November Entry
 After the Cyber Exchange class in October, I came away with a new tool I could use in the classroom.  Since then, things have been pretty busy.  Of course I have not had as much time as I would like to experiment with my new knowledge.  I have gone into the county web site and looked at some lesson plans already completed.  Some of the sites did not come up on my computer and that was disappointing. 

My science class has mostly been on the study of the earth and it’s interior:  volcanoes, earthquakes, plate tectonics, weathering, etc.  Now I wish Carolyn and I had done a lesson plan that I could have used right away.  (We did our lesson plan on the Respiratory System.  Our health portion of science will be taught at the end of the year.) 

The lesson plan on the Scientific Method will be very helpful before we start our science fair projects.  I always emphasize the Scientific Method right before we get started so it will be fresh in their minds. 

December Entry
For the past 2 – 3 weeks my students have been working on the computers taking an electricity quiz.  We have a lab pack so 5 students can be at the computers at one time.  The first quiz tests students about open and closed circuits, and general electricity.  On the same disk is a quiz on magnets.  This is the second chapter in our book that they are working on this week.  The students really like it when it is their day to work on the computers.  If they are absent, they remind me that they need to work on the computer.  I find the quizzes are a fantastic way to reinforce what they are learning in class.  Since each student has on class period to do the quiz, they usually finish in time to get any notes from the board.  The quizzes are interactive, and the students have to move a ring to the strongest magnetic field on a magnet, or try to put poles together to see if opposites really attract. 

I still need more practice on the PowerPoint presentations.  Hopefully we will learn how to find more sounds, clip art, etc. to make my presentations more interesting.  (Some of my students have shown me how to jazz them up.) 

January  Entry
The PowerPoint presentation we worked on during our last meeting went over very well when I used it in my classroom.  The students will pay more attention to the television screen for some reason.  They were surprised by the sounds that I had chosen to go with each slide.  All in all, the presentation was a success. 

I am trying to use the ICQ more and get more familiar with adding new names to my list, as well as, the Email on the Netscape.  Sometimes these two confuse me.  I didn’t know that you only had a limited space for ICQ.  I was typing in a message that obviously was too wordy and it just quit and would not allow me to type anything else.  After asking some fellow teachers, I found out that ICQ should only be used for short messages. 

It seems like there is not enough time to work on the things that I want to do.  I would like to search on the Net more often and let the students work on the computers more.  This month we are studying Health (CPR, healthy living, body systems, etc.) so I can use my 3D Body or Body Works CD’s.  I plan to let students go to the computer to use the lab on 3D Body.  (This always creates some havoc, since they will giggle when any part of the body is shown without clothes.)  This lab pack has been used many times, and the students seem to learn a lot while they are getting hands on experience using the computer. 

February Entry
For the past month I have been working on my TLG 2000 grant unit.  I have submitted the information for the learning gap, curriculum standard, and teacher pre-survey.  The problem is that my evaluator did not respond very quickly.  The first time I submitted, they were 2 days in getting back to me.  Since I only needed to narrow down my standard, it did not take long to re-submit.  This is where the long wait was involved.  It took almost 2 and ½ weeks to get information back.  The information I was given led me to believe that I was to wait before doing anything else.  I am finally to the point of registering each student.  (It takes a while to get this job completed.  After each student name the computer will wait 2 – 3 minutes before letting you type in another name.)  One teacher at my school is ahead of me and wants information on starting another unit.  I have tried to set up some time to meet with all interested teachers, but it hasn’t happened yet. 

My class has been studying CPR for the past 3 weeks.  Two students asked to help teach a lesson.  They went home and pulled up several really great sites to help with their lesson.  One site used a game to help teach students about the likelihood of strokes or heart attacks.  The other students enjoyed taking the quiz from the big screen TV.   I have used the sites several times to re-teach parts of the lessons that they were having trouble understanding.  We have used 3-D Body to look at different parts of the circulatory system, and I had planned on using Body Works.  Since we have spent so much time on this topic, (along with having a registered nurse visit every Tuesday) I decided to move on to another book this week.  (I’m a bit disappointed that their test scores were not as high as I expected.) 

This past month I have not used the PowerPoint.  Sorry, I’m not really that good at this new tool.  I need to spend some time working on PowerPoint.  I promise to do better. 

At Rush Strong School, JoAnn Hodgson has the Laptop computer.  I will try to get it from her and take it home to practice on it.  My husband has been bringing one home from JCHS, and I have been watching and learning from him.  I feel fairly comfortable with the information he has given me so far. 
March & April Entries
Last month I was unable to attend the Cyber Exchange due to my brother-in-laws illness, so I have 2 months to write about.  Since the last time I was here, many things have changed.  We have used the computers a great deal in class. 

First, students used the computers to research their topics for the Science Fair.  They had 2 weeks to use the computer to look up topics and print out important facts.  Each student spent time searching the net for information and pictures.  They gathered this information together and compiled it into a written report on their topic.  (This year I made them research and write their papers before choosing their project.  If they choose the project first, it is very hard for some of them to figure out what to write about in their research paper.)  Students also typed up their report and we printed them out.  (Boy! Did this take some time.)    All in all, the Science Fair was a success and enjoyed by all the students at our school.  The K – 8th grade students observed the Science Fair during the day and parents were invited to view it until 6:00 P.M. 

Second, I have been tutoring 2 students in Math every morning.  I have found many Math sites on the Teacher Stuff (Basic On-Line Skills).  They look forward to the time they can spend on the computer playing the games, and they are learning so much at the same time.  Not only are they learning how to use the computer, they are learning to Multiply, Divide, and Change Fractions.  (One of my favorite games is Builder Ted.  He builds a block wall if you guess the correct answer.  If you get the wrong answer, he falls.  He looks so real, complete with just a hint of crack showing above his pants.  The students love it!) 

Third, it seems like I have spent more time on the internet searching for new ways to approach some Science topics.  Some of the sites have been used during class time to show pictures of ocean waves, pollution, etc.  I have also used the ICQ more lately.  I love to keep in touch with teachers that I would not really see each day.  It is really helpful to be able to ICQ the Technology Center if there is a problem.  They are quick to write back with the information I need.  (Keep up the great work!) 
 

May Entry
This school year has been much more computer oriented, especially after my classroom received some new computers.  We have used the computers to do research for Science Fair Projects, Research Papers, and Getting Ideas for Science Fair Projects.  Since I have six computers connected to the internet, it has been very helpful in getting several students working on them at one time.  My old computers are not connected, but students have used them to look up information on Encarta.  We spent two to three months off and on researching and typing their research papers.  (I required them to have a printed copy of their research paper this year.  This was time consuming, but very impressive when they finished.)

Students have had little time to just get on the computers and “play”.  When I let them get on the computers, they usually have a task to perform.  The old computers are used to load up Undersea Adventure, 3-D Body, Bodyworks, Gizmos and Gadgets, Dinosaurs, Encarta, Health and Fitness, and others that I can’t remember at this time.  I have been surprised to find Special Education students playing Gizmos and Gadgets and trying to figure out how to get an electrical circuit to work.  They really get into it!  When they figure something out correctly, they get to race against the computer in a blimp or other means of travel.  A few of the computers have problems, but as a whole are very good to work on when students need some extra practice.

The new computers are definitely an important link to a whole new world.  I am amazed at the knowledge some of the students have concerning the internet, how to change settings, finding information on search engines, and numerous other activities that they have taught me.  If I am having a problem, usually one of the students is able to help me figure out what I need to correct.  Several of my students do have a computer connected to the internet at home, and apparently spend a great deal of time browsing or playing on them.

This year I participated in the TLG 2000 project and it was very interesting to learn how to use the computer to find new lesson plans and get new ideas.  This involved some work, but was well worth the effort.  I have used several of the ideas that I found from this whole process in my classroom.  The students seem to like to watch something on the big screen TV instead of having me write it up on the board.  Lots of the sites have very good graphics, moving parts, sounds, and other more exciting antics than I can provide on my own.  In today’s world, you need to keep up with the times or lose the interest of students.

We developed a lesson plan on the respiratory system that was very helpful when I taught health.  It went very well with the CPR unit that Mrs. Marshall was doing with my sixth grade.  They enjoyed seeing the pictures that were part of the lesson, and taking the online quiz.  They could see immediately if they had the correct answers.  Most people want to know how well they have done on a quiz.  

I have used the ICQ to ask for information from the Tech Center, communicate with other teachers, and to send information to parents.  I have not used video conferencing.  Email is great!  Several parents have email accounts and want weekly updates on their children.  This has helped me keep in touch with parents of children who need extra help or have behavior problems.  I think just the fact that I can communicate with some of their parents in email has helped me to have an easier time with discipline.  Email has also helped me to let parents know what students have missed in class, what they have done well, etc. 

Microsoft Word is a wonderful tool to use when communicating with parents.  I can type faster than I can write so it saves me time.  Also, I can save the letter that I sent home in case there should be a question about it.  I use Word to type up tests, make-up work, permission forms for fieldtrips, and sometimes the notes from the board for a student who is absent.  Since it is easy to change the words, format, etc.  I can use Word in so many different ways, but one of my favorites is the three-week progress report that goes home to parents.

I have used PowerPoint in my class to liven up lessons.  My problem is that I am not very fast at putting it all together.  It does take time to get all the sounds, clipart, and put all these together to make a presentation.  I have used PowerPoint several times, but would really like to get better at this so I could get many lessons together at a time and then use them over and over.  This would save me time in the long run and be easy to add to lessons to those that I already have.  I do have this at home so maybe this summer, when I don’t have too much to do (ha!), I can practice doing more PowerPoint presentations.

My personal web site has not been used very much this year.  I have not taken the time to update it and really need to work on it.  I do, however, use the county web site every day.  It is very helpful to have a starting place for students to begin their research, practice, etc.

It has been wonderful to meet with other teachers throught this project to find out what they are doing in their classroom this year.  We have been able to exchange some ideas and hear about different approaches that have worked well for other teachers.  Even teachers at my school have asked me questions that now I can try to figure out with the information I have learned during my classes at the Cyber Exchange.  Learning more about ICQ, email, and PowerPoint have helped me not to be afraid to try new things on the computer.  My approach has changed over the year.  I am more confident in trying to use the computer as an important learning tool in my classroom.

Even though Mrs. Hodgson offered the laptop to me to use, I did not use the laptop.  My husband has one at home and I have used it from time to time, but I did not find there was a need for me to use the one available at school.  I have some trouble seeing the screen on the laptop and find that the larger screen on my computer at school is much easier to read.  I do have a compatible computer at home for use if I need to work on anything at night.

Most of my students have used the computer much more this year than last.  They will ask each other for help, and they are more apt to try to figure out how to use the computer now.  I am glad they are feeling more comfortable using the computer and more pleased with the results.  It is good to know that our county is trying to keep up with the computer age!  Most teachers do see this as a wonderful advantage for our students!  

As far as helping me with my curriculum, the computer has helped a great deal with basic skills.  I can use the computer to help reteach or reinforce Math facts to students who are having trouble.  They enjoy going to the computer, and they usually do better when they can practice on their own.  The computer will present the skills in an interesting way that students can pick up on and actually not even know that they are learning.  Some students like the fact that they can push buttons and not have to write anything down on paper.  The computer will keep score for them and make them redo any problems that they miss.  I like this way of independent practice because it gives me more time to help other students one on one who may be struggling.

This year I have learned many new aspects of the usefulness of computers in the classroom.  Connie is very good at finding new uses for the computer and teaching teachers how to use them in their classroom.  The only trouble with learning new things is that you need the time to practice them.  Teachers do not really have the time to work on these new skills and sometimes it is hard to remember what you have learned when you want to use it.  Luckily ICQ is a very quick way to get in touch with Connie, who always writes back with just the right information.  

I like the PowerPoint presentations we have worked on in class and would like to get better at using this tool in my classroom.  It can make a lesson so much more interesting if you add sound, animation, clip art, etc.  Students seem to pay much more attention if you can mix up your lessons by using different modes of presentation.  The big screen TV is great!  Sometimes I think students would watch a blank screen.  

It is very difficult to narrow down the most beneficial aspect to just one thing.  I have enjoyed the sharing of ideas among teachers, learning how to use Word, making a PowerPoint presentation, making a web page, learning how to copy and paste, surfing the web, saving information to disks, and even the TLG was interesting!

Well, most teachers are a bit jealous when they find out that I am getting to spend the day at the Tech Center learning how to use the latest computers.  They have asked me questions about web pages, and other information concerning computers.  I don’t have very much time to spend sharing with other teachers, but at lunch and after school we have discussed computer possibilities.  Some teachers do not want to have anything to do with computers.  They see them as something to let students play on when they are finished with lessons.  If only they could realize the enormous potential of computers.   

It would be nice to go into a classroom where the teachers are using their computers to their fullest potential.  There are times when I should use my computers more, but lack the planning time necessary to allow me to put it all together.  I think it would be a great idea to follow up on the teachers who have had Cyber exchange.  Teachers need a booster every few months to make sure they do not forget the skills they have learned.  The information sheets that we have received are good, but sometimes it is better if you can ask a real person to show you how.  I would like to take more computer classes to help me with some of the basics that I’m not as proficient in at this time.  (Maybe have classes for teachers for half a day.)