November Entry
I have not done much using the scientific method with my class yet because my computer just recently (last week) was connected to my television.  I was waiting until I could use my television to do a class presentation.  Hopefully, I can get started on that very soon.  I believe my class will enjoy looking at the science method problems. 

We are currently studying biomes in my science class.  The next unit will be about weather.  I haven’t used the science lesson that Becky and I developed yet.  My class usually studies the human body during spring.  However, I believe my students will enjoy the activity that is with the lesson plan. 

December Entry
This month my students starting looking at the Inner Body that I had put on my web site.  We are going to begin our study on the body after Christmas.  My students enjoyed looking at this site because it shows the inside of the body.   The only thing that I disliked about the site was the part on the reproductive organs.  When viewing the female body, it shows a little too much.  Mainly, it just shows the inner parts of the body except for one part.  Some of the students were embarrassed, however, they still wanted to go to the site to see what all the fuss was about.  We discussed that this was part of the body, and it was not big deal.  If they felt uncomfortable going to that site then they should skip over it and move on to the next site.  I am still a little uncomfortable trying to incorporate the computer into my lessons.  Of all the subjects I teach I am least knowledgeable about science.  Hopefully as the year progresses, I will use the computer more as a teaching tool. 

January  Entry
 This month I haven’t used my science resources from the web as much as I would have liked.  I was out of school for a week, and my sub taught a lot of science for me – I have been teaching science in blocks.  Hopefully, I will use my Internet resources more during the next block of science.  However, I did show my PowerPoint presentation to my classroom.  It is a review of the skeletal system.  I need to add more slides to it.  However, I did not know how to add the music to my presentation.  Also, this month I intend to continue studying the human body.  I have some web sites already chosen for my students to examine.  They have been on some web sites, and they seemed to enjoy it. 
 It seems like I do not have enough time to explore the Internet for web sites and plan my lessons.  My students usually enjoy visiting the web sites that I have chosen for them. 
 I am communicating with the teachers in my school more this year through ICQ.  Some of us have exchanged information on web sites that we have found helpful when teaching a unit or skill. 

February Entry
I haven’t been able to work on the TLG 2000unit because our server has been down at school due to some upgrades that have been made.  I tried to work on it at home but I could not retrieve the e-mail from my evaluator.  Hopefully, when I can get back on line I can go in and continue working toward finishing the grant.  However, while the Internet was up I did have my students go online and research vertebrates and invertebrates.  I had some sites available for them to go into and gather facts about their choice of vertebrate.  They seemed to enjoy doing this.  I had them do a report on a vertebrate.  They had to make a clay model of their vertebrate and make a presentation to the class.  Also, after they had done this I had them write about a day in the life of their vertebrate.  They had the best time with this activity. 

I am still working on finishing my PowerPoint presentation.   I am having trouble getting sound on the slide.  I am still getting a microphone on the slide – which I don’t want.  No one at my school seems to be able to help me correct this problem.  Hopefully, I can find out what steps I need to take to correct this problem.  I would like to start doing more PowerPoint presentations.  The times I have used the presentations in my classroom my students have really been excited about learning. 

I have started taking the laptop home and trying to get some work done on it.  Since I do not have PowerPoint on my computer at home, the laptop would be a good way to get some presentation done for my class.  I am still looking for ways to use the laptop in my classroom. 

March Entry
   Since our last meeting, I have been waiting for my TLG evaluator to respond to the changes I have made.  During our meeting in February, I made the changes and also went on to complete the other tasks.  I developed a rubric, but I have not heard from my evaluator.  I believe the only thing I need to do is just finish my reflection and summit it. 

Internet Project 
   I have been using the Internet for my students to research topics during class.  They have enjoyed using the Internet.  I use the Internet for research projects mainly for Science and Social Studies.  We were doing a unit on Weather and the students predicted the weather for a week.  Also, we went online to look at weather maps and track the weather for that week.  After doing this, the students used a graphing program that I bought with my 21st Century money, and graphed the highs and lows using line graphs, bar graphs, and tables. Also, when possible we will look at news from across the world so they know what is happening.  It is very interesting to look at these events from a child’s point of view. 

Internet Resources 
   When possible, I try to get my students on the two computers in my class.  I encourage them to use the math sites to do math problems or review math facts – especially my students that have not passed their timed tests.  This seems to be helping my students because most of my students have passed their multiplication test. 
   Also, our county site has many links that have been very helpful.  It saves a tremendous amount of time because many links are already there, and I do not have to spend a great deal of time looking for activities for my children to do. 

PowerPoint 
   At this point I have not used PowerPoint as much as I would like.  I am looking forward to the Interactive PowerPoint class.  I believe I will use this tool in my classroom to help teach and review lessons.  Some of the other teachers in my grade level have developed PowerPoint presentations, and we have been discussing how we could share them.  By doing this, one person isn’t spending so much time on developing presentations. 

April Entry
Since our last meeting, I have been trying to get my students on the Internet a little more.  Our county web page has excellent resources for teachers to use.  These are especially helpful when practicing math skills.  Also, I have used some of the PowerPoint presentations that we have on our county web page.  There are quite a few that deal with language arts skills.  This allows the students to review and practice these skills on their own.  I have not prepared any PowerPoint presentations to be used by anyone yet because I have been attending UT at night and that has taken up most of my time.  However, I do plan on designing some myself when UT is out.  The Cyber Exchange program has been very informative and has taught me a lot of different things.  Now, it is time for me to put those skills into use. 

Right now my problem is finding the time to integrate technology into my classroom.  By the time I teach my class, I do not think I have time for my students to get onto the computer.  I guess I am going to have to examine that and try to come up with a solution.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Also, I need another computer with sound in my classroom to use with the software I bought with my 21st Century Classroom money.   It is next to impossible to get all 20 students on the computer to practice skills and do research with only the one new computer. 

My TLG experience was not one I would want to repeat.  When I made my first submission with the web sites, my evaluator told me I was off to a good start.  I assumed that she approved of my sites.  I taught my unit and finished everything.  Well, when I received input from my evaluator she did not like all of my sites.  I do not understand why she did not mention that the first time.  By the time the final submission was made, one of my sites was not up anymore.  I had to go back in and find another site.  I had already completed this unit and moved on to another topic.  My students had used all of the sites I had listed the first time.  I thought it was unfair to have to go and find another site.  I was teaching something else by that time.  One positive occurrence from the TLG experience was the fact that I did find quite a few Science sites that I did not know existed. 

May Entry
This project has taught me how to search for sites and integrate technology in my classroom.  Last year, I did not use the Internet at all in my classroom because I did not know where to begin.  I did not know how to use one computer for 24 students.  I have learned how to find web sites for science and other subjects that I teach.  As a teacher, I definitely needed some help teaching science in my classroom.  To me, the way science is usually taught is extremely boring.  It has been my experience that science in mostly taught from a book.  Students do not have the opportunity to experience science.  This project has given me confidence in using the Internet with my students.  I have been given some time to find science sites that I can use in my classroom.  Some of the sites I have found have great ideas for teaching specific objectives.  I even developed “Science Sites” for my students to use.  They knew if they needed any help in science or if they had questions they could go to these sites, research the problem, and come back to me with an answer.  In the 1998-99 school year, this would not have been possible.  

Having participated in the TLG grant, I received an additional $600 to use in my classroom next year.  If I had not been involved in this project, I never would have attempted to write a grant and get additional money for my class.  When writing the grant, I had to search for web sites to help my students reach a specific objective.  Again, by participating in this project I was able to find web sites for my students.  When my students are working on the computer, they have a specific task they are doing for me.  They are not allowed to “play” on the computer.  

The lesson plans that I found when I was teaching vertebrates and invertebrates allowed my students to go on line and research the characteristics of each of these.  They could visit zoos on line and find more information on these animals.  There was also a quiz they got to take on line.  They really enjoyed doing this.  One site asked them to name characteristics of their chosen animal and from this they could discover whether it was a vertebrate or invertebrate.  

I did not have time to use many of the lesson plans that I found.  However, there were times that I could take something from a lesson plan that I found on line and use it to enhance what I was already doing in my classroom.  Also, I share some of the sites that I have found with other teachers in my school.  

Before this project, I had no knowledge of ICQ.  Now I am comfortable using it in my classroom.  I know how to send files to other teachers.  I sometimes send web addresses to teachers when they are looking for web sites to use in their classroom.  Also, it is a good way to communicate with other teachers and classes during the day.  

I use email to communicate with parents.  One thing I try to do is send positive messages to parents.  Also, I let the students send messages to their parents.  At the first of the year, I was trying to let at least one or two students a day send an email to their parents.   Many times they just let their parents know what we have done in class for that particular day.  Of course, there are times where the message sent to the parent is not of a positive nature.  Furthermore, parents will send emails to me to ask questions regarding my class.  I have found this allows for better home-school relationships.  

I had never used Word before participating in this project.  I had always preferred Works.  Now, I use Word when writing any type of correspondence.  My students also use Word when typing papers for me.  Before my students could use Word, I had to teach them the basics of the program.  This was a challenge for some of them.  The only drawback to this is that with some of my students it takes a long time for them to type a sentence.  You can imagine how long it takes to type more than a paragraph.  However, some of them have increased their speed.  

Last year, I had never used a PowerPoint presentation in my class.  I didn’t know how to start.  Now, I use them when reviewing skills.  Many times we do whole group reviews using PowerPoint.  My class always enjoys using these presentations.  However, the greatest thing I have learned is how to make a PowerPoint presentation myself.  This has been wonderful.  I am getting somewhere more proficient in doing this.  My only problem is that I have a limited amount of time to do all of the things I would like to do on the computer.  Also, I would like to have at least one more computer to use in my classroom.  This would allow more students time to practice their skills on the computer.  Also, this would give them more of an opportunity to develop their own presentations, which they did not have a chance to do this year. 

I have made some use of my classroom web site by listing some science sites that my students need to look at to gather information on a specific topic.  Hopefully, I will use this more next year.  I would like to plan in advance some activities that I want my students to do.  This would allow me to develop my web site a little more.  I do use the county site with my students.  Usually, there is always something on the Kids Stuff page that my students would like to do.  This is always a good place to let them begin a search on the web.  There are search engines for students listed on the site.  This is a tremendous help when students are researching a topic.  

The greatest benefit of the monthly training sessions is the fact that I get to hear what other teachers are doing.  Meeting with other teachers helps me get an idea of what I need to do in my classroom.  The teachers share Internet sites that they are using in their class.  It seems to me that teachers are not given the time to share their ideas about what they are doing in their class.  Also, I enjoy having a little time to do searches on the Internet.  There is never enough time for this during the day.  I am comfortable using technology in my class.  Last year I would never have attempted to do this.  Also, I am now using ICQ and email to communicate with teachers and parents.  

I used the laptop as another computer in my class.  Also, I did take the laptop home with me a few times and try to create a PowerPoint presentation.  This was helpful to me because my computer at home does not have PowerPoint on it.

Having a computer in my classroom has allowed my students to practice their skills in a more interesting way.  They would rather do work on the computer than have to do a practice sheet for me.  They are more proficient using their computer skills than at the first of the year.  Some of students are excellent teachers and helpers when it comes to using the computer.  Many times if a student is having trouble on the computer, that student will go and ask for help from one of his peers.  This is an excellent way for the students to enhance their computer skills.  Again, the main problem for me is the fact that I have only one new computer.  It is hard to get 20 students on one computer.  It would be great if every class could have at least two or three computers.  Also, I have assigned students to teach a particular lesson in science and social studies.  The students enjoy doing research on the Internet to add to their presentations for the class.  

The most beneficial aspect of participating in this project has been the sharing of ideas with other teachers.  Connie does an excellent job of introducing us to new sites she has found on the Internet.  She keeps us updated with the changes she has made on the county web page.  Last year, I didn’t even want to use the web page because I wasn’t aware of all the things it could help me do in my classroom.  Now I know where to go when I need to find something.  Our county web page is a great starting point.  Also, if I can’t find what I need I would feel comfortable emailing Connie and asking for help.  

Another beneficial aspect of the project has been learning how to make a PowerPoint presentation.  If I can find the time, I would like to make more of these presentations.  However, it seems like I can’t find the time to do this.  It would be wonderful if the schools would allow time for teachers to do this.  Teachers could share their presentations.  If teachers would share their presentations, everyone would have access to them.  If one teacher has done a PowerPoint presentation on cells, why should I have to do another one?  I believe our county would benefit by allowing teachers time to do this.
 

I have shared what I have learned with other teachers basically by word of mouth.  Mostly, I have shared with the other teachers in my grade level.  Some teachers are not quite ready for the computer age yet.  Some teachers at my school have actually gotten a grimace on their face when I tell them what I have done while participating in this project.  Teachers have not been given the opportunity to develop their own computer skills.  Therefore, it can be a bit scary and time-consuming when learning how to do this.  Many teachers do not want to have to give up their own time to learn how to incorporate computers in their classroom.  I have shared some of the science web sites that I have found.  Also, I did share my PowerPoint presentation with another class.  

I would love to have the opportunity to go and visit a class where the teacher actually uses a computer to facilitate learning.  I would like to go when the students are there and observe what goes on for one day.  I know there are other things that I can do in my class, but I don’t know how to incorporate different things.  If teachers (that would truly apply what they learn) could be allowed to visit other schools, I believe our schools would benefit.  I am the type of person that can be told what I need to do.  However, I do much better if I am shown this.  I should be more efficient when using the computer in my class, but I do not believe that having a forty-minute planning time allows much time to do searches and plan for activities for my students when I also have papers that need to be graded.  

I would like for the county to allow the teachers that have participated in Cyber Exchange to come together as a group (not after school, but during school hours) to share ideas and activities that are doing.