Assignment 5: Mapping and Web Awareness . . .

Module 4 Assignment . . .

Title of Activity:

"Having Fun with 2-D and 3-D Shapes and Objects"

Reference:

LearnAlberta. (2007). Shapes in Space. Retrieved Septemer 30, 2009, from http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/me3us/flash/lessonLauncher.html?lesson=lessons/14/m3_14_00_x.swf

Grade: 3

Subject: Mathematics

Brief Description of Activity:

Students will access the website game, "Shapes in Space" at http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/me3us/flash/lessonLauncher.html?lesson=lessons/14/m3_14_00_x.swf, where they are required to categorize 2-D shapes based on their names and amount of sides and 3-D objects by their given names and determining the number of faces, edges, or vertices. When the students complete the 4 rounds of the game they may continue to play the bonus round where they must catch triangles while avoiding all other shapes, or they can replay the game to improve their scores.

GLO:

Describe, classify, construct and relate 3-D objects and 2-D shapes.

SLO:

Students will identify and count faces, vertices and edges of 3-D objects.

ICT Outcomes:

C.6.2.1 select and use technology to assist in problem solving
C.7.1.3 draw conclusions from organized information
C.7.1.4 make predictions based on organized information

Rationale for Computer Integration:

I believe that by integrating a web game into this assignment, the students will be able to practice the 2-D and 3-D objects and shapes and have fun at the same time. Many of the students will no doubt play video games at home and therefore should find an interest in this activity. The game is also useful in that the child is instantly informed that they have answered incorrectly. The bonus round and game scoring will also function as useful sponge activities.

A Reminder . . .

All assignments for Ed 3508 are due by Nov. 5th/09.

Link to Crowsnest Fire @ slideshare.net . . .

http://www.slideshare.net/mtmac/crowsnest-fire-2054938

Fixing a broken power point . . .

Here are the changes that I made to the slideshow on the Crowsnest fire that I believe improved it:

1. I added a title page which contains the topic and, because it focusses on a specific event, I decided to put the date of the fire on the title page as well.

2. I simplified much of the text, removing what could merely be spoken and didn't need to be shown on the slide.

3. I segregated the large portions of text into separate points or slides of their own. The previous slides had too much text.

4. I added some images to the slides.

5. Instead of the original full sentence structure, I switched to using point form, keeping the slides simple but informative.

6. I added titles for individual slides as the originals lacked the focus that a title provides.

7. I decided to make the eyewitness' slide narrative driven. It just seemed to me that the information on that slide should be spoken in its entirety and not jotted down in point form. For the slide I made a heading followed by some images and a quotation given by the woman. Although this significantly shortened the amount of slides, this is how I would prefer it.

Alright, here goes nothing . . .

Truth be told, I have never possessed a warm feeling for blogging. While I may show some bias going into Ed 3508, I am still open to persuasion. Obviously there are teachers who believe that blogging has its merits in the classroom and I am very curious to see if this course can change my own predisposition. Who knows, maybe by the end of the year I won't be able to live without my new blog. Until then I don't yet count blogging as one of my interests. Some of my interests include music (I play guitar and occasionally sing in a band), travel, movies, skiing and snowboarding, reading, and video games. Since this blog is for a course focussed on technology, I thought that I would mention a few technological pastimes I enjoy. I enjoy video editing with programs such as Adobe Premiere and iMovie, the movies I make are usually in the form of a music video with clips taken from some of my favourite video games. I've also been known to have fun fiddling around with recording programs such as Garage Band making songs out of the prerecorded loops or of my own playing. Most recently I have become interested in photography and can spend hours messing around in Photoshop. I hope you enjoy the photos of bison and the Grand Prismatic Spring from my trip to Yellowstone this summer.

That said, I've always enjoyed computers and what they're capable of. I've had experience with both pc and mac, although as of late I tend to favour macs . . . that might have something to do with my lovely new iMac. I hope that this class will further broaden my appreciation for technology, including some of the elements that I had not previously considered.

Until next time,

Mac.