Group Lab Reports

Successfully received group lab reports submitted through Google Docs by students sharing document with me as well as their lab partners.

Status of Group Project

I brought two of my classes to the computer lab today. After just a couple minutes of figuring out how to share their document with their group members, the groups were successfully on their way to preparing their project in Google Docs. As time went on, they noticed how each group member could edit the document at the same time and was highlighted in a different color. One group transferred information to other members similar to a chat function. It was interesting to watch their progression with the tool.

Scientists in History

Learning the development of the modern atomic model and the scientists that contributed to its development is part of the Lab Chemistry curriculum. As a project for the atomic theory unit, my classes are going to do a "Scientists in History" group project. The project will split the class into groups of four and each group will be assigned an atomic scientist. The groups will write a collaborative paper using Google Docs and develop a presentation using Powerpoint. The use of Powerpoint is due to the better graphics capabilities than Google Docs presentation software.

The students are to explain three personal facts about the scientist, describe their invention that contributed to the atomic theory including the time period, and then present three US or world events or discoveries that occurred in the same era. When an invention in placed in a time period, the information is more meaningful because the students can get a better understanding of what the world was like at the time. For instance, was the invention before or after electricity was discovered? The students will make ten minute presentations in the order that the discoveries were made.

Google Docs Projects Ready to Go

AP Chemistry is going to submit group lab reports this week using Google Docs. Go to docs.google.com, set up a Google account if you don't already have one, upload or create a lab report, and share it with your group member(s) and me.

Digital Story

I'm in the process of making my digital story. I'm learning Photostory 3 and Moviemaker. I've become more familiar with features on my camera. Connecting photos and videos to make a lab report is an interesting way to relay information learned in labs. This will be a good alternative to traditional documents for lab reports.

Wikis and Webquests

It was a good week for resources. I learned that I can set up a wiki site that can handle just about all the functions of my regular web site but also includes a discussion group. I also developed a webquest with some other class members which is an assignment using the web to advance critical thinking.

Here is where class announcements can be posted

My blog is a place where I can post announcements for my classes without having to go into my web site editor. This avoids the possibility of having to reformat the site to fit more content on it.