November Entry
 After introducing the scientific method and reviewing the vocabulary my classes began using the scenarios placed on the web site http://207.125.93.3/ce/scimethod.html.  At first the class seemed to be having a difficult time understanding the process.  However after going over the all the scenarios the class was able to understand and use the scientific method as a true scientist.  The web site is a great resource because the scenarios allow the students to act as scientist and work to solve problems. 

 The lesson on the skeletal system was a joy to try and the kids enjoyed the day it was used.  I noticed that through out the lesson students would try to make the assorted types of pasta look as close to the original shape of the bone as possible.  I know this will help the students because it helps create a mental image of the bones in their head as well as the name of the bones. The lesson is located at http://207.125.93.3/ce/skeletal.html . 

December Entry
Not being hooked up to the inter-net my classes were not able to use any of the projects that were done in the last Cyber Exchange class.  However, I see several uses for the project.  One such use would be to post weekly assignments on the web page.  Which would allow absent students to make up work in my room or at home.  Students at home could use it to do certain lab activities could also use it. 
 As for the web sites that I found for my classroom again lack of hook up has cost my students the ability to see or use what has been done.  I do hope to use these sites in the future. 

January  Entry
 I have used the PowerPoint three times in my class since the last meeting.  Once was before Christmas and I played around with the power point to send the class a Christmas greeting.  When we returned from Christmas break I used PowerPoint with my eight grade classes.  I grouped several pictures on different screens for the class to come up with ideas on how different things can be grouped.  This was an introduction to studying the periodic table. 
 With my seventh grade classes I used the PowerPoint presentation to explain DNA.  It helped the students to understand what DNA is, how it looks, and how it is replicated.  PowerPoint is a good way to get the student to learn in more than one modality. 

February Entry
In the last meeting we worked on the TLG unit grant.  This was good because of the sites that we were able to locate.  Because Maury is not on the Internet I have not been able to work on the TLG grant work in my class.  I am planning to use the unit in the next few weeks without the Internet if possible.  At home I have found some science software at share ware that I was able to use in the classroom.  The program helped the students learn, understand, and practice working on chemical equations.  Also I have used my BodyWorks program in my classes to help the students get a visual on what we are talking about concerning the systems of the human body. 

March Entry

April Entry

May Entry
The Cyber Exchange program was a great help in showing me how important the Internet can be to the classroom curriculum.  Although I did not have access to the Internet at school this year I was able to use the information I learned at home.  By doing so I was able to download helpful information about the subjects that I was teaching.  Because of this class, the time I spend on the Internet for school has increased greatly.  I learned how and where to look for the best places on the web for lesson plans, and student activities.  I look forward to using what I learned next year in my classes after I have Internet access.  I feel the kids will learn from these interactive sites as well as have fun. 

The class also showed me how to set my own web site.  In the future this can be used by absent students to get homework.  Parents who want to see what is going on in class will be able to use the site. Other sites can be linked from there to allow for home practice of the lessons being taught. 

The lesson plans that were developed online were effective in teaching the desired objectives.  Again because of the lack of Internet access the students were not able to use the web sites in the classroom.  However some worked at home on the lessons and the reactions of those students were favorable.  The web sites allow the students to explore, practice, and reteach themselves the objectives.  Because of this I understand how important some of these sites can be to help students understand scientific topics.

Having a computer and Internet access at home I know how easy email can be to use and how effective its use can be to a person.  Unfortunately at school I have not had the opportunity to use these tools.  I do see a time when I will allow my students to use this and ask questions to scientific professionals in a given field.  It will also allow me to contact area professionals about a subject without the wait or having to leave the room.

The PowerPoint instruction was the one I enjoyed the most.  It is also the one that I am able to use in my classroom the most.  By using PowerPoint I am able to give the students a visual idea of what I am talking about.  The one that worked the best was showing the students DNA and DNA replication.  Using PowerPoint I was able to show the students the ladder like shape of DNA.  I also showed the combinations that attach to form DNA. And last and by far the best was the ability to show how DNA unzips to replicate. This is something that is harder to understand unless seen by the eye.  Also after the presentation I was able to incorporate a quiz to help reinforce the learning.  Another great thing about PowerPoint is that students that are absent can use the disks at school or at home to catch up with the class.  

Students have made comments that they liked the county web page.  They thought that it was helpful and easy to use.  I also had several students compliment me on the layout of my page.  This year I was not able to use the page to its fullest ability.  Next year I hope to have a syllabus online, class and school updates, and any other web sites that may be helpful in reteaching the objectives.  

Before I became apart of this project I never used computers in my class.  For on I never had the technology needed.  I never knew what to do or use.  And I never knew how effective it would be in the room.  Because of these classes I have seen how easy it is to incorporate technology into the lessons.  I know that most kids can use computers, and learn quickly how do to make a program run.  Because of this class I am using computers in my room to show examples, to teach lessons, and to help reinforce subjects taught.  But most important because of the cyber exchange I am using technology in my class, and I plan on building all future lessons around the use of technology. Just the discussions of the classes at school have sparked interest in other teachers.  Most teachers have a fear of technology, but talking to me has helped ease some of these fears.  I also have shared where to look for software and lesson plans.

The use of technology has helped my curriculum in many ways.  I feel the most important way is by giving me more ways to teach subject to my students.  Because of the Internet I am able to explore countless amounts of information on subjects that I teach.  This includes lesson plans, activities, projects, and even games that can help students learn.  This allows students to be introduced to more than one way of teaching.  Students are able to see, hear, and practice most of the lessons taught.  By doing this I am able to use the book then enhance on that by using technology.

This project got me over the fear of using computers in the classroom.  It showed me how easy it is to use technology, and that it makes teaching easier.  It taught me how to use the technology in a way that benefits the students and me the best. 

This class was great for what I needed to know and learn.  As a Science teacher I wish that computers were used in the Middle Schools more for lab activities such as Chemistry experiments.  Because of this I feel there is a need for more software of this nature and in-services on how to use the programs.  
I also feel that more time should be spent on the web page to ensure that teachers know how to use and update there pages.