or information to wall - subject to the author’s approval.
Advantages of Wallwisher
The advantages of this Web 2.0 tool include:
- Ease of use by teachers and students
- Collaboration between students during projects
- Ability to use this tool from anywhere with Internet access
Using Wallwisher
When a teacher or students creates a wall for posting (called stickies) information, they are allowed to assign the wall its own URL.
Options include:
- Selecting from 12 color themes
- Controlling who can post or edit notes
- Adding videos
- Adding images
- Adding comments
- Adding links to websites
- Embedding a wall in another website, Wiki, or blog
- Allowing the relocation of stickies - permanently by those with author access and temporarily by others
Teaching Strategies for Using Wallwisher in Science
Concept Wall - this strategy provides an opportunity for students to add comments, images, and links to websites related to a specific science concept such as matter, velocity, wetlands, deserts, insects, recycling, earth day, solutions, etc.
Interactive KWL - displayed on an Interactive whiteboard as means of collecting students’ Prior Knowledge and Experiences regarding a specific concept prior to studying the concept, along with what they want to know about the concept. This wall is then saved and used for comparison as a post analysis of what they learned about the concept.
Interactive Science Games - teacher places facts about a specific science concept or idea in random order. Students are then required to place the facts in correct sequence to demonstrate their understanding. Examples include:
- Biological Taxonomy - Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
- Planets - Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune (Pluto?)
- Rainbow - Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet
- Metric - Kilo, Hector, Deca, Units, Deci, Centi, Milli,
- Material Hardness - Talc, Gypsum, Calcite, Fluorite, Apatite, Orthoclase, Feldspar, Quarts, Topaz, Corundum, Diamond
Project Based Learning Activities
Students can use this Web 2.0 tool as an organizational tool in project based learning by:
- Presenting their open-ended driving question, along with supporting information which was used to develop the question.
- Presentation of what they expect to learn or create from the project.
- Communicating how they will collaborate during problem solving activities related to the project.
- Present student roles during project.
- List of final products developed from the findings of the project.
Students can then embed each of the walls they created in a Group Project Wiki,, Google Doc presentation, or Blog.
Sample Science Wall
Click on this image and try out a sample wall about the science concept - States of Matter
States of Matter Wall
Posted by David Wetzel
Google Earth View of Sicily's Mount Etna Eruption 2002
Almost everyday a natural disaster occurs somewhere in the world. These disasters include volcano eruptions, flooding, hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, and more.
Most students rarely have a personal encounter with the effects of natural disasters, during their school years. However, almost all will have an encounter sometime during their lifetime.
The most common encounter for everyone with a natural disaster is by watching TV or reading about them on the Internet. This leads to little personal interaction and understanding of the causes of the disaster.
There is one technology today which allows students to watch natural disasters unfold or see the effects after they have occurred — Google Earth.
This free technology provides students with a bird’s eye view of a natural disaster area with remarkable high resolution. Students and teachers have access to this technology and they can investigate the cause and effect of any natural disaster in the world.
Project Based Learning: Studying the Effects of Disasters
When word of a natural disaster is spreading from somewhere in the world or announced on the news, students can use Google Earth to conduct an investigation of the disaster’s effect.
If enough warning is given, for example a hurricane or typhoon; students can view the expected land fall areas before the storm strikes. Then they can view the effects after the hurricane or typhoon passes through the area.
Other natural disasters students can investigate include:
- Volcano Eruptions – investigating lava flows, impact on surrounding vegetation, impact of surrounding region, and if there will be a global impact.
- Earthquakes – investigating the impact on cities, human development activities, and land masses.
- Major Floods – investigating flooded regions, along with impact on watersheds.
- Tsunamis – investigating the destructive power of Tsunamis, by comparing before and after images of a seashore area and surrounding landscape.
Problem Solving: Studying the Cause and Effect of Specific Natural Disasters
Students develop and create a variety of questions to guide their investigations related to a natural disaster. Then use Google Earth, Online Media, News Reports, Twitter, and Skype to follow through on their investigations. Examples include:
- What is the impact on local residents?
- What is the impact on the stability of man made dikes that hold back flood waters?
- What continents are likely to be affected by the ash fallout from the volcano eruption?
- What protection measures did the region have before the Tsunami struck the coast?
- What type of plates make up the San Andres fault in California?
- What other volcanoes are in the area and are they likely to erupt?
Additional Science Projects Using Google Earth
Google Earth and Global Warming Projects
Thematic Units Using Google Earth
Posted by David Wetzel
Elementary Math Teaching Tips
Teaching math to elementary students is critical for establishing a foundation of success in mathematics.
There is a need for some basic memorization of facts, because students who do not memorize arithmetic functions struggle in upper grades.
However, math must be fun and interesting, along with making connections with real-world applications.
Math Teaching Tips
Problem solving, critical thinking, mental math, math games, technology, interactive websites, and more:
Asking Questions – write the word “ten” on the board. Now ask students if there is another way to express “ten.” A student may write “10,” now ask is there another way to express “10.” A second student may write “llllllllll,” now ask is there another way to express “llllllllll.” This can be continued until most possibilities are exhausted. Students are using critical problem solving skills and eagerly participate.
Collect Own Data – instead of using data for graphing from a text book or worksheet. Let them collect their own data. For example: measuring the lengths of various objects in the classroom or counting the number objects in a box placed on their desk.
Positive and Negative Integers Game – divide students in groups and give each group a deck of playing. Red numbers and face cards are negative. Black numbers and face cards are positive. Aces equal “1” and face cards are Jack “11,” Queen “12,” etc. Now then play a game similar to war by attempting to be the first in their group to reach 25. Read more…
Multiplication Challenge – have all students turn their seats to face the front of the room. Then have a student walk around the room and stand next to another student. Both students stand are asked a multiplication problem, whoever gets it correct first moves on to select another student.
Real World Geometry – take students outside and have them draw pictures of all the geometric shapes they see. Then have them share after reentering the classroom.
Weekly Word Problems – once a week begin math class with a word problem students must answer related to current concepts being studied. This is a key step in learning how to develop problem solving skills.
Interactive Math Websites – use computer learning centers for students to study math concepts using these interactive math websites, such as: Illuminations or National Library of Virtual Manipulatives .
Math WebQuests – develop your own or find some already prepared and have students work in groups to solve math problems or develop a better understanding of math concepts.
Use Math Tradebooks – use tradebooks in connection with concept being studied, such as: Anno’s Magic Seeds, Very Hungry Caterpillar, Sir Cumference, Grapes of Math, and more.
GeoBoards – use geoboards for students to design their own shapes and describe them to each other using correct geometric terminology.
Elimination of Misconceptions in Math
The math teaching tips above, when used effectively can help eliminate many misconceptions in mathematics by elementary students.
Eliminating math misconceptions is difficult and merely repeating a lesson or extra practice will not help.
Telling students were they are mistaken will not work either. Recognizing student misconceptions and immediately focusing a discussion on the misconception is important.
Providing guiding questions and hands-on approaches are the best approach. One Example is:
Geometric Shapes are not Recognized Unless Held Upright
This is typically an inadvertent misconception passed on by teachers. If geometric shapes, such as triangles or rectangles, are held in one direction all the time students will not recognize it when viewed in a different direction.
- Students can only find a diamond shape if pointed in the right direction. In reality there is no such thing as a diamond shape, it is either a square or a rhombus.
- The best ways to eliminate this misconception is to allow students to draw geometric shapes in any direction, provide examples of shapes in a variety of directions, and rearrange displays of geometric shapes to point in different directions regularly.
More examples….
It is important for students be placed in situations in which they must apply what they are learning to personal experiences and situations. This helps reinforce math concepts and moves them to a level of true understanding of mathematics.
Comments:
Filed Under: Math
