Poll Everywhere

Poll Everywhere is a fun and quick way to take a poll by texting a certain code to poll everywhere.
It was super easy to create the poll.  All I had to do was chose the question and how it would be answered and everything else was done for me.

It seems that almost every student in Middle school and above has a cell phone and would be able to take a poll if requested.

My Poll about seasons.



NETS:
Poll everywhere could fit into NETS #5 - teachers could use a quick poll at the end of class as a formative assessment about how the students felt class was.  Questions could ask if there was still confusion - or what topic should be reviewed again.

Google Forms 1

The assigned activity this week was to create a survey using Google Forms and link the survey to a spreadsheet to compile the user input while taking the survey.

When I first read about the requirements for this activity I thought it was going to be a tough one with many detailed steps.  Turns out google forms makes it so easy with the templates and question types set up.  Also, being able to easily collect the answers for later evaluation is a big plus.

As a teacher, putting short surveys on the homework webpage and asking students to provide quick feedback on how they felt about the homework would be interesting.

I created the following survey about amusement rides.



To take this survey online instead of through the blog post, please use this link.

Survey responses can be seen with this link.

Nets:
5:  Teachers could exhibit leadership in their schools by using google forms to demonstrate the effectiveness of digital tools.  Teachers could use survey forms to get students, other teachers and parents involved in fun learning activities.

Jeopardy Labs

This activity required us to create a jeopardy game to play in the classroom.  I chose questions from the Governor's Race prep and made a game for my son to practice with.

I thought the jeopardy application was very easy and didn't have any problem entering my questions and answers into the table.

To play the game please use this link.

Nets: 

This activity is connected with NETS 2a.  The game allows the use of a digital tool to promote student learning and creativity.

Prezi

In this activity we were asked to create a Prezi which included text, images and video.  I really enjoyed creating this Prezi and chose to do the life cycle of a butterfly because it is a topic covered in 2nd grade each year.  I started with a basic template because the background fit so well with my topic.  I was able to embellish the template with additional frames.  I didn't find any part of this assignment difficult.  I think Prezi gets easier as you use it.  In my opinion, editing text is the most confusing part.

I had a little difficulty embedding the Prezi into my blog because I'm not able to see the Prezi on the 'edit post' area.  Only after I publish and view the blog am I able to see the actual Prezi.  This is confusing and I tried many times to get the embedding code into the HTML correctly before realizing this issue.

In any case, here is my Prezi...



NETS:
The nets covered would include 2b by using Prezi to develop technology-enriched learning opportunities and also 3c by communicating relevant information and ideas to students through interesting digital media.

Prezume

The activity this week was to create a resume using the Prezi presentation program.  Prezi provides a very creative way to generate a presentation.  I have used Prezi before for a short presentation in school but would not have thought to use it for a resume.  I'm still not 100% convinced that I would provide a potential employer only a link when applying for a job but perhaps a pdf and a Prezi link would intrigue an employer.

When creating  My Resume  I found Prezi to be a bit picky and cumbersome.  For example when inserting text if I wanted to move the text box I had to click out to get the hand but had to click into the edit mode to change the text size.  So to get things positioned correctly, I felt that I was going back and forth in and out of edit mode.

Prezi presentations actually make me a bit dizzy but I can understand why young kids would enjoy the movement and creativity of the program.

NETS:
3c - Prezi presentations help to communicate relevant information and ideas to students different technology.