Well, I have to say, Math 6003 added even more tools to my bag of technology "tricks". I learned how to use InspireData, Graph Club, and Geometer's SketchPad. I discovered so many wonderful websites, lesson plans,, and activities to support math curriculum, and new ways to apply software that his commonplace in schools: Microsoft Excel. As a result of this class, I am looking forward to sharing my new knowledge with colleagues both formally and informally. Although this class has been one of the most challenging with regard to the number and depth of the assignments, I can honestly say that I am glad that I chose it. I know that I am much more aware of the Math Process and Content standards, and potential supports for students and teachers in relation to those standards. I am looking forward to sharing the tips, tricks, and tools.!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Bread Mold Continued
I have been so wrapped up in my ecology class that I forgot to blog last week. We are in the final 2 weeks and I continue to be grateful for this valuable ecological experience. Last week we threw away our bread experiment after weeks of gathering data on mold growth. If you caught my blog a few weeks back you know that I was watching to see if changing the pH on top of the slice would keep the mold at bay.I am still watching for mold growth on my slices with vinegar, ammonia, honey and my plain control piece. No mold at all on those pieces. I had to get rid of my pieces dipped in milk and baking soda. The milk bread was so riddled with mold you couldn't tell that it was once bread. Some of the colors and patterns were intriguing. The baking soda piece was covered in a completely different form of mold evidenced by the difference in color and pattern. Sounds disgusting but remember this is where we got penicillin. The results of my bread trials provided evidence that substances with a higher alkalinity or higher acidity are indeed deterrents to mold.
Friday, February 11, 2011
The Final Project
It is coming down to the final stretch for me. I have a ton of work still to do, but only 2 more weeks to do it! I have a final project that I am working on right now. I am creating a workshop that will incorporate technology into the Math Content Standards in a K-2 class setting. I am thinking about how to integrate the technology tools and skills that I have learned into activities that will promote the academic goals. Since I am not a teacher and I don't have experience developing curriculum, I have to work a little harder to understand how it all fits together. However, with the many resources and structured learning activities that I can rely on, I know that I will be successful. It might just take me a little longer than someone with curriculum experience. It is a challenge, but it will be worth the hard work. I plan to present it to my colleagues during a staff development day this spring.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Key Assignments
This past week I completed my Key Assignment for class. Although it is a lot of effort and research I love how each Key Assignment for each class has the same effort level but the assignment is approached with thought and creativity. The Key Assignment I just completed for my class was excellent. We had to research a new Web 2.0 tool and then make a lesson plan according to this tool. I love to learn about new educational resources and to find new ways to incorporate it into the classroom. I decided to pick Gliffy.com and focused my lesson on graphic organizers and literary reviews and class discussion. I love that we get to see our classmates lessons and ideas as well as share what we have created and researched. I am continuing to love this program, the dedication of the professors and the creativity of the assignments.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Immigrant Activity
You wouldn't guess that by the title of my post, that this assignment was for "Using Technology to Integrate Math Across the Curriculum"! We have been using a software program called InspireData to investigate real information from rosters of ships that brought immigrants to the US. This particular activity involved creating a story about a family that we adopted from the boat, journaling about their experiences, and creating a budget for income and expenses. It was absorbing! The math aspect of the task was more than just the budget, we used the software to compare the occupants of the boat by age, occupation, family, etc. By the end of the assignment I had a much deeper appreciation for what it might have been like to immigrate, as well as how to navigate within the software. Carolyn
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Ecology Continues
January 28, 2011
We’re up to our eyeballs in mold and decomposition in Ecology class. Currently we are monitoring 3 different experiments. In the second week of class we started a compost column with various produce, some potting soil and compost enhancers. The column is constructed out of 2 plastic soda bottles. 2 weeks later, the materials inside the column are covered with green and white mold and no longer recognizable. Thankfully the set up of the column allows for any liquid produced by the decomposition to be drained into a bottom portion of the column. We’ve been checking this brown liquid for nitrate and nitrite levels. This is by far the most aromatic of our experiments. Another experiment we are watching is the growth of mold on petri dishes with jello acting as a culture. There is nothing growing on my control but white spidery mold covers the petri dishes with soil samples on top of the jello culture. Our third experiment involves the growth of mold on pieces of bread. Each of us was asked to conduct this experiment changing 1 variable. I chose to look at whether or not a change in pH would have any effect on the growth of mold. I exposed my preservative-free slices of bread to the air in my kitchen overnight. Afterwards I dipped 1 side of each slice in one of the following: milk, vinegar, lemon juice ammonia, honey, baking soda. The lemon juice and vinegar have higher levels of acidity while the ammonia has a higher alkalinity level. Both the milk and baking soda are more neutral in pH. One piece, my control was dipped in nothing. I decided to include honey in the experiment because it is known as a natural preservative.17 days later the only bread with mold (36 cm) on top is the milk piece. No surprise there but is it the milk that is molding or the bread? Hard to tell. There is 39cm of growth on the bottom of the baking soda piece and 33cm on the bottom of the milk piece. It appears that these 2 two are promoters of mold. Surprisingly to me there is no mold on any part of any of the other pieces. It appears that substances with a neutral pH are better promoters of mold growth. I’m eager to see which slice will begin to sprout mold next. I don’t think they can resist it forever… or can they?
We’re up to our eyeballs in mold and decomposition in Ecology class. Currently we are monitoring 3 different experiments. In the second week of class we started a compost column with various produce, some potting soil and compost enhancers. The column is constructed out of 2 plastic soda bottles. 2 weeks later, the materials inside the column are covered with green and white mold and no longer recognizable. Thankfully the set up of the column allows for any liquid produced by the decomposition to be drained into a bottom portion of the column. We’ve been checking this brown liquid for nitrate and nitrite levels. This is by far the most aromatic of our experiments. Another experiment we are watching is the growth of mold on petri dishes with jello acting as a culture. There is nothing growing on my control but white spidery mold covers the petri dishes with soil samples on top of the jello culture. Our third experiment involves the growth of mold on pieces of bread. Each of us was asked to conduct this experiment changing 1 variable. I chose to look at whether or not a change in pH would have any effect on the growth of mold. I exposed my preservative-free slices of bread to the air in my kitchen overnight. Afterwards I dipped 1 side of each slice in one of the following: milk, vinegar, lemon juice ammonia, honey, baking soda. The lemon juice and vinegar have higher levels of acidity while the ammonia has a higher alkalinity level. Both the milk and baking soda are more neutral in pH. One piece, my control was dipped in nothing. I decided to include honey in the experiment because it is known as a natural preservative.17 days later the only bread with mold (36 cm) on top is the milk piece. No surprise there but is it the milk that is molding or the bread? Hard to tell. There is 39cm of growth on the bottom of the baking soda piece and 33cm on the bottom of the milk piece. It appears that these 2 two are promoters of mold. Surprisingly to me there is no mold on any part of any of the other pieces. It appears that substances with a neutral pH are better promoters of mold growth. I’m eager to see which slice will begin to sprout mold next. I don’t think they can resist it forever… or can they?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Up till now....
I have been learning more about how to incorporate technology into the classroom in more ways than one. I have learned how to make a Webquest and then through my own knowledge adapt it for a student with special needs. I have learned how to set up a blog and not only post words on it but a self drawn (electronically) picture to send to the blog. I have learned the simple keys on how to take a screen shot where I am in control of what information I want to capture. And some of those things are just the tip of what I have learned thus far. I am only on my third class through the TIE program but I have gained for that credits can show. I continue to wonder what will come next and what will be do with this type of assignment this week. The more exposure the more I will continue to grow and learn as an educator.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
