Edublog (Blog Project) Educational Online Gaming

Note: This blog post is post #5 of a series of 'edublog posts' I'll be creating as part of my EDUC Technology Class.

Hello Gr. 7s,

As you know, we've been reading a lot of articles about reducing our carbon footprint.
We came up with some great suggestions as a class as far as reducing our classroom's impact, and talked a lot about the importance of the 3 R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)!

Want to test out your 3R Knowledge?
I'm sure some of you have rooms that look like Anita's (the girl in the game).
You may not enjoy cleaning your room, but you'll definitely have fun helping her out with hers.

Check out I Don't Want to Clean My Room  here 

Remember to consider the way in which the game (as a media text) helps us to better understand the issue of waste.  What is the game trying to help us to appreciate??


Parents,
This game ties in nicely with our Language Arts unit on Media Texts.  We have been reading a lot of media literacy surrounding global and environmental issues and exploring notions of intended audience, personal voice/message and intent/purpose in preparation for students constructing their own media texts in which they will be informing the grade 4s about an environmental issue at play in our society.

                                                                                                                                           - Miss Pollard

Edublog (Blog Project) Educational Online Gaming

Note: This blog post is post #4 of a series of 'edublog posts' I'll be creating as part of my EDUC Technology Class.


Hello Grade 7s!
Growing bored of our usual factor worksheets?  

Then  Factors and Multiples Jeopardy is your game! Grab a friend- or play on your own to test your knowledge.

(2012, October 2). Factors and Multiples Jeopardy [Online image]. Retrieved from http://www.math-play.com/Factors-and-Multiples-Jeopardy/Factors-and-Multiples-Jeopardy.html

I'll have the game available to play in our classroom Monday during our first nutrition break for anyone who's interested.

...Could be a great way to review your          

 knowledge before our test on Wednesday!   

Parents: This week's game encourages our grade sevens to build on the work 
we've been doing around 'Number Sense and Numeration'

Our Specific Expectation:

 "Generate multiples and factors, using a variety of tools and strategies."

 What are your favorite (educational) online games??    

                                                                                                                                            -Miss Pollard 

Edublog (Blog Project) - My Online Me

Note: This blog post is post #3 of a series of 'edublog posts' I'll be creating as part of my EDUC Technology Class.

Hello Grade 7s!

In preparation for getting started on our "My Online Me" assignments, I wanted to share with you some of MY online tools, which help define and encourage my creative interests.

The internet can be a great place to gather resources that support and further your interests, and our "My Online Me" assignment is a great opportunity for us to share a little bit about one another, while at the same time evaluating and understanding how we use the internet in constructive and engaging ways.

Check out my favorite pages and let me know what types of websites you find helpful in pursuing your own hobbies!

Remember- when we use the internet as a tool to support our creative outlets we are interacting with technology in a productive and engaging way!


Allrecipes  - Recipes Database
I love to cook and bake, and this website is my go-to online resource for recipes.  I love the ratings and comments feature, because it allows me to see how many people have attempted the recipe, and what they did to modify it.  Everything I've ever attempted through this site has turned out yummy... Our family favorite? Well just click here and find out!!:

(2012, September 25). Allrecipes Logo [Online image]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AllRecipes-Logo.jpg



Blurb Booksmart     - Digital Scrapbooking Software
I've always loved looking at old photographs, and finally got around to scanning and categorizing old family photos on my computer.  The Booksmart software is a free download (works on MAC and PC) that allows me to create some really neat digital photo albums that can then be shipped off and published... A great way to get those digital prints off the computer. Makes a great keepsake/gift for family members too! *hint hint!*

(2012, September 25). Blurb Booksmart logo [Online image]. Retrieved from www.blurb.com



Tripadvisor - Travel Resource
I love to travel, and it is my goal to see as much of the world as I possibly can in this lifetime.  Tripadvisor has proven to be an invaluable resource in helping me to book hotels, arrange travel details and decide on places to see, and places to eat!  Of course, you always have to take reviews with a grain of salt (there are a lot of unhappy travelers out there... you'd be surprised!) But it's always good to accumulate and swap tips from fellow travelers.

(2012, September 25). Tripadvisor logo [Online image]. Retrieved from www.tripadvisor.com 




Hopefully this gives you all an idea about my hobbies and interests.
I can't wait to hear all about yours as we move in toward starting our "My Online Me" activities this week.

Until tomorrow,

                                                                                                                                           -Miss Pollard

Edublog (Blog Project) Resource Post

Note: This blog post is post #2 of a series of 'edublog posts' I'll be creating as part of my EDUC Technology Class.

                                                                                     Hello Grade 7s!



Today I wanted to talk about one of (if not the most) widely used internet resource available on the web.
I know it's one that I personally  use at least once per day!

...Have you guessed it? ...
That's right, it's our trusty Google search engine!

(2012, September 25). Google Search Engine [Online image]. Retrieved from http://www.simpleorganizedliving.com/2010/08/04/go-paperless/google-search-engine/

There's both an art and a science to the way in which we conduct our searches!
When you think about it; our google searches reveal a lot about us and the way we learn/seek knowledge on the internet.

For example, in my own daily uses I use the google search engine to:

• double check the correct spelling of words (definetly? definitely?...)
• quickly calculate conversion rates (ie: Euros to CDN $, inches-feet) 
• answer a pressing question that's on my mind ("Why do cats purr?  Why is the sky blue?") 
• locate a website that I've forgotten the URL for (Find: "Ontario Curriculum Documents")
• look up/research facts 
• discover the weather 
• search for images
• etc...

(Question to ponder: How does YOUR google search engine help make your life a little easier??) 

More often then not my Google.ca page becomes a tool through which I can more quickly access other information.  Rather then have to locate a website which will convert inches to feet for me, I can just type the number of inches I need to convert (ie: "12 inches") into the google search bar in the following way: "12 inches to feet" to find out the conversion rate.

It's like a handy-dandy short cut tool, that makes my life a little bit easier, and always provides me with a quick answer at my fingertips.

But a question to consider is: Can we always trust the "answers" we get through a google search??

This is something I really want you all to think about.  Remember... Just because someone has created a website, or a web article talking about the subject you are searching for, doesn't necessarily mean that it is the best resource, or even a valid resource at all!

We still have to take the time to read, assess and infer about the sites we are taking information from and ask ourselves "Is this a credible source?"

We will be talking more about What Makes a Source Credible this upcoming week in class.
It is my hope that this process will aid you guys in your future projects in my class; and ultimately as you move towards entering highschool.

Hope everyone has a great weekend...See you on Monday!

                                                                                                                                              -Miss Pollard

Edublog (Blog Project) Welcome Post

Note: This blog post is post #1 of a series of 'edublog posts' I'll be creating as part of my EDUC Technology Class.

Hello Grade 7s, and Welcome to our class Edublog!
I've set up this online space for us so that we might share resources and gather ideas and interests on the internet that we can then work with and explore in class!

I am hoping that this blog can become a resource for you, from which you can uncover and extract valuable resources and activities that support your in-class learning and keep you and your families up to date on what we are working on, and where we are going in our classroom.

Some of the things this blog might offer to help you out??

• Links to some cool educational games and/or apps (don't worry.. you won't know you're learning- they're that fun!) 
• Articles surrounding issues/news that pertains to YOUR interests,YOUR lives and YOUR curriculum
• Homework Help tips and tricks... Stuck on one of our problems over the weekend? You may want to browse this page for some helpful tips/ homework walkthroughs.
•  Links to our classroom learning goals and class projects/achievements for families to check out some of the cool things we're creating this year

Remember, this blog is about YOU guys.

I'm looking forward to learning and discovering with you all this year, and am sure that this EduBlog will stand as excellent testament to your achievements and explorations in education.

Happy Blogging! 

                                                                                                                                              -Miss Pollard

Kathy's Words.

 Lessons from a wise woman!

“It is important to give students choices about the activities they are going to do and the methods by which they will accomplish the goals that have been set out for them. Choice allows for negotiation, ownership, and student accountability…Students need to be aware of the path that lies ahead, to learn to challenge themselves to do more than what they know they are good at.”– Kathleen Gould Lundy

iPad app- Toontastic

Today in Language class we got to play with a really cool ipad app called "Toontastic".


Check it out Here! 

Could be a great extension/ culminating activity... a nice, fun and engaging technology pairing to your discussions around Story Structure in the classroom.

                                                                                                                                              -Miss Pollard