Science Camp

The first day of my first year teaching I went out to science camp. It was challenging being my first year teaching since I was hired as an expert in my field and I had no official training as a teacher. That came from being accepted in the teaching program with UAF. Every year since I have been teaching here I have taken my students to science camp. It is a week of living in a remote field camp getting a hands-on experience doing science. Every year but this one we have had experts and scientists join us. In this photograph my friend Cheryl a fisheries biologist is teaching the students how to capture and identify macro-invertebrate on the Egigik River. I also have had lots of experience doing field studies here on the Alaska Peninsula my speciality was birds. We study a variety of subjects from geology, fisheries, ornithology, mammology, and ecosystems while we are in camp.
Here students are conducting vegetation plot surveys. Students are determining percent cover of vegetation. Students need to be able to correctly identify the plant species then they dig below the vegetation to look at the soil profile. We spend a week out in the field doing hands-on science for science camp. Science camp is held near the mouth of the Egigik River by Lake Becharof. It was moved from the shore of Lake Becharof about three years ago when Bible Camp was declared unsave. These pictures are from last years camp I will post this years pictures once I get them downloaded.

Software Review

Software Title: Cells Alive
Grade/Age Level: 7 – 12 grades and adults
Subject: Biology and Life Science
Platform: both

Purpose: Cells alive is internet site covering cell biology, microbiology, immunology, microscopy. There are interactive models for students to learn about the cell structure and function, cell cycle and cell cams. There are puzzles and quizzes students can do online or be downloaded. There are also videos some can be viewed online others can be bought and downloaded. Though some of the videos have to be paid for there is still free downloads and interactive. There are also cell and crystal galleries. To use cells alive you need java, shockwave, and a video player like windows media player.

Software Title: Virtual Heart Transplant
Grade/Age Level: 9th grade to adult
Subject Area: Human biology
Platform: both

Purpose: This is a fun activity for students when learning about the human heart. The virtual heart transplant is part of the companion web site of PBS and the NOVA program called the Electric Heart. In the site students will find a map of the human heart, amazing heart facts and Operation: Heart Transplant. It gives students a chance to be a virtual heart surgeon showing them how a simplified version of a heart transplant is done. It allows students to learn the procedure required for a heart transplant in an easy to understand manner. To be a virtual surgeon Adobe Shockwave is required.

Software Title: Get Body Smart
Grade/Age Level: 7th grade – adult
Subject: Anatomy
Platform: both

Purpose: The purpose of Get Body Smart is to teach students the anatomy and physiology of the human body. The sites developer Scott Sheffield wanted to provide an interactive and animated ebook for students to learn about the interactions of the physiological system and imporant anatomical sites in the human body. The site offers tutorials on six human body systems including skeletal, muscular, respiratory, circulatory, urinary, nervous, and histology. The tutorials include flash animations of the different systems and tissues. Each tutorial has a quiz. There are also links to other sites for students. I have used this site when teaching the skeletal system to my students in both middle school and high school. It is a fun way to learn the parts of your body.

One to One Initiative

I am writing my review for the One to One Initiative a bit late due to an overly busy schedule the past two weeks. I actually watched this DVD more than a year ago and need to watch it again so I will be editing this review to add more detail. Our school began the One to One Initiative last year though I believe we actually got the grant monies this year along with additional laptops. I viewed the Healy DVD with my electronic portfolio class and shared it with several colleagues last year. We were thrown into the program by a former superintendent. Finalizing the decision to go ahead with the program and purchasing the laptops was his departing action. The problems that we encountered upon returning to school last year were many. The first thing we happen a laptop was assigned to each teacher and staff member. The problem here was the change in platform most of us and the school used the Windows platform before this. On top of that we also had a new grading program to learn. Once teachers and staff were comfortable with the laptops and grading program we moved on to conquering the laptop handbook. Many interesting discussions developed from this, such as what to filter, are music downloads allowed and others. Once we had the handbook done then came time to give the students the computers. It was decided that in the beginning laptops would remain in the student’s first hour class and only be taken out for the day to be returned to the classroom at the end of the day. Then the much anticipated time arrived about two months later, after Christmas break, when students were allowed to take the computers home. We chose to release computers this way to ensure that before students took laptops home they had proven they were responsible in following the handbook rules. Of course there was paperwork for students and parents stating responsibility of the laptops. The biggest problems we encountered before sending laptops home were students erasing internet history and music downloads. All and all I think it has been great for our students to have laptops. I still have to learn how to use Apple Remote Desktop so I can keep an eye on my students when they are working on their laptops. Something that probably needs training, but like Healy we didn’t get a lot of training. We have had an Apple trainer come out this year and he will be back in October so we are getting some training. The only real problem I have had with students is some instant messaging during class time and ARD should take care of that. I have students use their laptops for online activities, publishing, data collection, and writing. Students have been able to turn in assignments electronically, but they still have many paper assignments to turn in as well. When I review the DVD again I will add more to my reflection.

Intro

I am Jodi and I am taking Ed 329 Teaching with Technology. This class is very important to me because my school began the one to one computer initiative last year. All of our high school students now have a laptop in their hands and there are two carts of laptops for middle and elementary classes. It is important to me teaching 7 -12th grade to engage and enhance my students learning experience with technology.

I began teaching science and art in Alaska five years ago. I came to Alaska to work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as a wildlife biologist. Coming to Alaska to work for the USFWS, I worked in remote field camps. I went to Mother Goose Lake where on the first night at camp we were called to the lake. I wondered what was up as I walked from the cabin to the lake. I heard excited voices and hurried to find out what was happening. When I got to the lake to my amazement I saw a pack of wolves stalking a moose calf trying to split it from its mother. The pack finally caught the calf, but the wolves and we were watching a brown bear heading at a fast pace down the shore. The wolves backed off and the calf almost reached its mother and the safety of the other shore. Then like a bolt of lightening the bear reached the calf and we all heard a sickening cry as the calf was crabbed by the neck. The bear headed off into the willow and the wolves watched from the distance as the distraught mother moose looked for her young.

I realized then that all my years of education, field labs, and field work brought me here to witness such an awesome sight. Much of my education consisted of taking field courses and doing research. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was getting a place-based education utilizing inquiry-based lessons. I have since decided that I want to share my love of nature and learning. Being in the field and learning by hands-on experience. Science is observation and inquiry. I feel that students will only learn by actively being involved and engaged in their own learning. To really make this effective technology is a must. I hope that this course will enhance the use of technology in my classroom.