Undergraduates+Fall+2011+Overview

Why investigate personal wikis?

Personal wikis allow students and teachers to investigate a variety of topics and display information in a collaborative on-going document. While using a wiki in the classroom, students can make wikis to present notes, discussion topics, projects, study guides, and much more. Students can communicate with each other to understand class materials in greater depth. Although we each individually investigated a topic, we were still able to collaborate and see each others' work and provide feedback. We would recommend the use of a wiki for educational purposes because it teaches vital skills of collaboration. Although there are many positive aspects of using wikis, there are some drawbacks such as multiple users editing the same document and resulting in deletion of work and formatting issues.



Our Topics

Digital Storytelling by Erika Silva Digital Storytelling: Software and Tools Digital Storytelling: Educational Guidance Digital Storytelling is an activity that students can participate in throughout the different disciplines. Digital Storytelling helps students create, collaborate, and connect with others while also gaining valuable skills, including effective communication and higher order thinking skills. This Wiki page will include some of the research on the benefits of using Digital Storytelling and various tools teachers and students can use to take advantage of this activity.

 YouTube for more than watching movies by Brittany Barton Most people in today's world think the only thing to do on youtube is watch over peoples videos or upload their own videos. However, I am going to prove and show that teachers can use youtube in their classrooms to help educate their students that come into the classroom, and through this process students will be able to engage more in the new lesson planned for the day, or if they need help with the homework assigned, or even just being able to review before a test or quiz. YouTube has created channels just for teachers to use and for students to use that way you don't have to worry about what your students are looking at when on YouTube because it is safe for all ages to watch and helps them understand what the teacher is wanting them to work on. I will show an example of how YouTube can help students learn in the classroom. Example of Quiz with video

Online Resources for Special Needs Students: by Ashley Milam
====This Wiki explores the many online resources that are available for teachers to use in the classroom with students with disabilities. There are many reading, writing and math tools that can assist students with learning in the classroom. I will explore and discover games, helpful management tips, assistive technology, and other resources for students with all disabilities.====

The Importance of Creativity in the Classroomby Lauren Rigsby As standardized tests become more and more important, creativity has been pushed out of some classrooms. Learning to think creatively is a vital part of every child's education. We as teachers need to explore ways to incorporate creative learning into our classrooms more, without sacrificing content. This wiki will explore the online resources available for teachers and students that will help foster creativity in the classroom.

Communication Tools for Teachers and Parents by Brittane' Gaines

Its a nationwide frustration when it comes to have effective communication between teachers and teachers and parents. I found many online resources that are available for teachers and parents can use to communicate with one another and do not have to worry about dealing with the notes that are being left behind at school by children whom either neglected to give their parents the letters or forms that was sent by the classroom teacher because of behavior reasons, or because it simply slipped their minds. Using sites such as Facebook, or Twitter makes it more convenient for teachers and parents to communicate with one another.

Using Interactive Boards in the Classroom by Meredith O'Rourke

Interactive whiteboards are a new phenomenon in classrooms around the U.S. The whiteboards are a new technology that are very advanced, and some teachers who have them in their classrooms aren't comfortable with the device, therefore they do not use the boards regularly. The research of the the positive impacts of whiteboards comes from Australia, and the U.K., and the research shows a positive incline in student participation and a greater use of technology in the classroom.

Online Collaboration by Jennifer Green This wiki is about online collaboration in the classroom and the different types of online collaboration tools that are available. It also offers a suggestion for implementing online collaboration tools and assignments in your classroom. This wiki also includes a list of online collaboration sites and tools along with suggestions for how to use them.

iPad tools for Early Childhoodby Keslie Langerud I became interested in this topic after watching a two year old effectively use and interact with apps on an iPad. The child was able to turn on the ipad, scroll through the pages, find her personal folder, and choose a game to play. I was amazed by this process and was very impressed with how she was able to independently use the iPad. As I watched her interact with the apps, I realized how educational the apps are in helping with cognitive, linguistic, and motor skills development. These apps require children to count, talk, write, manipulate items on a screen, color, read, sound out words, and so much more! I decided that I wanted to explore the variety of iPad apps and create a page that displays research, effective iPad resources, and ways of implementing iPad apps into the classroom for young children, as well as children with special needs. Children are now being born into a world that is inundated with technology. I find it interesting to be able to explore the world they are being born into by looking specifically at iPad apps and their effective application. iPad apps can be a valuable resource to engage children and increase their development.