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Promising
Practices
(A closer look at lessons in a
technology-rich classroom) |
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More resources:
Idea
guide for new teachers
Video bank
of classroom samples
Submit good uses of technology in teaching |

Math
Tessellations using patty paper, Sketchpad,
Blackboard
(Carol Benson)
Accelerated Geometry students use internet research,
patty paper, Geometer's Sketchpad, computer
scanning, and digital submission to create and turn
in a project that utilizes concepts learned in a
chapter on tessellations. During class, students
worked individually and in pairs to research the
topic and create tilings. The activity sheet was
available through Blackboard. The lesson is
here.
Investigating Graphs of
Polynomial Functions
(Laura Sellers;
Sketchpad, OneNote, Classroom Spy, graphing
calculators)
2nd year Algebra students use a variety of hands-on technology to investigate this topic. The students
will graph the functions using graphing calculator
and Geometer’s Sketchpad to graph polynomial
functions; they will use One-Note on their tablet to
write down patterns and discoveries. During class,
student work will be displayed using Classroom Spy
while the students present their ideas. All activity
sheets, and the homework assignment will be accessed
through Blackboard. You can view the lesson
here.
Calculus- it's
fundamental
(Dr. Kevin Thompson; tablet pc's, Geometer's
Sketchpad, recorded lessons)
This AP Calculus lesson introduces students to
the fundamental theorem of calculus. It is part of a
two day lesson on the topic. As an introduction,
students will explore the position of an object at
given times when supplied with a position equation.
Links will then be made to the area under the
corresponding velocity curve. The generalized result
is a major component of the fundamental theorem. For
the complete lesson, click
here.
Introducing
parametric equations
(Algebra 2/Trig, Vickie Graziano; tablet
pc's, Geometer's Sketchpad, Blackboard)
In this lesson, students learn about parameters
through hands-on use of Geometer's Sketchpad. For
the complete lesson, click
here.
Trigonometry concepts
at the amusement park
Take a spin around the Ferris wheel with this
pre-calculus lesson from Kevin Thompson's class.
Students, working in groups, use the Geometer's
Sketchpad program to learn how trigonometry concepts
tie into this popular ride. View the lesson
here, and a video of a student project
here.
-Geometry
proofs using Blackboard and other technology
tools
in Ms. Benson's class
Foreign Language
French III travel
unit
(internet travel sites, google earth, Photostory)
In Jim Potter's French III class, students are asked to use French
language to plan a spring break trip to France. During the planning
process, students write a letter to reserve a room in a hotel, find
transportation to and from France including train transportation to the
specific city, plan an itinerary, and make a Photo Story presentation to
highlight the city. You can view the unit
here and a sample
student project here.
Using wikis to write
and edit vocabulary
(wikis)
Katie Orrego's students use wikis in her Spanish IV classroom to write
and edit their vocabulary definitions. Here are the tools you'll need to
give it a try.
Sample Wiki
Wiki
Instructions
Wiki Rubric
Writing
Correction Key
Instructional Video
on How to Setup Your Own Wiki.
Viva el Toro: An Experience
with Spanish Culture through Reading and Summarizing
(electronic
media: summarizing with words, images, audio, video)
In teacher Kim Baxter's Spanish 3 class, students practice their reading
strategies and skills in Spanish while learning about Spanish culture,
including bullfights. Students summarize through a variety of electronic
media options. Unit
Looking at earth's
environmental issues
(using Blackboard discussion, survey tools,
youtube videos, blogger.com, ComicLife)
In this unit, students look at earth's
environmental issues through the eyes of
Spanish-speaking countries. Teacher Kim Baxter
facilitates student discussions of these issues via
Blogger.com and Blackboard discussion, has students
practice Spanish comprehension while watching
YouTube videos on the subject, and has students
illustrate their knowledge though ComiLife projects.
Unit
Recording dialogues
to
practicing speaking and auditory skills
(using audacity for practice, collaboration
and peer editing)
Students in Sarah Terry's Spanish 3 class create
and record dialogue with a partner, and then listen
and assess the work of other students in this unit.
You can view the full lesson plan
here.
Developing and sharing
presentations in Blackboard
(using Blackboard, Audacity and MS Word)
Students in Jim Potter's French II class
practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Recording allows students to reflect on their
speaking abilities while Blackboard allows students
to share their presentations with classmates, and
also provides an opportunity for a listening and
written assessment. You can view the lesson
here.
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Science
Electron arrangements in atoms
(using Blackboard, online
diagrams & textbooks) In this lesson,
students work to
understand the arrangement of electrons in the quantum
mechanical model of the atom. This lesson uses
a variety of activities within Blackboard, along
with Classroom Spy (to monitor student progress) and
regular class discussion. You can view the unit
here.
(Janeice Ives, Chemistry)
Determining atomic structure
(using on-line inquiry, group work and
presentations)
In Janeice Ives' Chemistry classes, technology is
helping students to determine atomic structure.
Students first view models, then participate in both
in-class and on-line discussions. Students also
worked collaboratively to research and organize
information. You can view the complete unit
here.
Consumer
Education
Buying a computer
(various internet buying sites)
Students in Dusty Burk's Consumer Education
course comparison shop for hardware and software in
this set of
lessons.
Buying a house,
mortgages
(Bankrate.com, hgtv.com, househunting sites)
Students in Dusty Burk's Consumer Education
course learn to use financial websites to calculate
mortgages and to search for and evaluate homes using
the laptops. You can view the complete unit
here.
English
Searching for Frisson –
The Life and Death of Edgar Allan Poe
(http://knowingpoe.thinkport.org,
Jeopardy)
In this
unit teacher Mark Adams and his class explore the
life of Edgar Allan Poe and some of his most notable
works including
The Raven,
The Cask of Amontillado,
and
The Fall of the House of Usher.
But
first, students identify the idea of frisson and
research Poe’s life and death on an interactive web
site that informs both the mystery and the single
effect that Poe endeavored to maintain.
More
Annotating and citing
sources using NoodleTools
(Amy Reiman;
Noodle Tools, Lexis Nexis, CQ Researcher,
Science Online)
In this cross-curricular unit, biology students
research and annotate contemporary articles on an
ethical dilemma that has emerged from the study of
genetics. Students will use NoodleTools to complete
an annotated bibliography and works cited page. The
complete unit plan is
here.
Using an "I-search"
to do research
(in-depth on-line research; Shyla Anderson,
American Literature)
In this 3 week unit, students start with the broad
topics of Native Americans and Early Narratives and
focus down to specific topics of interest. Students
write their narrative in the first person,
describing both their topic and their own research
journey. The complete unit is
here.
Sophomore writing
tackles college admission process
Students in Shyla Anderson's laptop class used
technology to read & discuss college apps, admission
essays and school websites in this unit. The
complete lesson plan is
here.
The Evergreen
Cemetery Unit
(using wikis, digital images and peer editing
for collaboration)
Having technology readily available serves as a
powerful tool for student collaboration, as
evidenced in this unit from Dianne Walker's AP
English Language course. Students first participate
in the Evergreen Cemetary walk where they hear
dramatic, biographical monologues. They then use the
internet for research, take digital images, compose
and peer-edit poetry, and participate in a
collaborative wiki as part of the learning unit. You
can view the complete unit
here.
The Legacy Project
(using web pages and podcasts to bring
Arthurian Legend into the 21st century)
Kathy Clesson's English Composition and
Literature Class students first
select a book and two chapters to read (from the
twenty-one book collection of tales compiled by Sir
Thomas Mallory in Morte d’Arthur), then work
to comprehend, interpret, and bring to life those
chapters via an old-style radio performance using
audacity. These mp3 files are then added to a
class-created
website. You can view the complete unit
here.
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Social Science
An in-depth look at a Civil
War aspect of your choice
(Noodletools, primary & secondary sources,
PowerPoint)
Students in Kate
Pole's U.S. Studies course choose a specific area of
interest- Civil War people, strategy, battles,
medicine, etc...- and use primary and secondary
resources to shape their presentation. The complete
lesson is
here.
Understanding human rights using
authentic activities and outcome-based assessments
(Research, primary sources, PowerPoint)
Students in Jim
Kelly's International Relations course use the
laptops to research, collect data, assemble media
and produce an advertisement calling for human
rights reform. The
lesson is
here.
Samples of student projects:
A
B
Connecting Mental Set and
Perception
(Intro to Psychology, Jean Gorski)
Students use the
laptops to experience
a variety of illusions first-hand; they're then able
to apply the concept of the lesson to their own
experience, making a valuable connection between
psychological theory and practice. The lesson is
here.
Teaching Research and
Writing through Graphic Texts
(U.S. History, Andy Davis)
In this unit students will work in groups to
research and write a graphic novel set during the
American Civil War. Using online resources and
working under the premise that a story plot can be a
metaphor for a thesis statement, students will
create a historically possible story based on their
understanding of the period. You can view the unit
here.
Teaching students to think
like historians
(using primary sources on the internet)
...is a key part of Jim Kelly's U.S. Studies
lesson plan. Students were able to use the internet
in class to corroborate primary sources- paintings,
pictures, music, newsreel & movie clips- as part of
that learning process. You can view the unit
here.
Studying "memory" with
on-line experiments
(using on-line activities)
Join Jean Gorski's Psychology class as they
participate in a series of on-line experiments that
look at factors which limit memory and ways to
combat forgetfulness. Because of the laptops,
students are able to individually go through the
experiments. The complete lesson is
here.
Learning through
news videos, eyewitness accounts
(using google earth, audio/video resources)
Students in Ms. Lehnen's U.S. Studies class were
able to compare and contrast the events of Pearl
Harbor and September 11- including a comparison of
media accounts, individual reactions, and
geographical features. Take a look at the complete
lesson
here.

Developing
documentaries with Photostory
Students in
Bob Fitzgerald's AP U.S. History class use
Photostory to develop documentaries for class. The
lesson includes teaching students to look at
copyright issues and gather text and media
resources. View the lesson
plan or a
sample student
project.
The Great Depression and Dust Bowl
Blues
(primary sources)
Students in Andy Davis' U.S. Studies class look at the Dust Bowl era
via historical documents, photographs, film and music. Students are
challenged to create texts of their own in small groups and to compose a
creative musical writing. View the unit
here.
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